Latest news with #Pythons
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Monty Python classic to be screened at Scottish castle
Funded by investors including Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Jethro Tull, the film was mostly shot on location in Scotland. According to Eric Idle the film had a total budget of £175k (around £1.6m adjusted for inflation), with the Pythons making a joke of the fact by eschewing real horses in favour of miming horse riding while porters banged coconut shells together. Read More: Much of the filming took place at Doune Castle, including a famous scene with a rude French knight who tells the grail-seekers "your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!" before firing livestock at them from a catapult. To celebrate 50 years of the film, exclusive screenings will be shown at the castle from Friday 22 August to Sunday 24. Gillian Urquhart, Events Manager at HES, said: 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail is an iconic film which has been loved by audiences for 50 years. To celebrate the anniversary of its the release, we're delighted to host showings of the film in the historic Doune Castle which served as the backdrop to a number of filming locations.' The screenings will take place in the historic Great Hall from the HES website.
The Irish Sun
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Eric Idle reignites Monty Python feud as he brands co-star ‘a hypocrite' for ‘turning down $30m' reunion
COMEDY royalty Eric Idle appears to have refuelled the financial fire between his former Monty Python co-stars. previously said he is still having to work as he receives only a fraction of the millions the Advertisement 6 Eric Idle has called his Python co-star a hypocrite for his comments about their split Credit: PA 6 Michael Palin, John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones in Monty Python's Life of Brian in 1979 Credit: Rex Features The trailblazing Pythons included Idle, The 82-year-old told The Big Issue: "Michael [Palin] said he was sad to see us break up? He was the first to leave! He's such a hypocrite. "I mean in some ways we split up immediately before The Holy Grail. "John didn't want to do a fourth series. After that we decided to just stick to films. Advertisement Read more "After Life of Brian, we actually did The Meaning of Life, which was our last film together. "Graham died shortly after that. Also, I think, when you've done religion and then the meaning of life, there are very few subjects left." He continued: "I can't believe Michael said he was sad. He turned down the opportunity to do it in America, in Australia, in South Africa. He turned down $30 million!" In 2024, Idle revealed the surviving Advertisement Most read in News TV In messages on X, Idle previously wrote: 'I don't know why people always assume we're loaded. "I have to work for my living. I never dreamed that at this age the income streams would tail off so disastrously. 'Like a Monty Python skit' - Incredible jockey running race goes viral as fans hail 'greatest thing ever seen' 'I have been working and earning for Pythons since 1995. And now no more.' He added: 'I guess if you put a Gilliam child [Holly] in as your manager you should not be so surprised. Advertisement 'One Gilliam is bad enough. Two can take out any company.' Despite the success of 1975's Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Life of Brian had funding issues and was almost canned - but was saved by a Beatle. In a Letter To My Younger Self for The Big Issue , : ' I got lucky, because I had to. I survived pancreatic cancer. "So I feel that since 2019 I've had a reprieve. I don't know or care what people say about me, I'm lucky every single day.' Advertisement He said: 'For a while we had no money. [Media proprietor] Lew Grade read it and just went nuts. He said, we can't possibly make this. I went to America to find money. 'I had been talking to 'But finally, when everybody turned us down, there was a call from him saying, 'I've got you the money'. 'He had mortgaged his house and his business and raised the cash and put it all on a Python film. The most extraordinary thing to do.' Advertisement 6 Monty Python's Flying Circus star Eric has had issues over the Python's finances Credit: Alamy 6 Michael Palin said he was 'sad' to see the Pythons break up - which Eric has disagreed with Credit: Getty 6 Actor Eric - who is based in LA - has spoken out about the financial inequality he has faced Credit: AFP 6 The Monty Python gang pictured prior to their O2 Arena tour back in 2014 Credit: Getty Advertisement
Scottish Sun
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Eric Idle reignites Monty Python feud as he brands co-star ‘a hypocrite' for ‘turning down $30m' reunion
He previously complained about his co-star's daughter's handling of the Python profit holy fail Eric Idle reignites Monty Python feud as he brands co-star 'a hypocrite' for 'turning down $30m' reunion Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) COMEDY royalty Eric Idle appears to have refuelled the financial fire between his former Monty Python co-stars. LA-based Eric, 82, previously said he is still having to work as he receives only a fraction of the millions the legendary comedy team have made in the past. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 6 Eric Idle has called his Python co-star a hypocrite for his comments about their split Credit: PA 6 Michael Palin, John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones in Monty Python's Life of Brian in 1979 Credit: Rex Features The trailblazing Pythons included Idle, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam and the late Terry Jones - and were responsible for films Life of Brian, hit stage show Spamalot and the original Flying Circus BBC TV series. The 82-year-old told The Big Issue: "Michael [Palin] said he was sad to see us break up? He was the first to leave! He's such a hypocrite. "I mean in some ways we split up immediately before The Holy Grail. "John didn't want to do a fourth series. After that we decided to just stick to films. "After Life of Brian, we actually did The Meaning of Life, which was our last film together. "Graham died shortly after that. Also, I think, when you've done religion and then the meaning of life, there are very few subjects left." He continued: "I can't believe Michael said he was sad. He turned down the opportunity to do it in America, in Australia, in South Africa. He turned down $30 million!" In 2024, Idle revealed the surviving Pythons were locked in a feud over finances. In messages on X, Idle previously wrote: 'I don't know why people always assume we're loaded. "I have to work for my living. I never dreamed that at this age the income streams would tail off so disastrously. 'Like a Monty Python skit' - Incredible jockey running race goes viral as fans hail 'greatest thing ever seen' 'I have been working and earning for Pythons since 1995. And now no more.' He added: 'I guess if you put a Gilliam child [Holly] in as your manager you should not be so surprised. 'One Gilliam is bad enough. Two can take out any company.' Despite the success of 1975's Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Life of Brian had funding issues and was almost canned - but was saved by a Beatle. In a Letter To My Younger Self for The Big Issue, the Monty Python star said: 'I got lucky, because I had to. I survived pancreatic cancer. "So I feel that since 2019 I've had a reprieve. I don't know or care what people say about me, I'm lucky every single day.' He said: 'For a while we had no money. [Media proprietor] Lew Grade read it and just went nuts. He said, we can't possibly make this. I went to America to find money. 'I had been talking to George Harrison who was a huge fan, and he said, 'I'll phone you in the morning, don't worry'. And I thought, well, nobody's got four and a half million dollars. 'But finally, when everybody turned us down, there was a call from him saying, 'I've got you the money'. 'He had mortgaged his house and his business and raised the cash and put it all on a Python film. The most extraordinary thing to do.' 6 Monty Python's Flying Circus star Eric has had issues over the Python's finances Credit: Alamy 6 Michael Palin said he was 'sad' to see the Pythons break up - which Eric has disagreed with Credit: Getty 6 Actor Eric - who is based in LA - has spoken out about the financial inequality he has faced Credit: AFP
The Advertiser
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Eric Idle slams 'ungrateful' Monty Python co-stars
Eric Idle has blasted his Monty Python co-stars for being "miserable and horrible and bitchy" about royalty payments. The 82-year-old comic wrote stage show Spamalot, which is based on his 1975 movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and he thinks the rest of the comedy troupe - whose surviving members are John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, and Michael Palin - should be more "grateful" for the money they receive from the production. Asked if the other Pythons receive royalty payments, he told The Guardian newspaper: "They got more f***ing money than they've ever been grateful for. They got f***ing millions and they're miserable and horrible and bitchy about it. "I spent 20 years working for Python and then two years on the O2 show. They were there for two weeks. "I'm not really motivated by money, to be honest. Anyway, the producers get all the f***ing money and divide it up according to the contract. "Someone sued us for years, saying I was paying the Pythons money from my back pocket. And I said: why would I risk going to an American jail to give John Cleese more money?" Idle admitted there was a "lot of arguing and fights" between the Monty Python stars but he thinks that was good for their work. He said: "Some things in Python were very enjoyable and some were not. Holy Grail was cold and miserable. Sometimes that makes it funny. One of the worst things you can have in comedy is enough money. "Python was quite a lot of arguing and fights and good work is often like that. The best thing about showbiz is when it's over. I think if you're enjoying yourself, then you're not acting or giving, you're just having a good time. Well, that's not funny." Eric Idle has blasted his Monty Python co-stars for being "miserable and horrible and bitchy" about royalty payments. The 82-year-old comic wrote stage show Spamalot, which is based on his 1975 movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and he thinks the rest of the comedy troupe - whose surviving members are John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, and Michael Palin - should be more "grateful" for the money they receive from the production. Asked if the other Pythons receive royalty payments, he told The Guardian newspaper: "They got more f***ing money than they've ever been grateful for. They got f***ing millions and they're miserable and horrible and bitchy about it. "I spent 20 years working for Python and then two years on the O2 show. They were there for two weeks. "I'm not really motivated by money, to be honest. Anyway, the producers get all the f***ing money and divide it up according to the contract. "Someone sued us for years, saying I was paying the Pythons money from my back pocket. And I said: why would I risk going to an American jail to give John Cleese more money?" Idle admitted there was a "lot of arguing and fights" between the Monty Python stars but he thinks that was good for their work. He said: "Some things in Python were very enjoyable and some were not. Holy Grail was cold and miserable. Sometimes that makes it funny. One of the worst things you can have in comedy is enough money. "Python was quite a lot of arguing and fights and good work is often like that. The best thing about showbiz is when it's over. I think if you're enjoying yourself, then you're not acting or giving, you're just having a good time. Well, that's not funny." Eric Idle has blasted his Monty Python co-stars for being "miserable and horrible and bitchy" about royalty payments. The 82-year-old comic wrote stage show Spamalot, which is based on his 1975 movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and he thinks the rest of the comedy troupe - whose surviving members are John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, and Michael Palin - should be more "grateful" for the money they receive from the production. Asked if the other Pythons receive royalty payments, he told The Guardian newspaper: "They got more f***ing money than they've ever been grateful for. They got f***ing millions and they're miserable and horrible and bitchy about it. "I spent 20 years working for Python and then two years on the O2 show. They were there for two weeks. "I'm not really motivated by money, to be honest. Anyway, the producers get all the f***ing money and divide it up according to the contract. "Someone sued us for years, saying I was paying the Pythons money from my back pocket. And I said: why would I risk going to an American jail to give John Cleese more money?" Idle admitted there was a "lot of arguing and fights" between the Monty Python stars but he thinks that was good for their work. He said: "Some things in Python were very enjoyable and some were not. Holy Grail was cold and miserable. Sometimes that makes it funny. One of the worst things you can have in comedy is enough money. "Python was quite a lot of arguing and fights and good work is often like that. The best thing about showbiz is when it's over. I think if you're enjoying yourself, then you're not acting or giving, you're just having a good time. Well, that's not funny."
Daily Mirror
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Eric Idle brands Monty Python co-stars "miserable and b****y" as feud erupts
Eric Idle labelled his fellow Monty Python co-stars "miserable and b****y" over an ongoing money feud after being quizzed about the royalties for Spamalot, which is a musical based on Monty Python and the Holy Grail Eric Idle has hit out at his surviving Monty Python colleagues, branding them "miserable and horrible and b****y" amid ongoing tensions over royalty payments. The comedy icon, 82, opened up about his frustrations in a new interview where he revealed that disputes over money have strained relationships within the legendary comedy troupe, whose remaining members include John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, and Michael Palin. Idle, who penned the hit stage musical Spamalot based on Monty Python's 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, feels his fellow Pythons should be more appreciative of the substantial income they've received from the production. When asked if his colleagues receive royalties from Spamalot, Idle told The Guardian: "They got more f****** money than they've ever been grateful for. They got f****** millions and they're miserable and horrible and b****y about it. "I spent 20 years working for Python and then two years on the O2 show. They were there for two weeks. I'm not really motivated by money, to be honest. Anyway, the producers get all the f****** money and divide it up according to the contract." He also spoke about a protracted legal battle that was sparked by accusations that he was secretly paying his fellow Pythons out of his own pocket. Idle explained: "Someone sued us for years, saying I was paying the Pythons money from my back pocket. And I said: why would I risk going to an American jail to give John Cleese more money?" Despite their financial rows, Idle acknowledged that creative friction previously fuelled the troupe's success. He admitted that the group's comedic brilliance sometimes emerged from tension and conflict. He shared: "Some things in Python were very enjoyable and some were not. Holy Grail was cold and miserable. Sometimes that makes it funny. One of the worst things you can have in comedy is enough money. "Python was quite a lot of arguing and fights and good work is often like that. The best thing about showbiz is when it's over. I think if you're enjoying yourself, then you're not acting or giving, you're just having a good time. Well, that's not funny." Idle also voiced concerns about the future of performers' likenesses in the era of artificial intelligence. "I always felt that we ought to protect our images after I saw that tacky advert with Fred Astaire and the vacuum cleaner," he admitted. He added: "I felt very bad about that. So I felt that we Pythons ought to have done something to protect our image in a way that's appropriate. But I don't think there is a way that's appropriate. "I have had my image done in one of those extraordinary machines where 40 cameras capture you from every angle. It was for a film they wanted to make sure they could finish. "But it worries me. I don't trust AI. I mean, look at how many times you have to correct a word. It completely misreads you. ChatGPT writing essays really bothers me. The point is to find out what we think, not what a machine thinks."
