Nowadays whenever an elderly celebrity dies – consider the death last month of Gene Hackman as a case in point – one of the first things that happens is that a chunky clip of them appearing on a talk show such as Wogan or Parkinson gets shared on social media.
Before you know it, you’ve spent three or four minutes listening to them regale television-watchers of the 1970s, 1980s or 1990s with a reflective anecdote or a personal story that reveals something important or even profound about their lives and animating passions or influences.
Often there’s even a humorous punchline, too – all the better for the slow, significant build-up – and, if there are other guests present, then you’ll usually see someone like Peter Ustinov, David Niven or Kenneth Williams chuckling good-humouredly along, accompanied by a ripple of polite applause from the audience.
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