Ten has announced that we will get more Michael Parkinson before the year is out.
From 1979 to 1983, Sir Michael recorded over 70 episodes of his talk show Parkinson in Australia for the ABC and Network Ten, talking to most of the men and women who had shaped or were shaping Australia’s political, cultural and sporting landscape.
In a two part series Michael Parkinson will present highlights from the many interviews he has conducted with famous Australians. Parky’s Favourite Australians will take viewers on a highly personal, informative and entertaining tour of the best bits of these interviews, personally selected by Sir Michael, which paint a vivid, funny and sometimes poignant picture of Australia.
The cast list for the special includes Kerry Packer, Bob Hawke, Sir Joh and Lady (Flo) BjelkePetersen, Paul Hogan, Sir Robert Helpmann, Barry Humphries, Gary McDonald, Cliff Young, Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson just to name a few.
Sir Michael said: “I brought my talk show to Australia over 30 years ago and these entertaining and fascinating shows will explain why I immediately fell in love with Oz and its people – and demonstrate why, after Yorkshire, Australia is my favourite place on earth. “These shows give you a ringside seat for my viewpoint of the journey Australia and its people have taken over the past 30 years in becoming the vibrant and self-reliant nation it is today.”
Network Ten Executive Director of News and Current Affairs, Peter Meakin, said: “Australia has changed enormously since Parky first landed on our shores with his perspicacious microphone. “But he hasn’t changed that much at all. A little older definitely, but no less wise. These specials are a charming and revealing journey down memory lane.”
Parky’s Favourite Australians will air on Ten later this year.