HARDtalk 1997
What is HARDtalk?
HARDtalk is a television program that premiered in 1997, focusing on the presentation of in-depth interviews. The series is characterized by its approach to journalism, which involves asking hard-hitting questions while addressing sensitive topics.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1997
- Status
- Returning Series
- Episodes
- 287
- Runtime
- 30 minutes
- First aired
- Apr 1, 1997
- Last aired
- May 9, 2012
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- GB
- Networks
- BBC News
- Genres
- Talk
- Updated
How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 287 episodes and an average 30-minute runtime.
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Find the trailer on YouTube ↗Overview
HARDtalk is a television program that premiered in 1997, focusing on the presentation of in-depth interviews. The series is characterized by its approach to journalism, which involves asking hard-hitting questions while addressing sensitive topics. Throughout the course of the show, the production features famous personalities drawn from all walks of life. These guests engage in conversations that explore the highs and lows of their personal and professional experiences. By facilitating these candid discussions, the program aims to provide viewers with a detailed look into the lives of its participants. The format relies on the direct questioning of subjects to uncover significant insights regarding their backgrounds and achievements. As an archival record of contemporary discourse, the series maintains a consistent focus on the intersection of public figures and the complex narratives that define their careers. The show remains a notable example of interview-based television that prioritizes investigative inquiry and emotional depth in its interactions with guests from various fields of influence.
Should you watch it?
“Celebrities reveal their triumphs and struggles in candid, hard‑hitting interviews.”
- Deep personal insights from notable figures
- Thought‑provoking questions explore sensitive topics
- Content may include emotionally heavy subjects
Watch it if you enjoy candid conversations that delve into personal highs and lows.
Rated TV‑PG, the series handles mature themes with a respectful, interview‑style approach.
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Cast
Episode guide
Season 1 · 28 episodes
- E1 Edward Said Palestinian Intellectual Apr 1, 1997
- E2 Alan Rusbridger - Editor, the Guardian, London Apr 8, 1997
- E3 George Melly, English Jazz and Blues Singer, Critic, Writer Apr 15, 1997
- E4 Dmitri Hvorostovsky (opera singer baritone) May 19, 1997
- E5 Iyad Sarraj Consultant Palestinian Delegation Camp David May 29, 1997
- E6 Robert Mugabe President of Zimbabwe Jun 6, 1997
- E7 Jackie Collins Jun 9, 1997
- E8 Sir George Solti - Orchestral and Operatic Conductor Jun 11, 1997
- E9 Ehud Barak Israeli Prime Minister 1999-2001 Jun 18, 1997
- E10 Tung Che Hwa - First Chief Executive of Hong Kong After Transfer of Sovereignty Jun 30, 1997
- E11 Lillian Hochhauser - impressario Jul 9, 1997
- E12 Episode 12 Jul 10, 1997
- E13 Isabel Fokine - grand-daughter Mikhail Fokine Aug 5, 1997
- E14 Princess Diana Special BBC World 1030 Sep 1, 1997
- E15 Princess Diana Funeral Special BBC World Sep 5, 1997
- E16 "Dalai Lama" of Tibet Oct 2, 1997
- E17 Ute Lemper - Singer Oct 7, 1997
- E18 HARDtalk with Nelson Mandela Oct 14, 1997
- E19 Sylvie Guillem - Ballet Dancer Oct 14, 1997
- E20 Valery Giscard D'Estaing President of France 1974 -1981 Oct 17, 1997
- E21 Andrei Kozyrev - First Foreign Minister of Russia Under Boris Yeltsin (1991-1996) Oct 30, 1997
- E22 Eddie Izzard British Stand-up Comedian, Actor, Writer Nov 12, 1997
- E23 Crown Prince Hassan of Jordan Nov 17, 1997
- E24 Yehudi Menuhin - Violinist and Conductor Nov 18, 1997
- E25 General Alexander Lebed - Russian Military Officer & Politician Nov 21, 1997
- E26 Ismail Merchant - Film Producer Nov 26, 1997
- E27 Tom Clancy Nov 27, 1997
- E28 Yehudi Menuhin Nov 28, 1997
Season 2 · 31 episodes
- E1 Donald Trump - American Business Magnate Jan 5, 1998
- E2 Caspar Weinberger Jan 7, 1998
- E3 Episode 3 Jan 20, 1998
- E4 Newt Gingrich 50th Speaker U.S. House of Representatives 1995-1999 (President Clinton) Feb 2, 1998
- E5 Romano Prodi Italian Prime Minister 1996-1998 and 2006-2008 and economist Feb 5, 1998
- E6 Bobby Charlton Manchester United and England Footballer Feb 9, 1998
- E7 Sheikh Ahmed Yassin Founder of Hamas Feb 11, 1998
- E8 Thabo Mbeki President of South Africa 1999-2008 Feb 24, 1998
- E9 Gloria Stuart 'Old Rose' "Titanic" Mar 17, 1998
- E10 Peter Fonda American Acting Dynasty Mar 20, 1998
- E11 Jon Landau Producer 'Titantic' Mar 24, 1998
- E12 Oscars Special Mar 29, 1998
- E13 Steve Forbes Editor in Chief Forbes Magazine, Twice Republican Nominee Apr 13, 1998
- E14 Lord Carrington British Foreign Secretary 1079-82 NATO Secretary General 1984-1988 Apr 14, 1998
- E15 George Mitchell Apr 20, 1998
- E16 Maya Angelou American Author, Poet President Clinton's Inauguration 1993 May 4, 1998
- E17 Antoinette Sibley Prima Ballerina Royal Ballet London May 18, 1998
- E18 Ian McKellen Actor May 20, 1998
- E19 Richard Rogers, Architect May 21, 1998
- E20 Vaclav Havel Writer, President Czech Republic 1993-2003 Jun 12, 1998
- E21 Darcey Bussell - Ballet Dancer Jun 29, 1998
- E22 Peter Ustinov Jun 30, 1998
- E23 Douglas Hurd - British Foreign Secretary 1989-95 Jul 1, 1998
- E24 Cyd Charisse - American Actress and Dancer Jul 6, 1998
- E25 Benazir Bhutto Prime Minister of Pakistan 1993-1996 Aug 10, 1998
- E26 Anatoly Chubais, Russia Deputy Prime Minister 1992 - Under President Yeltsin Sep 1, 1998
- E27 Abbas al-Janabi Nov 2, 1998
- E28 John Peel Nov 3, 1998
- E29 King Hussein of Jordan Nov 16, 1998
- E30 Michael Flatley Nov 17, 1998
- E31 Plato Cacheris Dec 14, 1998
Season 3 · 27 episodes
- E1 Louise Arbour Jan 20, 1999
- E2 Shimon Peres Jan 25, 1999
- E3 Margaret Cook Jan 28, 1999
- E4 John Fashanu Feb 8, 1999
- E5 Javier Solana Feb 9, 1999
- E6 David Shayler Feb 24, 1999
- E7 Gerry Robinson Feb 25, 1999
- E8 Ben Kingsley Mar 10, 1999
- E9 Nina Simone Mar 25, 1999
- E10 Roberto Benigni Mar 29, 1999
- E11 Mark Chavanduka Apr 19, 1999
- E12 Paddy Ashdown May 13, 1999
- E13 Griff Rhys Jones May 14, 1999
- E14 Richard Dreyfuss May 20, 1999
- E15 Rod Steiger May 25, 1999
- E16 Terry Pratchett May 27, 1999
- E17 Saeed Jaffrey May 31, 1999
- E18 Harold Pinter Jun 1, 1999
- E19 Shaun Pollock Jun 3, 1999
- E20 Mushahid Hussain Jun 23, 1999
- E21 Olara A. Otunnu Jun 25, 1999
- E22 Ike Turner Jun 29, 1999
- E23 Christiaan Barnard Nov 8, 1999
- E24 Helmut Kohl Nov 9, 1999
- E25 Edward Heath Nov 10, 1999
- E26 Kyaw Win Dec 13, 1999
- E27 Sartaj Aziz Dec 14, 1999
Season 4 · 10 episodes
- E1 Walter Cronkite Feb 11, 2000
- E2 Episode 2 Feb 18, 2000
- E3 David Irving Apr 28, 2000
- E4 Mo Mowlam Apr 30, 2000
- E5 Rajesh Pilot May 26, 2000
- E6 Kathy Olds Jul 14, 2000
- E7 Mikhail Gorbachev Sep 15, 2000
- E8 Tina Sinatra Oct 30, 2000
- E9 Vaira Vike-Freiberga Nov 10, 2000
- E10 Harvey Goldsmith Nov 17, 2000
Season 5 · 30 episodes
- E1 Episode 1 Jan 15, 2001
- E2 Simon Napier-Bell Apr 17, 2001
- E3 Bob Geldof Jul 13, 2001
- E4 Nick Griffin Aug 5, 2001
- E5 Thabo Mbeki Aug 6, 2001
- E6 Cyril Ramaphosa Aug 7, 2001
- E7 Craig Williamson Aug 8, 2001
- E8 Patricia de Lille Aug 9, 2001
- E9 Tokyo Sexwale Aug 10, 2001
- E10 Ayanda Ntsaluba Aug 13, 2001
- E11 Albie Sachs Aug 14, 2001
- E12 Shane Warne Sep 3, 2001
- E13 Gerard Houllier Sep 4, 2001
- E14 Sebastian Coe Sep 5, 2001
- E15 Ellen MacArthur Sep 6, 2001
- E16 Sepp Blatter Sep 7, 2001
- E17 Woody Allen Sep 9, 2001
- E18 Rafiq Hariri Nov 12, 2001
- E19 Arnaud Montebourg Nov 13, 2001
- E20 Benjamin Netanyahu Nov 14, 2001
- E21 Dr Hanan Ashrawi Nov 15, 2001
- E22 Ellen Burstyn Nov 16, 2001
- E23 Farouk Al-Shara Nov 18, 2001
- E24 Han Seung-soo Nov 19, 2001
- E25 John Major Nov 20, 2001
- E26 Marcia Grey Harden Nov 21, 2001
- E27 Northern Ireland Nov 22, 2001
- E28 Patrick Lekota Nov 23, 2001
- E29 Peter Mandelson Nov 25, 2001
- E30 Wolfgang Petritsch Nov 26, 2001
Frequently asked questions
What type of program is HARDtalk?
HARDtalk is a talk‑show series that presents in‑depth interviews with famous personalities.
When did HARDtalk first air?
The series premiered in 1997.
What rating does HARDtalk have?
It carries a TV‑PG rating.
What topics are covered in the interviews?
The interviews address sensitive topics and the personal highs and lows of the guests.
How would you describe the interview style?
The show uses hard‑hitting questions to explore the guests' experiences.