Parkinson could be entertaining, but he never had the charm of Johnny Carson in America. But then again, he apparently didn't believe it his job was to make his guests comfortable, but to make them uncomfortable with probing, intrusive questions. He was often paternalistic and disapproving to his female guests, which he defends as being "a man of his time." But I can tell you that women watching back in that time period also found him sexist, as when he asked a young Helen Mirren if her "attributes" (breasts) interfered with becoming a serious actress because they were distracting. I interpreted his different attitude towards women and men as simply his feeling superior to women and being intimidated by the men. One has to wonder if he has a secret hatred of women, he certainly felt he could do whatever he wanted, as the time when he kissed Lauren Bacall full on the lips because HE found her attractive. Parkinson would never be able to have a show in today's world and maybe that's a good thing.
