Michael Parkinson: The Frankie Howerd Interview 1/3

In the 1990s, Michael Parkinson cast an eye back on some of his most memorable guests and compiled programs with the best of their various interviews. This is the first of three parts remembering Frankie Howerd.

[@Sueb401]

I was his dresser for one run in the theatre, he was truly the loveliest gentleman, treated everyone with equal respect. Continued respect to you Mr. Howerd.

[@Kiki-yw9kc]

That's because you are female, he sexually assaulted every man that crossed his path

[@Sueb401]

@@Kiki-yw9kc .... I'm amazed no-one complained in our theatre ! .. they weren't quiet types ! ... We did have Charlie Drake scaring the younger girls with constant lewd suggestions ... but Frankie Howerd didn't cause a ripple. sorry if your experience was different !

[@Kiki-yw9kc]

@@Sueb401 alot of them got away with stuff in them days, it was all swept under the carpet but I am glad your experience was good x

[@MrDaiseymay]

It was good because she was the wrong sex for Frank. @@Kiki-yw9kc

[@ImpartiallySpeaking]

You were truly blessed to know him. He was one of the greatest of the greats and how nice to hear he was a kind soul which is in stark contrast to so many of his egotistical fellow actors on the set of the Carry On films.

[@stephencook7517]

I went to the recoding of this show as a teenager. I have never seen anyone before or since who could work an audience like Frankie this is just a snap shot of that evening

[@johnnyjohnson2268]

Hmmm, you went to a recoding of this show.... Do you work for MI5??

[@davidwhyberd7612]

I saw him live in 1990 at the Greenwich Festival. I was in the front row with friends. I have never laughed so much in my life. Even his facial expressions were hilarious. When asked why people found him funny his reply was "Gawd only knows. I don't question it. I just accept it and am grateful for it".

[@flashtheoriginal]

My mother and her friend shared a Taxi in Bournemouth with Frankie Howerd, he was in a panic as he normally had his own driver and there was some kind of mix-up. This was the early seventies. Frankie asked if he could share the ride as he was late for curtain-up. He was a serious man, nervy, but a total gentleman. Polite, careful and respectful. As he got out first he asked where the cab was going on to; then thanked everyone handing a 10 shilling note to the driver, covering my mums onward fare. Classy

[@stephencuddles7071]

what I loved about the Parkinson interviews back in the day was that the person being interviewed wasn't flogging some god awful t.v. show or film. they were paid a fee to appear, and just talked about their lives, which made great television.

[@MrDaiseymay]

ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. HE POSED THE QUESTIONS-( SOMETIMES QUITE PERSONAL ) AND LET HIS GUEST ANSWER, THEN QUITE OFTEN THEY WOULD LOOSEN UP, AND REVEAL MORE. THIS WAS THE CASE WITH 'A 'LIST HOLLYWOOD ACTORS, WHO WERE USUALLY, IN THE STATES, INFORMED IN ADVANCE WHAT THE QUESTIONS WOULD BE. THEY WERE NOT USED TO BEING GIVEN THE REINS. OUT OF THIS CAME THE BEST STORIES EVER.

[@martm216]

Yes indeed.

[@timelordvictorious]

Plugging things has become a terrible fashion now sadly think these celebs would not do it usually if they dont

[@mcf59]

Frankie was the supernova in the firmament of 60s comedy. Thanks Frankie for enriching my life with a titter and a giggle! RIP. You are greatly missed!

[@martm216]

Michael Parkinson was the finest interviewer. And, of course, Frankie Howerd was a very funny man.

[@wendyhill3856]

No I don’t agree about Parkinson , but Frankie a class act ...

[@englishincontext4025]

I was a professional dancer back in the early 1970s, and worked with Frankie in Jack and the Beanstalk, at the London Palladium, and on a subsequent TV show for Yorkshire TV .. 'Francis Howerd in Concert (terrible show, written by Johnny Speight - writer of 'Til Death Us Do Part'. Frankie was a lovely man, very approachable, and didn't put on airs and graces .. but he was often a bundle of nerves - unsurprising when the success of an entire show rested on his shoulders. He'd pace the corridors of the TV studio running endlessly over his lines. It's a shame that often those who achieve fame can't relax enough to enjoy it.

[@meirwise1107]

The greatest comedian in the English language. RIP Frankie Howerd. Unforgettable, irreplaceable......

[@MrDaiseymay]

For you ,yes. But it's all subjective isn't it ? Like saying, the best colour is blue---

[@MrHairyNeck]

Such a funny man. He is greatly missed still.

[@johnking5174]

Phil Diddle Please, get a life.

[@joe-vl3nd]

One of England's greats Thanks Frankie 😊

[@R33Racer]

My left ear enjoyed this very much.

[@martinplatt5928]

One of the best......brilliant comedian.

[@jessiejames7492]

the king in the art of punchline delivery

[@BritishComedyUK69]

Awesome , god bless Frankie!! x

[@rainpop3036]

Great the way he checks out the cameras at the start Brill intro

[@nathelondon3719]

If that was his first joke 25 years previously then it’s a classic because it’s still funny now. Explains Frankie‘s longevity if you’ll pardon the phrase.

[@itgetseasierlessitry]

My favourite comedian of all time/.

[@seanycage2610]

Frankie Howerd is a comedy god

[@zapkvr0101]

Vale Michael Parkinson. You have truly earned your rest. Respect

[@Voxac100b]

Frankies intro comming in and before he sat down was very cool

[@DenkyManner]

"put your hands together for Frankie Howerd! Take a seat. Now Frankie, have you ever tried to commit suicide?"

[@highdownmartin]

Bit late but it reminded me of partridge at the bar asking Michael if he’d ever thought suicide might be the answer. And Michael replies Aye sometimes like. And partridge perks up, interested and asks Oh , why? Michael says When I see yez sittin there all depressed like!

[@MrJimmyboy1972]

"that was the wig that was"

[@sirtinycreep]

I love Frankie but Michael Parkinson was suffering when Frank was telling that long joke. LOL.

[@nickshields7258]

legend of comedy,why are people going on about his wig,people are so vain in this PC world we live in,just be thankful he graced are screens ,what are we left with James unfunny loud gayboy corden and student comedians, wish Mr howerd was still here

[@andrewmartin6445]

Do you really not understand the difference between the words 'our' and 'are'?

[@nickshields2747]

@@andrewmartin6445 is that directed at me Mr English teacher?I think u will find the word was totally justified in the sentence i used ,you actually took the trouble to reply to my post about Frankie Howerd to say something wrong about my wording ,get a life Andrew martin!

[@paulnuttall1253]

How come all those people have watched this and there's no sound ..

[@abbamanic]

A poisonous introduction from Parkinson. He didnt like Williams either. Appropriate he's ended up advertising insurance on afternoon tv.

[@jjmac3561]

Yes, a celebrity should have grabbed his scripted question sheet.

[@paulwelch1992]

I think Parky was just giving context and it highlights how skilled Frankie was> All that rehearsal is a tribute to his professionalism and making it all seem spontaneous is a craft in itself.

[@ghughesarch]

unlike Williams and Howerd, who are dead. Last laugh.

[@nostromoau]

@anthonynewsome yes...Frankie was not only a comic superstar but also almost universally loved in the UK...Parkinson is a glorified nonentity.

[@nostromoau]

I dont know what people see in Parkinson......what a God awful way to treat someone like Frankie..'have you ever considered suicide?'...heavens above...it's amazing people dont sometimes just get up and walk off the set.

[@mikee758]

Unfortunately the sound is fucked on this video.

[@bottlecap57]

10 years later it's working🙂

[@chubbylilloser]

Love how Michel Parkinson is making out it was "strange" to script an interview.. when its pretty common to do so even for back then.... Unless you're Oliver Reed ofc ;) alot of 'funny men' arn't good at being spontaneously funny, never the less they can still be comedy legends. Frank suffered from extreme stage fright to the point where he wanted to give up performing. r.i.p frank! xx

[@djbethell]

@nostromoau Parkinson was a massive hit because his interviews went deeper than any before or since. He was celebrated because of this style. I think you're projecting when you talk of revenge. The question was already in Frankie's script, he shows no surprise and had OK'd it. Parkinson's professionalism's clear in this interview and others with Frankie. Parkinson took a real joy in his company. If it's light-entertainment you want, there's always the arse-licking mundanity of Moose Women.

[@bobbymaesteg]

That lodger joke appears in Carry On Matron

[@Hannible100]

He was very funny! I watched up Pompey on YT I know he was camp, but I thought that was his act.

[@TheSuzieL]

Hang on, Parky said Frankie Howerd *wanted* it scripted, and Parky "persuaded him against it." So on Parky's word, it *wasn't* scripted.

[@Doodles68]

Where's the sound??

[@kilroy1963]

Only Frankie. Howard could still make that old joke funny ,although when this was recorded it may have been new .

[@christinewhitfeld7939]

It was clear Parkinson didn't like him. Parkinson could be very bitchy.... never liked him.Grossly overestimated himself

[@zapkvr0101]

Lucille Ball sang the fishy song in Here's Lucy. With her daughter

[@musicbybackinnyc1]

I keep looking at Frankies syrup

[@meerkatandpug]

No way was it all scripted, Frankie was genuinely very funny.

[@MrDaiseymay]

well practiced though---all his interviews were like this. Lots of nervous stops and starts---but it worked for him

[@talcumpowder1000]

I don't think he was. I go with the scripted theory

[@johnking5174]

Frankie had a good income, and he decided not to spend a penny on a decent toupee.

[@joanneentwistle7653]

I'm not sure they had decent toupees back then

[@salvadormarley]

Look at that wig - wow.

[@bbnoctor]

I saw him on the london palladium in peter pan as buttons he is very funny

[@BazzerObama]

@supershinystoat If Parky says it was scripted, I think I would trust his word over yours as it was called "The Parkinson Show" rather than "The supershinystoat show" sorry if that's confusing for you.

[@fluffybunny7840]

Up Pompeii was hilarious!

[@nostromoau]

@djbethell Point taken; but still I think the way he just came out with that question, more or less without preamble or context was bizarre, insulting and grossly insensitive to a person whi did, indeed, have a vulnerable nature.

[@TheodorBjork]

Why in mono(ish)? :(

[@kevinfarrell523]

Hair?

[@snowflakemelter1172]

That wig though.

[@chubbylilloser]

Greatest comedian VS worst interviewer.

[@djbethell]

@nostromoau Yeah, but you've got to remember that was probably because, as Parkinson says at the beginning, Frankie demanded a script of the interview before hand. I guess there was no need for preamble as Frankie knew and had agreed to all questions previously, although Parkinson does lead up to it with loneliness and Hancock. Also it's a known fact then and now that many comedians are sad and suicidal behind the smiling mask. Why the need to shy away from what makes up a person, good or bad?

[@tomm5228]

Parkinson has a obvious beef, why? His job is to get the best out of the guest not insult him

[@DrShreck65]

@acrobaticaromatic If you knew anything about either of these men, I would appreciate your comment. But you don't

[@nostromoau]

Well a certain aspect of 'journalism' is certainly a requirement...but also decency. IMO

[@andrewwells531]

david walliams

[@stevecox7075]

The dreadful sound quality makes this unwatchable.

[@marywilliams9858]

I can see him in the army. Why not? He is an actor. So he can act straight.

[@tomes55moon]

Parkinson rarely paints a flattering picture of his past guests in his intro monologues does he. I guess what he's trying to tell us is that every great person he's interviewed is actually a phoney and a fake. Makes interesting tv, but could it all be true? or is Parky just a bit of a bitter fellow? All these flaws his great guests had, why doesnt he just say instead 'hey, we're all human'

[@petermorningsnow]

I touch my locks and then whisper: "You're hardly a man of that sort of bearing." The Gospel of Housewives.

[@djbethell]

@nostromoau You have to ask why major stars went onto his show. The chicken or the egg! They knew they'd be interviewed seriously, but with humour and with depth. Today's TV interviewers are dumbed-down fools who deliver baby-food bites for the dumbed-down public. In my opinion, I'd kill to see the likes of Parkinson back on TV instead of the over-payed buffoonary and endless sexist double-entendres of Ross. Or the giggling school-girls interview antics of ITV's afternoon drivel. Peace.

[@johnnyjohnson2268]

Funny how Frankie HowErd looks remarkably like David Walliams.... Just saying.....

[@nostromoau]

@djbethell I suppose the need is that nobody watching the interview particularly wanted Parkinson to plant a metaphorical boot fair in the middle of dear old Frankie's face. People wanted light entertainment from Parkinson and that's all. Parkinson obviously was in a snit with Frankie over his demand to see the questions and just took a petty-minded revenge to cut him down...made my skin crawl to see it, to tell the truth.

[@LuminousGuy]

@BazzerObama lol

[@johngunn6361]

.

[@dalebaker9109]

what a terrible brown teacosy stuck on his head, he never, change the color of it! great comic, terrible toupee.

[@talcumpowder1000]

Clearly Parkinson wasn't a fan but he can't find everyone funny

[@Murray9452]

Bad wig.

[@salvadormarley]

Erm yes he was gay

[@bigbearfuzzums7027]

He's British heirs no way to tell!

[@nathelondon3719]

Parkinson didn’t like Frankie Howerd, Kenneth Williams etc. perhaps he was homophobic.

[@anthonygaughan8241]

Nothing funny about Frankie!!!!! Boring actually

[@markevans2280]

Go back to the jungle then if that’s you on the left !