Parkinson

Very true, it seems all chat shows have to have a comic element now. The only other host I can think of whose in the same league as Parky is fellow Yorkshireman, Alan Titchmarsh.

Johnathan Ross is greatly over-rated (not to mention overpaid).

Parky was always too sycophantic for my taste, but at least he allowed the guests to shine.

I think Ross has tweaked his act for the better in recent months; he seems to have taken on board criticisms about his sycophancy and become a bit tougher with the guests, often being critical of their work (to their face) and mocking the fact they're only there to flog their latest film/book/record. Although he still gives the Hollywood 'stars' too much of an easy ride for my liking.

Parkinson was always too much of a groveller for my liking; his laughter at his guests' jokes sounded fake and insincere. I never understood why he was so highly rated; his only skills seemed to be asking scripted pre-arranged questions and letting guests babble on uninterrupted for ages.

I think that is true of recent years, but looking at his earlier interviewers, I don't think he was affraid to be tough on guests (when needed). He was once was tough on Kenneth Williams I seem to recall-- Parky once told him he "talking rubbish"!

As I touched on before, there are so many outlets for celebs to publicise stuff these days, appearing on Parky wasn't the "must-do" thing it was 30 years ago, IMO.

Parky could be a little sycophantic at times, although in most cases I think geuinely likes his guests and he genuinely laughs at their anecdotes/jokes-- he seems a philanthropic person to me.

Although I guess you have to show some amount of respect to your guests if you want to do a "proper" talkshow; because they will get defensive and clam up and just won't appear on the programme in the future.

Being rude to guests and going on ego-trips may gain column inches and notoriety-- doesn't gain respect from the audience or would-be interviewees over the long-term I feel.

Parkinson is STILL barking on about Jonathan Ross et.al according to DS.

Here's a tip Parky.... STOP NOW. You've had your moment, and you chose to stop. TV evolves, and audiences change. So go and enjoy your retirement watching cricket in the west Indies whilst we get on with life.

What he says is true though. A lot of chatshows nowadays do focus on comedy rather than conversation.

It's perhaps a bit rich of him to warn ITV of his replacement though.