Parkinson (1998)

In the first of four compilations, Michael Parkinson looks back at some of his most memorable interviewing encounters. Parkinson's interviews with Muhammad Ali always made for compelling viewing. With both men at the height of their professions, and Ali regularly exhibiting the fierce intelligence which helped make him a great champion, this was the closest that interviewing could get to the excitement of the sporting arena. Here Parkinson looks back at his four meetings with the former world champion boxer, and charts the career of the man still regarded by many as the greatest of all pugilists.

In the second of four nostalgic shows, Michael Parkinson looks back at his 1972 interview with comedy duo Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise , who he describes as "the funniest double act we ever produced". The interview, which Parkinson cites as the wittiest he ever conducted, sees Morecambe and Wise at their absolute best, speaking about their pasts, their heroes and their friendship.

In the penultimate compilation, Michael Parkinson looks back at interviews he carried out with legendary Hollywood actors in the seventies. Those featured include Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon - who both tell stories about Marilyn Monroe - Kirk Douglas, James Stewart, Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman and John Wayne. Parkinson also recalls meeting Citizen Kane director Orson Welles, whom he describes as one of the most fascinating men he ever met.

In the final compilation of his interviews from the seventies, Michael Parkinson looks back at his meetings with Hollywood's leading ladies. Those in the interviewee's chair include such legendary sirens as Bette Davis , Raquel Welch , Bette Midler , and Lauren Bacall and Ingrid Bergman -who both reminisce on time spent with Humphrey Bogart. Michael also recalls his encounter with The Muppet Show's porcine star Miss Piggy.

Michael Parkinson 's guest in the first of three special programmes is Paul McCartney , one of the most successful popular music composers of the 20th century. In the first televised interview since the death of his wife Linda last year, the singer-songwriter talks exclusively about his life and career.

Michael Parkinson plays host to Michael Crawford, one of Britain's best loved and most successful stars. Star of "Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em" and, more recently, of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Phantom of the Opera" and "Barnum", he discusses his career to date and performs songs including the Phantom classic, "Music of the Night".

21:30 Parkinson BBC One logo BBC One Fri 17th Dec 1999, 21:30 on BBC One London In the last of this short series of special programmes, Michael Parkinson talks to pop star and actor Sting - who also performs some of his classic songs - and comedian Billy Connolly.