Good to know Michael Parkinson isn't getting bitter in his dotage. In fact, quite the opposite. He was exceptionally upbeat regarding Russell Brand's acting abilities when interviewed by Richard Bacon. With regards to Brand's other talents, he wasn't so enthusiastic:
"He doesn't make me laugh, I don't think his style of talking is particularly beautiful, funny or creative. Not at all. I don't see the point of him, frankly... Would you pick up a book called a Booky Wook? Come on! Booky Wook - what kind of stuff is that? I would say he has been a very lucky man. I mean Rin Tin Tin had a very big career in Hollywood and he was a dog. You don't have to be particularly talented to have a career in Hollywood."
On the horrifically jaded Sachsgate scenario: "There was nothing funny about it. I don't want to make Mr Brand any more famous than he already is but what he said on radio was undeniably wrong. What he did defines him as being somebody who actually is unthinking and uncaring about people's feelings... He's a lucky man to have survived it - there was a time when he wouldn't have done."
As for how Brand banters, Parky said: "Dickensian way of speaking - is that what it is? Dickens would be spinning in his grave now if you actually compared them. Please. Have a care, have a care."