A Parting Shot from Dennis Potter

When groundbreaking television writer Dennis Potter learned he was dying of cancer, he sat down with Melvyn Bragg for a final interview. The subject of media mogul Rupert Murdoch came up.

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  Entertainment

[HandwrittenTheatre]

Looking at the spike in viewers over the past couple of days, I want to thank everybody who's taken the time to listen to Mr. Potter and leave comments. I urge you to watch the complete final interview with Melvyn Bragg. You can find it here on YouTube.

[littleblackpistol]

"I call my cancer Rupert"

This clip should be shown on every channel, every day, until the point sinks in. Fuck Murdoch and fuck every careerist politician and every corrupt member of the Met who did slimy deals with him and his 'journalists'.

[Tim M]

BBC should have guaranteed a free voice and impartiality. When this great man spoke, it was. Not now. The BBC. I left England. I stopped buying Murdoch and I stopped paying the BBC licence fee. I am happier as a result.

[johnlilburne]

In July 1994, one month after Potter's death, Tony Blair became leader of the Labour Party. In 2010 Blair became godfather to one of Murdoch's daughters. Tells you all you need to know about the corruption at the heart of British politics.

[DrDubandtheUpsets]

It is so sad that Rupert, this kindly octogenarian philanthropist has been so misunderstood. The film he made with me on my youtube site shows his irrepressible love for the world expressed in his own personal style.

Dr Dub

[polaris31270]

Arguably the greatest playwright who has ever lived, and yes I include Shakespeare in that. In 200 years time they will be studying Potter in the same way they study Shakespeare now.

[goodygoody58]

How prophetic!

[tinkersong]

Fascinating, it was the beginning of the end of innocence; of being surprised without being manipulated into it. Literally a game being played above our heads and in front of our eyes.

We should cherish the free-thinkers and the eccentrics.

[brian barnett]

My God this fabulous man saw the whole thing coming twenty years ago. Listening to him gives you hope and of course a little despair, despair knowing that society is passively backing up that awful Rupert Murdoch. Pity he never realised his wish regarding Murdoch.

[barnabycross]

He should have got a gun

[TankUni]

I remember watching the interview at the time of broadcast and thinking it was an important commentary on the then current and future state of broadcasting.

When I bought the DVD's of The Singing Detective, I was irked that the BBC had chosen to 'excerpt' parts of the interview but didn't have the courage to include all of it. Too contentious you see...