Monty Python Talks About... Writing

[MultiRulf]

Mr.Eric Idle "I Love You"!

[steviejacko]

brilliant video , love monty python : )

[EliCross]

Cleese sounds like my girlfriend from University. We would have an assignment, four pages, due tomorrow morning.

Me: "Let's write down as much as possible, we can shape it later, doesn't matter if it's rough, as long as we make the deadline. Let's hurry!"

She (verrry slowly): "How many letters should there be in this sentence? Is twelve words too long? Is eight better? Now, the next sentence..."

Me: *putting a gun in my mouth*

[TheRandyChimp]

@EliCross Quality is better than Quantity.

[tombolshin]

Thank's Python's.You change my life.Polska dziekuje

[PanzarMetal]

Did you notice how things relaite, every idea in a sketch is so random and ludacris as his writing of them, get the point ?

[vlotusv]

@PanzarMetal LUDICROUS! god damn it I knew this would happen.

[thirteendays13]

Michael Palin would definitely be the one to write with! Who can argue with getting drunk all the time?

[CrazyChunkles]

@weened1 He probably means that they did a draft of it or wrote some of it and it was rewritten. For instance, mr creosote from meaning of life was originally written by palin and jones I think but was reworked by Cleese and chapman

[Edenzmonkz]

I thought there wasn't a very strong bond between the six of you. Is that true Eric?

[eddiemurphyfan100]

Graham sounds like my writing partner

[Svastara2]

HAHA, what a great story in the end man!

[weened1]

there was only one bruce sketch

[IkeGaineyFilms]

He didn't say anything about writing with Terry Jones.

[Mokkari77]

@IkeGaineyFilms

If you view the Youtube video at (after the question mark) v=FufgaAKLkJo "Monty Python Almost the Truth (Lawyer's Cut)" Terry Jones talks about writing with Eric. He said he found it difficult writing with Eric because he wanted immediate responses to things and pushing you to find it funny.

[Joxman2k]

It's agreed then. We shall kill that silly bastard who walks funny!

:)

:P

[00Billy]

dont forget to go rent Yellowbeard  awesome movie....

[divkid28]

25 people dont look on the right side of life

[CssHDmonster]

if some1 calls monty python stupid i will sit on his face 

[TheJadedView]

@CssHDmonster I'll shit in his eye.

[FreedomValentine]

@CssHDmonster but then he'll tell you to tell him you love him. and you won't!

[AlienMagi]

this guy voice acted in fable 3 yay

[Longsleeeves]

@MrUndersolo Some of the old SCTV stuff is good for sure, I'm actually in some second city courses but I still think Saturday night live was the superior show. Kids in the Hall is another great skit show.

[Longsleeeves]

@ATOMICCHOCOLETEBAR I totally agree. There's nothing better than British humour and Monty Python was truly the best skit show ever created in my opinion followed by maybe the EARLY SNL when they had the greats. John Cleese was a great writer, everyone should check out Fawlty Towers if they haven't already

[MrUndersolo]

@Longsleeeves Watch some of the early SCTV material. As good as early SNL.

[lowlight71]

So, according to your channel, you want people to stop ripping you off and pay you your just dues. So where do I fit in? - God

[luizcadu]

John du Pré wrote sketches too? Wasn't he only the composer? Or is he talking about musical partnership?

[bigblubox]

and what about Gillian and Jones? didn't they write?

[bigblubox]

who's John Dupre?! 

[bradrick86]

Monty Python has some goofy out there stupid stuff, that being said only part of it is goofy nonsense. The rest of their humour is very subtle and dry, it takes a keen intellect to understand and you have to be quick to pick up on all of what they're saying.

[steventylersmitten2]

IMMA GONNA RAPE YOU ERIC IDLE

[ARainsby]

@steventylersmitten2 in the nostril?

[RedOcelot24]

he sounds like the funniest guy ever......besides you!!!!!

[antiabe]

Eric Idle and Michael Palin were the best part of the group

[kabanzai]

Though these comments are read, dunno how much at a time.. I must say, This man is one of my favorite two pythons. .. My other being the man who's name I cannot remember , save for the fact that he has a very rectangular head and does quite a bit of drag on the show. . He makes a good constable too. Hmm. Hah well, I come for the laughs not the names =D

[dorsetdelight]

@kabanzai .. My other being the man who's name I cannot remember , save for the fact that he has a very rectangular head and does quite a bit of drag on the show. . He makes a good constable too.You mean Terry Jones I think he was great as Brians mum in Life Of Brian

[TyroneTasty]

Hahaha!!! Awesome.

[thepixieful]

I had no idea it was re edited that much.

[WOBCC]

haha, yeah the BCC ends up with that kind of thing too xD It's a wonder we got anywhere without Andrew S and Brandon before hand, but now very few others are willing to write because the all know that Andrew and Brandon will pick up the slack lol Isn't that always how it is though? you get people who are a dream to work with, people who are a night mare to work with, and then people you don't actually end up working with at all xD

[Tassle101]

Nothing beats British humor. The American comedians can learn alot from them!!! It's great!!

[OverlordJake]

lol, I've written with someone who writes as Eric describes John's writing style.

[RaileeLunaClaw]

I just realised... Eric Idle was my favorite from the Monty Python skits! My, my, age sure does change one's appearance. Not necessarily in a bad way, mind you. He doesn't look quite so silly now. Wait, is that a good thing? I don't know.

Wow, that is rather irrelevant to this video, isn't it? LLAMA SKIT OF AWESOMENESS!

[nikkehhhh]

Learn how to find writing jobs here: hubpages(dot)com/hub/findwriti­ngjobs

[JRJHBooks]

if anyone would b interested in reading a bit i have two pieces of writing posted on my channel feedback would b appreciated

[TheRandyChimp]

Erics just pissy because John didn't want to commercialize Python like he did.

I love Python Eric, but you can't dismiss Johns writing style because it doesn't suit you, he was careful and structured, which is why sketches like "The Dead Parrot" are classed as comedy gold.

[JohannesMarslew95]

He doesen't say that it's a bad writing-style, but jaust that he didn't like to write that way

[TheRandyChimp]

I know he doesn't say its a bad style, but he's implying that John is slow. Sometimes being slow and careful pays off.

[JohannesMarslew95]

I know, but Eric isn''t "pissy"

[TheRandyChimp]

he really is, every time I see an interview with him about python, he's moaning that john didn't go out to parties with them and he's said before that he was angry that John didn't want to do a reunion at one point. If someone doesn't want to do something, that's their business, not anyone elses.

[mean0machine0]

ever thought that he talks like that is because he was asked a question where he had to use that subject?

he wasnt 'pissy', he was just explaining something that he was most likely asked.

and if john was the only one who didnt want to do the reunion, then i would get angry too cause hes just letting everybody down and being selfish

[TheRandyChimp]

He's not letting anyone down! If he doesn't want to be there, he has every right to skip it. Especially considering Eric's just milked the Pythons for his greedy gains.

Btw, Eric, if you read this at one point, sorry, it's true. Spamalot? NO! Naughty! Don't do that anymore!

[cha5]

I'm afraid I have to agree with you,

I love all the Python men but when I went to see Spamalot when it opened on Broadway I really felt kind of empty and sad when I left the theatre.

[grymn86]

@TheRandyChimp excellently put my friend

[Aleister77newaccount]

he isnt dismissing it. he is just commenting on his experience, i doubt cleese took it personally, so why are you so bent out of shape? he is just describing differences of styles, not knocking cleese.

[TheRandyChimp]

@Aleister77newaccount I don't think Cleese took it personally, but I don't think Eric chose to focus on him spontaneously. I look at some of their past, and I don't think Eric liked the way John did things in terms of publicity and he didn't like it when John left the series.

[GetBentley]

@TheRandyChimp Actually, Monty Python nearly broke up in 1973 because Eric thought it became too commercial, he shouted at all of them and stormed out of the room, then at the next meeting he apologised for the way he acted but after voicing his opinions Graham Chapman was agreeing with Eric, with Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam, and Michael Palin all sitting on the Fence, but everyone rather against John Cleese.

[TheRandyChimp]

can we get a link proving this? It's the first I've heard about it. Considering Monty Python was on the BBC, there was no way it could become commercial, since the BBC has it in the contract that you can't become commercial (so to speak). All I heard is that out of the blue, Cleese said he wanted to quit while they were ahead, and rightly so.

[GetBentley]

Also, it was actually John Cleese who started the rift, by backing more and more out of Monty Python. And one more point, John cashed in on his Monty Python fame by advertising for Apple Mackintosh Computers, but if you read Michael Palins book you'll see that they were constantly hard up for cash and that all of them leapt at any commercialization opportunities that came their way, so really, Monty Python survived on commercialization.

[TheRandyChimp]

He used Monty Python fame to get work, he didn't completely rape the concept they had. Spamalot is basically Python sans Python. I'm not saying they shouldn't use their fame for work (that's what all celebrities do), Eric milked it for all it was worth.

[GetBentley]

Unfortunately, no Link as such but here follows a few excerpts from Michael Palins book, "Michael Palin Diaries 1969-1979 The Python Years"

Page 232 Thursday February 20th 1975 (My apologies, I thought it was 1973)

[GetBentley]

"...Cleese was being unusually co-operative and had even indicated that he might consider coming on this publicity tour to the US in March, when Eric suddenly became quite animated, attacking the Terry's and anyone around for being mean to Gledhill, From here Eric went on to critisise Python for becoming nothing more than a series of meetings, calling us 'capitalists' and ended up by saying ' Why can't we get back to what we enjoyed doing? Why do we have to go through all this?'

[GetBentley]

Michael then goes on to point out that several other lucrative deals were presented at that meeting with Eric and many others pooh-poohing them, these included : Deals from the CBC, and also a series of TV Films co starring George Harrison and Elton John, with a payment of 36,000 Pounds. BTW, Yes they were with the BBC, but also the CBC and ABC, of course they attempted to sue the ABC for their constant censorship and breaching of their intellectual property.

[TheRandyChimp]

I can't find any extracts from that date, but I'll keep trying. I'm not dismissing it, I'm just saying from the interviews I've seen, the first instance that it seemed clear they were closing the door on the series was when John said he wanted to quit when they were on a plane either to or over america.

[GetBentley]

In Palins book, Johns seperation is listed as Dec 31st 1971, and I'm quite sure that the first few trips to America were between the 3rd and 4th series.

[TheRandyChimp]

Yeah, he said he wanted to quit just when they started the 3rd series, or just before. It's on the python boxset interviews.

[GetBentley]

In Palin's book, these events aren't listed as out right saying that the person wanted to quit, but of the seperation between factions I.E Palin, Jones, and Chapman, Cleese and Idle, and Gilliam sort of constantly in the middle. He lists Cleese first as wanting to seperate from the group, Page 74.

[GetBentley]

May I just point out that Palin considers Friday February 21st 1975 as the "Death of Monty Python."

[TheRandyChimp]

Yeah, I can understand that, but I'm just saying, that's when it became clear that Cleese was determined to leave the tv show as it was. And he was right. There's one sketch in Series 4 that's funny and that's the "WOODY WORDS" sketch.

[GetBentley]

Two things A) Your idea on when John Cleese decided to quit Monty Python was on a Canadian flight to from Saskatchewan to Vancouver, all the Pythons decided to do another series (The Fourth) Whilst John says he'd rather not.

[GetBentley]

B) There were plenty of funny sketches in the Fourth Series, Woody Words was only funny because of Graham Chapmans acting skill, The New Pepperpots (Bloody Repeats!) The Michael Ellis Poetry Reading, David Attenborough: The Walking Tree of Dahomey, Even the Golden Age of Ballooning, Infact, the entire 'Light Entertainment War' show was one of my personal favourites.

[TheRandyChimp]

sorry, but personal opinion on my part wins in my head, and I can't find the 4th series funny. And sorry, it's been a while since I watched the documentary, so I'm not completely 100% sure on specific locations.

[GetBentley]

@TheRandyChimp It would sound as though you're more of a John Cleese fan than of Monty Python, I do agree that John brought some much needed restraint to refine a few skits here and there, and yes the fourth series isn't my absolute favourite either, but I still find it funnier than Fawlty Towers.

[TheRandyChimp]

@GetBentley I agree that I'm more of a John Cleese fan, but I've seen all the movies, all the series and the only one I really have a problem with is Eric. I love Terry Gilliams style of direction, and Michael Palin is still one of my favourite brits to this date. Python was a great part of my childhood, but I'm not the biggest fan. That isn't to say I don't love it, I do, but saying you're the biggest fan is a bit egotistical, which is why I won't say it.

[GetBentley]

Graham and Eric have to be the best at the Drag act, thats why they are my top two, but its not just that, my favourite song is "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" and I love the fact that Graham could play both an effeminate or a masculine role and have absolutely no crossed wires.

[TheRandyChimp]

I do like Graham Chapman, but for me, he was always the best straight man. He was hilarious when he wasn't trying to be. Palin was always the best at being like a slimy salesman or presenter (Blackmail), while I always felt Jones was the best drag act. Cleese was the best authority figure, purely for the screaming, and Eric was probably the best at being seedy or writing songs.

[GetBentley]

Eric was the best stupid Welshman, song writer, Gay, or a perverted old man. Cleese, yes, the authoritarian or animal related complainant. Palin, the Yorkshireman, Gumby, or Salesman. Jones, the old, old woman, Innocent and ordinary man caught in the middle, or a very good Upperclass idiot. Chapman, A very good screechy woman, Doctor or medical professional, Military Officer, straight man, and senile upperclass man, even, when needed, quite a convincing Cockney or South Londoner.

[TheRandyChimp]

This is just making me want to go and watch Monty Python. Sucks, cus I've got to finish writing something, but it's in my head now :)

[GetBentley]

Yes Monty Python is one of the greatest distractions of life.

[Njsellars]

The Monty Pythons were masters at creating the most absurd sketches with the perfect balance. Creative geniuses.

[Natulcien1992]

When I see him I just smile thinking about the great movies and sketches this man made

[Mozhoven]

I love his voice

[PinchySkree]

Rincewind.

[ATOMICCHOCOLETEBAR]

Monty python is brilliant. Some idiots think that monty python is for idiots... lol. The funny thing is that most people who watched monty python were students going to big universities. lol. And plus everyone on monty python either went to oxford or cambridge, both GREAT universities. Except for Terry Gilliam who went to school some where in the us. And if you really look at monty python, its just so ridiculously creative. Its like a wonderful dream. Its brilliant. I can only see geniuses.

[TheRandomGrabber]

It also takes a very powerful mind to make a series like flying circus

anyone can make random shizzle but You can't make TRULY insane stuff like Conrad Pooh's and musical mice

[khatholic]

@ATOMICCHOCOLETEBAR The people who bash Monty Python are the same morons who think Two and a Half Men is a good show.

[Nautilus1972]

Or ... "A pint of lager and a packet of crisps" or whatever it was called ...

[olebaj]

@ATOMICCHOCOLETEBAR

spot on!!! I love monty python, 40 odd years on is still awesome.

[MultiSmartass1]

@ATOMICCHOCOLETEBAR Basically Python was a combination of schoobloy/university humor mixed with the comedy of ideas, a visual palate and a stream of consciousness feel and flow added by Gilliam's animation. I have always said that Python was a satire of comedy. Fundementally, Python made fun of the comic concentions of television which is why the show stands the test of time despite dated content.

[dorsetdelight]

@ATOMICCHOCOLETEBAR never a truer word spoken

[CrystalChord2010]

@ATOMICCHOCOLETEBAR this. :)

[daken000]

@ATOMICCHOCOLETEBAR and they did some things that people have never tried before[from what i know]

such as editing pictures to do funny things,

[NmaListiK]

hahaha

[roygranger]

Michael Palin sounds like my sort of writing partner

[76juno]

My hovercraft is full of eels....

[duhCider]

Want to come back to my place bouncy-bouncy?

[DoctorPlausible]

Always wondered about that.

[theturkeyclub]

Llamas with Hats? lol there's a vid on that. John Cleese, Eric Idle and the whole Python cast is great, doing the Dead Parrot Sketch for the School.

[SexxiAnika91]

Hey hat jemand bock zu chatten

[digitaldynamite]

Yeah, he's lived in the US for about 20 years. After two decades, your native accent can get a little blurred with the surrounding accents.

[ctcentralinfo]

I am not sure that's the case here. To me he sounds the same way he did from his Monty Python days.

[HeatherRawriee]

"Lets write a sketch about, um... A LLAMA!"

I don't know why, but that always cracks me up.

:D

[stevecass1984]

Monty Python means everything and nothing. I think I read somewhere they wanted to come up with a name that when people read the TV guide they would think, 'what the hell is this going to be about!'

[freelife2011]

this is good. I've been getting a lot of writing help online advisingwriters,com is pretty good too.

[toobtyed]

Can anyone tell me what exactly the name "Monty Python" means? I assume it's bawdy in nature.

[profaneLakeman]

hm, interesting little glimpse at an aspect of the python personalities. i love these chaps so much <3

[eroupopper]

All of them was completely funny...and different!

I Like them all.

[Hollow47]

Mr. Python, I have a question. Is there more silly material ON camera, or OFF camera when you work with those people?

[graaar]

I don't understand how most fans can pick a favorite python when they're all so good at such different things and have worked on such diverse projects. I always wonder what the comparison standard is.

[contrabndsuprman]

I would love to learn more about the Python writing process. Who wrote what, where did they get the ideas from, etc etc. This video defiitely piques my interest in the subject, answers some questions, but makes me want to know MORE!!!! Monty Python forever!

[ndoki9]

John Cleese is an evil monkey

[adam3176]

This guy has made me laugh for years. wish i was that funny

[Scrittureable]

I like this half a bottle of red plan. Must try that with my own writing partner.

[nearadyn]

Pipe sounds good too.

[GrandMasterSuperPhD]

Great and Interesting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! half a bottle of Red I gotta try that

[xmaryHXCx]

audio

[Canaderek]

Chapman was the best actor

Cleese was the best writer

Gilliam had the best visual sense

Idle was the most musical (well, to be fair, he was second to Neil Innes - the 7th Python)

Jones was the hardest worker

Palin was the cute one

Now Google "SOK Kneeophytes" for that Scientology parody we talked about earlier. Now. Do it now.

[sunbeam11]

You might try reading Palin's diaries (available in paperback) before you make sweeping statements based on guesswork

[Canaderek]

I've read much of Palin's "The Python Years" diary compilation (in hardcover - but we differ in that I don't think the binding is relevant). It's a huge book and a bit dull at times, but overall, I've enjoyed it. It's a good book to dip into now and then.

However, I'm still not going to make sweeping statements based on guesswork. (I mean, looked how it turned out for you...).

Thank-you for your response,

Canaderek

[sunbeam11]

I mentioned paperback as books like this don't always get out of hardback and can be difficult to find. I was hopefully removing any impediment to people making the effort to seek it out. If you have read the book you will surely have noticed that Palin seems to disagree with you. Admittedly it's his book and therefore biased, but I would think his opinion would be a little better informed than yours? Chapman was Cleese's best writing partner, that's also on record as stated by Cleese himself.

[punwin]

shutup

[msloverock]

graham chapman was always my favorite XD

[Canaderek]

Google "SOK Kneeophytes" for the Scientology spoof that makes Fawlty Towers look like Splitting Heirs!

[m2a2n2o2n]

eric idle <3 <3

[jwalsh67]

I remember meeting Graham Chapman one-on-one after a performance he gave at Rutgers University back in 1987. He was in a room drinking a bottle of Perrier Water, and I was told that I could go in and get his autograph if I wanted. I was completely at a loss for words to say the least. He gave me his autograph and wrote "Ni!" (pronounced "knee") after his name (hard-core fans will know what that's all about), He passed away two years later, but his autograph will always be in my files.

[kageromaru]

Pronounced "ni" lol :P

[FvonZeikhoven]

Don't file that autograph! Put it op the wall of your livingroom somewhere! Are you nuts? :D

[jbw612]

I got his autograph on opening night of Spamalot in SF!

[confuser69]

renita656.. because Terry Jones is god.. ok?

[renita656]

i totally agree about that but still idle talks about chapman, cleese and palin but not about jones... maybe there were some problems between them or maybe they just didn't write togther... does anybody know???

[EdTheGringo]

yup i was wondering the same thing.. I dunno how much Jones wrote sketches in Flying Circus but knowing that he directed ''Holy Grail'', ''Life of Brian'' and ''Meaning of Life'' it would be logical that he had a big role in writing sketches as well... hmm

[PsychoCasualty]

Jones worked a lot with Palin in writing sketches. so they produced a pretty decent amount of them...

[EdTheGringo]

ok thanks, good to know

[dorsetdelight]

@renita656 what ever it was Lets hope one day not to soon they wil reunite for a sepecial.Its about time they did.

[renita656]

Why doesn't he talk about Terry Jones??

[Ginzaz]

eric the man!!

[theArbitrarychannel]

^_^ I ♥ Monty Python !

[ConcorX]

Eric is amazing! They are all amazing. But i do not like the makeup that they put on him in this!

[youvebeenthunderstru]

Idle and Jones may have done well together.

[TerrorBlack]

What a weird video to put up here.

Not that I'm complaining

[maggiestardust]

what are they doing now ?? and btw - eric is genious!

[Faawl]

What name does he say at the end? Who is that?

[Veggieman87]

John Du Prez, with whom he's written Spamalot along with a few Python songs.

[bestNameICanThinkOf]

Oh wow, is tht Eric Idle? I didn't recognize him!

[reepicheep3]

@ burgersoft777

You do realize they're being humourous about the "ripping us off" stuff right? No wonder you don't appreciate their show, you have no sense of humour!

[Noiseworker]

He's getting a bit of an American accent. Shit!

[Veggieman87]

Yeah, a little.

[GrayRambo1]

Wow, its funny how different all of the Python's were, yet all of them were funny!

[Chetverikov]

What do you mean "were"? Most are still around and still active.

[DansLikeaRockstar]

he was the cutest Monty Python =)

[weened1]

there was only one bruce sketch

[Anakha92]

And you would know better than he how? Rofl

[youvebeenthunderstru]

For anyone interested there's a lot of anecdotes concerning writing in the Python's autobiography, a very good book if you happen to get it.

[musicsnobtobe]

I do love the 'I'm not gonna say anything till he (Graham) does' story. That could've been formulated into a rather funny sketch now that I think about it.

[JWJSSIF]

he looks like bruce springsteen

[Purpleunicorn42]

I liked this video because as a writer myself, I just have to get everything down and work out whether or not the character said "hello" or "piss off, I'm busy" after it is written out.

John Dupree and you did such excellent work when you came into Calgary. I hope you got the email through your publicist because you deserve to know you had a profound effect on my life.

You are Gilgamesh to my Akaidu.

But what do I know, I'm just a Unicorn.

(709)660-0702

[kristell9]

Terry Jones wrote a book about Chaucer and the nature of comedy.  It's out of print but everyone has to dig up a copy and read it. Excellent.

[annstain]

Cool. Keep these coming.

[Zeitgeist74]

He didn't say about writing with Terry Jones. What's up with that? "Nudge Nudge (Knowwhuttamean?)"? One of the best sketches ever!

[CapPle5823]

You guys are phenomenal! i love you guys! you are the geniuses of comedy, the best of the best, you cannot be topped!