Peter Sellers - RARE interview - Parkinson - '74

[@gabby11228899]

My dad worked with Peter Sellers and said Peter was a great person. He was always very lonely and a little sad but loved to work and give his best work at all times. He also did a lot for charity and people with depression. He was the best in the world at everything he did.

[@PMAFL]

Wonderful to hear. I’ve always adored him. So naturally funny.

[@Barbarianbrotha]

I don't what it is with physical comedians but they all seem to suffer from depression. John Belushi Curly Howard Chris Farley John Candy all met a short demise like Sellers. Maybe it's because they feel intense pressure to always perform at their best even though they're always getting older. With physical comedy that's a tall order.

[@StuartHanson-fo7iw]

He certainly was👍👍🇬🇧

[@vordman]

@@Barbarianbrotha You can add Robin Williams to that list too.

[@tonybuckley950]

My late wife had a job for few months driving a lift at Lillywhites . Had Peter Sellers as a passenger and noted how courteous and considerate he was with her and the staff. Thorough gentleman.

[@reaganwiles_art]

this guy Parkinson is a wonderful interviewer, the way he allows the guest to "be himself"

[@bthe1ulove876]

It’s actually Sellers. The first clip mentions his man of 1,000 voices. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYSZpnqbbNVlbpI Second clip shows it’s been going on all along. It’s just Peter. He didn’t know him. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXWnepqwgL2Mfbc

[@alanpiper1513]

Parky was brilliant. An excellent show that ran for years. Miss it tremendously

[@SuperBigwilk]

I've never seen anyone look so sad when he says I'm very happy now.

[@dougfriedman]

Yes, you noticed that too.

[@BenFleury]

SuperBigwilk He'd been suffering from depression which is what you can tell when he say's 'I'm very happy now' Similar to Robin Williams.

[@ProjectFlashlight612]

He hated himself

[@prittlewellproductions3172]

RIP Peter Sellers, 8th September 1925 - 24th July 1980. An acting legend.

[@lincolnyaco5626]

Died from drugs and sex--heart attack from drugs that prolonged sex.

[@r4b32t11]

I was besotted with this man, So hilarious and clever. I still play the LP's I have had for years and I never tire of him. RIPPete.

[@thecubanism]

How many of today's so called stars could compete with a comic genius, a beautiful teller of tales, a great actor, I have watched this clip dozens of times and yet, as now, my grandchildren come into my den and ask 'what are you laughing at Grandad?' I'm laughing at a lost art my dears.

[@ianmedium]

I love how he drops into the accents he is talking about, brilliant!

[@HAZIDEAD]

He was devastatingly talented.

[@KillgoreTrout43]

Man, he was a truly a very funny man. He has made me laugh out loud many, many times.

[@homienickel]

The great enigma of Peter Sellers-after seeing this interview I still have no idea what his natural speaking voice sounds like-even if he's supposedly speaking in his normal voice it sounds like an impression. He was one in a million.

[@StuartHanson-fo7iw]

It was common at the time for every body to affect their best pronunciation when appearing on tv or giving speeches,hence the very common British phrase at the time,which was to put on your telephone voice, aka mrs bucket,pronounced boo Kay like it’s french,🇬🇧👍 better then when we had standards in the west

[@Surrealfaz]

He is a brilliant comedian. I have always been a great fan. Fascinating from his impersonations to story telling. No one has been able to copy him.

[@Gggmanlives]

Sellers always claimed he hated working on the Panther films, but he seemed to be having a good time in those bloopers

[@semajttam]

All a show I think. What a guy.

[@WilliamHavilandPiano]

Remarkable man. Lovely video.

[@martinplatt5928]

Sellers was truly amazing and ahead of his time.....remember this is 40 years old! He was and still is my IDOL.

[@basslvck]

Indeed and may he Rest In Peace...

[@ThePoohinator]

Talented comic...yes. Volatile father who mistreated his children...yes. Like most comedians he was a pretty dark guy.

[@daisies53]

Brilliant and that is good to know! He was one of my uncles best friends! My uncle was his agent! :)

[@giovanna722]

@@ThePoohinator There's a pretty long list of brilliant performers who never should have been husbands or fathers. Just not cut out for it.

[@Mrsbeatle1968]

This is a great interview with Peter Sellers. He was on his uppers when he did this interview, his last few films were flops, his 3rd marriage had ended. He met Liza Minelli, proposed 3 days later -only to pull out on the advice of a clairvoyant! His health wasn't good either. The day before he did the interview he tried to pull out saying outside the characters he played he didn't exist! He was told he could come on in character so, he dressed as a gestapo officer for the first few minutes till he relaxed. He was an odd soul,drink and drugs,were ruining his life. Also Impulsive relationships and a mother fixation. He died too young though. Genius, flawed but a genius. Let's not forget him

[@markredman4682]

+Mrsbeatle1968 Geniuses become geniuses through determined struggle against their flaws.

[@brianrelph52]

Mrsbeatle1968 888888888999000900000000009000000099999999000990000000000000090000

[@chrisganthony]

Mrsbeatle1968 do u know a good book about all this? I wanna know more about that. He was one of the greatest of all times

[@sdgfsdfsdf1820]

Ok

[@damianmorrison209]

Yes

[@parzooman]

The look on Sellers face at 12:08 when he's asked if he's "happy now" speaks volumes. It's just so sad.

[@sdgfsdfsdf1820]

Oh

[@trtworldlondon]

Like when a POW says how well he’s being treated

[@thealanhudson1]

Wonderful, wonderful, Peter Sellers, absolutely wonderful

[@wishmaster7438]

Peter Sellers had died on my twentieth birthday at 54 years old. I remember that day and terrible year because Steve McQueen and John Lennon died that year too. I seem to have outlived all of them. The movie Being There (1979) was the best film Peter Sellers had ever done.

[@carllafong69]

Warp Prime 42 It's sad that Peter didn't KNOW he was going to pass not long after and signed up for the execrable "The Fiendish Plot Of Fu Manchu" - "Being There" SHOULD have been his swan-song.

[@Neville6000]

carllafong69: Damn fracking right it should have.

[@JaxenRossisback]

+Warp Prime 42 If Pete still kicked in he would be 90 by today.

[@dhog41]

+carllafong69 It was SO painful to see him in that godawful Fu Manchu. So sad. Chance in "Being There" was such a beautiful, perfect character for him to have played. What an exquisite end to an amazing career it would have been.

[@ThePantruca]

+Warp Prime 42 For me, his best film will always be "The Party". I had tears down my eyes when I first saw that movie.

[@elaineprescott3972]

Brilliant! I've seen the bit about the piano player a few times and still makes me giggle! What an amazing actor/comedian he was.

[@edithsymmans3273]

Thanks ever so for this one…… Peter Sellers was so funny when he needed to be in something he was making…. just brilliant…… love everything he did and this interview with Michael Parkinson is awesome….

[@davidjames81]

oh Peter wherefore art thou Peter we shall never see your greatness again . Thank you ,

[@christinemartindale7963]

He is truly the very BEST of British comedy! Always will be!

[@fatsugare]

My God, seems never too late too start loving this man, more and more. What a genious he was, and still is, thanks to KZbin!

[@AjarnSpencer]

he was one of the funniest comedians who ever existed, and brought me much joy in my childhood

[@blackbirdtwigg]

There will Never be another Peter Sellers. RIP Great man.

[@maroushkazammitvoice-overs5448]

Fantastic. I grew up watching him. A brilliant and talented man who has been an inspiration.

[@okrajoe]

A comic genius.

[@MaccaThePacker]

It blows me away that Parkinson was only 39 when he did this interview. He looks much older.

[@christ4767]

He was 49.

[@MaccaThePacker]

Chris T Sir Michael was born in 1935. If this interview was from 1974, that would have made him 39 at the time.

[@tracypanavia4634]

People did back then, we grew up a lot quicker then than we do now. Ironically we were all a bit more innocent too.

[@ThePoohinator]

He is a Brit. They age quicker. Something to do with teeth rotting.

[@Bertie22222]

ThePoohinator What a stupid, ignorant person you are.

[@andygolder8312]

Brilliant! absolutely Brilliant!!!

[@lawrenceburton2854]

Such an honest and insightful interview. Two geniuses of their craft. 👌

[@jc333jc]

Christ! Someone on a chat show with talent! Remarkable. Surprisingly, I don't really miss Amy Childs et al with her insightful anecdotes and witty repartee.

[@ivanbocalon]

O MELHOR HUMORISTA DE TODOS OS TEMPOS ! IMPAGAVEL EM TODOS OS SENTIDOS ! SALVE SELLERS ! IVAN BOCALON

[@suzannemoiraregis]

peter sellers died from heart disease and from not taking as exacting care of himself as his condition demanded; we lost this genius far too early, but we have no say in the matter; we can only be grateful for the treasure he left behind; all great comedians are also great healers of the spirit--

[@affaiecaffaiec712]

suzanne oneill we die when the time comes there is no too early about it

[@chrisb222]

He reminds me so much of his character in Being There

[@everygrainofsand]

HUGELY enjoyed this!! Thanks for posting.

[@carllafong69]

I meant rare for SELLERS - as an ACTOR, he rarely gave them. Actors HATE being interviewed - they have to be THEMSELVES - something most find impossible. It's why Sellers initially came on wearing a WW2 German outfit. It was the first thing he could find in the BBC costume dept.

[@JennyJamx]

I live just up the road from there, the blue plaque always gets peoples attention. Such a humble beginning for one of the greatest comics.

[@Actingskint]

Ive heard many stories about how difficult he was to be around, but you never get the full picture about people. So its a refreshing experience to see someone admit their failings and be so open about their lives. Just for a moment or two you get a glimpse of the vunerable person beneath.And that endears you to them , on a far deeper level.Incredibly talented ?, certainly. Difficult ? probably.Without doubt a complicated man, but underneath it all, human just like the rest of us.

[@pow1983]

just think these jokes are considered offensive and racist by todays standards - he was in the right era for comedy, good upload thanks! reminds us of a time when we could laugh at ourselves and at others without the PC brigade aka tossers

[@carllafong69]

pow1983 Amen to that.

[@Neville6000]

pow1983: Love to see what you'd think of said 'PC brigade aka tossers' if they decided to insult white people.

[@phero2]

Neville6000 How?

[@fatcat2939]

Its unfortunate he didn't talk about Strangelove. I'd love to see the out takes, especial considering that a lot of it was ad-libbed.

[@davidjames81]

the greatest actor ever ..try and see The optimist ,or aka. The Optimist of nine elms. just amazing. Peter Sellers very very misunderstood a true performer ,probably in the wrong era ,music hall genius .. ..he could almost change shape within a performance. and loved his honesty in this interview admits his faults .R.I.P peter sellers...

[@mcdeadsquirrel]

thank you for your insight and comment....it lends well to this ....thank you very much.

[@caroltolhursttolhurst3323]

Is there anyone out there that remembers the radio program "The Goon Show" we were just kids but I remember every Sunday having Sellers in our house while we ate roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, followed by apple pie and custard. I remembered one show where (a little vaguely on my part) they sailed up the Thames and bombarded the Houses of Parliament with Xmas puddings. Our imagination made the scene hilarious. With characters names like Skinny Minnie Bannister, Peasmould Gruntfutock, Neddy and Seegoon. They were the inspiration for Monty Python, and enjoyed by the Beatles. He appeared in a film with Ringo Starr called the Magic Christian along with John Cleese, Spike Milligan, Yule Brynner, who played a night club singer in drag singing "I'm mad about the Boy" while siddling up to Ringo at the bar and only when he reached and took off his blonde wig, Yule, that is, did I realized who it was, and Lawrence Harvey descending a staircase as Hamlet carrying the skull of poor Yorik while wearing a G String and doing a bump and grind. Now who else would write a film script that bizarre. British comedy has always been left of center and radio at that time was outstanding and unique. If you should come across the Magic Christian (it feels a bit dated) but don't miss it. PS. If you hunt around on KZbin you'll probably come across and be able to listen to The Goon Show.

[@carllafong69]

Carol Tolhurst Tolhurst I saw The Magic Christian when it came out (yes, I AM that old) and it blew me AWAY - even back in the sixties. Don't forget Raquel Welch in the "engine room" (fifty topless women pulling oars) and Chris Lee striding abroad as Dracula - but Yul in drag had it for me. However, if memory serves (I've got a VHS of the movie, but no time to check) it wasn't Ringo - the customer at the bar was Roman Polanski!

[@Paddy.C]

My dad was a huge Goon Show fan,I grew up listening to his collection of them on audio cassette. Eccles and Bluebottle were my favourite characters.The announcer was Morris Greenslade and in one intermission they'd have harmonica player Max Geldroy and his band play a tune...can anyone remember the name of the singer who used to play during the other intermission? He was a black chap with a very rich,gravelly voice,but his name escapes me.

[@SimonNoina]

Paddy .Cook Ray Ellington...The Ray Ellington Quartet was his 'main job'...a character called 'Big Ellinga' sounding like an African tribal chief would pop up in the Goon show from time to time!

[@LascoDePasco]

Hello, I would like to ask you something. I am learning English and I would like to know the explanation of the punch line , what does it mean "pressing the cheque " :D .If I understood it correctly , the actor is trying to get his cheque cashed, but without success , because poor actors often have dud cheques , right ? :D Anyway , Peter Sellers was one of the greatest and the most talented actors of all times. Thank you for your help :D

[@AuntyM66]

I love the thats what you are joke. LOL

[@davefoster3918]

We have no-one as clever or as funny today, sadly missed Peter

[@TheMitchell66]

Look how eloquent and confident Peter is, the sign of a genuine talent confident in his ability to converse with the host. A lesson for all these so called celebs of today with their structured questions and so called anecdotes.

[@marcnik]

A fine interview with two of the very best in their professions. This interview took place in the very early hours apparently. The audience is mostly set workers and their friends and relatives. The interview was rescheduled many times because of last minute cancellations from Peter Sellers. In the end Parkinson said that Sellers' main fear was walking on to the set for the interview. It was then agreed he could arrive dressed as a German prison guard and do a sketch. He was one of our best ever comedians but a tortured soul. There won't ever be anyone in his league again.

[@TDKiller415]

Its almost 2023 and I still don't get the "Would you mind pressing the bloody thing" punchline 🤣🤣🤣

[@talstory]

As I understand it the cheque had got creased up during his many attempts to get it changed..so he's saying "ok I know you can't give me money but at least tidy up this creased cheque"... That works for me but I realise that spelling it out like that ruins the comic effect

[@zondervanamo]

Hello Lasco, Firstly - your English is excellent! Well done on working to perfect it. Humour, with it's subtleties, is always the hardest thing to comprehend in a second language. In this case though it's fairly straightforward. The actor is resigned to being continually refused, so by the time he arrives at the Chinese laundry, he gives up early and just says "do you mind just pressing the cheque?" - all he means is that its so crumpled from being taken from his pocket all those times...

[@skystann]

Hysterical in The Party and brilliant in Being There. He looked better with age. Lovely cultured demeanor and voice. 😢😂🐨

[@PDHulme61]

Great clip of the great man thanx for uploading ! ******

[@sharminifernando7351]

I like Peter Sellers, he has made our family laugh in the movies Pink Panther...

[@stevewiseman2002]

Sellers is one, if not the best comedian ever. Goons, Clouseau, Fred Kite. Brilliant.

[@Noodle999]

Brilliant, and even funnier with KZbin subtitles. At ~05:00 the actor is called "Wellington Munitions" :P

[@dougfriedman]

My favorite comedic actor. His comment at the end about being happy at the moment of the take is something I get when I act, if I'm any good. It's an unplanned creative moment. His shortcomings are a warning of course. There are a lot of actors who live to be appreciated, and far more who never are.

[@EcirpWehttam]

So much brown - so 70s! What a set!

[@conner6052]

Great interview love Sellers since I was a kid. Truly sad when he says 'yes I'm happy now' knowing he really truly on the inside wasn't at all

[@Jhensy2012]

Oddly, the real Peter seems most like his Dr. Strangelove character.

[@kleetus92]

I have never heard Peter Sellers voice other than Clouseau. I didn't think it was him at first.

[@CuteCatFaith]

Try the movie, "Being There." The book is short and by a great writer who committed suicide over healthcare. Then, enjoy the movie. Both are quite wonderful. Sellers in THE PARTY is also funny. It's kind of rough going at first but then you are in the swing of things. That was also Elvis Presley's favorite movie, not that that counts.

[@postersandstuff]

CuteCatFaith -Ed Parker used to be Elvis' bodyguard -Parker played the martial arts bad guy in "Revenge of Pink Panther" -Sellers imitated Elvis in "Fu Manchu"

[@pops1507]

Lovely. I so want to find the disk that contains "Balham" which also contains the great story on the "Lord" and his kitchen scraps cover by "a dazzling white cloth."

[@delizade]

could anyone explain the Chinese store joke at 6:10 please (lack of English sadly)

[@davidphilips5543]

Still watch the pink panther films, he was a special talent. People should focus a little more on that and remember him for that instead of whatever problems he had in his private life.

[@munderlarkst]

Now that it's on KZbin it is no longer 'rare', though, but nice video! Thanks for posting.

[@ProjectFlashlight612]

High functioning sociopath with cyclothymic manic depression Possible damage to the amygdala after near fatal cardiac arrest in 1964. Genius, but a bastard with it because of the thing that made him brilliant .From 12:00 on he is slightly drunk and a bit more candid about his mindset.

[@marklife.ox4]

Sellers rocking the double denim!

[@carllafong69]

Excellent and perceptive comment. Thank you.

[@guggsdusty3674]

Absolute genius , there’s nothing that can come close to Peter Sellers !

[@MBACCR]

For Sellers to be himself was the ultimate quest, as it is for many great actors.

[@r4b32t11]

Warrington Minge is a character in one of Peter's sketches. he can be found on "Songs for Swinging Sellers" The track ' We'll let you know' Anyone who had an audition of any kind will get this. So funny.

[@lester9448]

The pink panther On Parkinson's 😂😂😂

[@jefffromjersey52]

Could you Imagine having been LUCKY enough to perhaps encounter Peter, in like a Pub and listening to his stories for a couple hours . I would be laughing non stop. This man was an absolute genius at his Craft..

[@j.treble5885]

Jeff from Jersey from Jersey I wish the same he was remarkable original and made me laugh in a way no one else could. Very sad he died so young. No one like him few on par with him i loved George Carlin completely different which is as it should be for both were unique as Kurt Vonnegut was as a writer. Few ppl impress me these 3 are about one third of all of them.

[@martinobrien7110]

The extraordinarily talented Peter Sellers .

[@mikelheron20]

He had an easy relaxed manner and unlike a lot of other chat show hosts eg Jonathan Ross, didnt try to steal the limelight from his guests. He interviewed a huge number of celebs and with a couple of exceptions managed to get something entertaining and interesting out of them.

[@rael1999]

Huge talent....sad loss so young...thanks for posting....Shot during a time when they had proper interviewers not like Ross and Norton who think they're more interesting than their guests and just suffocate them with their half arsed buffoonery !

[@paulpauld3713]

Superb I still have damp eyes.

[@scottbennett777]

IMHO, between 13:00 and the end, he both comes out AND describes mindfulness, something not mainstream 'til decades later.

[@hmaltravers]

Peter Sellers had the rare ability to actually become the characters he played. A phenomenal talent.

[@ptili2327]

One of the best actors of the world! Unforgetable...

[@davidsmith5523]

I love character actor comedians. Like Peter. Ronnie Barker and such as Robin Williams. I was inspired to give it a go myself on my small series on you tube. Resolutiin Radio 2020. I created all the voices.

[@soumyachatterjee1849]

If he was alive, I am sure he would be on Topgear!

[@jsilence418]

The Best bar none thanks for the post .

[@wbaconus]

Even after bedding Britt Eklund and Sophia Loren couldn’t brighten his spirits. Sometimes the perceptively lucky are the saddest.

[@joenicholls461]

Fucking legend. Sellers will live on

[@Barzins1]

Brilliant!

[@HughGotIt]

It gets a little sad toward the end. The alcohol kicks in and talking about failed relationships fucks up his head. Interesting to watch. In any case, an outstanding performer!

[@TheSarah730]

I love the audience laughing naturally!! I'm so used to laugh tracks and whatnot

[@scottsykes7005]

How is it RARE - it was on the television?

[@tracypanavia4634]

Dumbest comment ever.

[@scottsykes7005]

Really? Explain please.

[@glennparsons5942]

Scott edog It's rare because Peter didn't do many interviews.

[@tracypanavia4634]

It's rare because Peter didn't do many interviews < this. Also. Yes it was on television once, maybe twice. This is a recording. How do you think it was recorded in the seventies? POSSIBLY a Betamax copy, or something I don't know about. How many people did you know in the UK with the ability to record TV back in the seventies? I bet you could count them on two fingers.

[@scottsykes7005]

Tracy Panavia or just maybe this is from the BBC archives?

[@YogaArmy]

Peter was so AMAZING!

[@gaiuscoleman8815]

Yip, love this. Just been watching this and films Peter has appeared on on TV recently. However, I can't quite make out the name of one of the actors he impersonates: Peter Laurie (Lawrie?), Mortis Fork/Forty? Can someone enlighten me, please?

[@dutchhorton]

very good!

[@lester9448]

It's inspector clouseu On talk show 😂😂😂

[@sheildufine]

Sad really to see Sellers, the comic Genius manipulated by the TV company. At 9:02 the bottle is full & in front of him. At 12:10 the bottle is near empty and moved in front of the host as Sellers unconvincingly declares his happiness. Tell Mr's Worthington if you know her.

[@cessnaace]

"Sid Ceasar's Show of Shows." They had a 90 minutes show to write every week. The writing staff was amazing. Head writer was Sid Ceasar. Writers for the show included Mel Brooks, Neil Simon, Danny Simon, Mel Tolkin, Woody Allen, Howard Morris and Carl Reiner. Sid Ceasar, Howard Morris and Carl Reiner also performed on the show. STAY AWESOME! :)

[@carllafong69]

@davidjames81 I recall him being interviewed while on a break from filming, in a field in France. An old French workman passed, grumbling to himself about something. Without pausing for breath, Peter immediately began immitating the old guy, in cod-French. The impression was flawless. Genius.

[@jackhoudek9889]

Good stuff-mate...

[@denisemontgomery5600]

LOVE Peter Sellers! He was brilliant!

[@carbon1740]

what did he say at the end of the chinese story?, would you mind(what?) for me?

[@carbon1740]

neoperseus Thanks, I thought so, but wanted to be sure I got the joke right, thanks again!

[@jackiescanlon]

Love Peter! A mad genius!

[@henryprager6289]

Alas they dont make them like that anymore. Such a talented man .