A Rick Beato thing popped up on my FB feed. He was extolling the talent of Dick Cavett as an interviewer and used an interview with Oscar Peterson as an example.
So down the YouTube rabbit hole I went. The list is vast and he is such a wonderful interviewer. The gentleness of his voice, gentle in nature too, thoughtful and occasionally left field questions.
Anyhow. I came across this interview with Orson Welles. Wonderful. The rapport, the content – Welles meeting Hitler, Churchill etc. But also how Welles tells his stories. So articulate, the pauses. It’s great. link in comments.
Dick Cavett interviews
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That’s terrific. Would love to have had him round for dinner. Either of them, or both.
Hitler? Churchill?
Welles is my forever answer to the imaginary dinner party guest game… I probably watch his “Sketchbook” series once a year, marvellous stuff…
I often watch this clip of Paul Simon talking to Dick Cavett about Still Crazy After All These Years. I love the contrast between the earnest Simon and the slightly flippant (but clearly admiring) Cavett.
This was released 2 years ago, & shows the calibre of guests he had over the years, as well as making fun of himself.
The Marlon Brando interview is a good watch. Notable for several reasons, including the last glimpse of Brando as a pre-weighty, good-looking chap.
Certainly beats that weird Larry King interview with the kiss at the end… 😀
Orson Welles is just about my favourite interviewee. Famously Alan Yentob interviewed him in the 1980s. A wonderful joyous interview and clearly good fun had by all (although OW not always entirely reliable always entertaining). Alan Yentob subsequently said it was his favourite ever and he and Orson Welles became firm friends. OW would meet up with him when he visited London. I believe the 2 part interview is on BBC iPlayer ( for those in UK).
Yes, the Parkinson interview with Welles is the gold standard for what a chat show could be, as opposed to Norton’s pre-arranged anecdotes and forced chummery.
Helen Mirren and Meg Ryan would like a word.
The Bowie interview from the coke’n’milk era is good, as is the one with David Niven.
Don’t forget the veg. Coke & milk & raw peppers.
I’m no doctor, but I don’t think that’s a balanced diet.
Thanks for the tip, Junior. Hours of interesting viewing ahead.