TV Is Dead, But Michael Parkinson Is Alive

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National treasure Michael Parkinson has a new podcast, but how will a man who died in 2023, be brought to life for it? Richard has the inside track on the AI used, the ethical considerations, and the sensitivities that have gone into the project. If it has escaped your attention, there will be a new leader of the free world this week as America takes to the polls. Marina gives us the history of how entertainment has shaped the US election coverage. Lastly as linear TV continues to decline, some new data has emerged as to what we are consuming in its place and how it’s changing what we expect from our entertainment. Recommendations: Richard: Showtrial (iPlayer)
Producer: Neil Fearn + Joey McCarthy
Executive Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport

Inside This Episode

Michael Parkinson AI Podcast: Discusses the controversial new podcast, Virtually Parkinson, featuring an AI version of British broadcaster Michael Parkinson. Created in collaboration with his son and the production company Deep Fusion, the podcast uses AI to simulate Parkinson interviewing celebrities.
Ethics of AI in Media: Detailed exploration of the ethical questions surrounding AI recreations, especially of deceased personalities. Key principles include informed consent, licensed data, remuneration for AI likenesses, and transparency to avoid passing off AI as real.
The Evolution of Election Coverage: Comparison between UK and US election broadcasting, touching on technological shifts from chalkboards to modern AI, and the unique cultural spectacle of American election coverage.
Is TV Dead?: Examines the decline of traditional TV, especially among younger audiences. Streaming, YouTube, and TikTok now dominate. Data shows that only 14% of 16-34-year-olds watch broadcast TV, down sharply from older generations.
New Media Habits: Highlights the BBC and other channels pivoting to digital platforms as broadcast viewing declines. Younger viewers increasingly favour on-demand content over linear TV.
Podcast Popularity on YouTube: Rising interest in watching podcasts on platforms like YouTube, where audiences appreciate visual engagement, even with low production values.

‘I Like Ike’ campaign jingle

Results of the 1948 American presidential election are revealed (1948)

A look back to the dawn of TV election coverage in 1952

Romesh’s Look Back to the Future

All The ‘Sonic The Hedgehog’ Design Changes They Made For The Live Action Film | Pop Culture Decoded

Evan Shapiro’s full report on UK TV viewing

Media Mentions

Television

The Great British Bake Off
Taskmaster
Countryfile
This Is England
Showtrial
The Traitors
DI Ray
The Hardacres

Hot Takes

“AI Michael Parkinson… sounds like the worst thing that’s ever happened.”
“This is going to be like election week spilling over into civil war.”
“[The 1952 computers were] going to tell you who’s going to win the election… weighs 8 tons.”
“Is television dead? Yes. Television is dead. Long live television.”
“The race is run for what we remember television to be.”

Who’s Who

Anthony Scaramucci – American financier and political figure.
Alastair Campbell – British journalist, broadcaster, and political aide.
Rory Stewart – British academic, diplomat, and former MP.
Dominic Sandbrook – British historian and author.
Gerry Anderson – Creator of Thunderbirds.
Lou Pearlman – American record producer and manager.
Will.i.am – American musician, member of Black Eyed Peas.
Professor John Curtice – British political scientist known for election polling.
Michael Socha – English actor known for This is England.
Evan Shapiro – Media executive and producer.

Notable Numbers

46%: Current share of total TV viewing via broadcast television.
14%: Percentage of broadcast TV viewing among 16-34-year-olds.
438 to 93 electoral college seats: 1952 election forecast by the UNIVAC computer, which proved remarkably accurate.
200%: Audience increase for the YouTube version of The Rest is Entertainment in the last month.