logo
Sir David Frost's son: What I learned reviewing broadcast legend's famous interviews

Sir David Frost's son: What I learned reviewing broadcast legend's famous interviews

Sky News21-02-2025

Dad was a showman with great charisma, but he never lost sight of the fact that an interview is about the guest, not the host.
That is made clear when you review the 10,000+ interviews he did, as I have done over the last decade since he left us.
That theme has been central to the series, David Frost Vs.
Six individual films about crucial moments in our recent history, that are still relevant and resonant today, where Dad just happened to have a front row seat, not six films specifically about Dad.
His extraordinarily revealing interviews with the likes of The Beatles, Yoko Ono, Muhammad Ali, Jane Fonda, Elton John and Richard Nixon are in part so revealing because they were given time to breathe.
Long-form is critical to have a chance of delivering the era-defining conversations that stand the test of time as he did so often. But it takes much more than that. These conversations are deeply personal.
I think our films will reveal more than expected about the people and topics we explore because you really feel the words being spoken.
Dad understood live television better than anyone and when it came to interviewing, both his guests and his viewers are drawn in because what drove him was a genuine curiosity about people.
He never entered an interview with an agenda. He was interested in the person in front of him and what they had to say.
But I don't think that is something you can teach or learn. He just genuinely loved people.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Eastenders star unrecognisable in Danny Boyle rom-com but BBC fans don't have long to watch
Eastenders star unrecognisable in Danny Boyle rom-com but BBC fans don't have long to watch

Daily Record

time5 hours ago

  • Daily Record

Eastenders star unrecognisable in Danny Boyle rom-com but BBC fans don't have long to watch

Danny Boyle's 2019 rom-com Yesterday took a fictionalised look at what the world would be like if The Beatles never existed, with a little bit of a love story thrown in for good measure Danny Boyle's 2019 rom-com Yesterday has been hailed as a fantastical tribute to The Beatles, featuring a screenplay by Richard Curtis and a shared story credit with Jack Barth. The jukebox musical presents a whimsical yet fictional narrative, all the while offering an artistic salute to the iconic music group. The film's producers reportedly shelled out nearly $10 million for the rights to The Beatles' song collection. Although no surviving members or their relatives partook in the making of the film, Boyle has claimed he secured their blessings before commencing with the project. ‌ Debuting at the Tribeca Film Festival in May 2019, Yesterday enjoyed its cinema release within the UK and the US in the following month. The romantic musical comedy reaped a global box-office haul of $155 million, surpassing its production budget of $26 million. ‌ Boyle's cinematic piece features an almost unrecognisable EastEnders actor Himesh Patel as the hero protagonist, with Lily James, Joel Fry, Ed Sheeran, and Kate McKinnon in supportive roles. Reports suggest that Boyle was persuaded of Patel's fit for the role after hearing his renditions of Beatles hits Yesterday and Back in the U.S.S.R. at the auditions, reports Surrey Live. During his appearance on BBC Radio 1's Kids Ask Difficult Questions segment, cast member Ed Sheeran divulged that he wasn't the first pick for his character, sharing: "They asked Chris Martin, he said no, they asked Harry Styles, he said no, and I was third choice." He remarked: "Yesterday was funny though because Richard Curtis wrote it and he lives in Suffolk and he knows me and my wife very well. And If you look at that movie, the premise is a bloke who gets really, really, really famous round the world, and it's a bit unbelievable that he got really, really famous round the world...[he] comes from Suffolk... so there are all these factors in it where I was like, has he sort of written this about me? Anyway, they asked Chris Martin, he said no, they asked Harry Styles, he said no and I was third choice. That is 100% true." A critique in Vanity Fair of the film read: "Ultimately, Yesterday is a victim of the amnesia it inflicts upon its characters." Whilst another reviewer commented: "The structure is a mess. The characters are plastic. And the lines are Seventies sitcom bad." In conversation with Billboard, Paul McCartney revealed that he and his wife, Nancy Shevell, went to see the film in a cinema in The Hamptons and "loved it." Moreover, director Danny Boyle made sure to send copies of the final reel to Ringo Starr and his spouse, Barbara, as well as George Harrison's widow, Olivia, who both returned "lovely messages" Yoko Ono, widow of John Lennon, also signaled her blessing for the depiction of her late husband in the picture. Yesterday managed to resonate soundly with its audience and garnered predominantly affirmative critiques. One viewer enthused: "Genuinely wonderful and heartfelt piece of what is actually science fiction. Left me wanting more and moved." Meanwhile, another enthusiast gushed: "One of my favourite movies of all time... Lily James and Himesh Patel are charming together, and with the Beatles soundtrack, the movie is a joy! Ed Sheeran and Kate McKinnon seamlessly come in and out of the story, and for those of us around in the sixties, the movie strikes a chord. A must see!". A different filmgoer shared: "Brilliant from start to finish! Some classic lines. Directed by Danny Boyle with the Richard Curtis magic more could you ask Sheeran makes a good stab at acting too." An additional comment from a viewer was: "Interesting concept and it was great to see it play out in this rom-com. Glad it was not a standard biopic and had its own story idea."

Reclusive star hailed 'next Prince' vanished from spotlight and changed name
Reclusive star hailed 'next Prince' vanished from spotlight and changed name

Daily Mirror

time5 hours ago

  • Daily Mirror

Reclusive star hailed 'next Prince' vanished from spotlight and changed name

Terence Trent D'Arby shot to fame in the 1980s after releasing his debut studio album, but after just a few years, his music career came to an abrupt halt and he disappeared from the limelight The 1980s was a decade that produced some iconic music legends, including Prince, Michael Jackson, and Whitney Houston. However, one name that was once mentioned alongside these stars has largely faded into obscurity. Terence Trent D'Arby exploded onto the scene in 1987, following a whirlwind of publicity surrounding his music. Just a few years prior, he had been an amateur boxer and a soldier in the US army. ‌ His debut studio album, Introducing The Hardline According to Terence Trent D'Arby, generated significant buzz after he claimed it was as groundbreaking as The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. ‌ Although his bold statements about his work earned him a reputation, the album proved to be a hit, featuring some of his most popular tracks, including If You Let Me Stay, Sign Your Name, and Dance Little Sister. Critics praised the album, which won him a Grammy and a BRIT award, drawing comparisons to music legends like Prince, Michael Jackson, and Sam Cooke. Reflecting on that time and his provocative statement, the singer told The Guardian: "I said a lot of s***, but Muhammad Ali was one of my heroes, and I similarly realised that if you say outrageous things, it gets attention. "As a young artist, you've got to get your work heard and to a degree, I hypnotised myself into believing I was a genius. It worked like a charm, but I didn't understand the degree I'd have to pay for that." However, just as he gained momentum, his commercial success abruptly ended with the release of his second album Neither Fish nor Flesh in 1989. The album's different sound failed to resonate with fans and critics, halting his promising career. ‌ Four years later, after moving to Los Angeles, D'Arby released his third album, Symphony or Damn, which showed promise but couldn't match his original hits. He then became a recluse, rarely leaving his California mansion, as per the Mirror US. In 2001, he made headlines again by changing his name to Sananda Maitreya, stating: "Terence Trent D'Arby was dead... he watched his suffering as he died a noble death. After intense pain, I meditated for a new spirit, a new will, a new identity." Maitreya released new music under his new name, without big-label backing, and left Los Angeles for a quieter life. He moved to Munich, then Milan in 2002, and married Italian architect and television host Francesca Francone the following year. From Italy, he continued to release new music, uploading it to his website.

Father's Day ideal gift as dads get free day of adventure this weekend
Father's Day ideal gift as dads get free day of adventure this weekend

Daily Mirror

time9 hours ago

  • Daily Mirror

Father's Day ideal gift as dads get free day of adventure this weekend

It's that time of year again when we get to celebrate the special dads in our life - and we have the perfect Father's Day present for those who want nothing this weekend Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 June Treating Dad on Father's Day doesn't have to cost a fortune - in fact it's often the thoughtful gifts that cost nothing - or don't cost much at all that are priceless. So mums of small children - or any kids for that matter aged between 3 and 15 - will be glad to know that they can take Dad out this Father's Day and actually save money in the process! ‌ Knowsley Safari Park near Liverpool is hosting a 'Dads go Free' day out this weekend (Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th June) as long as you book online before the weekend. ‌ And if he'd prefer the day to himself, mum can bring the kids and she can go free instead! The Father's Day deal actually covers one adult in each car going free with a full-paying child all weekend saving you at least £22.50 on your entrance fee. It's also great for those single parent families where mum often takes on the role of both mum and dad! It promises to be a great day out because the Safari is buzzing with new life following the births of lovable goat kids on the Nature Trail, as well as rare Père David's and Axis deer on the five-mile Savannah-style Safari Drive. There are more than 500 animals wandering around the park including African lions, Bactrian camels, wildebeest and one of the UK's largest rhino crashes. Dad can stretch his legs on the Foot Safari, visiting the Russian-inspired Tiger Trail, home to Amur tigers Makari and Yuki. And there are giraffes, meerkats and Andean bears – the species that inspired Paddington. When Dad's ready to put his feet up, you could treat him to some freshly prepared lunch in the Oasis Restaurant or The Outpost Kitchen or even save a bob or two by bringing along your own picnic. ‌ Helena Berry, head of marketing and sales at Knowsley Safari says: 'Dads going free is a win-win for the whole family - a fabulous gift for adventurous dads and the kids are going to love it just as much as him!'. Knowsley Safari Park often runs promotions where one adult goes free throughout the year so it's worth planning a visit to coincide with one of these special offers as it will save you money. Typically, the park runs a Mother's Day promotion in March and sometimes has 'Kids go free' offers during school holidays so the whole family can have fun for less. One adult goes free per car with a full-paying child. Offer applies to visits on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th June 2025 only. Bookings must be made in advance online and can't be used in conjunction with any other offer. One adult per car goes *free with a full-paying child ticket (children aged 3–15 years).

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store