Dame Edna: The Most Savage Talk Show Guest Ever - Parkinson 1978

In 1978, Dame Edna Everage (Barry Humphries) appeared for the first time on the BBC chat programme, The Parkinson Show with Michael Parkinson. Here Dame Edna keeps the ball rolling at a rapid pace interspesed with interuptions by fellow guest Olivia Newton-John and Gloria Swanson.
Over the years, Parkinson interviewed many people but kept coming back to Dame Edna, who appeared 5 times on the show
Dame Edna Everage humorously reflects on her humble beginnings as a housewife in Melbourne, comparing it to Hollywood.
She shares anecdotes from her past, including her experience playing Mary Magdalene in a Christmas play, highlighting the challenges she faced.
Edna contrasts her current success, describing herself as "rich and talented," with the ordinary lives of the viewers.
Throughout the dialogue, Edna's sharp wit and comedic style shine, showcasing her reputation as a savage yet entertaining talk show guest.

[@roccosophie6498]

RIP to all of these people. They were all dearly loved entertainers. Barry Humphries was a genius. We need these days back. NOW!

[@JamesSheenOnline]

@@roccosophie6498 the BBC must have all of Parkinson interviews.. I would love to see all of them, in full

[@roccosophie6498]

@@JamesSheenOnline Thank you. I'm an American and I like to watch everything in succession. I like to buy things on DVD. While we still can.🙂

[@njatty]

All have now gone. May they rest in peace for the joy they gave us.

[@davemapp1571]

Wonderful to see the Dame in full flow & at her very best here. Sir Michael as usual just going with the flow. Little else he could do here really !! As someone else has remarked all of them sadly gone now. Wonderful that they are forever with us on KZbin & elsewhere. I remember this one very well. Sir Elton John came on later to accompany Edna when she sang " Every Mother Wants A Boy Like Elton"❤😊

[@Michael.Chapman]

Dear Dame Edna-she made it look easy, one of a kind, thanks for so many superb laughs, RIP.

[@JamesSheenOnline]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@JamesSheenOnline]

I feel sorry for that poor Gloria Swanson who really did not know what to make of Edna!

[@DavidBensonActor]

A true classic - one i have not seen since first broadcast but have never forgotten. I seem to remember there was a LOT more of it, too. Where on earth are you finding these treasures??

[@JamesSheenOnline]

it seems these things just come to me... I have a whole ton, or should I say number of terrabytes of such gems..

[@zoefoster1873]

@@JamesSheenOnline I hope you can post a lot of more of them!

[@JamesSheenOnline]

I will do my best to :) make sure you LIKE | SUBSCRIBE | BELLS ON@@zoefoster1873

[@RT_today]

omg how funny!!! Those poor women must have had no idea what they were up against. For them, it was probably the best chat show they've ever been on!

[@Jarek_73]

Absolute treasure! Thank you so much for posting! Followed you instantly!

[@JamesSheenOnline]

Awesome! Thank you! That coat Edna is wearing was also worn on a video with Jean Rook when they were christmas shopping in Harrods!

[@simonm7133]

I remember seeing this particular edition as a teenager. I had actually tuned in to see Olivia Newton John who was still riding high after Grease and had just released her new single 'A little More Love'. (My schoolmates and I were all madly besotted with her!). In his introduction, Parky mentioned Olivia had once represented the UK in Eurovision and stated that was a bit like entering Red Rum in a donkey derby! This was one of those classic episodes and of course Dame Edna was the icing on the cake. A later show was devoted totally to Barry Humphries with Barry being interviewed as himself, cultural attache Sir Les Patterson and then Dame Edna. I recall little cameos were filmed of Barry in the audience looking uncomfortable and mortified at Sir Les's antics!

[@Fatima502]

'A little More Love' still gives me goose pimples

[@JamesSheenOnline]

Yep, that too was another billiant Parkinson episode, I have that on file too... I wish they would release ALL the episodes of Parkinson, there are many classic shows still to be seen

[@ts.elliot5870]

Look at them! Parkison and the Dame are babies.

[@piustwelfth]

She got her Bible stories mixed up. The Passion/Mary Magdalene story is an Easter event -- not Christmas.

[@JamesSheenOnline]

well that IS the point isn't it, its Dame Edna, are you going to expect everything she says to be accurate, it doesn't matter, its called humour...

[@michaelmarron8441]

Kept the same act for over 50 years; ok if you like your comedy predictable

[@JamesSheenOnline]

and it worked!

[@treesny]

Actually, the character of Dame Edna evolved over the years. And Barry Humphries' razor-sharp timing and incredible ability to ad lib in response to the interviewer and other guests was always thrilling to watch!

[@JamesSheenOnline]

@@treesny spot on, Barry was always a few steps ahead