Chances are most North Americans don't know the name Michael Parkinson. And there's really no reason you should. But if you were anywhere in the British Empire or Australia over the past few decades, he was a huge star.

Parkinson was kind of the British Johnny Carson of talk show hosts, on the air with a "chat program" (as they call them over 'ome) from 1971-2007, a pretty amazing run by any standard, and one of the most famous people in much of Europe. 

I'm always amazed at how someone can be a huge superstar in one part of the world and be almost completely unknown somewhere else. Parkinson definitely filled that bill, an enormous presence across the sea. I'm not sure if his show ever turned up anywhere here or on BBC America. But it's estimated he conducted over 2,000 interviews with major stars over the decades, including many that made headlines. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 2008.

Judging by the tributes in the British Press over the past 24 hours, I'm sad we never got to see much of him here, although there are plenty of clips available on YouTube.

Parkinson was 88.

Sir Michael Parkinson, Broadcaster and Talk Show Host, Dies Aged 88

​Michael Parkinson- See some of his best moments from a life in broadcasting