 Softly spoken presenter Russell Harty offered a cosier, slightly more
intimate ITV alternative to the BBC dominated chat show, which during the 1970s
and 80s was represented by his main TV rival Michael Parkinson. In an era
when celebrity culture was not so prevalent, Harty was able to adopt a more
informal style with his subjects. This approach even gave him a catchphrase, the
slightly hesitant: "you are, are you not?"
He was born in Blackburn, Lancashire on 5 September 1934, and gained a
first-class English degree from Exeter College, Oxford. His route into
broadcasting came via academia, first as an English and drama teacher in
Yorkshire and then lecturing in English Literature at the City University of New
York. He joined the BBC as a radio producer in the 1960s reviewing arts and
literature.
His big break in television came in 1969 when he presented LWT's arts
programme Aquarius, including a memorable programme on Salvador Dali where the
artist was captured at his flamboyant and enigmatic best. Harty soon established
himself as ITV's face of arts and culture.
Between 1972 and 1981 he hosted his own series, Russell Harty Plus (later
shortened to Russell Harty), which boasted occasional specials with the likes of
Rudolf Nureyev, Danny Kaye and Gracie Fields. Highlights from this show included
an anarchic interview with The Who's drummer Keith Moon at his
devilish best. He also hosted the TV gossip show Saturday Night People (ITV, 1978-80)
alongside Janet Street-Porter and Clive James.
He switched to the BBC in 1980 to host the slightly more highbrow arts
programme All About Books (1980), before settling down to the chat show circuit.
This led to his most celebrated moment came when he was smacked in the face by
singer Grace Jones for unintentionally turning his back on her during an
interview. A more considered interview with Dirk Bogarde revealed more about the
enigmatic actor and was favourably mentioned in Bogarde's biography.
A travelogue series, Harty Goes To... (BBC, 1985-86) led to Russell Harty's Grand
Tour (BBC, 1988), where he walked in the footsteps of the 18th century travellers.
His career was cut short at the early age of 53 when he died of hepatitis B
in 1988 in Leeds. At his funeral, his close friend Alan Bennett delivered an
uncharacteristically barbed attack on tabloid reporters and paparazzi, who had
spent Harty's last months trying to dig up nonexistent scandals.
Eddie Dyja
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FILM & TV CREDITS