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Michael Parkinson slams "witless TV"

Michael Parkinson
  • Posted at 11:42am
  • 19 May 2009
  • by PaulJones-RT
  • 26 comments

In the latest issue of Radio Times (23–29 May), Michael Parkinson has attacked what he calls "today's witless programming".

Mourning the cancellation of Melvyn Bragg's ITV1 arts series The South Bank Show after two decades, Parkinson lampoons the broadcaster's reliance on celebrity-driven shows, suggesting that any future arts programming might include:

"The likes of Kerry Katona, Jordan and Cheryl Cole creating the necessary link between the ITV audience and, let's say, Jane Eyre on Ice, or Simon Cowell's opera, Robson and Jerome: My Part in Their Downfall, or Al Murray investigating the wonder of chromosomes in a talent show called The Y Factor."

So what changes would the veteran broadcaster like to make to today's TV schedules?

"In my television paradise there would be no more property programmes, no more police-chasing-yobbos-in-cars programmes and, most of all and please God, no more so-called documentary shows with titles like My 20-Ton Tumour, My Big Fat Head, Wolf Girl, Embarrassing Illnesses and The Fastest Man on No Legs."

**

What do you think of Parky's comments about television today? Does he have a point or is he out of touch? And should arts programming feature in mainstream TV schedules? Post a comment below and let us know.

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Comments

  • Posted on 25 October 2009
  • at 5:29pm
  • by Maggie

Well said Parky!!!!!

  • Posted on 04 October 2009
  • at 7:06pm
  • by Johnny R

Joe Rothery's comment reflects the general malaise that is exuded by the mass TV audience if it isn't palatable to the majority of the UK viewing public- turn it off ! It is far too difficult to understand or to challenge their comfort zone- the British public are become an amorphous mass of mentally unchallenged morons. Take heed- my father and his ancestors were all working class coalminers- and they aspire to better themselves through culture, literature and the BBC was once a paragon of education for the masses. So Joe before you defend the shutting down of a fine program such as the South Bank Show, such actions lessen the endeavors of all of us to be better than ignorant sloths. Failure to understand the extensive vocabulary used by an ignorant miner's son should also provoke you to pick up a dictionary or a thesaurus and endeavor to "switch on" to some "Kultcha"

  • Posted on 10 June 2009
  • at 11:34pm
  • by Sian

I think Parky is bang on. He's not saying there's nothing on worth watching, just mourning the passing of a programme which offers a rare glimpse of art and culture to people who may not otherwise be able to access it. I'm only in my 20s and already I've been introduced to the work of many actors, writers, film-makers and artists through watching the South Bank Show and will be very sorry to see it go, only to be replaced by the likes of "I'm a non-entity, get me on TV."

  • Posted on 02 June 2009
  • at 6:50pm
  • by kenneth clarke

What appalls me is the way programme makers seem not to care about the way they damage the people they portray, by their invidious cutting together or shots. Its akin to the sanctimonious journalists who interview people and in dangerous war zones and clearly put them at risk - do they really go out of their way to warn them, I bet not.

  • Posted on 30 May 2009
  • at 6:15pm
  • by Joe Rotheray

If you do not enjoy that whidh is shown on telly, switch it off?

  • Posted on 25 May 2009
  • at 7:35pm
  • by carolee

Here here!! Michael Parkinson is so right. Who wants to see other peoples warts and all on embarrassing bodies. Who on earth came up with that idea. There are too many property programmes, too many cookery and chef programmes etc. Let's have more drama, which bbc do so well and more interesting documentaries. Nevertheless I love the bbc and no adverts too.

  • Posted on 25 May 2009
  • at 5:33pm
  • by Sixtiesgirl

I am wholly in agreement with Michael and would like to be associated with the remarks of most of the bloggers in respect of the programmes we can well do without. Anything with a celebrity, whom I have seldom heard of, fronting these reality shows are for totally witless people. Those of us who were educated well before Thatcher's children, need something we can get our teeth in to and provoke thought and discussion afterwards. Our licence money should not be spent on these ridiculous BBC programmes and ITV cannot really afford it, can they? Of course a lot of our young people are being educated at the moment on just soundbytes so cannot sit through a proper programme like we oldies!

  • Posted on 25 May 2009
  • at 12:33pm
  • by kenneth

May be people who think there is nothing worth watching on TV are lacking something,I can always find something to watch,and I am eighty with very wide interests ,sport,music,religion,and all the ology's,phil,psych,ect.I am amazed at the range of subjects.

  • Posted on 24 May 2009
  • at 7:44pm
  • by Chrissie

Seems strange with 2012 Olympics on the way to London to lose a cultural programme with a name like The South Bank .. and with two decades experience and reputation behind it ... but I've been away for those 2 decades - so maybe there's forward thinking somewhere else and the build-up of a similarly iconic platform for when the world tunes in???

  • Posted on 24 May 2009
  • at 12:40pm
  • by kenneth

Well I am an old codger like Parky even older,but complaining about TV programmes,he does not want on the air?well if there was only 5 channels and no recorders like there was,for most of my veiwing life he would have a point.but now with hundreds of channels.Dont the yob veiwers have any rights? BBC is for the majority,not for us few intellectuals,and also not to turn yobs into intellectuals.After all the BBC is not a religion.of course I might also be a yob.it is only my opinion that I am not.

  • Posted on 24 May 2009
  • at 12:13pm
  • by kenneth

I did watch a brilliant programme about C.S Lewis and his conversion from being a confirmed atheist to being a Christian thats my type of reality show.but watching real life soap opera type characters behaving badly turns me off.so I switch to another channel.simple.

  • Posted on 23 May 2009
  • at 1:06am
  • by stephen cochrane

I could'nt agree more

  • Posted on 20 May 2009
  • at 8:50pm
  • by Rosemary Hill

Mr Parkinson has said it more eloquently than I could ever have managed. May I venture to add to his list makeover programmes (of gardens, houses or people), programmes about people moving to other countries to 'start a new life' and those dreadful 'true confessions' chat shows made up of family members and ex-partners screaming at each other? And use the money saved to make some decent quality dramas so that 'Spooks' isn't flying the flag all on its own?

  • Posted on 20 May 2009
  • at 1:36pm
  • by simon

typical musings of an opinionated has-been whose shows no one wanted to watch anymore and is bitter viewers prefer something more enlightening than other has-beens plugging their latest book/film/supermarket opening

  • Posted on 20 May 2009
  • at 8:54am
  • by Phil

Parky is wrong about "Embarrassing Illnesses" which I assume he has never seen. This is a very responsible progamme which encourages people with ailments to seek medical advice. In turn this will encourage viewers to do the same which must be a good thing and in some cases will be life saving. On the other hand I agree that I don't want to gawp at the fattest man in the world or his like.

  • Posted on 19 May 2009
  • at 9:53pm
  • by michael

Parky is right, I have complained about TV for years. The obsession with reality has affected the UK, everyone, except me that is, is a celebrity. I find I must ask my wife if she knows the name of the celebrity who may be on TV at any time day or night. Not to mention the newspapers.

  • Posted on 19 May 2009
  • at 9:31pm
  • by MazY

Isn't it the case that in terms of TV, we get what we deserve and what we want?

For as long as the public continue to watch the banal trash that these programme makers put to screen, then they will continue to put it there.

I don't like this trash any more than anyone else with any currently starved intellect. However, I vote with my remote and just don't bother to switch it on. The television has very much become the last choice for entertainment in our home these days.

I can't help feeling that TV has gone too far down the 'celeb' and 'reality' route to turn back now anyway. It's built its own grave by producing shows that advertisers are not interested in, and now they have the income to generate only the cheapest television possible - reality television. What a vicious circle!

  • Posted on 19 May 2009
  • at 7:43pm
  • by Dallas Texas

Yes he's right. I've done my bit by stopping watching altogether. I use the internet and download stuff I watch. Added bonus? No TV license required. No doubt the BBC will hound me for the cash.

  • Posted on 19 May 2009
  • at 6:14pm
  • by Dan

It's symptomatic of there being SO many channels these days. They have a lot of hours to fill. I agree that a lot of output is embarassing and facile stuff, but there's stil a lot of great TV out there. Not sure about great TV for people in Parky's age-category, though, which is probably the real reason he gets so worked up. Antiques Roadshow, Countdown, Songs Of Praise and Last Of The Summer Wine are about it for the over-65s.

  • Posted on 19 May 2009
  • at 6:13pm
  • by stephen

the mans right, but even his talk show was nothing more than a celebrity fueled show, so these should be canned too

  • Posted on 19 May 2009
  • at 2:58pm
  • by Aggie

I completely and utterly agree. However I disagree with any claims that there is "nothing worth watching on it", just look at the beautifully created dramas ranging from Doctor Who to Cranford. It's just awful that these really are few and far between.

  • Posted on 19 May 2009
  • at 2:35pm
  • by Gordon

He is only partly right, as he made a lot of money (and fame) hob-nobbing on his long running shows on BBC/ITV for over 30 years and look at some of the so-called talent he chose to 'interview'.

  • Posted on 19 May 2009
  • at 2:28pm
  • by lastgang

Totally agree, but until people stop watching these witless shows (you know who you are and you should be ashamed of yourself) TV bosses will continue to make witless shows for witless people.

  • Posted on 19 May 2009
  • at 2:26pm
  • by Gazza

Parky is dead right about the current nonsense TV shows. We're all living our lives vicariously through these celebrity-led shows. Hang on though, isn't Parky one of the original celebrity interviewers. Doesn't he have to take some of the credit for building the current celebrity culture??

  • Posted on 19 May 2009
  • at 1:56pm
  • by Tom

Is he right? He should be prime minister!

  • Posted on 19 May 2009
  • at 1:45pm
  • by lynn

At last - someone who tells it like it is. I'm seriously considering making a garden feature out of my TV as there is nothing worth watching on it - apart from a few BBC nature programmes. It's quite depressing really - such a powerful medium being put to such waste.

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