Was Parkinson right to speak out about Jade Goody?

[craft1948]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1 168199/Sir-Michael-Parkinson-Jade-ignorant-pue rile-Diana.html

[Mully79]

I'm not Parky's biggest fan but he's someone who (probably with age) has stopped giving a damn what people think of him and speaks from his heart, even if it offends people. A lot of people will agree with him, but privately, not publicly. I found the publicity and public reaction quite nauseating, despite Jade's own reasoning being to raise cash for her kids.

The only point I would disagree with is the bit about Princess Di. She died a week before my aunt and it sickened me to see that ridiculous outpouring of grief from people who didn't even know her whilst my family were genuinely heartbroken. I'm sure if many other people had been brought up in wealth and privilege and having married a future king would also be great at doing the charity work, she just happened to be pretty and manipulative to boot.

Sorry, that turned into a Princess Di rant then!

[craft1948]

that's ok mully - I think he's quite brave in publicly giving his own opinion as many will now be having a go at him for it...

[Julnar]

I think Michael Parkinson has probably echoed what a great many people have been thinking. What he has said is only shocking because Jade Goody's death is so recent. I also agree with Mully 79 about the outpourings of grief over Princess Diana. Anyone from a privilaged background can do wonders for charitable concerns. The rest of us have to work!

[Mully79]

Yes he is extremely brave. I think he's probably used to the criticism and no longer cares. Such as the Meg Ryan interview. Perhaps some people will come out of the woodwork and back him up.

People have short memories and although it was a tragic situation for her and her family, she is famous for having oral sex on live TV and all that racism palaver. Which kind of puts it into perspective. As for raising awareness - I've been aware of cervical cancer from a young age, like most women I've received letters and leaflets etc telling me to get a smear and so I get it done (I think in my area there is a lower age limit for tests to start) - didn't she choose to ignore hers? In a few weeks time the publicity will dissipate and carry on like before and people will once again forget or choose to ignore their letters until it's too late.

To a lesser extent, Parky's comments have just reminded me of Clare Balding commenting on Liam Treadwell's teeth at the Grand National. Something that you want to ask, or comment on, but don't - because you know you're going to get ripped to shreds for it.

[New Judge]

Can somebody tell me who is (or, as it seems, was) Jade Goody?

[LoftyLottie2]

Just put my thoughts on a similar thread

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/ChatterBank/Que stion736543.html

[Quinlad]

man feigns ignorance of 'low brow' celebrity in desperate attempt to appear more cultured

[LoftyLottie2]

Quinlad, you just echoed my thoughts, but I daren't say it! ;o)

[Quinlad]

Parkinson's grumpiness became apparent about five years ago. I remember hoping that it would turn him into a decent interviewer.

It didn't. Until his very last show, bar a few inadvertent exceptions, he remained soft-soapingly sycophantic. The sort of host who'd have OJ Simpson on the show and ask him about his movie career. He might as well have read out a press release. How he became an iconic figure is beyond me.

[Quinlad]

:-)

'And what is this Eastenders of which you speak? Is it a novel?'

[brionon]

Mully79 I'm SO sorry that I was upset at Di's Death . How dare I have feelings that don't agree with yours ?

[Kromovaracun]

Parky's absolutely right. Though I think the Beeb have better reported what he actually meant:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/79874 26.stm

Goody was given much more celebrity than she deserved when she was alive and despite her noble intentions for her children, her death was an exploitative and absolutely shameful media circus.

It's easy to remember her reputation with rose-tinted specs now, but the fact of the matter is that she gained celebrity largely by behaving like a thoroughly unlikeable person. Being infected with cancer does not suddenly morally enfranchise or purify you. .

[Quinlad]

There seems to be misconception that society bestows celebrity on people as a reward for something.

Celebrity is a reflection of what people are interested in, what they're talking about, what they have an opinion on.

To go out of your way to express the view that she's receiving too much attention is perverse. It's like going to the January sales to complain about how busy it is.

[flip_flop]

It was pretty bloody tragic a 27 year old mother of two to die of such a heinous disease........but..........her mental retardation (and I genuinely do believe she was a touched as, surely, nobody can be that stupefyingly stupid, can they?) led her to ignore the need for smear tests.

The thing that surprised me the most was the pathetic public display of grief shown by the people outside the chuch - I mean, fer christ's sake, there were grown men and women crying....

From a tact pont of view, perhaps Parkinson should have left it a bit longer, but ultimately I think he is absolutely spot-on.

[BilluSugger]

Yes

[sqad617]

Billy....don't sit on the fence, give us a straight answer.

[brenda]

Why is it necessary that after the death of a young woman , other people have to put in their 2 penn'orth, and add to the already extensive media coverage ?

If Parky has opinions do they really need to be aired at all?

[BertiWooster]

It will be interesting to see what level of public outpouring of grief is displayed when he goes and how many people turn up at his funeral .