Parkinson criticises 'Talent', 'X Factor'

Sir Michael Parkinson has again criticised reality talent shows.

The broadcaster, who previously used his official blog to suggest rebranding Britain's Got Talent as Britain's Got Talent?, has taken another swipe at the show in a new post about Ken Dodd.

Parkinson said: "Ken Dodd is a national treasure and in an era of the cynical marketing of such programmes as Britain's Got Talent and X Factor, his enduring appeal is a wonderful antidote.

"His enduring talent is to remind us of a time when comedians were genuinely funny men. Unlike today's crop of funny men who think they are funny."

The talkshow host attracted media attention earlier this year when he said that late Big Brother contestant Jade Goody represented "all that's paltry and wretched about Britain today".