I am Eric Idle-- Monty Python founding member, Spamalot creator, and author of Always Look on the Bright Side of Life: A Sortabiography. Ask Me Anything!

Was there ever any part of a project you worked on that seemed too silly, even for you?

Brexit.

Would you ever consider setting up an actor to parody your role "Bring out your dead" at your own funeral? Kind of a self roast?

I have left my wife some extra money if she will be rude about me. She said she didn't need extra money for that...

Are there any sketches that you particularly remember it being difficult not to laugh during?

The Church Police. On stage.

Some serious corpsing going on in the Hollywood Bowl version of that sketch. It was beautiful!

It was the only sketch we allowed ourselves to try and crack each other up in, which meant we could hardly get on stage for giggling each night.

How did George Harrison wind up producing Life Of Brian?

Because he paid for the entire budget personally.

But how? Why? Who approached who? Details, man!

We were pals. He knew we were looking for finance once EMI passed and we were having difficulty finding it. It would still never have been made to this day but for George...

He just really liked the script from what I read.

He mortgaged his house for $4.5 million dollars and put it all into the budget.

Hi, Eric!

What is the most bizarre fan encounter you've ever had?

Stephen Hawking.

How do you feel about having your song, Always look on the bright side of life, played at funerals?

Also, I have that song listed to be played at my funeral.

I think it is more appropriate thaqn Sit on my Face.

I'm sure you've met many other Erics in your life. Based on those experiences, how would you describe the average Eric?

Tall. Handsome. Virile. And that's just the girls.

Who's a young comic who you have become a big fan of?

Garfunkle and Oates

I'd say Dylan Moran but he's not really young...

All I really wanted to say was Thank you for the laughs. But Reddit forces me to ask a question, so; how are you today?

I'm roughly the same height.

What’s it like?

It was good for me.

I've been a fan for over 20 years now and I can't imagine getting through some of the hardest times of my life without the laughter that Monty Pyton brought into my life.

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Are you ever surprised that the shows/movies you created still hold up many years later?

Are you ever recognized on the street by a fan and does that ever take you by surprise?

It is unbelievable that people still find Monty Python funny fifty years later...

Who is the funniest human being you have ever met?

Robin Williams. Peter Cook. Billy Connolly.

Do you believe in life after death or do the words of "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" absolutely express your philosophy?

I believe that we may become anything after death including even possibly some forms of life as our carbon is redistributed through the Universe, but I don't think we'll know about it.

Hi Eric! Just pulling a random question from the top of my head because I'm coming up blank for a better question that hasn't been posed already: What's a skill you've always wished you had but for whatever reason couldn't completely get the hang of?

Bank robbery.

Did Michael Palin ever ask you to go with him on his travels?

Good grief no. It would have cost too much. And he is from Yorkshire.

Are you the busiest Idle in history? If not, tell us a quick story about a notable ancestor.

Please.

Lord Idle, the first Baron Wakefield, would be carried to bed every twenty minutes for a rest.

Evening Squire!?

Evening Squirrel.

Who is the most obnoxious unlikeable person you’ve ever worked with?

My lips are sealed...

Hi Eric - big fan here after being introduced to “Holy Grail” as a kid and then watching Monty Pythons Flying Circus on PBS.

I just saw you in Boston, a great night! And then Spamalot (again) next year!

I forgot to come up with an actual question when I saw the announcement on Twitter, but I just want to say - thank you.

Thank you for being human, for engaging with fans, on social media and tours. You’ve even liked and responded to some of my tweets.

And thank you so much for the laughs.

Aside from music and writing and comedy, what are some of your simple pleasures in this life? Favorite tea? Book? Holiday?

Tea. Book. Holiday. Guitar. Reading.

And then I just realized Holiday is Vacation in England.

Any particular flavor of tea? :)

No I don't holiday in England: it is wet, mad and stupid...

I always thought that “The Adventures of Baron von Munchhausen” was superlative. What was that like to work on? Can you share any anecdotes from the shooting and production of that?

It was hell.

Do you have a favorite George Harrison story?

Yes.

Thanks for doing this!

What has been your favorite Monty Python sketch to create and work in?

The Bruces. And then I wrote the song...

What was it like performing at the 2012 Olympics?

Well I didn't actually run, or skip or lift anything. But it was the most wonderful experience performing live in London at the arena.

In your new book you talked a bit about Keith Moon hanging out with the Pythons while you were writing "Brian", is there any particular memory of him that stands out as a favorite?

Yes, him waiting for us on the beach to finish writing, in Barbados.

How is your new guitar case working for you?

Edit: Adam Savage made Mr Idle a pretty damn cool guitar case: https://youtu.be/6iIZ9rnS6HU

It worked well.

What is your favorite dinosaur?

Marc Bolan.

hi! i am a big fan and think you are the prettiest python (well at least when you are wearing a dress). i am also a big fan of george harrison. could you share any memories you have of directing the crackerbox palace video or of friar park in general? thank you!

A lovely day in a fabulous world with great friends.

Hello Eric, Do you have a favorite sketch?

Huge fan btw.

Yellow. No, blue.

Ever been tempted to be a guest in the Muppets Show? if so which musical number would you have liked doing? with which Muppets? [Sorry huge Monty Python and Muppets fan - And adore John's Cleese appearance on the Muppets]

I was asked. My wife is still annoyed I turned it down..

I was Graham Chapman for my schools wax museum.While doing research I bought his autobiography Your bit at the end of his book made me cry. If he was still around do you think he would be a grouch like John Cleese or possibly something else?

His autobiog is very funny. Mind you four people wrote it. He was never a grouch. And never could be.

What’s your favorite Monty Python skit?

The Argument Clinic. I think it's as good as Tom Stoppard. (written by John and Graham.)

Huge, super long time fan! Which of the Python movies was your favorite to make, and which is your favorite in terms of content when you view it all these years later?

Also - just wanted to add that I got to see Graham Chapman live in Boston when he toured clubs around 1985-86. Seemed like such nice man.

He was a very nice man. Finally.

How much fun did you have making Nuns on the Run?

It’s one of my favourite movies, with great chemistry between you and Robbie Coltrane and I still laugh with my mum over many of the great moments in the film!

It was great fun. I loved working with Robbie. And Johnnie Lynn was a great comedy director.

May I call you 'Eric' or do you prefer 'Mr. Idle'?

Doctor will do.

At what point did you realize Monty Python was something that wold be beloved and influential for many generations?

It snuck up on us. Rather like a python...

Hi, Mr. Idle, thank you for doing this AMA! What is your best David Bowie story?

He turned me on to Richard Strauss' Four Last Songs.

Can we be best friends?

I already have a friend. No wait...

If you had to choose- Holy Grail, Life of Brian, or Meaning of Life?

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(Also, my dad wants to know when can we expect the Spamalot movie! )

We're currently working on the Spamalot Movie.

What’s your favorite thing to do when you have free time.?

Read. Play guitar.

when was the last time you embarrassed yourself in public?

The last time I was drunk, and let's hope that was the last time...

Did you expect the Spanish Inquisition?

Oh yes. The last Pope was Head of it.

Is that you saying "Time to GO" in Pink Floyd's "Bring The Boys Back Home" ?

No.

What would you do for a Klondike bar?

I would go to Alaska.

What would you choose as your final meal?

Shredded wheat with sliced banana and almond milk.

What is your favourite book?

What was your favourite book as a child?

Gatsby. Bleak House. er..

Hi. A vast amount of us find your work to be fantastic. Is there a recent comedy film or TV series that makes you piss yourself laughing?

Get Shorty with Chris O'Dowd

African or European?

The swallows are leaving Europe in sympathy..

"instant best seller"? Nudge nudge? wink wink? A nods as good as wink to blind man.

The Publishers put that in because it entered the top ten of the New York Times Best Seller List the week after it was published....! Thank you Crown Books.

If MP formed today do you think it would be much different? How would you have changed things for a 2018 audience?

I still perform today. They still seem to laugh...

Eric Idle!!! Oh my god! Huge fan all my life! I'd be over the moon if you replied to me! Would you mind sharing your most favourite memory of your career? Be it recording with the lads or just general banter? What was your favourite moments of Monty python?

My favourite moment was singing Bright Side to Mike Nichols at the AFI dressed as Emma Thompson from Angels in America...

Outside of Monty Python what has been one of your favorite projects, movies, shows, thing you've been a part of? What is a project you wish you had done or approached differently?

Spamalot. The Rutles. Not The Messiah. What about Dick? The Entire Universe as a Musical.

Why do you think Monty Python didn't get as big in America as it did in the UK?

P.S. Long time fan. You're my favorite member of the troupe.

Wait, it is far bigger in America. The UK hasn't played it in years. It's unbelievable but they love it in the States.

Because we all firmly believed it wouldn't....

I remember first discovering you back when you did a voice role in "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer: The Movie" by Golden Films/Goodtimes Entertainment from 1998. Which was Golden Film's animated movie starring Rudolph. If I remember correctly, you voice an Arctic Fox in the movie. How much do you remember working on that movie? I remember John Goodman, and Whoopi Goldberg was also in the movie.

John Goodman voiced Santa Claus while Whoopi voiced the main antagonist who causes blizzard and fog.

Those movies are only done in recording studios and you never meet anyone else.

I still really enjoy your music performance in that film.

Thanks. Was it by David Foster?

Have you thought about doing any more Rutles-related content?

I made a sequel called Can't Buy Me Lunch.

As someone who has clearly had experience with some of the most talented musicians of your time, what would you say is your favorite musical group?

The Fabs.

Why does the porridge bird lay its egg in the air?

Is this a Seuss question. I wrote the Treatment for Suessical but don't remember it...

How much weed did yas all smoke when writting scripts etc...?

None at all. You can't write comedy stoned. Although some people try.

Eric, what is your stance on the standards of British education and the influence Cambridge University, considering the university in 2010 voted to support tripling the fees?

Well I would pay anything to go back to Cambridge.... but I am now an Honorary Fellow of Pembroke College.

Do you think that an all-time/the best Christmas song does exist?

Yes. F. Christmas. By me and John Du Prez.

Long time listener,first time caller - love your work by the way. What are your thoughts on this modern era of hypersensitivity particularly as it relates to comedy? The idea that topics that were once acceptable are now taboo and that comics are held to a standard - sometimes a standard that seems higher than our political figures are held to?

The first responsibility of comedy is to the truth.

First off, I can't thank you enough for the enjoyment and laughter you have brought to my life.

For my question, what is your favorite non-Python movie you have been in (and I really hope it's The Adventures of Baron Munchausen)?

Nuns on the Run.

Jerry Seinfeld rarely curse or use sexual humor. Which subgenres of comedy or topics do you consider ”too easy” and therefore avoid?

I think rudeness can be too easy, but often you need something to use that is easy...

Eric! I was just watching the restaurant sketch last night, featuring your barrage of of random complaints while in drag and as fast as you can say them. Hilarious and delightful every time. Interestingly: strong similarity to the travel agent sketch! Also great. Did you deliberately write compact monologues so you could have more lines than those other hacks you performed with?

I haven't seen it for forty seven years...

"Ooh I don't like this, Ooh I don't like that. Oh I don't think much to all this. Oh fancy using that wallpaper. Fancy using mustard. Oo is that a proper one? Oo it's not real. Oh I don't think it's a proper restaurant unless they give you finger bowls. Oo I don't like him. I'm going to have a baby in a few years."

https://y.yarn.co/b9ca82cb-53b0-4525-99be-76feacd8a30c_screenshot.jpg

Ah yes. I wrote that. It was based on a friend's fiancee who never stopped grumbling or complaining... very North country.

Hi Mr. idle, I’m a big fan! Thank you for everything you’ve contributed to the world. If you had to choose one line from any python film or sketch that you never had to say or hear someone else say to you again, what line would you choose?

No time to lose...

The story of the lawless days of the post-Impressionists?!

But it's also a good philosophy for life..

How sick of John Cleese are you?

Not at all.

What's your favorite memory with Robbin Williams?

Robin. All the times with him were entirely memorable. Perhaps swimming ashore from a boat in Greece, just a bit too far for comfort!

How was it like to write your bits and sketches alone while the other writers had partners (obviously besides gilliam)?

I prefer the company...

What is the school lunch like at Cambridge?

Cambridge is not a school it is a University. You eat where you like.

Hello Bone. Are there any radio or TV comedies you enjoy today or are you happy to just be secreted away with a good book?

I don't watch a lot of comedy. I do prefer reading, I am omniverous, and I do like some dramas on TV or movies. I think Comedy to be good should be Executive Free. Very little squeezes through executives...

First off I love Python thanks for all the great work you did to help bring those sketches to life. My question is what do you think of the current rise of "political correctness" that has started to take over society? How do you think Python fans who love saying and doing stupid things just for the jokes with no real malice or harm intended in the jokes should respectfully respond to people who think our sense of humor may be vulgar, rude or innappropriate in this day and age?

Remember it was Hitler who first started to lock up comedians....