Sitting here watching Richard & Judy, a program I used to enjoy, and yet again Richard is turning it into nothing but a migraine instigation.
He ENDLESSLY interrupts both Judy and the guests. There is hardly ever a gap of more than 10 seconds without hearing Richard's voice! What is the point of having guests when every sentence is cut off before they reach the end of what they were saying just to have Richard ask some far-fetched question he's thought of that you have no interest in whatsoever as you wanted to hear what the guest was saying, or the answer to what JUDY had just asked them! I'm finding it is currently unwatchable due to Richard's behaviour. It was compounded by his rudeness on asking Judy what her favourite something was, then dismissing her answer as "a really old one" and going to the break. Judy just seems to be sitting there going along with it as every word she starts to say is anticipated and railroaded by Richard. He appears to think he's in some sort of race to get the most words in. It's not appropriate to constantly interupt with his own thoughts, ideas, opinions and snapish comments to the detriment of a properly paced and enjoyable show where you learn something about the guests and issues involved. Calm down man. Why would anyone wish to watch an hour-long show where the main thing that comes across minute after minute is Richard's frustrations with time and with his wife.
Yes, you're right, it does almost seem as though he has a kind of compulsion to interrupt. That's why I think they need to give him a solo interview, and Judy a solo spot, before letting them finish the show as a duo, because it's become a mess. There's no discipline any more. I doubt they can see it from their perspective, but my goodness it is surely clear enough from ours!
They used to be quite good a few yearsago,but now they are like a couple who either bicker at/or each other.The problem is now Parky has gone there is no one out there who is a good interviewer.
'Yeah, that happens to me a lot. People butting in. Um, it happened not long ago, actually. You remember, don't you, Judy? That time in Paignton? Outside the coffee shop. I was in the middle of explaining tropical cyclones to this nice elderly lady, um, with a little red hat on, and, um, her daughter started shouting, "We've got to go! Leave my mother alone! Now!" Incredible, right? And, um...'
I was watching one of Parky's old interviews with Orson Welles the other day. This was back in the 1970s, yet I was struck by how poor his research was even in those relatively heady days. He doesn't know that Welles had problems with McCarthyism, he doesn't know that Welles was a great friend of Hemingway, he thinks (wrongly) he lives in Spain, he gets his politics wrong, he gets some of his movies wrong, etc etc. He's built up this image of being a really professional 'journalist' who does 'proper' interviews, and yet, when you look at his best work, it's not as impressive as the myth suggests. No wonder Madeley worships him!
Originally posted by diggettydawg: I was watching one of Parky's old interviews with Orson Welles the other day. This was back in the 1970s, yet I was struck by how poor his research was even in those relatively heady days. He doesn't know that Welles had problems with McCarthyism, he doesn't know that Welles was a great friend of Hemingway, he thinks (wrongly) he lives in Spain, he gets his politics wrong, he gets some of his movies wrong, etc etc. He's built up this image of being a really professional 'journalist' who does 'proper' interviews, and yet, when you look at his best work, it's not as impressive as the myth suggests. No wonder Madeley worships him!
That's incredible! Even someone with a passing acquaintance with Welles would know all/most of that. Parkinson built his career on this idiotic hype of being a superior print journalist and competing with Jason King sartorially. He was a rubbish "host" who lacked the wit to cope with the unexpected. RIP Rod Hull - just one exra painful nip on the upper thigh, please, if you're both in the same place.
Hmm, something I wrote is strangely cut off from my original post, despite my having considered it an interesting bit! Does this mean Richard's been reading this?
Yes, I continually wish a guest would take issue with it. Get Grace Jones on the show!
I just wish he'd sort it out because they used to be good. Nothing wrong with a few pauses now and again as long as the rest is watchable. I feel sorry for the camera person because they're obviously having a hard time staying with the person who's talking and should be paid extra for motion sickness because it's starting to look like Blair Witch (Blare Rich).
It's the consequence of years of being over-indulged as 'the couple next door' - people just laughed and said, 'Oh, that's like couples we know, always bickering'. It's allowed them to forget, quite gradually, that they're not the stars of the show - their guests are. Now their guests are often mere 'feeds' for their own self-obsessed routines. If Madeley is actually interested in a guest, he just tells them how good they are - as if he's an expert! - instead of getting them to talk (e.g. the ludicrous occasion when he informed a bemused Ray Winstone that his shambolic 'cockney geezer' version of Henry VIII was destined to win him a BAFTA!). If Madeley ISN'T interested in a guest, he simply uses whatever they try to say as a cue for some irrelevant anecdote from the Madeley family history. They desperately need a proper producer who isn't afraid to tell them some home truths and get them working harder.
OMG, do you guys hate Richard or is it a love to hate thing?
Someone's had a word with Richard...30 seconds and not a peep. Oh there he goes - "It's Karen Walker" says Judy. "It's Karen Walker" corrects Richard taking the stage.
I don't want to upset Richard with what I said about Blare Witch but I'm "not allowed to edit my own posts". Never seen that rule before!
Hi Greenbottle Yes - I found that some time ago but only by accident and careful re-reading of my posts. Instead of being zapped outright, some were edited. Took the meaning and sting and point out of some of them. Tell you what, Mods, do away with posters, they're only an inconvenience, instead, just babble amongst yourselves about the Regulations. All in the best possible taste (crosses legs a la Everett)
Simple question for you: do you honestly think people are forced to watch at gunpoint, or do you just object to people expressing their disappointment or frustration with what they've seen? (Happy pills all round!)
I'm just off to the DOND Forum to tell them what they should or should not post and what programmes they should or should not watch. I do not contribute to that Forum but I have decided what people should or should not post. I'm not mad.
Originally posted by coluke: Greenbottle simple question for you. Do you choose to watch Richard & Judy?
Yes, I choose to watch it rather than Ready Steady Cook, Goldenballs, Children's Newsround or Five News. I guess I should turn it off and go out but I've got flu. Thing is, I even get excited that something cool is coming on TV...I like the guests, I'm really interested in current affairs, I like Judy and chat shows...just to be confronted with an in your face problem with one of the hosts that isn't being dealt with and seems absolutely detrimental to it being enjoyable. So disappointing, but I keep thinking this time someone will have said something to Richard and he'll stop it! I guess I should just turn my TV off and go back to bed.
In fact, the main reason I posted this complaint was an urge to help - I want Richard and Judy to be good again and was hoping Richard might read this forum.
Originally posted by Greenbottle: Someone's had a word with Richard...30 seconds and not a peep. Oh there he goes - "It's Karen Walker" says Judy. "It's Karen Walker" corrects Richard taking the stage.
I don't want to upset Richard with what I said about Blare Witch but I'm "not allowed to edit my own posts". Never seen that rule before!
Thing is, I even get excited that something cool is coming on TV...I like the guests, I'm really interested in current affairs, I like Judy and chat shows...just to be confronted with an in your face problem with one of the hosts that isn't being dealt with and seems absolutely detrimental to it being enjoyable. So disappointing, but I keep thinking this time someone will have said something to Richard and he'll stop it! I guess I should just turn my TV off and go back to bed. 
