I’m Eric Idle, creator of What About Dick?, writer, musician, film maker, member of Monty Python, philosopher, human and carbon based life form.

Hi Eric! If you could go back in time and bitch-slap any historical figure, who would it be and why?

EDIT: I get it, people. I should've written "fish-slap."

Dick Cheney, for all the harm he did to America,

Ever get tired of telling the Python history for new audiences in the various specials and docs?

Utterly. We now only have memories of things we said in answer to previous questions.

What was the funniest moment you can remember with the rest of Monty Python?

Kicking over Graham's ashes at The Aspen Comedy Festival

Hello! Have you got a comedy scene of yours you're most proud of? If so what is it?

I like Not to Leave the room in Holy Grail, which is all one take. Written by Michael.

How was it working with Robin Williams?

Almost as good as being his pal.

How much did you enjoy voice dubbing Rincewind in the Discworld videogame? Would you do it again?

It was fun. Sad he died

Mr. Idle: Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre was an integral part of my childhood. You wrote, directed and narrated The Tale of the Frog Prince, and starred in The Pied Piper of Hamelin. How did you become involved with this series? And do you have any on-set anecdotes involving Robin Williams?

We were friends with Shelley Duvall. For Pied Piper Bowie pulled out so she called in tears so I flew to Canada next day, to the great disappointment of the man who hand made his jock strap.

What is your favourite Monty Python movie?

Holy Grail

As Python's songwriter, you are far and away the wealthiest member these days?

Bollocks. I'm the 4th!

Hi Eric!

What's your favourite Monty Python song?

Also, where did the "Sit on my face and tell that you love me" song come from? It's brilliant!

Sit on my Face... it come from an English song called "Sing as We Go"

Is the song banned in the UK?

No.

Hello Mr. Idle,

Any plans to adapt Meaning of Life into a staged musical? I would love to see that.

Tried. But it has no plot.

Do you still see Dan Harmons mother at all?

Oddly he had no mother. He was the result of a virgin birth and too much alcohol.

Ever meet Jimmy Savile? Did he come across as a weirdo?

He was the weirdest twat I ever met. There was never any doubt that he was a creepy predator, as he would take a caravan to his gigs.... The depths of his depravity however, surprised even me.

Do you watch Game of Thrones?

Yes. But I don't understand it.

Hi Eric! I bought What About Dick? back when it was first released on the website. What happened between then and now to motivate the move to iTunes for the show?

(P.S. I thought it was hilarious and am grateful you got it out there. Plus, the reading was a lovely and refreshing format to experience.)

We mistakenly put it on our own site and people thought it was a porno site so we sold four. Three of them to Pimps.

Hey Eric, I actually own a copy of Burn Hollywood Burn (yes, I'm the one). What are your thoughts about it being listed as one of the worst movies ever made?

Pride.

What's your favorite book?

The Great Gatsby

Hey Eric, you’ve always been my favourite member of Monty Python and you’ve given me a lot of entertainment: my three favourite films of all time; the live show; and of course flying circus. My questions are these:

What should I do if I see you in the street?

Would you ever consider doing more Monty Python or working with the other members again?

I am touring the East Coast with John Cleese in October. See CleeseandIdle.com

Eric,

I'm sure this is a request made of you all the time, but I'd be honored if you'd humor me:

What piece of advice would you give to someone who has endured some things in life which, if viewed from a certain point of view, are bad? Things that might make one swear and curse, as it were?

The thing I'm asking here is, what perspective would you suggest that I adopt if I were to be confronted with the feeling of "chewing on life's gristle?"

I remember having to sing that last year on one of the worst nights of my life and the irony bit me on the bum.

Hi Eric! Can you tell us in a few sentences how did all of the Monty Python's came together?

No.

Hi Eric! Thanks for coming back! I have two questions:

So I've had "Do Wot John" stuck in my head and I've always wondered: was that song directed towards Cleese?

Also: Baron Munchausen is one of my favorite films because it convinced prepubescent me that movies didn't have to be cartoons to be fun to watch. Was working on that movie really as much of a clusterfuck as all the stories I've read about?

Thanks again

I would rather go back to Boarding school than Munchausen! Six months of hell.

What do you think about modern comedy?

I'm in favour of it. Lots of funny people - Garfunkel and Oates, Who's Live, etc etc

How was it to work with all the guys from South Park?

They were fun

Why narrated by a piano?

Because it made me laugh. The idea of a piece of furniture narrating a play...

I invited you to my wedding last year! I actually also invited a few others from the group, but only heard back from you and Michael Palin. Thank you!

Anyway, what do you think about the current US Presidential election field? Nothing in-depth, but seems like it would be great fodder for skits if Flying Circus was still going.

Who would play Trump?

I hate the fucking US Election process. It now seems to last longer than the term of office. It is sooo teduious and dull. I am going to go and live in Fiji till the whole thing is over in thirteen months or more.

Huge fan! Thanks for doing this! You appeared alongside Don Rickles in the animated movie Quest for Camelot. What was working with Don like?

I loved him. And he me.

Hi Eric, are you and the rest of the Monty Pythons doing anything for the 40th anniversary of The Holy Grail?

I believe we sent Terry Jones to Atlanta, but unfortunately they sent him back...

One of my favorite parts in the show was when you threw your script over your shoulder. What was your favorite?

That. Eddie was goading me, by improvising for a very long time!

Who's your favourite superhero?

George Bush

Hi, Mr. Idle! Huge fan of your stuff. I wanted to ask: What is your fondest memory of Graham Chapman?

Holding surgery as a Doctor, for the extras and crew after filming all day as Brian.

What's the best advice your father gave you?

Not to join the RAF. He was killed in 1945.

Were there any songs you wanted to include in Spamalot but couldn't?

We wrote about fifty in the end!

Hello Eric!

What has your romance with Brian Cox been like? I love the stories of how Brian would correct and do back-of-the-envelope calculations for the Wonders of Life song. Are there any other interesting stories with him? (I'm sure there are)

It's a bromance. Nice to be able to learn at dinner.

Hi Mr Idle, huge fan of you and the Python crew. I don't have much to say other than you are quite the legend to me. But since this is an AMA;

What is your favorite tea?

I begin the day with Lapsang Souchong, I proceed to Buddha's Cup, then Genghis Khan and so on. Try Chado, they have great teas...

What do you think of the recent David Cameron scandal?

I still don't understand it. He's a pig right?

Hey Eric! Big fan of your work here. What would be your first order of business if everybody on earth besides yourself suddenly disappeared?

I would try to stop smiling. I love being alone.

What do you consider the single most heartopening/heartwarming moment of your life?

Easy. Birth of my children.

Hello!

Do you have any anecdotes about your famous Saturday Night Live appearance, where you were very sick, and they had you do your monologue in a stretcher? (Brilliant!!)

I was really sick.

Do you have some future projects on your mind?

Yes.

The album "Monty Python sings" is the only album I know all the lyrics by heart (ever). Were you guys dead serious when you wrote those songs, or drunk and/or stoned? I barely remember the 70s and only some of the 80s, but I have a hunch...

That was a collection of songs, made by me, so they weren't all written together but over a period of time. We did owe Arista an album which is when I first suggested the guys write songs, some fine ones too, like Michael's Finland.

Hi Eric,

Thanks for doing another AMA, I’m a huge fan.

My question is if you improvised any of your lines as the TV talking character Wreck Gar in the original Transformers Movie?

I couldn't even understand them!

What is your favourite memory With George Harrison?

When his face lit up when I came in the room when he was dying. Man said Keltner that's the first time he's smiled all day. Got to stop it makes me weep.

Do we know who owns distribution rights to Rutland Weekend Television? (So I can start an online petition to them to release it, and we know those things always work, right?)

Nobody does. The BBC own the tapes and I own the rights.

I went half across the world to see your comeback shows in London. I would do it again. Please do it again?

Do you have any plans for more shows?

No. Michael Palin turned down all offers to tour America, Canada, Australia, and South Africa, so John and I are touring Florida!

How did the killer rabbit idea come about ? Must be the funniest thing I've ever seen.

I don't recall. probably John and Graham because they usually used animals and cruelty...

What was the best thing about working on Monty Python?

We had total control of the writing, the acting and the editing.

Hello Mr. Idle, it is nice to see you here. I have one specific question. Would you recommend Pembroke College, Cambridge?

Absolutely. They even have ladies now.

I'm hoping to make my first step towards reaching my dream sometime next month. Do you have any advice you'd be willing to give for an aspiring stand up comic?

Persistence and honesty. Read Patton Oswalt's book Silver Screen Fiend...

Hi Eric!

Of course, you're a bloody big name in comedy - but who tickles your Johnson- sorry, funny bone? I personally find the best material for Television and Stand Up lies here in the UK, and America pulls it's lard arse in weight with films.

Some of my favourites are Vic and Bob (Shooting Stars) and Bill Bailey (any of his material).

Oh, and what about Dick?

I love Bill Bailey. And Dylan Moran, and of course Billy Connolly.

Eric, the Rutles is one of my favorite movies. As a Monty Python fan and Beatle nerd, there was nothing cooler for teenage me than the Rutles.

What is your best memory of filming the Rutles and what's your favorite Rutles song?

It was all fairly cool, being dressed as a Beatle and visiting all the places they filmed, like the same staircase in Hammersmith. One day George Harrison came to the set and I was dressed as Paul and Neil as John and they pushed George aside to get our autographs!

What is the best thing a director can do for you on set? :~)

Fire me.

I think I saw you and your wife at Seattle International Airport a few years ago, around 2012. I mean, I'm pretty sure. I have a really good idea of what you look like. I didn't stop to bother you because I'm sure its old by now.

But I've always wondered, did I see Eric Idle at Seatac airport?

Hope you're well, thanks for all the laughs.

My daughter was at College in Walla Walla so we would always go through that airport and eat Fish n Chips.

Hello Mr. Idle, I bought and watched WAD when you had it on a separate site and enjoyed it a lot. It felt like you were trying to conjure up a bit of radio play/ Goon Show atmosphere there as well, is that true?

Also, what is your opinion on the BBC in general?

It was really based on Round The Horne, a very funny radio show written by my friend Marty Feldman (and Barry Took)

I cannot believe the Brits are trying to get rid of the BBC. Without them we would never have existed.

What is your favorite charity/cause you want reddit to know about?

I support The LA Free Clinic, and my son has a Tibetan Medicine Clinic in Oz.

Ahhh! Hello hug fan!

What was your favourite character to play in Monty Python?

I love Spamalot ( find your grail is one of my favourite songs to sing!) so can't wait to see what about dick!

Mr. Badger

What's your favorite color?

Rainbow.

Hi Eric, how do you unwind after a long day?

Well if I'm on holiday several bottles of pink wine, but when I'm working like now I go totally sober and get fit....

Hello Eric. Where was the video for What About Dick recorded?

At the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles California

2012 April.

At The Orpheum Theatre in downtown LA

Hi Eric - Thanks for everything.

Are there any plans to bring the video to other services besides iTunes (such as Google Play, Amazon, YouTube, Netflix, etc)?

Hope so.

who came up with the dead parrot sketch ?

John and Graham

Do you prefer Hot Dogs or Hamburgers?

Neither. I don't eat meat. For 38 years.

Hi Eric. I've missed plenty of your exploits over the years, and I'm not a big fan of twitter. You don't post much of that kind of thing on your blog.

Where's the best place to hear about your upcoming misadventures and creations?

Incidentally, it was nice to reminisce about your Dick today, and I plan on watching it in action again later.

Twitter is the only place really.

It was 23 years between the publication of Hello Sailor and Road to Mars. Can we expect a new novel from you in 2021? Sooner would be fine, too, if you'd rather.

Well as it happens yes: if you click on this link you can pre-order The Writer's Cut which will be downloaded to you on October 5th. New, funny, and filthy... http://www.amazon.com/dp/B015HKFNEU/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=ur2&tag=canelo-21

Hi Eric, what's your opinion to PM David Cameron's genital allegedly being inserted into a pig's oral body orifice by said Prime Minister?

I am amazed and disgusted. Surely he could find a kosher animal to abuse....

Hey Eric! Happy 40th Anniversary of the Holy Grail!

I've been a fan of Monty Python for several years. Here is my question: how often do you quote yourself/the other members of Monty Python in day to day life?

Only very very rarely...

Hello mr. Idle! How was like to host SNL in the 70s?

Somewhat scary and under-rehearsed.

Hey Eric, Long time fan, first time caller..

What was the environment like while making sketches for MP? Was it fun or stressful?

As it was England it was cold and damp.

What is your favourite flavour of ice cream?

Coffee

I would love to know what you think of SCTV and Kids in the Hall, due to the format similarities are they more Python's heirs than SNL?

Thought they were funny. So many funny people came out of Canada, including SNL folk.

Hello sir!

What promopted the removal of the lyrics "And his Penis Split" from the ending of the Brave Sir Robin song in the movie? Intentional? Real lyrics? Timing?

I went to look up the lyrics online and ended up getting directed to a book called "Memoirs of Black Gay Men". I hope it wasn't targeted advertising.

I thought it was there?

Do you think it would be possible to make such politically incorrect as TMPFC show nowadays?

It's not very incorrect.