October 29th 2024.
Next up on the agenda, we have some interesting insights from comedian Frank Skinner. In a recent interview, Frank opened up about his experience being interviewed by the late Sir Michael Parkinson back in 2004. The chat took place on Parkinson's long-running self-titled series, and now, nearly two decades later, Frank is reflecting on the encounter while appearing on Good Morning Britain. According to Frank, Parkinson could have been a bit more polite during the interview.
The conversation surrounding Parkinson came about when discussing the announcement of a new podcast featuring an AI version of the legendary chat show host. Sadly, Parkinson passed away in August 2023 at the age of 88 after a brief illness. The podcast, titled "Virtually Parkinson," will use technology to recreate the host's voice and will feature eight celebrities as guests. While the project has the support of Parkinson's family and estate, it has also been met with criticism for being disrespectful.
When asked about his thoughts on the podcast, Frank responded that he would "definitely" be interested in being a guest. He even joked that it might be more enjoyable than his actual experience with Parkinson, saying, "No disrespect, but I think it would be great to be interviewed by it. I did the real Michael Parkinson and he wasn't that nice to me, so I think I'd prefer the AI." His declaration brought a laugh from presenters Ed Balls and Charlotte Hawkins.
Frank went on to give further insight into what happened during his appearance on Parkinson's show in 2004. He recalled being scolded for talking to fellow guest, Olympic gold medalist rower Matthew Pinsent, during the interview. "Parkinson was talking to me and I turned to Matthew and said, 'Matthew, you must have this in your career.' Parkinson said, 'Are you talking to him or are you doing an interview?'" Frank shared. He then joked that with AI, there would be no such awkward moments because they have manners.
It seems that Frank's memories of being on Parkinson's show are not very pleasant. In fact, some viewers picked up on the uncomfortable energy between the two stars during the 2004 episode. On a Digital Spy forum, one user wrote, "Maybe I am reading too much into things, but was that all quite awkward?" Another added, "Didn't look like there was any flow to the show. Parkinson didn't seem to like any of Frank's jokes." There were even theories that an advertisement break was aired earlier than scheduled to avoid further awkwardness.
Interestingly, Frank and Parkinson had been pitted against each other before due to scheduling conflicts. In 2001, The Frank Skinner Show aired on ITV at a similar time as Parkinson's show on BBC. However, in 2004, Frank made the move to ITV, where he continued to attract big-name guests such as Noel Gallagher, Samuel L. Jackson, and Jamie Lee Curtis. His show featured a mix of stand-up comedy, unconventional interviews, and comedic songs.
On the other hand, Parkinson's show followed a more traditional format and featured A-list celebrities like David Beckham, Sir Elton John, and Muhammad Ali. When asked about the rivalry between their shows, Parkinson stated, "I wouldn't have thought we've got anything to worry about. If they want to do that, they're welcome to. I like Frank. I do admire him." Despite Frank's show attracting around eight million views and Parkinson's show ahead with nine million, there seemed to be no hard feelings between the two hosts.
In the end, Frank's interview on Good Morning Britain shed some light on his not-so-great experience with Parkinson and his thoughts on the new AI podcast. If you have a story to share or any celebrity gossip, don't hesitate to reach out to The Agency entertainment team through email, phone, or by visiting their Submit Stuff page. They would love to hear from you! And don't forget to tune in to Good Morning Britain weekdays at 6am on ITV.
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