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https://theconversation.com/interested-curious-and-empathetic-michael-parkinson-helped-bridge-the-gap-between-australia-and-england-211824>
"Michael Parkinson, who has died at 88, demonstrated the art of the good
interview night after night. He practised deep listening, giving his
interviewee his full attention, but he was always aware of the audience. While
he was asking questions on behalf of the audience and advocating for the
audience, he always had the person he was interviewing as his focus.
As host of
Parkinson (1971–82 and 1998–2007) and
Parkinson in Australia
(1979–83), he was a big presence on Australian TV. He was television the whole
family could watch together, never unsuitable for children.
We may not have understood everything, and some references went over our head,
but as children we could watch Parkinson with our parents. I remember as a
young person regularly watching him and hoping the interview would be funny
that week.
There were times you knew it was going to be hilarious. When Billy Connolly or
“our” Dame Edna were going to appear it was a must-watch.
Whoever the interviewee, Parkinson brought out their stories, their
observations. He gave them space to share engaging stories and never stepped on
a punchline. Although humour was a draw card for the audience, there was space
for pathos, too."
RIP,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
