An awkward interview with American actress Meg Ryan and English television presenter Sir Michael Parkinson has resurfaced following the legendary broadcaster’s recent death aged 88.
Back in 2003, Meg Ryan featured in an interview to promote her movie In the Cut whereby the celebrity appeared vunerable and uncomfortable during the conversation. The ‘angry’ chat host apologized to the Hollywood star 20 years later, but Ryan had also previously shared her opinions on the difficult discussion.
Meg Ryan’s train wreck interview with Michael Parkinson
American star Meg Ryan made her acting debut in 1981 in the drama film Rich and Famous before joining the cast of the CBS soap opera As the World Turns in 1982.
Ryan has since starred in some of the most iconic films in cinema history, from Top Gun to When Harry Met Sally.
The actress appeared on the popular british talk show ‘Parkinson’ when promoting the 2003 American psychological thriller film In the Cut, which aired on the BBC in October 2003.
Sir Michael Parkinson CBE was an English television presenter, broadcaster, journalist and author who presented the television talk show from 1971 to 1982 and from 1998 to 2007 along with other shows and programmes.
While being interviewed by the late icon who has since been described as one of the most ubiquitous figures on national television, Meg Ryan appeared to be clearly uncomfortable and their conversation soon became one of the most awkward of encounters.
Parkinson began questionign the actress on her background in journalism and eventually asked what she would do if she were in his position, to which the star snapped:
“Wrap it up.”
Awkward encounter saw ‘angry’ chat host apologize 20 years later
In a 2021 interview originally published in Radio Times magazine features a journalist recalling her conversation with Sir Michael Parkinson, as he talks through his experiences surrounding 50 years of interviewing the biggest stars in the world.
Reflecting upon his discussion with Meg Ryan, Sir Michael admitted he wished he ‘hadn’t lost my temper’ with the You’ve Got Mail star and dealt with her in a ‘more courteous manner’ after her frosty responses.
While most people watched the interview deeming Ryan as a hostile and uncommunicative guest, Parkinson being the innocent victim, the Radio Times journalist states that their opinion was changed after speaking to the host.
Although Meg Ryan was uncomfortable during the conversation, she also appeared vulnerable and Parkinson reportedly “seemed determined to make her feel more uncomfortable with slightly needling questions.”
Parkinson also stated:
“I was quite obviously angry with her and it’s not my business to be angry towards the guests. I came across as kind of pompous and I could have done better.”
The interviewer asked Parkinson what he would you say to her if he were to see her agaion, to which eh responded:
“I’m sorry,” before adding, “but you must understand that you played a part in it, too. Neither of us were on top form, and we were both discomforted.”
Meg Ryan previously called Parkinson a ‘nut’
Born on 19 November 1961 in Fairfield, Connecticut, 61 year old Meg Ryan was 41 at the time of the release of In The Cut.
Following the interview promoting the movie, Ryan referred to Sir Michael Parkinson as a “nut” and said he had spoken to her “like a disapproving dad”.
Evening Standard reports that Ryan had told Marie Claire:
“I don’t even know the man. That guy was like some disapproving father! It’s crazy. I don’t know what he is to you guys, but he’s a nut. I felt like he was berating me for being naked in the movie.”
Sir Michael Parkinson had also been asked about the interview many times previously and had once called Meg Ryan “rude” and an “unhappy woman,” before apologizing in 2021.
Along with speaking to Meg Ryan, Parkinson interviewed thousands of celebrities during his career.
On 16 August 2023 it was announced in a statement by his family that the English journalist sadly passed away following a brief illness.
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