Latest news with #Spamalot
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Monty Python's Eric Idle says Nigel Farage being ‘taken seriously is appalling'
Monty Python star Eric Idle has said Reform UK leader Nigel Farage being 'taken seriously' is 'appalling to me' after post-Brexit issues meant he was unable to see his Spamalot musical opening in Paris last year. The 82-year-old comedian told the PA news agency he had now applied for a talent visa in France, where he has a home, in the hope it will help him avoid a similar issue happening again. Advertisement Claiming Brexit rules limited his options, he told PA: 'Eight years ago, we could go and live in any country in Europe we wanted to and work, and I wasn't even allowed to vote (in the EU referendum) because I lived here (in the US). 'I mean, (Brexit) was just a terrible con, it was a real con, and (the fact) that Nigel Farago (Farage) still exists anywhere and is taken seriously is appalling to me. 'I was with somebody… she said, 'I hope I never see him in a room, because I want to punch him'.' Idle said he was only able to spend three months a year at the home he built in Provence as a result of Brexit, in a recent interview with The Guardian. Advertisement He told PA: 'I've applied for a talent visa in France, they have a little talent visa, and I feel I'm due one, because last year Spamalot won the Moliere, which is the equivalent of their Tony from Paris. 'And they love their Monty Python here (in France), we won that, we won the Jury Prize for The Meaning Of Life at the Cannes Film Festival, so they do know Python. Eric Idle will head out on a UK tour in September (Eric Idle/Note by Note Media) 'So I'm hopeful that I'll get a little bit of an extension so I don't have to get kicked out, because I was kicked out two years ago, I had to leave, and I couldn't go and see the opening in Paris because I didn't have another day. 'I wrote to Monsieur Macron, and offered him a ticket if he'd let me in, and I said, 'only one ticket, because I don't want to be accused of bribery', but I never heard back.' Advertisement Spamalot is the stage adaptation of the Monty Python film Holy Grail (1975), which has previously seen acclaimed productions on Broadway and London's West End. Idle now lives in Los Angeles in the US and thinks he could also be made to leave that country if he jokes about US President Donald Trump. He said: 'I think it's quite likely – I'm only a green card holder – that I will be given the boot.' The comedian will return to the UK in September for a solo tour, which will see him perform at venues including London's Royal Albert Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall and Glasgow's Armadillo. Advertisement He is best known for his appearances in the Monty Python's Flying Circus TV series alongside Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Terry Gilliam, and its spin-off films Holy Grail, Life Of Brian (1979) and The Meaning Of Life (1983). Idle also created The Rutles with the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band's Neil Innes, a parody band of The Beatles, which featured in two mockumentaries in All You Need Is Cash (1978) and The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch (2003). Mr Farage's Reform UK party have been contacted for comment.
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Monty Python's Eric Idle says Nigel Farage being ‘taken seriously is appalling'
Claiming Brexit rules limited his options, he told PA: 'Eight years ago, we could go and live in any country in Europe we wanted to and work, and I wasn't even allowed to vote (in the EU referendum) because I lived here (in the US). 'I mean, (Brexit) was just a terrible con, it was a real con, and (the fact) that Nigel Farago (Farage) still exists anywhere and is taken seriously is appalling to me. 'I was with somebody… she said, 'I hope I never see him in a room, because I want to punch him'.' Idle said he was only able to spend three months a year at the home he built in Provence as a result of Brexit, in a recent interview with The Guardian. He told PA: 'I've applied for a talent visa in France, they have a little talent visa, and I feel I'm due one, because last year Spamalot won the Moliere, which is the equivalent of their Tony from Paris. 'And they love their Monty Python here (in France), we won that, we won the Jury Prize for The Meaning Of Life at the Cannes Film Festival, so they do know Python. Eric Idle will head out on a UK tour in September (Eric Idle/Note by Note Media) 'So I'm hopeful that I'll get a little bit of an extension so I don't have to get kicked out, because I was kicked out two years ago, I had to leave, and I couldn't go and see the opening in Paris because I didn't have another day. 'I wrote to Monsieur Macron, and offered him a ticket if he'd let me in, and I said, 'only one ticket, because I don't want to be accused of bribery', but I never heard back.' Spamalot is the stage adaptation of the Monty Python film Holy Grail (1975), which has previously seen acclaimed productions on Broadway and London's West End. Idle now lives in Los Angeles in the US and thinks he could also be made to leave that country if he jokes about US President Donald Trump. He said: 'I think it's quite likely – I'm only a green card holder – that I will be given the boot.' The comedian will return to the UK in September for a solo tour, which will see him perform at venues including London's Royal Albert Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall and Glasgow's Armadillo. He is best known for his appearances in the Monty Python's Flying Circus TV series alongside Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Terry Gilliam, and its spin-off films Holy Grail, Life Of Brian (1979) and The Meaning Of Life (1983). Idle also created The Rutles with the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band's Neil Innes, a parody band of The Beatles, which featured in two mockumentaries in All You Need Is Cash (1978) and The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch (2003). Mr Farage's Reform UK party have been contacted for comment.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- 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
STV News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- STV News
Eric Idle says he feels ‘lucky every single day' after surviving cancer
Actor and comedian Eric Idle has said he feels lucky 'every single day' after surviving pancreatic cancer. Idle, 82, revealed in 2022 that he had received an early diagnosis and been successfully treated for the illness. In a Letter To My Younger Self for the Big Issue, the Monty Python star said: 'I miss a lot of people. Great people like Mike Nichols. 'I will find myself thinking of a funny line and thinking, you must tell Mike that. Or Jonathan Miller. So many of my heroes have gone, like Robin Williams. I still kind of occasionally speak to Billy Connolly, but I really miss him. 'You've got to find other people, you know, because there are still other funny people you can have dinner with or play guitar with. 'I got lucky, because I had to, I survived pancreatic cancer. So I feel that since 2019 I've had a reprieve. So I don't know or care what people say about me, I'm lucky every single day.' Idle also reflected on some of the issues financing Monty Python's Life Of Brian, which saw the film's creators receive help from Beatles star George Harrison. He said: 'For a while we had no money. (Media impresario) 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.' Idle, John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam and Sir Michael Palin fronted the ground-breaking sketch show Monty Python's Flying Circus. A huge hit, 45 episodes were made between 1969 and 1974, as well as five films including 1975's The Holy Grail, on which hit musical Spamalot – written by Idle – is based. Read the full interview with Idle in the Big Issue, out now. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Eric Idle says he feels 'lucky every single day' after surviving cancer
Actor and comedian Eric Idle has said he feels lucky "every single day" after surviving pancreatic cancer. Idle, 82, revealed in 2022 that he had received an early diagnosis and been successfully treated for the illness. In a Letter To My Younger Self for the Big Issue, the Monty Python star said: "I miss a lot of people. Great people like Mike Nichols. "I will find myself thinking of a funny line and thinking, you must tell Mike that. Or Jonathan Miller. So many of my heroes have gone, like Robin Williams. I still kind of occasionally speak to Billy Connolly, but I really miss him. "You've got to find other people, you know, because there are still other funny people you can have dinner with or play guitar with. "I got lucky, because I had to, I survived pancreatic cancer. So I feel that since 2019 I've had a reprieve. So I don't know or care what people say about me, I'm lucky every single day." Idle also reflected on some of the issues financing Monty Python's Life Of Brian, which saw the film's creators receive help from Beatles star George Harrison. He said: "For a while we had no money. (Media impresario) 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." Idle, John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin fronted the ground-breaking sketch show Monty Python's Flying Circus. A huge hit, 45 episodes were made between 1969 and 1974, as well as five films including 1975's The Holy Grail, on which hit musical Spamalot – written by Idle – is based.
