Meg Ryan interview - Parkinson - BBC

Remember this one? It is THE interview everyone was talking about. Michael Parkinson talks to Meg Ryan and it's really awkward, but was it her being difficult? What's your opinion? Free video clip from the popular british talk show 'Parkinson'.
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[@giuliom7428]

Lesson n.1 on "how to make a guest uncomfortable for no reason at all ". Her composure stood up.

[@ksc743]

I'm from the UK where Parky is an 'icon' and recently I've taken to watching his interviews to see what all the fuss was about but quite honestly he wasn't that fantastic although HE thought he was.

[@sb_dunk]

"I can see that you're rather wary of being interviewed" is a cracking way to make someone comfortable in an interview.

[@julierogers1155]

Parkinson was an a-hole here. Perhaps Parkinson was drunk?

[@jennybohner3144]

Yep. Totally his fault, I imagine on purpose.

[@TimOMahony-df8qh]

@@jennybohner3144 Yes, looking for a reaction because he was pissed that she was not being easily led by his prior questions.

[@hugolindum7728]

Parkinson had already been through an interview in which she refused to answer questions, so of course he was by that time exasperated. Remember she was the one who asked to be on the show to publicise a film.

[@TimOMahony-df8qh]

@@hugolindum7728 The movie publicists would have requested the interview, not Ryan herself.

[@leighcunningham756]

Think she is one of the most natural, honest and straight forward people I have ever witnessed. She was NOT putting on a show like all actors do.

[@judewishedhimselfout]

I think one of the things that makes a good interview is the interviewers ability to put the subject at ease. The bad interview was 100% Parkinson's fault.

[@honeybee3682]

MrsDeWinter- Totally agree !

[@soprano862]

Actually they aren’t showing the first part of the interview, Meg Ryan was REALLY nasty to him and that part isn’t here 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@andrewbarton-willson495]

I have never subscribed to the view that Parky was a reliably good interviewer - he simply wasn’t interested in high culture and relied on his subjects to self-start and self-sustain. As much as the next man he enjoyed a comedian, actor or sportsman with a ready supply of anecdote or jokes

[@bretwalda100]

Six of one and half a dozen of the other. Ryan was rude to Trinny and Susannah before the interview so she came in with an attitude.

[@ob2395]

100%. He’s an overrated interviewer, a bully and a misogynist. Check out his Helen Mirren interview from the seventies. Awful man.

[@ajd626]

I'd heard all about this and was expecting Meg Ryan to be horrible but it's COMPLETELY the other way around! Parkinson is so short and accusatory in his questions. Ryan is actually being as polite as she can. Bad form, Parkinson! :)

[@shanefolan]

ryan was still rude to the other guests which was horrible

[@hugolindum7728]

You only saw the last 3 minutes.

[@fredd8556]

She was answering his questions and out of nowhere he accused her of being "wary" of journalists. The shock on her face.

[@davidtsmith33]

Exactly.

[@TrudyPatootie]

*I have anxiety disorder. I would have died on the spot if I were* *treated the way Meg was treated. Good Lord.*

[@global001]

It transpires that he came into her dressing room before the show. Maybe she was wary of him because he liked to go places she didn’t want him in.

[@error.delete4945]

@@TrudyPatootie treated as any celebrity would be on an interview talk show? seriously? It's not like she went to the post office and got blindsided by personal questions in front of a live audience on tv

[@TrudyPatootie]

@@error.delete4945 *I understand what* *you are saying...I do and you have a* *valid point. It's just his interviewing style* *and his probing into her being so very* *uncomfortable...made her more nervous* *anxious and uncomfortable.* *I'm just saying I really take in people's* *energy and I would have had an anxiety* *attack!*

[@AnnetteWarren]

If someone told me "you are wary of me" I would instantly become wary. How did he expect her to react?!

[@stevolution666]

I think he just took it personally

[@eoghandridl1007]

Warily 😆

[@felixreali7101]

i so agree.

[@longmemory1620]

hi Annette would you be shocked if someone comes forward and says parkinson is an abuser ?

[@dannydorko7075]

@@stevolution666 yeah he was THE guy back in the day. The british larry king. maybe he couldn't handle it if a guest didn't have a rapport with him.

[@NickLoTurco]

Like many of the posts here, I'd never actually watched the interview all the way through and was always under the impression that Meg was at fault. Shows what influence the BBC have. Having watched it, she said she felt awkward and rather than make her feel at ease he seemed to go for her and he got what he deserved. Thought she was quite classy in how she handled it too.

[@steveg2479]

I agree, but having watched it, I don’t think he got anything negative back at all. She said she was uncomfortable, and he was just leaning in, invading her space. The egotistical person was revealed.

[@motttjames]

This is just an excerpt, the full interview has been conveniently airbrushed from the internet. I’ve seen the whole interview and throughout Meg gives intelligent, articulate answers to a belligerent Parky who comes over as overbearing , petty, point scoring and sexist. Parky seems basically to be angry that she’s taking on challenging roles that question sexual mores. He’s basically telling her to get back in her box. It’s one of the worse interviews I’ve ever seen but what really annoys me is that the BBC and the British media hung Meg out to dry, it even made the main news after it aired and pretty much destroyed her reputation and something Parky bangs on about. Zero respect for Parkinson after that.

[@davidlaw689]

@@motttjames All of you are missing the bigger picture here , that Meg is a cunt. I've seen her interview many time before and she oozes cuntiness

[@Legend90210]

is there a link to full interview

[@TonyEnglandUK]

@@motttjames I think you're all just defending Meg Ryan because of who she is. She is not a woman overly lacking in confidence and she had agreed to be interviewed. Her sharp and deliberately abrupt answers at the early stages of the interview were clearly saying she didn't want to be there and that's why Parkinson interviewed her more strongly - to get something from the interview that she had obviously agreed to.

[@johnwihebrink4017]

I love how together Meg is here. She was totally cool and confident while Parky allowed his issues to takeover the interview. This is just the last half of it. If u could see the full interview, he comes off even worse. Lovecu Meg. Miss u

[@rahan9886]

What issues?

[@KeithApp]

You're wrong!

[@hallson2917]

ha-ha are u kidding John?

[@johnwihebrink4017]

His issues that she was naked in her movie In The Cut. He was rude to her about it, but you can't see that here as they deliberately cut it short. There are many ignorant humans in the world.

[@catyork6070]

What issues??! Michael Parkinson didn't have "issues" but Meg clearly DID. She was 'off', stand-offish, unforthcoming and unfriendly from the minute she set foot on the stage and walked past the other 3 celebrities who were still there, having all been interviewed prior to her 'grand' entrance. She also, from what I could tell, seemed wobbly as she had descended the stairs to the stage and that, together with her general peculiar attitude & behaviour, made me wonder if she was either jet-lagged, under the influence of something or just generally under the weather somehow. As she was so stand-offish from the outset I also wondered if something negative had transpired backstage prior to the interview and that may have set the tone for her appearance on the show. Either way, she came across as behaving as if she wanted to be anywhere other than doing another interview to promote the (dismal) movie she was plugging at the time and getting a forthcoming, interested answer out of her from the outset must have been as difficult as pulling teeth. Parkinson had not earned his reputation as being a great talk show host for nothing and had interviewed much bigger celebrities than Ryan over the decades (Orson Welles, Mickey Rooney, Fred Astaire, John Wayne, James Stewart, Bette Davis, Lauren Bacall, Muhammed Ali, John Lennon, Elton John, etc, etc) and many of those multiples times, so he was anything but a poor talk show host!

[@maireg123]

Before I watched this, all I heard (from the media) was how awkward Meg Ryan was, and how difficult to interview. After seeing this, I'm definitely on her side. Parky was needling her.

[@longmemory1620]

Parky will be exposed after he is dead

[@mikeysexton1166]

Trump 2020 for????

[@frantrictantric]

Rubbish. Yorkshiremen say it like it is, and he has never failed to be courteous. She like most Americans think the world revolves around them.

[@lloyd1849]

Glad Parky made her feel awkward. That’s how she made his staff behind the scenes feel that day, she was nothing but rude and horrible to them..

[@frantrictantric]

@@lloyd1849 Parky is a God at the side of that tosspot Johnny Carson. Most moaners on here are American and female. Need i say more.

[@MrDominic152]

Having just watched this clip again I have to say my opinion has completely changed.. Parkinson was horrible, yes, even a bully! Meg, I now see you in a different light!

[@TabascoRain]

you know, there are a lot of these comments about people changing their minds about the interview. That's interesting to me. I'm only seeing this for the first time (2019), but the bullying is so obvious, how could anybody see it any differently at the time? Odd.

[@startracker5895]

@@TabascoRainthis isn’t the whole interview. She was very rude when she first went on. Turning her body away from Parkinson. She obviously was told in the commercial break to be more friendly and that’s why she’s better here.

[@catyork6070]

So, you've only seen this brief clip of the interview Parkinson did with Meg Ryan? It seems most of the other commenters on here also have just seen it briefly too and NOT the entire interview from the entire show it was on. I live in the UK and I DID watch the entire show that night. There had been 3 celebs on before Meg Ryan and she was the final guest. From the outset she seemed very 'off', seeming to me to be a bit wobbly as she came down the stairs to the stage, brushing past the other 3 celebs sitting there as if she'd barely registered them, she plonked herself down and, immediately, seemed stand-offish, frosty and as if she wanted to be anywhere else but there. Wringing any enthusiasm, positivity, fun or even forthcoming replies to questions must have been like trying to get blood out of a stone. She was a 'big name' actress plugging her latest (dismal) movie and obviously had obligations to do the interview process here, there and everywhere to promote the film yet, at least during this interview, she was totally unprofessional, un-forthcoming, disinterested and downright aloof & frosty. Had I been a huge fan of hers prior to witnessing that, I would have lost interest in her after that. I was never a big fan of hers anyway as I was sick of seeing her in 'cutesy' roles that she seemed limited to. I never saw another of her movies after that because she came across so badly during the show and I didn't blame Parky for the deterioration of her interview - had Meg been a more relaxed, friendly, forthcoming guest and not precipitated that deterioration then it wouldn't have spiralled down the way it did. Parky had earned a reputation as being a great talk show host from his decades of doing his show and had interviewed countless WAY bigger celebrities than Meg, and many of those appeared multiple times which wouldn't have been the case had he been a bad interviewer (he had interviewed such huge stars as John Wayne, James Stewart, Orson Welles, Fred Astaire, Mickey Rooney, Michael Caine, Oliver Reed, Bette Davis, Lauren Bacall, Muhammed Ali, John Lennon, etc).

[@ChavvyBrenda]

This was all Parkinson’s fault. I remember watching it at the time with my mum and we both agreed that he was being patronising, unkind, intimidating, and making everything awkward. I think Meg Ryan came across as friendly and a bit shy maybe, he definitely made her put her guard up, which is understandable. It was like a police interrogation, so weird.

[@lepetitchat123]

Parky was just doing his job. If she didn’t wanna be there, she shouldn’t have.

[@KeithApp]

You're wrong

[@brewitbear]

​@@lepetitchat1233:00 'Parky was just doing his job.' And doing it very poorly.

[@jaquesravalec242]

​@@brewitbearIn your opinion. Any professional basis for it?

[@lepetitchat123]

@brewitbear just watched it again. He did a very professional job. He was patient and polite. Meg Ryan was in a bad mood that day. RIP Michael.

[@pumpkinghost]

Watching this back after many years believing Meg Ryan was a lunatic in this interview. How wrong I was, Meg answers his question with honesty and sincerity whilst completly playing ball - Parky goads and continually tried to catch her out then turns aggresive and intimidating - disgusting

[@richardhollis3783]

Will Bryan Same here. I'd always had the impression she was the one at fault for this 'terrible interview' without actually watching it. I think the BBC always refer to it as such because they'd rather hang her out to dry than call out their (once) darling interviewer. Thank goodness we have KZbin so people can see the interview for themselves.

[@longmemory1620]

the BBC is a pedo ring , god only knows what Parkinson knew

[@darren6202]

lol

[@never152]

Exactly same here. I remember watching it years ago and thinking she was an idiot but now looking at it and Parkinson was the agitator here. She just didn't want to play the coy flirty game he expected from women on his show. How times have changed and for the good!

[@LevelUP84]

Your all a bunch of 🐑 and should be ashamed of your selfs. Any idiot can see he was the Ahole in this situation.

[@broadwaymelody33]

I really don't think she was being rude at all. I think he made this super awkward and steering the interview to be less awkward is NOT her responsibility.

[@julierogers1155]

I agree, 100%

[@fennecfox9490]

Parkinson still looks back on this interview as a time where she was unpleasant. I just came from an interview with him where it seemed like she was rude. But this shows the opposite, he was being quite confrontational and condescending and she responded with humor and grace.

[@catyork6070]

You just "came from" a not even 3 minute clip of the interview, so how can you give a fair comment on what really happened throughout it when you didn't see all of it? I live in the UK and watched the entire show. Meg was like a car crash from the minute she wobbled down the stairs to the stage and seemed 'off' right from the outset and was frosty, stand-offish, rude to the the other guests and seemed to want to be anywhere but there and indifferent to her obligation to 'do the rounds', plugging her latest, very dreary movie. She came off as being not at all as likeable as her, until then, 'cutesy' roles had suggested she possibly was in reality! Parkinson, a much revered and very experienced, entertaining talk show host who had interviewed countless MUCH bigger Hollywood stars, etc, over his decades of doing the show, not surprisingly did lose patience with Megan's attitude and demeanour because it must have been like pulling teeth to get a decent, forthcoming response from her to any of his questions, so any sane person would have felt like that too if they had been in his shoes!

[@marklittlewood2418]

This has been billed as the awkward Meg Ryan but in fact it was a clumsy and quite awful interview by Parkinson. I found her interesting and intelligent and wanted to know more about her views but Parky seemed to have no idea or was unwilling to engage. Its as if he had a personal thing about anyone who works in the limelight but dislikes it. I am a fan of his shows but this was his worst moment not Ryans

[@jimhogg9145]

I see no aloofness or oddness on Ryan's part at all. I see an insensitive interviewer and a woman who is clearly very uncomfortable with the personal, persistent and pushy nature of the questioning. Saying that this is how he conducts his interview is no excuse; it's like saying what can you expect from bullies: they bully people . .

[@jimhogg9145]

Yeah, RoseTE, he was doing his job. Badly. It wasn't supposed to be like a cross examination in a courtroom. It was supposed to be a chat show that he was steering. He steered it insensitively, for all to see, onto a pretty rocky shore. . . . BIt like how you've exercised your judgement. The moron bit simply shot your credibility to bits. And, like you, I'm entitled to my opinion, or is it the case that nobody's but yours counts? If you come back at me with abuse that should make the value of your opinion clear. If you come back at me with logic and civility that at least would be appreciated. But regardless, unless you make a fresh point worthy of countering, there's nothing else I need to add.

[@jimhogg9145]

My opinion is rrelevant - in the great scheme of things? That is most certainly true. No less so than yours. As for the moron and dickhead stuff, is that because you're simply a nasty human being and you get your thrills at other people's expense, or because you feel so insecure, so weak, that you'll try anything to conceal it . ..? Whichever, I hope you're feeling a wee bit better now . . Civilised discussion/exchanging of views without resorting to childish ad hominems can be a beneficial, even enjoyable thing for reasonable people, but for those who don't know how to reason I suppose personal abuse is all they have left.

[@ketchup5344]

ABSOLUTELY. I've always thought exactly the same thing. Deffinately Parkys' worst moment. Poor old Meg, I wish I had been there to give her a great big hug. Parky was terrific....apart from this one slip up.

[@jimhogg9145]

Och, more abuse Rose TE. . As for what's fair/right, being with the majority or not means nothing - unless you think the majority is always right!!! But if that's what steers your moral compass, you might find it worthwhile to do a quick breakdown of the comments on here . .

[@davidlondon2810]

very unpleasant conduct by Parkinson...she was clearly uncomfortable and needed a more sympathetic interview style to relax her....after she said "Wrap it up!" - the best line of the interview - he went for the kill by asking one of those superficial fashionistas to comment on her attire. He'd never have dared to approach a more formidable, assertive woman (Bette Midler or Bette Davis, for example) in that way and that's what makes his behaviour so shabby: he sensed her vulnerability and humiliated her for it: in other words, he was a cheap bully.

[@riossaleem]

Totally agree.

[@andrea22213]

Or a man.

[@blackwarb]

Well said! A true bully, honing in on sensitive people and vulnerable types.

[@pam0626]

DavidLondon That is a wonderful explanation in a nutshell.

[@davidrees570]

Our friends across the pond have the best word to describe him asshole

[@atomikotita]

She sounds anxious, shy and honest. Parky is piggish! His whole tone and leaning into her - she is almost falling out of her chair to move away. And he noticed it then provoked her! Well done Lady!

[@julierogers1155]

Parky was piggish! Agree, absolutely.

[@Dargyful]

He’s always a professional. Certainly not piggish. She was just extremely awkward

[@pam0626]

He is horribly mannered. At the end of the interview, he asks the woman sitting next to Meg, "Have you had a chance to look at her outfit?" as if Meg isn't even there! Rude, bordering on bullying. My respect for Meg has gone up 1,000 percent.

[@leea8706]

I realise this was months ago you posted, I don't know if you're British, but he asked the two women (trinny and susannah) about her outfit as they are stylists and had a huge show over here back then.

[@kirsteenniven5111]

It was totally inappropriate to ask the others to make comments about a guest's outfit, given that they give advice about how people might present themselves better. It put everyone in a very awkward position.

[@pam0626]

Lee A Yes, Trinny and Susannah's show aired here in the US. I just think it is rude of Parkinson to talk about Meg as if she wasn't there, and putting these ladies in an awkward position by asking them to to critique Meg's outfit, no less! How incredibly rude and insensitive. He owes Meg an apology.

[@interests1094]

yup, especially of how the interview was going..., so rude...!

[@nathanjames1514]

To be honest looking at this now. I think she answered the questions honestly and I think Parky was rude to her saying 'your weary of me'. Out of order.

[@ameliedaae]

Meg handled herself quite well here. He would not stop having a go at her, and yet, she maintained her composure pretty well.

[@calliemarie6055]

Came to watch this because my aunt told me Meg was extremely rude in real life and this interview proved it, and now that I’ve watched it I am…astonished that anyone could NOT be on her side? You can literally see the astonishment in her face when he just won’t let up.

[@jaquesravalec242]

Soft.

[@pennycross4615]

You haven't seen the full interview. This is nearer the end when Parky's majorly fed up with her. I remember it when it first aired and she was really was awful. She came out not wanting to be there. This clip isn't a fair portrayal on Parky.

[@glenhoddle9]

Don´t be a drama queen ffs!!!

[@nuffzed2001]

Her star (one that she thought was bigger than it actually was) was on the wane by 2003- when she did this interview So what if she appeared in a few rom com movies in the 90s? Not when you think you're bigger than the thing that was bigger than you. As my friend commented - Meg was a very unconvincing actor, very 'put on', and her roles weren't all that difficult -ie it could have been anyone that played those roles

[@RealFarknMcCoy]

@@glenhoddle9 Who are you calling a drama queen? You seem to be the one bringing drama into this.

[@seanb1418]

This is "the interview" that he's always gone on about. I always had respect for Parky but this became awkward due to his lead. She was trying hard to answer his questions and he just went in circles and put her in a corner. She was polite and was trying, he has no one to blame except for himself.

[@catyork6070]

Watch the whole interview, and the rest of that show, and then comment on it properly. I live in the UK and I DID see the entire show that night. Meg (who was far from the biggest name that he'd interviewed over the years - Orson Welles. James Stewart, John Wayne, Fred Astaire, Bette Davis, Lauren Bacall. Muhammed Ali, John Lennon, to name just a very few, many of whom appeared multiple times on his show!) was 'off' from the outset, even rude to the other 3 celebrities who had been there, and was frosty, stand-offish and seemed to want to be anywhere other than there, yet she was obligated to promote the dismal new film she was in at the time so she should have at the very least put a 'brave face on it' and showed willing but she did anything but. So you, and other commenters who haven't seen the whole interview, and / or the whole of the particular show this was from, may have only seen this not even 3 minute long clip of it but think that your very much pro Meg Ryan comments are fair and justified, bashing Parkinson for his entirely understandable impatience at Meg's less than professional or likeable behaviour! She was so off-putting that I've never seen any film she's in since then (admittedly I was never a huge fan of hers anyway as she was always playing 'cutesy' roles which were limiting and increasingly tedious & predictable, but after her awful interview I was totally repelled!).

[@kanguesso]

That was not an interview, that was an interrogation.

[@warreng675]

I don't like being an actress, but i do like being an actress

[@billwhite9703]

@@warreng675 Don't be a twit. Or are you really that stupid as to not understand informal conversation?

[@jasonturner8509]

I really like Meg Ryan and I remember watching this on BBC1. Michael Parkinson was a top notch legendary Interviewer, the UK's Johnny Carson. Meg Ryan was tired of interviews having spent months going all over the world plugging a film, to come on the Michael Parkinson show. It was awkward, but not intentionally in my opinion, Meg was tired of interviews by this point. The fact we don't see her in films today proves a point she was making in this interview.

[@iandonald7551]

@@jasonturner8509 Being interviewed was part of her contract - her job. If I were to stop doing, or do half heartedly, my job I would not expect to fall back on the excuse that I was tired of it.

[@suave-rider]

@@iandonald7551 doesn't mean that she is good at interviews, just means it's in her contract.

[@inter-linked]

As others have noted, this was not a Meg Ryan issue. Parkinson, at least in this segment, decided to go after her - the intent was clear. Meg was trying to keep things on an even keel. Parkinson deliberately pushed her into a known dead-end and then moved in to force a confrontation. His tone was aggressive and dismissive. I would have walked out. Kudos to Meg.

[@glenhoddle9]

Well, on the one hand he shouldn´t have sat so far forward in his seat, and he was quite blunt (sterewotupical Yorskhireman lol). On the other, he was pursuing a certain logic. A famous, beautiful Hollywood movie actress that seemed to be a reluctant interviewee that hardly wanted to engage in an interview. She was a bit of a hypocrite tbh - if you don´t like the attention that much why do you star in so many films etc & go on an interview show? It seems that feminists will defend her and other females whatever - however, it seems ok that you can challenge/ scrutinize a male public figure over their consistency - it´s fine and even laudable, but yet if/when you do it with a woman it´s harassment , sexist etc! Her claims were at odds with her career choice, if she was willing to she could have explained herself better (she started to when explaining that her acting overtook her journalism career..) as her initial claims seemed to be inconsistent with her career choice! Why can´t someone ask her difficult questions - or any woman, difficult questions, it seems perfectly acceptable when it´s done to a man & people allegedly want ´sexual equality´??

[@nuffzed2001]

Shaking hands with someone is the definition of humble for the likes of Meg Eg tennis player eugenie Bouchard was cut from the same cloth - her career bombed after it took about 5 seconds to know she was one of “those types”

[@RealFarknMcCoy]

@@nuffzed2001 You certainly seem happy to stand in judgement of someone you've never met.

[@MikeBroderick33]

​@@glenhoddle9Really "Glenn Hoddle"? It's not complicated. She made the distinction between actor and movie star. Perhaps she likes being an actor but not being a movie star (i.e. She never planned on being as famous as she became.) That makes sense, and that's not the same as not liking her profession. Parky was a bully and a bore. Don't defend it.

[@xymonau2468]

He obviously disliked her. He was a pig.

[@pam0626]

He is rude, condescending and attacking. I give her so much credit for staying as calm as she did and maintaining her composure. This is truly cringe worthy.

[@007KayElleKay]

+pam0626 - He's a journalist and she's a movie star - knowing this , why did she agree to go on his programme anyway ? She hates being in the spotlight by her own admission and yet, there she is - clearly, and to paraphrase and wilfully misquote an earlier writer , in her world theres only one thing worse than being interviewed and thats probably NOT being interviewed . She put herself there in the studio - no doubt she was there because she had some movie to promote at the time so had a vested interest in being there - he would have just interviewed someone else - her fault or her publicists - sorry .

[@gustenhr]

Because there's a thing called CONTRACT. She has to promote the movies she stars in.

[@pam0626]

+Gustavo H.R. Yes, she may have been obligated to do PR as all celebrities do to promote their films, but she does not deserve to be bullied like this. I've seen many actors cut short interviews for lesser offenses than this. I give Meg a lot of credit for not doing the same.

[@pam0626]

+Karry Gardner A good interviewer knows how to put their guests at ease. This is supposed to be an entertainment show, not 60 Minutes. Meg is an actress, not a politician, and there was no need for him to go in for the kill and ambush her like that. He has inflated sense of his own importance, and kept badgering her because he didn't like her responses.

[@scootergreen3]

She is rude, condescending and attacking. I give him so much credit for staying as calm as he did and maintaining his composure. This is truly cringe worthy pam0626.

[@andrew097]

He broke the golden rule of a interviewer he made the subject feel uncomfortable she then became cautious in her answers and he was not skilled enough to back out of the cul de sac. I thought she answered intelligently with enough grace to allow him the space to stop digging a hole but he just kept digging. The last question about the clothes was insulting.

[@francoisona]

Spot on!

[@elizabethhand5088]

Double spot on!

[@maggiecool5830]

ha

[@DavidValentine2017]

No. He interviewed her and she lied so he exposed that which of course made things worse. For goodness sake, you're invited onto a questioning show/interview. Huhh?!

[@hoodone1000]

andrew097 especially that last Question he asked ..was so insulting 🤕

[@flexnetuser2268]

How disgusting that the media spun this as Meg behaving badly, when it was actually the reverse! I came here expecting to see her in some sort of a meltdown, but she was perfectly appropriate, present, and charming, and tried to keep her cool while he was being a jerk.

[@trevorburdon]

And to this day he blames her. Hes a creep. The kind that fancies himself with the ladies and insults them to get a rise of of them and try it on.

[@suzannel8926]

See the Parkinson interview with Helen Mirren where he asks something like how can she be taken seriously when she's pretty.

[@shanefolan9175]

@@suzannel8926 but he was right and it's a fair question. If you look at the critical favourites and Oscars many of the big acclaimed actors who have many wins/nominations like Streep, Daniel Day Lewis, Toni Collette, Robert De Nero, Dustin Hoffman, Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Glen Close, Tom Hanks etc are all average looking people. Not saying it's like that across the board but he has a point, there is a snobbery towards the beautiful in playing serious type roles. Even actresses like Michelle Pfeiffer and Mischa Barton(when she had a promising career) spoke out about it saying because they were seen as beautiful they had a hard time being taken seriously in the industry. Kathleen Turner said the same about her film career 80s, that because she was beautiful she picked non conventional roles to be taken seriously and not be pigeon holed/typecast as the hot girl. It's not just women either, I recall Faye Dunaway saying that she struggled to take Robert Redford seriously in gritty roles as he was just too handsome. I would say that it was only when Di Caprio's looks faded in the 200s he started to be taken seriously, before that he was seen as teen heart throb. When he put on weight and looked more like an average bloke rather than a Zac efron type his career really took off. When I was young his looks were his selling point but these days they never get mentioned ever.

[@andyb3666]

​@@shanefolan9175 I remember Eva Longoria saying that too.

[@gebser6060]

@@shanefolan9175 But wouldn't you agree, that in terms of "beauty," Helen seems to be precisely in the same league as those 5 actresses you've just listed? Think H.M. at her "best", in her mid-20s, around "O! Lucky Man" time, she looked almost like a hybrid of Winslet, Meryl & Glen Close. She's certainly not an Audrey Hepburn type, or Monica Vitti, or a young Birkin, and that is essentially where he missed the point. It was almost like asking Dan Quayle or Kamala: "How can you be taken seriously as Vice President, when you're so intelligent?"

[@tf7621]

he's really just making it awkward, not meg.

[@McPrfctday]

I remember really slagging Meg off about this interview years ago. I'm sorry Meg. There was 'something in the water' and I thought you were really unresponsive - and I even remember you walking out of the studio. Damn! I'm so sorry I remembered this so negatively. You were sweet and natural and still so lovely.

[@longmemory1620]

BBC = pedo ring Parkinson = senior BBC member

[@bajemo359]

I thought he had been drinking.

[@cheeseymattybob]

honestly I think it's a subconscious sexism. I used to be the same with stuff like this, but watching it now you just think Jesus Christ she's done nothing wrong and he's being a wanker.

[@RSRS920]

I remember watching this interview about 15 years ago, and - not sure why - I was under the impression it was all Ryan's fault. Now I am rewatching it, and it is the polar opposite, it is entirely Parkinson's fault. Seems a lot of people in the comment section have had a similar experience

[@striverfor7628]

I'm completely baffled by how anyone could side with Parkinson, it's completely bizarre

[@thomasflaherty3959]

Meg Ryan did her best to answer all of M's Q's... I didn't think she came across rude at all

[@martinrose9018]

It was her fault. If she isn't prepared to be asked questions, why on earth is she on a chat show !?

[@daweilee1986]

100% the same, I was just gonna write that, she's answering his questions and engaging, he's in her face asking her awkward questions, and even when she says wrap it up, its funny and she laughs, Parky milked this for years.

[@striverfor7628]

@@martinrose9018 She was prepared

[@ostrovisky]

I appreciate that she went along with it. I don't think she was being rude when she answered with the "wrap it up" line. Ridiculous that anyone could think this interview was Meg's fault. It was his interview to lead and his behaviour that was off.

[@soup8786]

Anya no she came on in a foul mood. She was not in a good place here

[@elvisleeboy]

marx117 x Parkinson himself has admitted he didn't handle the interview very well, but the awkwardness stemmed from her mood. There were no difficult questions at all.

[@daveruda]

I think he should have moved on when he sees she dont want to talk about that.

[@shanefolan]

but the problem was more she didn't want to talk at all, it amazes me the support she is getting here over it.

[@Ridiculi]

He was being a POS and the woman was too about her shoes. Ridiculous.

[@JACK28460]

Parkinson was unbelievably rude. For a supposedly skilled interviewer, he handled this situation horrendously

[@lepetitchat123]

Rude? How? He asked a legitimate question and she refused to play along.

[@bpoleary1]

​@@lepetitchat123She is not refusing to play along, she is his questions the best she can.

[@julierogers1155]

@@lepetitchat123 You are 100% WRONG. I am guessing Parkinson was being rude because he was drunk.

[@RobertKincaid-vq3hn]

i totally disagree Michael Parkinson was a master of his game and i think of the people he had interviewed i once saw Jonathan Ross interview Pamela Anderson and that was a disaster and what about ROD Hull and EMU a

[@jackdavy97]

Very sad to hear he passed away today. Had never seen this interview but was told to watch it just now and I have to say - Parkinson does not come across nicely hear. Well done Meg for holding your own!

[@misst.e.a.187]

He was a bore

[@jaquesravalec242]

Biscuits are nice.

[@jackdavy97]

@@jaquesravalec242 How odd.

[@zekeedwards7904]

I think he also objectified helen mirren in the 70s, I'm a red blooded male and she was hot back in the day but even I found it a bit cringey 😂

[@jaquesravalec242]

​@@zekeedwards7904Looks like your short on steak if you are a red blooded male.

[@CDtopographics]

I don't think I've even seen Parkinson give one of his guests such a rough ride. He comes across as abrupt and rude. Meg is impressive, clearly shocked at the way it's going but keeps it together.

[@longmemory1620]

he bullied Denzel , he tried to attack Muhammad Ali then he stared tried to act like Ali was in the wrong

[@jnicholls21]

He was a prick to Helen Mirren, too.

[@julierogers1155]

@@jnicholls21 Yes! Parkinson faced criticism in 1975 after introducing the actor on his show as the “sex queen” of the Royal Shakespeare Company and quoting a critic’s description of her as projecting “sluttish eroticism”. During the interview, Parkinson asked if her “equipment” distracted audiences and if serious actors could have “big bosoms”. Mirren who later called him a “sexist old fart” said the encounter had been “enraging”.

[@lovedesigners3486]

Think it was parky that was rude. He tried to embarrass & belittle her. She answered the question he kept going. Seems more about his ego.

[@dannydorko7075]

I wonder if she was rude to him backstage before the interview

[@jesseleeward2359]

@@dannydorko7075 This is what everyone says happened. But it's still very awkward

[@jillmeade4630]

@@dannydorko7075 Doesnt matter he was goating her

[@rachaelmorgan7639]

Well said!

[@KevinSmith-wp9qs]

Parkinson's ego far outweighs his 'talent'.

[@iamtheralwus]

This clip certainly portrays Parky as the bad guy instead of the other way round, as the media would have us believe. Makes me want to watch the whole interview to get the entire perspective.

[@ssalady]

He was rude; treating her like some psych experiment. Appalling behavior, and he still stands by this interview. She was not at fault.

[@warreng675]

Neither was he

[@paulanthony5274]

@@warreng675 Err,yes he was,he was rude,very rude and if you can't see that then you have something wrong with you.

[@warreng675]

@@paulanthony5274 Why was he rude, there's nothing wrong with me. There's something wrong with you, not me

[@warreng675]

@@paulanthony5274 Great case, that is

[@LeoDragon34]

“He still stands by this interview”. I’ve just seen another clip showing that it’s the one interview he wants to do again. He knows he’s mostly to blame for it going so badly.

[@dlebrun1963]

I came here from another post expecting to see how rude she was. She did here best to be gracious and maintain humor when it looked like Parkinson went in to this with attitude. There are provocative questions and then there is arrogant behavior.

[@bUrRiEdaLiVe6]

Maybe the same post I was reading lol. I was prepared to see Meg being an absolute jerk. I saw the video and noticed she was uncomfortable and he was being pushy (he even leans "over her" and she keeps her distance). Then I read the comments and learn that this is the same jerk that interviewed Helen Mirren, and everything made sense

[@jennieredrose5819]

Same here! I came here from another interview where he was bashing her as a rude guest. And I was like what the hell? This man is horribly rude? How do you treat a guest like that? This was an interrogation!

[@UKCALLING99]

Same

[@alistairmacdonald2634]

The way Parky made out in his appearance on Top Gear was that Meg Ryan was in a bad mood and rude to him but didn't see that here. I think Parky was being a bit aggressive with his questioning, like he was the one that was a bit pissed off for some reason or another.

[@alisongrace4334]

ALISTAIR MACDONALD absolutely agree with you.

[@ap6247]

I’ve seen the whole interview, strange that it’s now no where to been seen. Initially, Meg gives clear , well thought out answers and comes across as very intelligent. Parkinson is truly awful to her and is basically telling her to go back to the cutesy style of film that made her famous rather than the thought provoking film she was there to promote. The film is a feminist work and challenges and questions the roles men and women play and is very explicit and this seems to be something that Parkinson is threatened by.. What annoyed me more was that Parkinson had ample opportunities to face up to this in subsequent interviews as it was always brought up, but the media was behind him and so he just kept trotting the line that she was at fault. I lost a lot of respect for him after this.

[@KeithApp]

You're wrong!

[@21Diddley]

@@KeithApp No. She's right.

[@atomikotita]

Consummate ass 🕳️ !

[@atomikotita]

@@KeithAppwhat is wrong with YOU?

[@julierogers1155]

Agreed, I also have much less respect for "Parky" now ... he was not such a class act afterall.

[@andymcquade]

Wow. My respect for meg Ryan has gone through the roof. Parky: fail

[@francoisona]

Yep

[@shanefolan]

shouldn't it be through the floor? roof would be escalated.

[@warreng675]

Why has it?

[@AnnabelleDrumm]

In coaching we are taught a question beginning with "Why" is threatening and puts the other on the back foot. He uses it over and over. Little was done to put her at ease.

[@TabascoRain]

interesting insight. What kind of coaching? I may want some of that! :)

[@jediewok5328]

She was really friendly, talkative and well spoken. I found parky deliberately provoking tbh which made the atmosphere really awkward.

[@TDHurley]

Agreed.

[@cashawX10]

Exactly, she started to open up a bit talking about journalism and then Parky fires back with that question about her being weiry of journalists ("like himself") and she clams up again unsurprisingly. I dislike how this interview's outcome is always portrayed as Meg Ryan's fault but it is Parky's uslesness as an interviewer which is to blame. See also George Harrison on the Dick Cavett show, similar type of interview but Dick ws able to bring him out of himself...

[@mateuszmazurek7991]

I agree too, 100%, hard to watch him being such a jerk

[@mikemyers2228]

Agreed

[@wayneostler5532]

No. She was pensive, nervous and seemingly anxious. Its not clear why here. He was provocative, almost accusatory made things worse.

[@lisabee-393]

What a jerk! I can't believe how unprofessional, rude, and bullying he was. Anyone who thinks this was on Meg is horribly mistaken.

[@elvisleeboy]

Lisa Heineman He has himself admitted that he didn't handle the interview very well at all.

[@Zombiekillers1888]

Watch the the full interview. I remember watching this as a child and thinking how rude she was. She was off from the start and didn't want to be there

[@longmemory1620]

BBC = pedo ring Parkinson senior BBC member

[@jaquesravalec242]

Non.

[@AlyssaQ420]

He was, in fact, the one who was being rude. I think she handled it well while keeping a smile on her face to boot. If it were me, I would've given him a piece of my mind and walked off.

[@paulanthony5274]

Exactly so would I and I just watched him being interviewed a couple of years ago very old and he stands by it,when it was him and what was wrong with her body language,he made out she was sat funny,he was the one folding his arms,she did nothing wrong,he's a pompous clown.

[@judith1564]

This is exactly why I didn't like Parkinson or his style of "interviewing". He was your buddy if it went his way, but when he came across someone different he was rude, boorish, arrogant and self-important. .I've heard so much about this "interview" and can't see why Meg Ryan was accused of being "difficult". She obviously doesn't like interviews, and probably agreed because it was The Big Important Parkinson show. Shame on him for not speaking up at the time. Trouble was, he believed his own publicity.

[@flala2261]

Judith Evans absolutely

[@longmemory1620]

there is an irish tv host same bully style as parkinson his name is Ryan Tubridy, he was acting high and mighty with a guest one night so the guest replied "Your grandfather was in the IRA" , that shut tubridy up

[@AaRaN8]

LOL I think meg handled it really well, she obviously got awkward when Parkinson pointed out she was being awkward, but anyone would, it would make you so self conscious! But then I guess Parkinson was finding it difficult to work out what to say to her and wanted to get that out. Funny interview though, I remember analysing it in English last year :')

[@gemmalyons7744]

Aaran Cyan au

[@anothercomment]

This definitely isn't Michael Parkinsons finest moment. I remember at the time how the media and general public sided with Parkinson and described Meg as cold and rude. She just seems a bit shy to me and handled the interview well. Someone made a good point in a previous comment that Meg could be autistic. This could be true as 20 years ago there wasn't the understanding of autism as there is today. Im mildly autistic and back then it seemed like a sin to be lacking in social skills. Many extroverted people could get away with bullying us as we were seen as the problem by not being like them. Thankfully, society has changed for the better.

[@angiet6714]

You're either autistic, or not... Just saying 😉

[@martinwhite7053]

Parkinson was interrogating her, she didn't like it and said as much, good for her.

[@shanefolan]

I don't get here why people are all bashing parky so much, Ryan herself came across as very rude here, when the other guests commented on her clothes she totally blanked them which was horrible.

[@gwasgray9309]

Shane Folan With people like Trinny and Susannah it can be hard to tell whether they're really being complimentary or condescending.

[@shanefolan]

Gwasgray and you base this on what exactly-since when is a compliment from fashion experts on your clothes condescending? From as far as I can see they were being nice to her and paid her clothes a compliment- if you think that is condescending[which I think is you looking into it too much] then you think it to yourself but you certainly don't ignore them and cut off the conversation as she had just did. That was the height of rudeness and you can't defend that.

[@martinwhite7053]

I'm watching this as I write, Parkinson still seems a bit aggressive,but as I said before, he is a Yorkshireman..

[@shanefolan]

***** but that still doesn't counteract or justify her behaviour towards the other guests, she was clearly rude and hostile towards them and worse still in front of people which was humiliating thus for people to sit here and go on like she's mother Teresa is a bit rich

[@lovesmerlot]

Meg Ryan will always be America's sweetheart and that interviewer seems to have animosity towards her. Meg still comes out as our sweetheart. Love you Meg Ryan

[@rachaelmorgan7639]

I totally agree. Parkinson is a narcissistic old arsehole.

[@paulanthony5274]

I totally agree too but when you say "That interviewer" where have you been living in a cave. Everyone knows who Michael Parkinson is.

[@Djsonley]

@@paulanthony5274 Must be said also that around this time in the 00's Hollywood press was gutter press. Britany Spear's etc got hounded almost to death so Meg Ryan probably had a reason to hate journalists back then. Parky wasn't covering himself in glory either.

[@ah5650]

@@paulanthony5274 I had no idea who he was until I saw this video. You should say “Every old person in Britain” knows who Michael Parkinson is. He comes across as a misogynistic bully. So gross.

[@UnbelievableOdyssey]

She said that she didn’t like being interviewed and then asked for help with it. He immediately says he can’t help. Basically it’s him and the audience and she’s there to answer his questions.

[@jackbradleywilson]

This interview is what made me stop liking Parkinson. Everyone seems to think it was Meg but she was doing nothing wrong, she was certainly the victim here.

[@longmemory1620]

jack wilson he was angry because the interview just before her was an embarrassment and he took it out on her

[@PrivateAccountXSG]

what did he do wrong? his questions werent intense

[@mcsquare77]

+jack wilson Sir Michael Parkinson did nothing wrong. Meg Ryan just came across as being really ditzy!

[@theextremelycrucialcaterpi6988]

jack wilson You should see his interview with Helen Mirren, he came across even worse there!

[@Glat64]

When I was younger I thought Meg was in the wrong and odd. Nowadays I just find her coming across as natural and honest, and he strikes me as a bit of a bully.

[@ThePlaymayker]

The awkwardness was all Parkinson’s fault.

[@viddid]

Michael was just being rude and it was strange as he was making her feel more uncomfortable by pointing that out. It is the job of an interview host to put their guests at ease, but he did the exact opposite. Not his finest moment as he destroyed a potentially good interview.

[@Rawrecoverycouk]

Love Meg Ryan even more respect for her tolerating his rudeness.

[@TT_1221]

An off night for Parkie here .. but then over so many years, there's bound to be one! He had a good TV show and was very good at what he did.

[@bencarpenter226]

I always used to think that it was Meg who was being the rude and awkward one but now I've seen it again it's clear that Parkinson asked some questions that didn't want to be answered and was the rude one. Meg really didn't deserve the backlash she received for this interview!

[@nickyd3572]

Exhibit one, why celebes hate interviewers. He's is completely arrogant and manipulative, with a hidden agenda.

[@Manyula]

Nick Davis Maybe the government paid him to say it, or maybe jet fuel can't melt steel beams. The truth is out there, however obnoxious it may be, friend.

[@longmemory1620]

Nick Davis what is his agenda ?

[@nickyd3572]

BRAD PITT its hidden... Lol. It seemed like he was trying to get a rise out of her. Almost all interviewers have an agenda. 

[@PiCheZvara]

+Nick Davis And how exactly was he trying to get a rise out of her?

[@blahdlah1920]

+PiCheZvara Perhaps the same way you're doing now...by asking inane questions?

[@milinddixit6583]

He was gunning for an outburst from her to get on the headlines. Failed badly 😂

[@NextTopSuperSpy]

Wow, I use to think Michael Parkinson was one of the best interviewers out there. But this? Borderline bullying.

[@reoreborn]

I've seen him do this quite a few times over the years. I have always found him quite rude and as you say a bully.

[@meredith218461]

I agree! he was completely out of order and demonstrated his feet of clay. I feel she was rather gracious under the circumstances. A crass and uncomfortable interview.

[@elvisleeboy]

Simon Templar If that's your idea of bullying, you have lived a very sheltered life. There are no awkward questions unless you have something to hide.

[@longmemory1620]

very similar to piers morgan

[@TabascoRain]

@@elvisleeboy You are a sociopath if you don't see the bullying in this interview.

[@russtrib2008]

Parky was being a bit rude. Not every film star will be confident talking in front of a live audience answering questions on their private life on the spot. To identify someone appears to be sitting awkwardly and uncomfortably and go into such detail about that will only make them more self conscious and I really felt for Meg here.

[@elvisleeboy]

russtrib2008 She shouldn't be there if that is the case.

[@peterburry2014]

@@elvisleeboy Contractual obligations

[@elvisleeboy]

@@peterburry2014 That she agreed to.

[@peterburry2014]

@@elvisleeboy You might need to find a dictionary and look up the word 'obligation'... You don't get to "agree" when you are contractually obliged. Oh sure, she could've refused to sign the contract, at the loss of several million dollars to herself and a Nine-to-five job in an office somewhere instead.

[@elvisleeboy]

@@peterburry2014 By signing the contract, she agreed. If she did end up in a nine to five job for minimum wage, then it might give her some perspective, particularly when she tried to explain to her colleagues what a traumatic experience it was to appear on a chat show for an hour, in order to attain an amount of money they can only dream of and that it was just not enough for her to act graciously.

[@salm942]

I'm reading this guy's autobiography and he never even kept in touch with Muhummad Ali. He said he wanted to remember hem the way he was. Some friend!

[@fangpili]

She was nervous and he was what an old teacher of mine used to call 'quietly rude'.

[@francoisona]

V disappointing of Parkinson. 'you're wary of me'.. Seems that she was right to be. She got the upper hand in the end..well done Meg!

[@webgirl256]

+Aristotle totally its the job of the interviewer to make the person feel at ease you will get the more juicy stuff there way he basically attacked her, made her feel uncomfortable and on edge and after went see I was right, she had class not just walking out on him.

[@longmemory1620]

what did you expect from the BBC , pedo ring one and all

[@peterburry2014]

@@longmemory1620 Trump's one also, mate, and was a friend of Epstien's

[@djbethell]

"You're wary of me."

[@ericforsyth]

Wary, as in cautious. Not weary, as in tired.

[@Hangie]

I'm so happy with people's comments on this. I was just telling my friends about this interview and how Meg was made out to be awkward but I said it was Parky. You've all proved me right! Thank you! 😂✌️

[@glenhoddle9]

What´s your point, what are you trying to say - just spit it out! I´m not privy to your conversations with your friends!

[@jaquesravalec242]

Confirmation bias isn't proof.

[@stuart3455]

I had always heard/believed that Meg Ryan was the one who acted like a bitch during this interview. How wrong I was. She answered his questions gracefully whilst being attacked. Parky clearly has a problem with her, he certainly never spoke to any of his AAA guests like that.

[@averagecuppajoe]

The interviewer comes off as "bullyish", putting Meg in a position in which she's defending herself. A person who is not known for enjoying interviews shouldn't be immediately set up to defend themselves. It comes across as interrogational, like Barbara Walters skewering a politician, not the interview with an actress known for being lighthearted. I think Parkinson looks like kind of an a**hole in this particular interview.

[@longmemory1620]

now compare that to the way Parkinson tiptoed around Savile

[@salm942]

I'm just listening to the Parky autobiography and thought I would watch this interview because he talks about it in the book. I have always had an impression of MR being snooty and difficult because of this interview even though I never even saw it. She is actually very charming, not sure why Parky was trying to disarm her like that.

[@WillScarlet1991]

Parkinson was way past his sell-by date here. In the 70s he may have been ok but 20 years later, he was just awkward to watch and listen to. Meg was great. She did the best she could do against an idiot.

[@lopezjohn639]

Meg Ryan was authentic, honest and I LOVED IT!!!! Would never do this guys show again!

[@harryking5869]

I've never really watched this interview in detail ... I've only ever let it skim over me. But, no, she is totally right to feel awkward. And the comment from Suzannah at the end about her shoes ... the poor woman must have felt like an exhibit. I'm equally mystified by Parkinson's whole premise. The idea that fame is a by-product of being a famous singer or actor isn't new. It's an age-old tension. He's the one with the problem not her.

[@jx14aby]

I wish Meg would have looked at her watch and said, "Oh, look at the time. I've got to run! Ta ta!"

[@BillWillyBillyBill]

Meg Ryan came out just fine here. If anything Michael Parkinson marked himself as untrustworthy. Ask yourself this. If you were a huge movie star, would you do his show after seeing this?

[@Doug1246447]

First time I've watched this ,so called/ interview more an ambush with a series of statements Unbelievably rude tone. Often cited as Meg Ryan being difficult. Poor Meg!

[@templar19]

It's both of them, in my opinion. Meg Ryan is obviously not a natural interviewee: her answers are vague and abrupt, she stonewalls Parkinson's questions, and everything about her body language screams she'd rather be anywhere else. But Parkinson should have been aware of this: it's not uncommon to get an actor who dislikes giving interviews. It seems he didn't realize until right as the interview started that he was going to have a problem, and he should have handled it better once he realized this. An uncomfortable interviewee and a confrontational interviewer make a bad interview.

[@templar19]

xXGrizZ It's not that I didn't 'get' the party analogy, but I don't think it applies to this case. You're pimple analogy is a bit better, but you're bringing up points that are dubiously true and, even if true, aren't confirmed in this video: that Ryan wasn't expecting an in-depth interview, and that 99.9% of celebrity interviews are filler fluff (which they aren't). Yeah, Parkinson was a tactless douche-bag, but like I said all along...an uncomfortable interviewee and a confrontational interviewer make a bad interview. You can be a master craftsman, and your product will just come out bad if you get a piece of wood of poor quality.

[@sbrown8937]

No way. He seemed a little aggressive in a way. Its a hard to explain but I even felt uncomfortable for her.

[@sbrown8937]

+Nonofur Biznez That thought occurred to me as well.

[@ENGABU1]

I remember this like it was yesterday...loved MP BUT this was dreadful. She's an actor and she's being grilled like a politician.

[@pauldavid9351]

I saw this live when it aired on tv and always thought it was completely Parkinson’s fault that it ended the way it did.

[@sense5169]

I must say. for years I thought she was at fault. not looking at it. he was very much at fault

[@melissanicholson9733]

Sense I agree, I hadn't watched that interview and was told that she was very rude, but upon watching it she did say she found being in the lime light difficult, you could see she was uncomfortable

[@hotrod3471]

I agree. he fired loaded questions at her. When she gets going, she's great but he keeps pulling her back to awkwardness. Compare with say, Graham Norton now - maybe you don't get the in depth stuff Parky did with his style but everyone looks like they're relaxed

[@countbasi4680]

Ditto! Just watched it and can't believe how wrong I was about this all those years ago. She tried to make an effort with an expansive response about studying to be a journalist rather than giving a very short or one word reply, it was him who couldn't work out how to keep her on that path.

[@YoxtailSOUP]

God damn, I was basically about to comment the same...!

[@kellyalves756]

Jeez, he’s going at her like she’s on a witness stand.

[@MrSpookyLover]

I remember everyone gave her a hard time, but Parkinson is clearly antagonising her or at the very least questioning her agressively

[@JaYb97716]

I dont think anyone did. It was the gutter press that put it in our minds at the time.

[@johnnywhite58]

This is aggressive ?

[@MrSpookyLover]

@Roy Edwards it was years ago, i dont mean as in everyone went kinda pussy, i was pointing out the way these narratives change - at the time she was a rude bimbo, but in reality Parkinson was hostile and a mood that night and gunning for her and him and Piers morgan are unbelievable twats

[@longmemory1620]

I remember british people gave her a hard time

[@lazyeejay]

How the heck is this about Meg Ryan being cold? She was giving thoughtful and honest responses. She comes across as very pleasant and genuine, I think Parky was pretty hostile here and looking for a bite. The 'wrap it up' response was perfect because she's basically saying you're not doing well here and should just call it a day. Not his greatest moment tbh. RIP.

[@Willsey]

Parkinson never looked for a bite. All he ever wanted from his guests was a good interview. Look at some of his interviews with the Hollywood greats .Sadly he was never going to get it with Meg Ryan. She was poor

[@julierogers1155]

@@Willsey "poor" comment, Willsey.

[@Willsey]

@@julierogers1155 I don’t think it was a poor comment. We are never going to agree so let’s agree to disagree. We all have opinions

[@eddieingalls534]

This shows the power of editing and a media world working to an agenda. The British media made it for years appear Ryan was weird, rude and borderline mad, yet it is very, very clear she offered many chances for Parkinson to let an easy chat develop. He chose to snipe and shut her down at every opportunity. Sorry Meg Ryan, I was like so many fooled back then and kept the belief this interview was awful because of you. Nothing could be further from the truth!

[@bigdaddy4069]

Not true at all. People now expect breezy, nonsensical, Americanised CRAP like Jonathan Ross. Chat shows used to actually talk about something. Clearly this is all forgotten

[@johnburke3762]

Parkinson is really being incredibly rude to Meg. She is my kind of lady.

[@ljclark2177]

I think to answer your question we'd have to see the whole interview to get the complete picture.

[@marsipannable]

I dont think she was being rude..i think she was being just herself..she answered his questions fine until he steered it into a really awkward place

[@jessicaroberts2558]

Meg Ryan handled herself beautifully, he seems to be baiting her with pointed, uncomfortable questions. It's hard to watch someone be so inconsiderate when their subject is being respectful & kind. He's horrible.

[@lepetitchat123]

How uncomfortable is that question? Anyone with a functional brain can answer that question well.

[@thispicture84]

I'm very pleased to read that Michael Parkinson has apologised for this interview. I remember at the time saying to others that he was rude, conceited, pompous and probably irritated that she wouldn't flirt with him. Of course, everyone disagreed at the time as he orchestrated a pile on Meg which everyone seemed to enjoy. I feel vindicated but Meg probably doesn't care 🤣

[@noelyking400]

He cleaned house

[@drdreel5559]

Trouble is his apology is effectively a non apology saying she shares the blame. I'm really struggling to see how. "How dare you be famous and not love it?" "Err OK." "You hate journalists because you're retreating away from me." "[Did you ever consider that might be less about journalists than about you?]"

[@stevexx7794]

Fully agree with you. When this was first aired I thought Michael Parkinson was awful and looking at it again today I think he was even worse than I remembered. What an awful, bullying interview from an interviewer who should look back and feel ashamed. Meg Ryan did well. Michael Parkinson fell well short and showed himself in a very bad light.

[@deusdedit9-]

@@drdreel5559 Exactly what I thought

[@justaride77]

@@drdreel5559 yeah he still backtracked at the end with the “I’m sorry. But you must understand that you played a part in it, too. Neither of us were on top form, and we were both discomforted.” Just own up to your mistake, dude

[@TraceyLeeCrampton]

Perfect comment from Meg in wrapping it up - He was a bully in this interview and I have been challenged on this stand point since it aired and watching it again now after all this time - how DARE HE!! Who does he think he is!!

[@richardmacleod5253]

There were a few big film actresses that never interviewed or avoided the spotlight, Garbo and Jean Arthur to name two. Both had amazing careers. Meg Ryan is fascinating and interesting I dont understand why this interview got some much press.

[@flala2261]

Richard Macleod same, journalists are just vultures and probably needed to make easy money with easy exaggerated headlines

[@bog-monster]

Proper Sublick Laah.!! 😜

[@fin393]

I have no problem with this interview. This is what a real conversation looks like. No texting back then.

[@MikeBroderick33]

"I think I'd wrap it up." Meg Ryan shutting Parky up. Good for her.

[@jaquesravalec242]

Less muesli, more steak.

[@MikeBroderick33]

@@jaquesravalec242 I like a steak as much as the next guy.

[@lalala6751]

I felt Parkinson was the one who was a jerk...not Meg. Sure, she was defensive but only because he kept pressing her with stupid questions.

[@CD-gh1uf]

"I don't exactly feel comfortable in the spotlight" "Oh, well tell us more about how you hate journalists"

[@guypaul]

Wow, he's sure being a jerk to her. I waited on Meg Ryan once (though I didn't realize it until she was leaving), and she stood out as one of the most pleasant, good-natured, kind people I ever encountered in that profession.

[@julierogers1155]

Nice to know about Meg. Parkinson was a big FAIL in this interview with Meg.

[@Willsey]

Other that met her say different

[@julierogers1155]

@@Willsey I really do not care what a random thinks about Meg Ryan, especially when it is negative. I do think it is worth commenting on when a talk show HOST is rude to a GUEST.

[@Tiggy-si4cs]

What was Parky on !!! She was not rude at all, he was questioning her in a bizarre fashion, as he did with Helen Mirren...He can be so odd and rude.

[@jaquesravalec242]

Soft.

[@Oh-Monkey]

Parkinson was usually always good, but here he hit Meg Ryan with some real awkward questions and makes her feel uncomfortable. I used to think it was Meg Ryan that was being awkward, but after rewatching this, it's the opposite.

[@sarahsezlove11]

I think Parkinson went out of his way to exploit Meg's honest aversion to the limelight. He came across as a rude bully, whilst she did her best to respond naturally to the closed questions he asked her. Certainly not his finest hour.

[@ka5269]

Whoever is in the right or wrong, Meg Ryan served Parky his ass on a plate with that "wrap it up" reply.

[@jaquesravalec242]

Lol. Non.

[@kathleenharris3403]

Meg Ryan held her own, this interviewer disliked her and was hell-bent on making her look incompetent.

[@glitchwitchery]

First I heard of this with MR today in the DM. The article was on his side, and even though I've never really looked at MR (I don't like her kind of movies), I immediately saw that something was off and felt like she could have been in the right. So I came here, and she most definitely was in the right. And like everyone else here is saying, she's super classy and attempting to "play ball" as it was already said here all the while he instantly exposed her jugular, knew that her discomfort was her shyness in general with everything related to publicity, and went for the kill while attempting to victim blame and say that the problem and blame was hers and was also in relation to him. It most definitely wasn't. What a narcissist. She seems like the sweetheart she's been portrayed to be. She didn't deserve that but stood her ground. Good for her.

[@RachelOnAWhim]

Meg Ryan reminds me of me in my every day life, here. Lol! Not necessarily her fault though, because when a person perceives you as awkward and states it to your face, it instantly makes you react awkwardly.

[@lyndabundock5367]

I came to watch this after Parky's passing, and can honestly say I think Meg handled herself well. He definitely had an agenda and went after her to get some kind of controversial outcome. Her comment about 'wrapping it up' said it all. Well done Meg. She wasn't rude at all.

[@andrewfrancis4462]

Was this supposed to be the awkward interview? It was but it wasn't really Meg Ryan's fault. She wasn't diva-ish and she tried to answer his questions as candidly as she knew how. One of the few interviews where Parky missed his marks.

[@iainrobb2076]

I liked Parkinson a lot, but this was his fault entirely. He continued to pedantically press an awkward line of questioning and she didn't feel totally comfortable with it because she knew he was just trying to get a rise out her. She dealt with it just the same way anyone would have done witjout getting overly annoyed.

[@PiCheZvara]

It was Ryan's fault as well. He asked her about why she's an actress if being in the spotlight doesn't come naturally to her and isn't easy for her and she responded "I don't know, maybe you can help me with that". His question wasn't aggressive and was quite logical, her answer was however surprisingly combative. As if she took the question as a personal knock, which was her mistake entirely. And from then on, the rest of the interview went off the rails. Parkinson didn't do anything wrong initially and his jabs later weren't all that bad either considering how unresponsive Ryan was.

[@towsonualum]

+PiCheZvara It seemed like a light hearted joke that he turned into a big deal for no reason