The family of the late Michael Parkinson has agreed to an AI replica of the legendary TV presenter hosting a podcast.
ParVirtually Parkinson will be a completely unscripted conversation between a guest and the late TV host – a “world first,” according to its creators. New guests are yet to be confirmed, but are said to be “notable people from a variety of spheres” including film and TV, music, and politics.
The podcast series is planned to be released later this year with the full support and involvement of Parkinson’s family and estate.
Calling it “a tribute to my Dad,” Parkinson’s son, Mike Parkinson, reached out to the company with the idea of creating the podcast, as a way to preserve his father’s legacy.
He said: “I want audiences to marvel at the technology, the cleverness and cheekiness of the concept, but mostly I want them to remember just how good he was at interviewing and enjoy the nostalgia and happy memories.
“Through this platform, his legacy can continue, entertaining a new generation of fans.”
Producer Deep Fusion Films said the AI Parkinson is built using knowledge garnered from his career, including his back-catalogue of more than 2000 interviews with some of the most important cultural figures of our time.
“We couldn’t be more proud to announce this as Night Train Digital’s first major commission,” said director Caitlin Meek-O’Connor. “Through this partnership with the team at Deep Fusion, we are creating innovative new content as well as being trusted with such an iconic archive to bring Michael Parkinson to global audiences some of whom have been fans for decades, others who will be discovering him for the first time.”
Parkinson died last year aged 88 following a stellar career having interviewed icons such as Muhammad Ali, Elton John, Madonna, Helen Mirren, Tom Cruise and Robert De Niro.
Source: Deadline
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