TV Appearances

[Bonzo 2000]

When big stars appear on TV shows like Parkinson etc, does any money change hands? Parky needs the stars to make his show, but the stars need to be on Parky's show to promote their latest venture. Is it all done on the basis of mutual benefit?

[andy-hughes]

It depends on the reputation of the individual. Most stars will appear for a nominal fee, to plug a book or film or what ever, but the really big stars would probably demand, and receive payment, but this is an educated guess rather than a known fact.

If I was a star and I had to depend on a verbal babybath from a cynical professioanl Yorkshireman who is seriously past his sell-by date, i think I'd pass, but that's just me. I loathe 'Parkie' with a passion.

[WoWo]

There are as you suggest two models.

What happens is the PR agency sends out a fax letter saying it is open season as their "star" is on a promotional tour. This means you can book the said "star" for no fee.

Also some guests are up for hire and you pay a fee for them to appear.

[gammaray]

They all get expenses and as much free drink as they can get their hands on!

[lankeela]

I feel aggrieved that my licence fee is being spent on promoting so called celebrities who are going to make loadsamoney anyway from their book/film/song.

Why can't they have people on because they have an interesting story to tell or are amusing in their own right.

As for Michael Parkinson fawning all over them with his obviously rehearsed questions (Joan Rivers is the worst) can he not think of anything to ask them without a script? Some of the questions are so obviously planned to allow them to tell their so called amusing anecdotes presumably because they have taken advantage of the free booze that they can't think for themselves.

Bring back Frank Skinner and David Baddiel who didn't know who their guests were going to be.

[Word Butcher]

professional

[Quizmonkey]

A certain amount of naivete here, I fear! If you have heard of someone and they are appearing on a chat show, believe me, they are being paid big bucks to 'entertain you'. Obviously different celebs demand different fees - it's all negotiated between the guest's agent and the show's production team.

And if they are plugging something, they'd still rarely do a PA without being paid for it. (Incidentally there is always a standard appearance fee, even for people being interviewed in the studio for news programmes).

Iankeela's point about 'obviously rehearsed questions' - this is always demanded by the guest, who will supply the questions as one of the conditions of appearing. Some hosts will not bow down to this and so will never have particular guests on.

[alfiebrady]

Guests on Parkinson get goodie bags of nice souvenir presents. Would expect Jonathan Ross to give his guests similar, especially the big-name, US stars. However, I've noticed lately that the BBC seem to use their chatshows to plug their other shows, so maybe a part of a BBC contract includes a guest appearance on Davina...