Idle still looks on bright side of life
IT remains one of the most famous comedy series of our time, spawning films, books, records and tours – and even now as it nears its 50th anniversary next year, Monty Python is as loved as ever.
Coinciding with the milestone, founding member Eric Idle, 75, has written his “sortabiography”, Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life, which charts some of his recollections of the series and its spin-offs.
Idle, John Cleese and Graham Chapman worked together at the Cambridge Footlights (Cambridge University’s now famous dramatics club), later meeting their Oxford Revue rivals Terry Jones and Michael Palin at the Edinburgh Festival.
Terry Gilliam, whose animations would form a stream-of-consciousness flow to become the basis for Monty Python, was introduced to the gang after Cleese met him in New York when on tour with the Footlights Revue.
Did they think Python was going to be something big?
“Absolutely not. It was just a little late night show we were all doing, but which we were fortunate enough to have total control of. We weren’t told what to do or stopped from doing anything. We suddenly had the opportunity to do a show exactly how we wanted to do it. That encouraged us to make it something completely different,” Idle recalls.
Monty Python might be a firm favourite now, but not everyone was keen to begin with.
“There were lots of complaints but the BBC ignored them. They were trying to open up this late-night slot, and were suddenly finding there were people up that late who liked a comedy show on Sunday night,” says Idle.
The show originally ran for
45 episodes over four series. Idle still struggles to understand why it was such a hit. In his memoir, he notes that it was one of the first series shown in colour.
“Python began right at the start of the digital era, which meant that 50 years later, the show physically still doesn’t look as dated as it would had it been shot in black and white and on film.
Monty Python first aired in 1969 with the six original members – Terry Jones, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, John Cleese and Graham Chapman. Within 14 years, the Pythons had made five movies, 45 TV shows, five stage shows, five books, and countless records.
Of all the films, the religious satire Monty Python’s Life Of Brian was the one that caused the most controversy.
It’s the story of an ordinary chap called Brian Cohen, who is constantly mistaken for being the long-awaited Messiah.
“We anticipated some controversy but not quite the outrage it aroused,” says Idle. “In America, it was on television news and they picketed the Warner Bros studios. We didn’t have to do publicity on television for it because the protesters did it for us.
And of course, Idle’s song – Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life – sung at the end of the film during the crucifixion scene, became famous.
“It started about 13 years after the movie in the football terraces. Fans sang it when they were losing.
“Then it went up the charts – to No 1 in some charts – and it was completely unexpected. People now sing it everywhere, at football matches and funerals. In fact, it’s the number one song requested at British funerals.”
The last time they got together was for the Python reunion in 2014.
Will they do another for the 50th anniversary?
Says Idle: “Well, what would we do? Graham’s dead, Terry (Jones) can’t speak (due to dementia). You can only disappoint.
“We’ll talk about something but I don’t think we’ll be performing.”
There were lots of complaints but the BBC ignored them
Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life: A Sortabiography by Eric Idle is published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson, priced £20. Available now.