Most memorable interviews in recent history
Lance Armstrong, who for years vehemently denied cheating while winning a record seven Tours de France, reportedly told Oprah Winfrey in a revealing interview to be aired on January 17 on the Oprah Winfrey Network that he used performance-enhancing drugs to advance his cycling career. Take a look at other memorable interviews in recent history.
Lance Armstrong, who for years vehemently denied cheating while winning a record seven Tours de France, reportedly told Oprah Winfrey in a revealing interview to be aired on January 17 on the Oprah Winfrey Network that he used performance-enhancing drugs to advance his cycling career.
Lance Armstrong, who for years vehemently denied cheating while winning a record seven Tours de France, reportedly told Oprah Winfrey in a revealing interview to be aired on January 17 on the Oprah Winfrey Network that he used performance-enhancing drugs to advance his cycling career.
Armstrong's sit-down in his hometown of Austin, Texas, with Winfrey was his first interview since he was stripped of his Tour de France titles in October in a blood-doping scandal. Take a look at other memorable interviews in recent history.
Diana, Princess of Wales interviewed by Martin Bashir
In the autumn of 1995, a nation entertained daily by royal gossip and, in particular, with the adulterous conduct of the Prince of Wales, glued itself to the TV to hear the other side of the story. "There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded," was a quote that stunned Buckingham Palace and the millions of viewers who tuned in to watch the interview.
John Lennon interviewed by Jann S Wenner
Jann Wenner, editor of Rolling Stone, caught Lennon at the perfect time, which was December 1970 in New York. John was now married to Yoko Ono and the Beatles had recently split up and were still furious and arguing, but the rest of the world didn't quite know yet all the different feuds until this interview when Lennon let out all of his frustrations.
Marilyn Monroe interviewed by Richard Meryman
As this poignant interview with Monroe suggests, well into her 30s she was an individual who seemed incapable of protecting herself against exploitation. In the interview, she describes for the first time struggles in her life and many regarded this as her most endearing public performance. As Monroe states, her fate has been "to be always running into people's unconscious".
Monica Lewinsky interviewed by Barbara Walters
On March 3, 1999, Walters interviewed Monica Lewinsky a short time after the news broke of an affair between Lewinsky, a White House intern, and then-President Bill Clinton. Walters asked Lewinsky, "What will you tell your children about this matter?" and Lewinsky replied, "I guess Mommy made a big mistake." The interview was seen by a record 74 million viewers, the highest rating ever for a journalist's interview at the time.
Dennis Potter interviewed by Melvyn Bragg
On 15 March 1994 Melvyn Bragg interviewed the dying playwright, television dramatist and writer of The Singing Detective Dennis Potter, who took the opportunity to speak his mind, smoke and drink as he pleased and to also abuse those he did not care for with impunity: "I call my cancer Rupert; I'd shoot the bugger if I could," referring to media mogul Rupert Murdoch.
Malcolm X interviewed by Alex Haley
This interview for Playboy in May 1963 caught Malcolm X at the pinnacle of his most combative black nationalist phase and America in the grip of racial turmoil. The interview took place over several days and after delivering a particularly fierce diatribe against whites or Christians, he sometimes almost dares interviewer Alex Haley to censor him. "You know the devil's not going to print that!" he said.
Richard Nixon interviewed by David Frost
This was a famously dramatic interview and generally deserves most of the fame it enjoys. It was the first interview Richard Nixon had given following his resignation in 1974 over the Watergate scandal, and remains the most-watched political interview ever broadcast on American TV. David Frost's questions were penetrating, and Nixon was clearly uncomfortable when giving some of his answers.
President Obama interviewed by Jay Leno, the ladies of "The View."
President Obama became the first sitting president to appear on a daytime talk show when he appeared on "The View" in July 2010. He also became the first incumbent president to appear on a late-night comedy show, when he visited "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno. Both appearances were met with criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike.
To read more about memorable interviews in recent history, go to www.guardian.co.uk.
