Parkinson

Parkinson - The Final Show
Saturday 22 December 2007 10:15pm - 11:20pm on ITV1.

In the final of three specials that celebrate and conclude the final ever series of Parkinson, this show will be the last to be filmed after four decades of truly mesmerising chat.

Michael Parkinson will be in the studio taking a fond and poignant look back at all the truly great guests he’s had on his show over the years. Personally picking all the clips himself, they’ll show us why his chat show is littered with golden TV moments. The guests read like a who’s who of popular culture of the last thirty years, and many of the encounters have attained legendary status: Muhammad Ali, Fred Astaire, Richard Burton and Orson Welles, to name but a few.

Parkinson - The Final Conversation
Sunday 16 December 2007 9:00pm - 11:00pm on ITV1.

The party celebrations can begin with this unforgettable show where Michael Parkinson has personally picked each guest to ensure a once in a lifetime classic line up. Joining him in the studio for this final time are David Beckham, Billy Connolly, Dame Judi Dench, Sir David Attenborough, Sir Michael Caine, Peter Kay, Dame Edna Everage, with the music coming from Jamie Cullum

David Beckham: The last time David Beckham appeared on the show he delivered some of the highest ratings in recent years

Billy Connolly: Having first appeared on Parkinson in the early 70s, Billy Connolly holds the record with Kenneth Williams for appearing the most on the show

Dame Judi Dench: A true British legend and good friend of the show having appeared many times in recent years

Sir David Attenborough: A true great and as much a part of the TV landscape as Michael Parkinson himself

Parkinson Music Special
Saturday 24 November 2007 10:55pm - 12:10am on ITV1.

Alongside these classic clips that have not been seen on air in over 30 years we have exclusive performances in the studio from Annie Lennox, Jamie Cullum and Joe Cocker. Rod Stewart and Michael Buble will also be in the studio performing tracks, singing an exclusive duet together and talking to Michael.

Parkinson starts the show by giving an insight into how the famous theme tune was composed, along with showing how the very first episode looked way back in 1971.

In between the chat and performances in the studio, Parkinson will introduce personally selected music highlights from over the years.

Additional highlights include a drunken Sir Peter Ustinov singing opera with Dudley Moore, Elton John playing pub songs on a pub piano with Parky and Sir Michael Caine singing along and finally a classic duet with Bing Crosby and Parkinson himself.

Parkinson
Friday 16 November 2007 10:00pm - 10:30pm on ITV1.

It was 1986 when 18-year-old Sally Seddon marched down the cobbles of Coronation Street and was given a soaking by Kevin Webster driving his van through a puddle.

Twenty-one years on – and two kids, several affairs, a divorce and remarriage later - Sally and Kevin are still together…for the time being.

Sally and Kevin married in October 1986 and took over Hilda Ogden’s house at 13 Coronation Street. Hilda was horrified that her precious lodger Kevin had been snared by “that tarty Sally Seddon” in her white pvc knee high boots.

Actress Jean Alexander, who played Hilda Ogden, is one of the contributors to the programme and said: “When Hilda first met Sally, she took against her immediately. She didn’t know Sally personally but she knew about the family who were rogues and vagabonds.”

Parkinson
Saturday 10 November 2007 10:35pm - 11:40pm on ITV1.

Joining him in the studio this week will be revered British actor, Sir Ian McKellen CBE, best known for his role as Gandalf in The Lord of The Rings trilogy. Ian will be talking about his latest stage performance to come to the West End, King Lear.

Joining Ian will be the phenomenal British Formula One racing driver Lewis Hamilton and impressionist and comedian Rory Bremner. James Blunt will be performing a track from his new album, All The Lost Souls.

During his last series Parkinson spoke to luminaries including Gene Wilder, Joan Rivers, Orlando Bloom, Robin Williams, Patrick Stewart, James Nesbitt, David Attenborough, Piers Morgan and George Michael.

Parkinson
Saturday 3 November 2007 10:45pm - 11:45pm on ITV1.

Joining Michael in the studio this week is Emmy award-winning actor, Ray Winstone, who will be talking about the release of his latest film ‘Beowulf’, while legendary comedy sketch duo, Dawn French & Jennifer Saunders, will be reflecting on their 20 years together.

Completing the line up, and best known for his role as Harry Potter, is film, television and stage actor Daniel Radcliffe, who will be talking about his latest role in ITV1’s drama ‘My Boy Jack’. Providing this week's music is American soul singer, Jamie Davis.

During his last series Parkinson spoke to luminaries including Gene Wilder, Joan Rivers, Orlando Bloom, Robin Williams, Patrick Stewart, James Nesbitt, David Attenborough, Piers Morgan and George Michael.

Parkinson has also proved to be the show of choice for many of the world’s best music talents. The previous series saw exclusive performances from some of the biggest names in the business including, Michael Buble, Russell Watson, Travis, Joe Cocker, Scissor Sisters and Amy Winehouse.

Parkinson
Saturday 20 October 2007 10:35pm - 11:35pm on ITV1.

Parky gets a woman’s touch this week as joining him in the studio are three strong minded females who are bound to be an explosive combination when they get together. X-Factor judge, Sharon Osbourne, who will be talking about her new book ‘Sharon Osbourne: The Next Chapter’. Supermodel and author, Sophie Dahl, will be chatting about her new fictional book ‘Playing With Grownups’. Providing the laughs for the evening will be outspoken American comedian, Joan Rivers, and Canadian jazz pianist, Diana Krall, will be performing a track from her latest album ‘The Very Best of Diana Krall’

During his last series Parkinson spoke to luminaries including Gene Wilder, Joan Rivers, Orlando Bloom, Robin Williams, Patrick Stewart, James Nesbitt, David Attenborough, Piers Morgan and George Michael.

Parkinson has also proved to be the show of choice for many of the world’s best music talents. The previous series saw exclusive performances from some of the biggest names in the business including, Michael Buble, Russell Watson, Travis, Joe Cocker, Scissor Sisters and Amy Winehouse.

Over the past year Michael has been making a short series of films celebrating the lives and work of ten individuals who in his opinion have given the most to the world of entertainment.

From Muhammad Ali to Billy Connolly, they’re entertainers in the broadest sense of the word; they have illuminated the worlds of sport, comedy, popular music, Hollywood and in one particular case the natural world. What unites them - apart from being supremely gifted - is an extra dimension, the ability to connect with an audience who in turn respond with a mixture of gratitude and enduring affection.

In this one off special, Michael Parkinson visits locations intimately connected with his subjects, talks to the men and woman who knew them best and uses the very best archive footage to state his case why these ten men and woman are truly the Greatest Entertainers.

ITV1 Thursday 4 January 9:00 PM to 10:30 PM