Legendary Chat Show Host Michael Parkinson Returns in AI Form for New Interview Show “Virtually Parkinson”

The legendary chat show host Michael Parkinson is set to make a surprising return in AI form to ‘host’ a new interview show. The broadcaster, who passed away last year at the age of 88, will be brought back to life in the new podcast series Virtually Parkinson.

The eight-part unscripted series will feature an AI-generated version of the presenter interviewing a range of guests from the new generation, none of whom Parkinson had the opportunity to interview during his lifetime. The project has been undertaken by Deep Fusion Films with the full support of Parkinson’s family and estate.

Using data from hundreds of archived interviews with iconic figures such as Muhammad Ali, Fred Astaire, and Elton John, the AI version of Parkinson will be brought to life with the same pacing and delivery that made him a beloved figure in British television history.

Parkinson’s son Mike expressed excitement about the series, comparing the venture to his father’s early days in television. The creators of Deep Fusion emphasized that the AI version of Parkinson will not be scripted, but rather generated based on the data input from his past interviews.

While no guests have been confirmed for the series yet, the use of AI in art continues to be a topic of debate. Some artists, such as Thom Yorke and Björn Ulvaeus, have spoken out against using creatives’ work to train AI, while others like Nick Cave and Peter Hook have expressed skepticism about the technology’s capabilities.

Despite the controversy surrounding AI in art, Virtually Parkinson promises to bring back the charm and wit of the iconic chat show host in a new and innovative way. Stay tuned for more updates on this groundbreaking series.