Michael Parkinson Quotes

[On the 1975 Mirren interview] I don't want to [apologise]. Nor does she. I don’t regard what happened there as being anything other than good television. [...] There is no need to apologise, not at all. She didn't want to do an interview and after about 10 minutes, I didn't want to interview her. There's no problem, it's not World War III for God’s sake.

Parkinson: [From his introduction, quoting a theatre critic] She is especially telling in projecting sluttish eroticism.

Parkinson: Do you find it to be fact that, what could be best described as your equipment [...] hinders you in that pursuit [of being considered a serious actress]?
Helen Mirren: I'd like you to explain what you mean by my equipment in greater detail.
Parkinson: Your physical attributes.
Mirren: You mean my fingers?

Parkinson: You are, in quotes, a serious actress [makes air quote fingers]
Helen Mirren: In quotes? [...] What do you mean in quotes? How dare you.
Parkinson: Serious actress [...] as opposed to an unserious actress.

That's the first talk show I'd ever done. I was terrified. I watched it and I actually thought, bloody hell! I did really well. I was so young and inexperienced. And he was such a f------ sexist old fart. He was. He denies it to this day that it was sexist, but of course he was.

I happen to be a male chauvinist pig who loves women and enjoys flirting with women.
I also think a lot of women watch the show but not for my bedroom eyes.

This accusation that I was 'soft' implies that you get more out of people by being aggressive. But the people I interview aren't criminals or child molesters, so why on earth should I act like an interrogator? [...] I relax the guests, I am a great listener.

I don't even know the man. That guy was like some disapproving father! It's crazy. I don't know what he is to you guys, but he's a nut. I felt like he was berating me for being naked in the movie.