Three members of Monty Python have reunited to celebrate Michael Palin’s birthday.
John Cleese posted a dinner table picture on X (formerly Twitter) of himself alongside Palin and Terry Gilliam after Palin turned 81 on May 5.
Cleese captioned the photo: “An 18 foot Python celebrates Pallin’s 181st Birthday and 195th Travel Book. Photo taken at cafe on peak of Mount Kilimanjaro.”
The day after Palin’s birthday, Cleese wrote: “I was travelling yesterday, and forgot to wish Mickey Pallin a joyous 81st Birthday. We shall shall [sic] celebrate it together tonight, along with Terry Gilliam, if he promises to behave.”
An 18 foot Python celebrates Pallin’s 181st Birthday and 195th Travel Book.
Photo taken at cafe on peak of Mount Kilimanjaro pic.twitter.com/8w4KVsbK3p
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) May 8, 2024
Eric Idle, who lives in Los Angeles, appeared to be absent from the festivities following his online spat with Cleese and Gilliam earlier this year.
John Cleese posted a dinner table picture on X (formerly Twitter) of himself alongside Palin and Terry Gilliam after Palin turned 81 on May 5.
Cleese captioned the photo: “An 18 foot Python celebrates Pallin’s 181st Birthday and 195th Travel Book. Photo taken at cafe on peak of Mount Kilimanjaro.”
The day after Palin’s birthday, Cleese wrote: “I was travelling yesterday, and forgot to wish Mickey Pallin a joyous 81st Birthday. We shall shall [sic] celebrate it together tonight, along with Terry Gilliam, if he promises to behave.”
An 18 foot Python celebrates Pallin’s 181st Birthday and 195th Travel Book.
Photo taken at cafe on peak of Mount Kilimanjaro pic.twitter.com/8w4KVsbK3p
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) May 8, 2024
Eric Idle, who lives in Los Angeles, appeared to be absent from the festivities following his online spat with Cleese and Gilliam earlier this year.
- 5/9/2024
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
As much as we adore our short kings, the world absolutely loves a tall man. Sure, they’re probably sick of being asked, “How’s the weather up there?” but they always come in handy when you need something off the top shelf.
Fortunately, there is no shortage of sky-scraping men in Hollywood. Here is a non-exhaustive list of some of the tallest actors in Hollywood.
Tall Hollywood Actors Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – 6’2 ½” Dolph Lundgren – 6’2 ½” Dave Bautista – 6’2 ¾” Bill Skarsgård – 6’3 ¼” Vincent D’Onofrio – 6’3 ½” Jared Padalecki – 6’4” Liam Neeson – 6’4” Alexander Skarsgård – 6’4 ¼” Tyler Perry – 6’4 ¼” Jeff Goldblum – 6’4 ¼” Vince Vaughn – 6’4 ½” Armie Hammer – 6’4 ½” Joe Manganiello – 6’4 ¾” Tim Robbins – 6’4 ¾” John Cleese – 6’5” James Cromwell – 6’5” Kevin Durand – 6’5 ¾” Brad Garrett – 6’8 ⅛” Joonas Suotamo — 6’11” Carel Struycken — 7’0”
While the likes of Kevin Hart and Tom Cruise may not make the list, here are a few notable and towering actors in Hollywood:
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – 6’2 ½” (189.2 cm), Shoe Size 14 (US)
Although he may have begun his career...
Fortunately, there is no shortage of sky-scraping men in Hollywood. Here is a non-exhaustive list of some of the tallest actors in Hollywood.
Tall Hollywood Actors Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – 6’2 ½” Dolph Lundgren – 6’2 ½” Dave Bautista – 6’2 ¾” Bill Skarsgård – 6’3 ¼” Vincent D’Onofrio – 6’3 ½” Jared Padalecki – 6’4” Liam Neeson – 6’4” Alexander Skarsgård – 6’4 ¼” Tyler Perry – 6’4 ¼” Jeff Goldblum – 6’4 ¼” Vince Vaughn – 6’4 ½” Armie Hammer – 6’4 ½” Joe Manganiello – 6’4 ¾” Tim Robbins – 6’4 ¾” John Cleese – 6’5” James Cromwell – 6’5” Kevin Durand – 6’5 ¾” Brad Garrett – 6’8 ⅛” Joonas Suotamo — 6’11” Carel Struycken — 7’0”
While the likes of Kevin Hart and Tom Cruise may not make the list, here are a few notable and towering actors in Hollywood:
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – 6’2 ½” (189.2 cm), Shoe Size 14 (US)
Although he may have begun his career...
- 5/7/2024
- by Hanna Callora
- Your Next Shoes
John Cleese Discusses Irony and the Adaptation of Fawlty Towers The iconic British comedy Fawlty Towers is making a comeback, but this time on the stage. Its creator, John Cleese, has taken great care to adapt the beloved series to a modern audience, ensuring that outdated racial slurs are removed, aligning with contemporary societal norms. Yet, he asserts that the core essence of irony and satire that defined the original series will remain untouched. Cleese explains that the effectiveness of comedy often lies in its layering of meanings that can bypass those who interpret these elements literally. Updates to Script
The post Fawlty Towers Stage Adaptation Removes Racial Slurs and Emphasizes Irony, Says John Cleese first appeared on TVovermind.
The post Fawlty Towers Stage Adaptation Removes Racial Slurs and Emphasizes Irony, Says John Cleese first appeared on TVovermind.
- 5/4/2024
- by Steve Delikson
- TVovermind.com
Rediscovering the Essence of Fawlty Towers for the Stage On May 4, 2024, Fawlty Towers: The Play is set to grace the Apollo Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, marking a significant adaptation of the original sitcom famed for its sharp wit and unforgettable situations. Adapted from three pivotal episodes – ‘The Hotel Inspector’, ‘The Germans’, and ‘Communication Problems’ – the stage version aims to rekindle the show’s classic humor with a fresh twist. A focus on the central theme of bridging differing eras emerges as Cleese ingeniously blends the vintage charm with present-day sensibilities. I’m delighted that we’ve managed to retain
The post John Cleese Is Too Tired to Be Unpleasant as He Prepares Fawlty Towers The Play first appeared on TVovermind.
The post John Cleese Is Too Tired to Be Unpleasant as He Prepares Fawlty Towers The Play first appeared on TVovermind.
- 5/4/2024
- by Steve Delikson
- TVovermind.com
Unraveling the Mystery: John Cleese and His Controversial Show In a twist that seems almost too ironic, John Cleese, the legendary co-founder of Monty Python, appears to have halted the progress of his own series, ‘John Cleese: Cancel Me’. Originally announced with great fanfare in 2021, this show promised to dive deep into the contentious issue of cancel culture. However, three years later, no episodes have been filmed, and reports suggest discrepancies between Cleese’s schedule and Channel 4’s programming needs might be the culprit. From the inception, Cleese was vocal about his intentions. I’m delighted to have a chance to
The post Has John Cleese Halted His Own Cancel Culture Series? first appeared on TVovermind.
The post Has John Cleese Halted His Own Cancel Culture Series? first appeared on TVovermind.
- 5/2/2024
- by Steve Delikson
- TVovermind.com
The first preview for the West End adaptation of “Fawlty Towers — The Play,” based on the legendary British comedy series created by and starring John Cleese and Connie Booth, hits the boards later this week. The show is an amalgamation of three of the 12 episodes of the zany resort-set series, one of which is the most famous: “The Germans.”
Most remember that episode for the catchphrase “don’t mention the war,” the talking moose, and Cleese goosestepping around his humble Torquay hotel lobby. But it also included its share of envelope-pushing material. Indeed, the character The Major – an old senile drunk played by Ballard Berkeley – tells a rambling story about his time in India in which someone got their racial slurs confused. The scene includes the use of the N-word, as well as a derogatory term for Indians.
In 2020, UKTV removed it, but later reinstated it after Cleese called the move “stupid.
Most remember that episode for the catchphrase “don’t mention the war,” the talking moose, and Cleese goosestepping around his humble Torquay hotel lobby. But it also included its share of envelope-pushing material. Indeed, the character The Major – an old senile drunk played by Ballard Berkeley – tells a rambling story about his time in India in which someone got their racial slurs confused. The scene includes the use of the N-word, as well as a derogatory term for Indians.
In 2020, UKTV removed it, but later reinstated it after Cleese called the move “stupid.
- 5/2/2024
- by Jordan Hoffman
- Gold Derby
Exclusive: John Cleese’s Channel 4 show about cancel culture appears to be a dead parrot.
The Monty Python legend announced the project in 2021, pledging to discover how the “impeccable idea of ‘Let’s all be kind to people’ has been developed in some cases ad absurdum.”
John Cleese: Cancel Me was slated to be produced by Clarkson’s Farm outfit Expectation, but nearly three years after being announced, filming has not taken place.
One source close to the show said Channel 4 could not come to a deal with Cleese, while a second person said the broadcaster was unable to make production work with his diary.
Channel 4 sources said the broadcaster would like to return to the project. It is unclear if Cleese feels the same way. His rep has been contacted for comment.
When the show was announced, Channel 4’s Chief Content Officer Ian Katz said: “The argument over...
The Monty Python legend announced the project in 2021, pledging to discover how the “impeccable idea of ‘Let’s all be kind to people’ has been developed in some cases ad absurdum.”
John Cleese: Cancel Me was slated to be produced by Clarkson’s Farm outfit Expectation, but nearly three years after being announced, filming has not taken place.
One source close to the show said Channel 4 could not come to a deal with Cleese, while a second person said the broadcaster was unable to make production work with his diary.
Channel 4 sources said the broadcaster would like to return to the project. It is unclear if Cleese feels the same way. His rep has been contacted for comment.
When the show was announced, Channel 4’s Chief Content Officer Ian Katz said: “The argument over...
- 4/19/2024
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Hermann Vaske with 99 Records founder Ed Bahlman and Anne-Katrin Titze on the journey to interview Cate Blanchett for Can Creativity Save the World?: “It started when Cate was shooting The Monuments Men [in 2013] in Berlin with George Clooney. And the Dp was a friend of mine, Phedon Papamichael who works with James Mangold.”
Hermann Vaske’s evermore timely Can Creativity Save The World? (with a lively score by Mark Reeder and Micha Adam) features on-camera interviews with Cate Blanchett, Golshifteh Farahani, Isabella Rossellini, Angelina Jolie, Willem Dafoe, Umberto Eco, Shirin Neshat, Garry Kasparov, Marina Abramović, John Cleese, Salman Rushdie, Luisa Neubauer (of Pussy Riot), Bono (of U2), Oscar Niemeyer, David Bowie, Marlene Knobloch, Sean Penn, Radu Jude, Amos Oz, Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Oliviero Toscani, Björk, Campino (of Die Toten Hosen fame), Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker, Lakshmi Thevasagayam, and Lia Mizrahi Goldfarb (co-editor and production designer of the documentary).
Hermann...
Hermann Vaske’s evermore timely Can Creativity Save The World? (with a lively score by Mark Reeder and Micha Adam) features on-camera interviews with Cate Blanchett, Golshifteh Farahani, Isabella Rossellini, Angelina Jolie, Willem Dafoe, Umberto Eco, Shirin Neshat, Garry Kasparov, Marina Abramović, John Cleese, Salman Rushdie, Luisa Neubauer (of Pussy Riot), Bono (of U2), Oscar Niemeyer, David Bowie, Marlene Knobloch, Sean Penn, Radu Jude, Amos Oz, Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Oliviero Toscani, Björk, Campino (of Die Toten Hosen fame), Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker, Lakshmi Thevasagayam, and Lia Mizrahi Goldfarb (co-editor and production designer of the documentary).
Hermann...
- 4/17/2024
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
After fifty years, Monty Python and the Holy Grail is still rightfully hailed by many as one of the all-time greatest comedies, and for a seemingly countless number of reasons: King Arthur’s “horse”, the corpse collector, the Black Knight, the outlandish animations, the rude French knights, an enchanter named Tim, the Knights who say “Ni” a killer rabbit, the Holy Hand Grenade, and so and so on.
But while the end result is historically hilarious, the filmmaking process itself was often pure misery for most involved. Get ready to storm the castle and find out Wtf Happened to this Movie!
During the 1960s, British comedy writers and performers Graham Chapman, Terry Jones, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin had variously collaborated and found degrees of success before uniting in 1969 to form the group known as Monty Python. This alliance resulted in the BBC sketch comedy series Monty Python’s Flying Circus,...
But while the end result is historically hilarious, the filmmaking process itself was often pure misery for most involved. Get ready to storm the castle and find out Wtf Happened to this Movie!
During the 1960s, British comedy writers and performers Graham Chapman, Terry Jones, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin had variously collaborated and found degrees of success before uniting in 1969 to form the group known as Monty Python. This alliance resulted in the BBC sketch comedy series Monty Python’s Flying Circus,...
- 4/3/2024
- by Dave Davis
- JoBlo.com
Six months after world-premiering to poor reviews at the Venice Film Festival, Roman Polanski’s latest film “The Palace” has been acquired by a French distribution company, Swashbuckler Films.
The Paris-based banner, which specializes in classic movies, is hoping to release “The Palace” on May 15. The company’s owner, Sebastien Tiveyrat, told Variety he hasn’t yet obtained the exhibition visa from the National Film Board and hasn’t started contacting exhibitors in France to book theaters.
Although Polanski’s inclusion at the Venice festival sparked a controversy due to the fact that he’s still currently facing sexual assault allegations, “The Palace” sold across many territories, including Germany, Russia, Hungary, Estonia, Bulgaria and French-speaking Switzerland where it came out between September and January. The black comedy will next open in Portugal on April 4. Goodfellas handles international sales on the movie.
“The Palace” takes place during New Year’s Eve...
The Paris-based banner, which specializes in classic movies, is hoping to release “The Palace” on May 15. The company’s owner, Sebastien Tiveyrat, told Variety he hasn’t yet obtained the exhibition visa from the National Film Board and hasn’t started contacting exhibitors in France to book theaters.
Although Polanski’s inclusion at the Venice festival sparked a controversy due to the fact that he’s still currently facing sexual assault allegations, “The Palace” sold across many territories, including Germany, Russia, Hungary, Estonia, Bulgaria and French-speaking Switzerland where it came out between September and January. The black comedy will next open in Portugal on April 4. Goodfellas handles international sales on the movie.
“The Palace” takes place during New Year’s Eve...
- 3/26/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Monty Python’s The Meaning Of Life, directed by Terry Jones
Monty Python's The Meaning Of Life, 9pm, ITV4, Tuesday, March 26
Not really a film as such but rather a collection of sketches, loosely linked by shuffling in, about and off this mortal coil. As you might expect, that means the end result is a little bit hit and miss - and one or two sections haven't dated so well either - but there's plenty here to amuse fans of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin. Among the more enjoyable moments are satirical musical number Every Sperm is Sacred and the unforgettable dining experience of Mr Creosote, which certainly goes with a bang. It was in competition in Cannes in 1983 where it, perhaps surprisingly, took home the Grand Prix. Just go easy on the wafer-thin mints...
Cat Person, Netflix, from Wednesday, March 27
This...
Monty Python's The Meaning Of Life, 9pm, ITV4, Tuesday, March 26
Not really a film as such but rather a collection of sketches, loosely linked by shuffling in, about and off this mortal coil. As you might expect, that means the end result is a little bit hit and miss - and one or two sections haven't dated so well either - but there's plenty here to amuse fans of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin. Among the more enjoyable moments are satirical musical number Every Sperm is Sacred and the unforgettable dining experience of Mr Creosote, which certainly goes with a bang. It was in competition in Cannes in 1983 where it, perhaps surprisingly, took home the Grand Prix. Just go easy on the wafer-thin mints...
Cat Person, Netflix, from Wednesday, March 27
This...
- 3/25/2024
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Last year, Frasier Crane returned to TV screens in the "Frasier" revival series. While it struggled to capture the magic of the original series, "Frasier" 2023 certainly had some high points. The festive season finale was one of the better Christmas episodes, and the show handled the passing of Martin Crane actor John Mahoney beautifully. Then there were the guest stars, which included actress Peri Gilpin, who played Frasier's producer on the original sitcom, and Bebe Neuwirth, who played Lilith Sternin on both "Frasier" and "Cheers."
Lilith debuted in the 1986 "Cheers" episode "Second Time Around," becoming a series regular and eventually starting a relationship with Kelsey Grammer's Frasier before the pair got married. By the end of the series they had broken up, and when "Frasier" debuted in 1993 the titular doctor had moved to Seattle while Lilith stayed in Boston with her and her ex-husband's son, Freddy. Still, Lilith remained...
Lilith debuted in the 1986 "Cheers" episode "Second Time Around," becoming a series regular and eventually starting a relationship with Kelsey Grammer's Frasier before the pair got married. By the end of the series they had broken up, and when "Frasier" debuted in 1993 the titular doctor had moved to Seattle while Lilith stayed in Boston with her and her ex-husband's son, Freddy. Still, Lilith remained...
- 3/17/2024
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
In the late eighties/ early nineties, shortly after they did Predator together, Arnold Schwarzenegger, John McTiernan and writer Shane Black were all set to team on a big-budget movie adaptation of the DC comic book Sgt. Rock. This is why, at the end of Predator, Black is seen reading a Sgt Rock comic during the cast roll. According to author Nick de Semlyan’s new book, “The Last Action Heroes” (buy it here), the project was heavily developed in ’88 and ’89, only to be demolished by an unlikely candidate – Monty Python’s John Cleese.
At the time, Cleese was riding high on the success of A Fish Called Wanda, and McTiernan thought he would be an ideal addition to the movie’s cast. The film was set to adapt an old Danny Kaye comedy called Imitation General. Cleese would play an English cook posing as a general during WW2 and being...
At the time, Cleese was riding high on the success of A Fish Called Wanda, and McTiernan thought he would be an ideal addition to the movie’s cast. The film was set to adapt an old Danny Kaye comedy called Imitation General. Cleese would play an English cook posing as a general during WW2 and being...
- 3/10/2024
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
While two of Monty Python’s most famous former members, Eric Idle and John Cleese, are embroiled in a very public feud, it wasn’t always this way. In recent weeks, Idle has been vocal about how he feels the Monty Python estate is being handled, with him targeting Terry Gilliam and his daughter, Holly, who manages the rights, directly. John Cleese jumped to their aid, writing on X (perhaps in a tongue-in-cheek way) that (referring to Idle) “we always loathed and despised each other, but it’s only recently that the truth has begun to emerge.”
Now, this might need to be taken with a grain of salt, as Cleese has a notoriously dry wit. Let’s not forget that he eulogized his best friend, Graham Chapman, by saying, “Good riddance to him, the freeloading bastard! I hope he fries.” That was lovingly tongue-in-cheek, although Idle and Cleese always...
Now, this might need to be taken with a grain of salt, as Cleese has a notoriously dry wit. Let’s not forget that he eulogized his best friend, Graham Chapman, by saying, “Good riddance to him, the freeloading bastard! I hope he fries.” That was lovingly tongue-in-cheek, although Idle and Cleese always...
- 2/25/2024
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
‘Fantastic Four’ is set to be the next big movie in the MCU. Just a few days ago, the release date and cast were announced. Pedro Pascal will play Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby will be Sue Storm, Ebon Moss-Bachrach will portray The Thing, and Joseph Quinn will take on the role of the Human Torch. Filming is scheduled to start this summer. Due to a change in the release date, ‘Thunderbolts’ will now come out earlier than expected, on May 2, 2025. Despite the main cast being confirmed, there’s still no news about who the villain might be. While most of the main roles are filled, there are still smaller parts to cast. Rumors suggest that Marvel Studios is looking for a comedian to play the role of H.E.R.B.I.E.
H.E.R.B.I.E. (Highly Engineered Robot Built for Interdimensional Exploration) was created by Dr.
H.E.R.B.I.E. (Highly Engineered Robot Built for Interdimensional Exploration) was created by Dr.
- 2/23/2024
- by Valentina Kraljik
- Fiction Horizon
‘Fantastic Four’ is currently the hottest upcoming MCU movie only a few days ago release date and cast were announced, confirming what we’ve known for quite a while. Pedro Pascal will be MCU’s new Reed Richards, with Vanessa Kirby taking on the role of Sue Storm. The Thing and the Human Torch will be played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Joseph Quinn respectively.
Filming is expected to begin this summer, and due to the release date being switched, ‘Thunderbolts’ lost its July 2025 spot being moved to release earlier than expected on May 2, 2025. Despite the main cast being confirmed, there was not a speck of news regarding the movie’s possible villain.
And while most of the main cast has been revealed there are plenty of smaller roles that are yet to be filled and recently according to rumors Marvel Studios expressed the desire for a comedia to play a role of H.
Filming is expected to begin this summer, and due to the release date being switched, ‘Thunderbolts’ lost its July 2025 spot being moved to release earlier than expected on May 2, 2025. Despite the main cast being confirmed, there was not a speck of news regarding the movie’s possible villain.
And while most of the main cast has been revealed there are plenty of smaller roles that are yet to be filled and recently according to rumors Marvel Studios expressed the desire for a comedia to play a role of H.
- 2/23/2024
- by Valentina Kraljik
- Comic Basics
Paramount’s “Bob Marley: One Love” debuted atop the U.K. and Ireland box office with £6.9 million ($8.7 million), according to numbers from Comscore.
Universal’s animation “Migration” dropped a spot to second place with £2.7 million in its third weekend and now has a total of £13.5 million. Sony’s “Madame Web” debuted in third position with £2.2 million.
In fourth place, in its third weekend, Universal’s “Argylle” earned £544,846 for a total of £5 million. Rounding off the top five was Warner Bros.’ “Wonka” that collected £424,825 in its 11th weekend for a total of £62.1 million.
There were no other debuts in the top 10.
The midweek release coming up is the 48th & 1/2 anniversary, as the makers style it, re-release of Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones’ cult 1975 comedy “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” starring John Cleese, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Graham Chapman, Gilliam and Jones, from Graft Entertainment. It opens Wednesday, Feb. 21.
“All of Us Strangers...
Universal’s animation “Migration” dropped a spot to second place with £2.7 million in its third weekend and now has a total of £13.5 million. Sony’s “Madame Web” debuted in third position with £2.2 million.
In fourth place, in its third weekend, Universal’s “Argylle” earned £544,846 for a total of £5 million. Rounding off the top five was Warner Bros.’ “Wonka” that collected £424,825 in its 11th weekend for a total of £62.1 million.
There were no other debuts in the top 10.
The midweek release coming up is the 48th & 1/2 anniversary, as the makers style it, re-release of Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones’ cult 1975 comedy “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” starring John Cleese, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Graham Chapman, Gilliam and Jones, from Graft Entertainment. It opens Wednesday, Feb. 21.
“All of Us Strangers...
- 2/20/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
John Cleese says the media got it wrong when it quoted his tweet seemingly declaring that he and his Monty Python co-star Eric Idle have always “loathed and despised each other.”
Cleese originally made the comment amid an apparent online dispute over the beloved comedy troupe’s finances, sparked by Idle criticizing the other Pythons, as well as their asset manager Holly Gilliam — daughter of Python member Terry Gilliam.
The Cleese came to Holly’s defense — and he was apparently serious about that part. But 84-year-old claims he wasn’t being serious when he wrote, “We always loathed and despised each other, but it’s only recently that the truth has begun to emerge.”
“I’ve just seen the Press Association release,” Cleese wrote. “They got it totally wrong. My remark about ‘loathing and despising each other.’ 1. Referred to all the members of the group. 2. Was a joke I would...
Cleese originally made the comment amid an apparent online dispute over the beloved comedy troupe’s finances, sparked by Idle criticizing the other Pythons, as well as their asset manager Holly Gilliam — daughter of Python member Terry Gilliam.
The Cleese came to Holly’s defense — and he was apparently serious about that part. But 84-year-old claims he wasn’t being serious when he wrote, “We always loathed and despised each other, but it’s only recently that the truth has begun to emerge.”
“I’ve just seen the Press Association release,” Cleese wrote. “They got it totally wrong. My remark about ‘loathing and despising each other.’ 1. Referred to all the members of the group. 2. Was a joke I would...
- 2/15/2024
- by James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Monty Python famously performed a sketch about a joke so funny, it was lethal. Well, it turns out that John Cleese’s latest attempt at a gag has been somewhat lost in translation.
In a social media spat for the ages, Eric Idle spent the weekend roasting his fellow Pythons on X (formerly Twitter). Cleese bit at Idle’s comments on Tuesday, posting a repost.
“We always loathed and despised each other, but it’s only recently that the truth has begun to emerge,” Cleese wrote in a cryptic response to an X user, who asked if he had fallen out with Idle.
The A Fish Called Wanda star has now clarified that he was joking, posting a series of messages on X lashing out at the reporting of his remarks.
Cleese said some publications “got it totally wrong,” arguing that his “loathed and despised” barb was a joke about all his fellow Pythons.
In a social media spat for the ages, Eric Idle spent the weekend roasting his fellow Pythons on X (formerly Twitter). Cleese bit at Idle’s comments on Tuesday, posting a repost.
“We always loathed and despised each other, but it’s only recently that the truth has begun to emerge,” Cleese wrote in a cryptic response to an X user, who asked if he had fallen out with Idle.
The A Fish Called Wanda star has now clarified that he was joking, posting a series of messages on X lashing out at the reporting of his remarks.
Cleese said some publications “got it totally wrong,” arguing that his “loathed and despised” barb was a joke about all his fellow Pythons.
- 2/15/2024
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
To borrow a phrase from Paddy Chayefsky, Eric Idle is mad as hell, and he’s not going to take it anymore. The founding member of Monty Python, 80, has taken to X in recent days to clear the air on a number of matters regarding the legendary British troupe — whose catalog (four seasons of Monty Python’s Flying Circus plus five feature films, including Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Monty Python’s Life of Brian) have elevated them to “Beatles of comedy” status. (Idle, it’s worth noting, is also the mind behind the 1978 Beatles parody The Rutles.) The claims — which many fans say are ruining their cherished Python memories — are as follows:
Idle is Out of Money — and Blames the Gilliams
We own everything we ever made in Python and I never dreamed that at this age the income streams would tail off so disastrously. But I...
Idle is Out of Money — and Blames the Gilliams
We own everything we ever made in Python and I never dreamed that at this age the income streams would tail off so disastrously. But I...
- 2/14/2024
- by Seth Abramovitch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
John Cleese took to X (formerly Twitter) to respond to Eric Idle after the latter went viral for some heated comments related to Monty Python, the legendary British comedy troupe that Idle and Cleese co-founded in 1969 alongside Graham Chapman, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. Idle made headlines for saying he still has to “work for my living” and heavily suggesting that Monty Python funds are being mismanaged.
“I don’t know why people always assume we’re loaded,” Idle posted on X. “Python is a disaster. ‘Spamalot’ made money 20 years ago. I have to work for my living. Not easy at this age.”
“We own everything we ever made in ‘Python’ and I never dreamed that at this age the income streams would tail off so disastrously,” he added. “But I guess if you put a Gilliam child in as your manager you should not be so surprised.
“I don’t know why people always assume we’re loaded,” Idle posted on X. “Python is a disaster. ‘Spamalot’ made money 20 years ago. I have to work for my living. Not easy at this age.”
“We own everything we ever made in ‘Python’ and I never dreamed that at this age the income streams would tail off so disastrously,” he added. “But I guess if you put a Gilliam child in as your manager you should not be so surprised.
- 2/13/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
Update: John Cleese has responded to Eric Idle’s recent comments, and there doesn’t appear to be any love lost between the former Monty Python performers. Cleese defended Python manager Holly Gilliam, who Idle had suggested was responsible for dwindling income streams.
“I have worked with Holly for the last ten years,” Cleese tweeted, “and I find her very efficient, clear-minded, hard-working, and pleasant to have dealings with. Michael Palin has asked me to make it clear that he shares this opinion. Terry Gilliam is also in agreement with this.” Just in case there was any confusion over the status of the relationship between himself and Idle, Cleese drove the point home by saying, “We always loathed and despised each other, but it’s only recently that the truth has begun to emerge.” Yikes.
—Original article follows below—
Eric Idle may have written “Always Look on the Bright Side...
“I have worked with Holly for the last ten years,” Cleese tweeted, “and I find her very efficient, clear-minded, hard-working, and pleasant to have dealings with. Michael Palin has asked me to make it clear that he shares this opinion. Terry Gilliam is also in agreement with this.” Just in case there was any confusion over the status of the relationship between himself and Idle, Cleese drove the point home by saying, “We always loathed and despised each other, but it’s only recently that the truth has begun to emerge.” Yikes.
—Original article follows below—
Eric Idle may have written “Always Look on the Bright Side...
- 2/13/2024
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
John Cleese is making it clear that he – and a few other Pythons – are in complete disagreement with long-ago co-star Eric Idle, who last weekend slammed manager (and daughter of Python co-founder Terry Gilliam) Holly Gilliam for what Idle suggested were the troupe’s dwindling finances.
“We own everything we ever made in Python and I never dreamed that at this age the income streams would tail off so disastrously,” Idle posted on X/Twitter Saturday. “But I guess if you put a Gilliam child in as your manager you should not be so surprised. One Gilliam is bad enough. Two can take out any company.”
Cleese left no doubt where he stands on the matter.
“I have worked with Holly for the last ten years,” the Fawlty Towers creator tweeted today, “and I find her very efficient, clear-minded, hard-working, and pleasant to have dealings with.”
Cleese continued, “Michael Palin...
“We own everything we ever made in Python and I never dreamed that at this age the income streams would tail off so disastrously,” Idle posted on X/Twitter Saturday. “But I guess if you put a Gilliam child in as your manager you should not be so surprised. One Gilliam is bad enough. Two can take out any company.”
Cleese left no doubt where he stands on the matter.
“I have worked with Holly for the last ten years,” the Fawlty Towers creator tweeted today, “and I find her very efficient, clear-minded, hard-working, and pleasant to have dealings with.”
Cleese continued, “Michael Palin...
- 2/13/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Eric Idle has set the record straight for anyone who thought he had a cushy life from his earnings as a member of Monty Python, saying that he still has to work for a living.
“I don’t know why people always assume we’re loaded. Python is a disaster,” the 80-year-old actor and comedian wrote on Twitter. “Spamalot made money 20 years ago. I have to work for my living. Not easy at this age.”
Later on, Idle clarified that though the British comedy troupe owns “everything” they ever made as part of the group, changes to royalty distribution — and what he sees as mismanagement of the company — have made a drastic impact on their earnings.
“I never dreamed that at this age the income streams would tail off so disastrously,” he wrote. “But I guess if you put a Gilliam child in as your manager you should not be so surprised.
“I don’t know why people always assume we’re loaded. Python is a disaster,” the 80-year-old actor and comedian wrote on Twitter. “Spamalot made money 20 years ago. I have to work for my living. Not easy at this age.”
Later on, Idle clarified that though the British comedy troupe owns “everything” they ever made as part of the group, changes to royalty distribution — and what he sees as mismanagement of the company — have made a drastic impact on their earnings.
“I never dreamed that at this age the income streams would tail off so disastrously,” he wrote. “But I guess if you put a Gilliam child in as your manager you should not be so surprised.
- 2/12/2024
- by Eddie Fu
- Consequence - Film News
Eric Idle was in salty form on X/Twitter over the weekend.
The Monty Python star had some dismissive words for John Cleese and Terry Gilliam, co-founders of the comedy troupe, and he even took a shot at Netflix.
Idle wrote of his surprise that Monty Python’s income had dried up, complaining that he has to keep working at the age of 80.
“I don’t know why people always assume we’re loaded,” he said. “Python is a disaster. Spamalot made money 20 years ago. I have to work for my living. Not easy at this age.”
He blamed the mismanagement of the Python brand on Gilliam and his daughter, Holly. The latter runs Hdg Projects, which manages Python and helped stage Monty Python Live (mostly) – One Down Five to Go, the group’s 2014 reunion shows in London.
“We own everything we ever made in Python and I never dreamed...
The Monty Python star had some dismissive words for John Cleese and Terry Gilliam, co-founders of the comedy troupe, and he even took a shot at Netflix.
Idle wrote of his surprise that Monty Python’s income had dried up, complaining that he has to keep working at the age of 80.
“I don’t know why people always assume we’re loaded,” he said. “Python is a disaster. Spamalot made money 20 years ago. I have to work for my living. Not easy at this age.”
He blamed the mismanagement of the Python brand on Gilliam and his daughter, Holly. The latter runs Hdg Projects, which manages Python and helped stage Monty Python Live (mostly) – One Down Five to Go, the group’s 2014 reunion shows in London.
“We own everything we ever made in Python and I never dreamed...
- 2/12/2024
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
“Monty Python” alum Eric Idle addressed an apparent fan misconception on Friday: that he and the rest of the legendary British comedy troupe’s members aren’t swimming in cash from their productions. As he put it, “I don’t know why people always assume we’re loaded. Python is a disaster. Spamalot made money 20 years ago. I have to work for my living. Not easy at this age.” Idle is 80 years old.
I don’t know why people always assume we’re loaded. Python is a disaster. Spamalot made money 20 years ago. I have to work for my living. Not easy at this age. https://t.co/nFDbV9BOfC
— Eric Idle (@EricIdle) February 9, 2024
Hours later, Idle added, “We own everything we ever made in Python and I never dreamed that at this age the income streams would tail off so disastrously. But I guess if you put a Gilliam...
I don’t know why people always assume we’re loaded. Python is a disaster. Spamalot made money 20 years ago. I have to work for my living. Not easy at this age. https://t.co/nFDbV9BOfC
— Eric Idle (@EricIdle) February 9, 2024
Hours later, Idle added, “We own everything we ever made in Python and I never dreamed that at this age the income streams would tail off so disastrously. But I guess if you put a Gilliam...
- 2/11/2024
- by Stephanie Kaloi
- The Wrap
John Cleese has adapted three episodes of Fawlty Towers into a play, which will premiere in the West End in May.
Fawlty Towers is often, quite rightly, cited as one of the best sitcoms ever made. Starring John Cleese, Prunella Scales, Andrew Sachs and Connie Booth, it was written by Cleese and Booth who, according to the DVD commentaries, took six weeks to plot and write each episode.
The show was based on a real hotel the Monty Python team stayed at, with Basil Fawlty based on its proprietor Donald Sinclair, after whom Cleese later named his character in Rat Race.
According to the British Comedy Guide, Cleese has adapted three episodes for the stage as a play which will premiere at the Apollo Theatre in the West End in June. Caroline Jay Ranger will direct.
The episodes are The Hotel Inspector and The Germans from Series 1 and Communication Problems...
Fawlty Towers is often, quite rightly, cited as one of the best sitcoms ever made. Starring John Cleese, Prunella Scales, Andrew Sachs and Connie Booth, it was written by Cleese and Booth who, according to the DVD commentaries, took six weeks to plot and write each episode.
The show was based on a real hotel the Monty Python team stayed at, with Basil Fawlty based on its proprietor Donald Sinclair, after whom Cleese later named his character in Rat Race.
According to the British Comedy Guide, Cleese has adapted three episodes for the stage as a play which will premiere at the Apollo Theatre in the West End in June. Caroline Jay Ranger will direct.
The episodes are The Hotel Inspector and The Germans from Series 1 and Communication Problems...
- 2/5/2024
- by Jake Godfrey
- Film Stories
The Fawlty Towers revival continues apace.
Not content with rebooting the TV series with Rob Reiner, John Cleese has now penned a stage adaptation of three episodes of the 40-year-old BBC series, which is widely considered one of the best British shows of all time.
Fawlty Towers: The Play is based on three episodes: “The Hotel Inspectors,” “The Germans” and “Communication Problems,” and will merge the three into one. One of the episodes, “The Germans,” has caused a stir in recent years as a character repeatedly uses the N-word in reference to members of the West Indies cricket team. It was briefly taken down from UKTV’s streaming service four years ago before being reinstated.
Cleese said he has “assembled a top-class group of comedy actors” and written “one huge finale” to the play.
It was originally staged in Australia but is now coming to London’s West End Apollo Theatre,...
Not content with rebooting the TV series with Rob Reiner, John Cleese has now penned a stage adaptation of three episodes of the 40-year-old BBC series, which is widely considered one of the best British shows of all time.
Fawlty Towers: The Play is based on three episodes: “The Hotel Inspectors,” “The Germans” and “Communication Problems,” and will merge the three into one. One of the episodes, “The Germans,” has caused a stir in recent years as a character repeatedly uses the N-word in reference to members of the West Indies cricket team. It was briefly taken down from UKTV’s streaming service four years ago before being reinstated.
Cleese said he has “assembled a top-class group of comedy actors” and written “one huge finale” to the play.
It was originally staged in Australia but is now coming to London’s West End Apollo Theatre,...
- 2/2/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
With her thousand-watt smile and wild mane of curly hair, Julia Roberts has an effervescence that is unmatched. Roger Ebert once described her as "an actress with a winning way; we like her, feel protective toward her, want her to prevail." She has a natural luminosity that conjures an unforgettable and commanding on-screen presence. Roberts quickly rose to fame after her role in "Mystic Pizza" in 1988. Throughout the 1990s and into the millennium, she became one of the most celebrated female actors and a bona fide movie star.
While she is often associated with romantic comedies, Julia Roberts has also tackled many intense roles. She has earned four Academy Award nominations and won for "Erin Brockovich," which also established her as one of Hollywood's highest-paid actors. She became the first female actor to receive a $20 million paycheck for a film (via History.com). In her three-decade-long career, Roberts has emerged...
While she is often associated with romantic comedies, Julia Roberts has also tackled many intense roles. She has earned four Academy Award nominations and won for "Erin Brockovich," which also established her as one of Hollywood's highest-paid actors. She became the first female actor to receive a $20 million paycheck for a film (via History.com). In her three-decade-long career, Roberts has emerged...
- 2/1/2024
- by Caroline Madden
- Slash Film
Celebrating its 48th-and-a-bit anniversary, Monty Python And The Holy Grail is coming back to cinemas for a limited time only.
Forget your usual sing-along screenings of your favourite musical. You can go to a quote-along screening of Monty Python And The Holy Grail this February.
It’s been 48 (and a half) years since the iconic comedy premiered in cinemas. Starring Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin, Monthly Python And The Holy Grail marked the directorial debuts of Gilliam and Jones.
To mark the anniversary, the film is making a comeback in cinemas, but there will also be special quote-along screenings. They will give you an opportunity to shout out lines like “She’s a witch!” and “I fart in your general direction” at the screen.
Tickets for these are already on sale and you can purchase them here.
Monty Python’s Life Of Brian...
Forget your usual sing-along screenings of your favourite musical. You can go to a quote-along screening of Monty Python And The Holy Grail this February.
It’s been 48 (and a half) years since the iconic comedy premiered in cinemas. Starring Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin, Monthly Python And The Holy Grail marked the directorial debuts of Gilliam and Jones.
To mark the anniversary, the film is making a comeback in cinemas, but there will also be special quote-along screenings. They will give you an opportunity to shout out lines like “She’s a witch!” and “I fart in your general direction” at the screen.
Tickets for these are already on sale and you can purchase them here.
Monty Python’s Life Of Brian...
- 1/31/2024
- by Maria Lattila
- Film Stories
The Monty Python legend and director of 12 Monkeys and Brazil will be receiving his first Aardman Slapstick award for visual comedy next month. Ask him anything here
Terry Gilliam has directed 13 feature films including 1981 fantasy adventure Time Bandits with Sean Connery and John Cleese, 1995’s sci-fi thriller 12 Monkeys with Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt and 2005 fantasy adventure The Brothers Grimm with Matt Damon and Heath Ledger. It all started, of course, with 1975’s Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the first Monty Python film, which Gilliam co-wrote and starred in along with his fellow Pythons, as well as directing.
Although American-born, Gilliam renounced his American citizenship in 2006. He was nominated for an Oscar for best original screenplay for 1985 sci-fi dystopian dark comedy Brazil and a Golden Globe for best director for 1991 fantasy comedy-drama The Fisher King. In 1998, he won a Bafta for outstanding contribution to cinema and, in...
Terry Gilliam has directed 13 feature films including 1981 fantasy adventure Time Bandits with Sean Connery and John Cleese, 1995’s sci-fi thriller 12 Monkeys with Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt and 2005 fantasy adventure The Brothers Grimm with Matt Damon and Heath Ledger. It all started, of course, with 1975’s Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the first Monty Python film, which Gilliam co-wrote and starred in along with his fellow Pythons, as well as directing.
Although American-born, Gilliam renounced his American citizenship in 2006. He was nominated for an Oscar for best original screenplay for 1985 sci-fi dystopian dark comedy Brazil and a Golden Globe for best director for 1991 fantasy comedy-drama The Fisher King. In 1998, he won a Bafta for outstanding contribution to cinema and, in...
- 1/22/2024
- by Rich Pelley
- The Guardian - Film News
The current generation will likely know John Cleese for his Tweets and his Gb News project "The Dinosaur Hour," which recently saw him trading witticisms with Stephen Fry in a 12th-century castle for some reason. Which is a shame because at one time he was pretty much unanimously viewed as a British national treasure and comedy great. So much so that when he dropped in on the "Cheers" crowd back in the '80s, he basically caused the whole show to buckle under the weight of his reputation, at least until the writers managed to compose themselves enough to get his episode back on track.
Appearing in the season 5 installment "Simon Says," Cleese played Dr. Simon Finch-Royce, a renowned marriage counselor and friend of Kelsey Grammer's Frasier Crane, who at one time attended Oxford with the distinguished doctor. Presumably, in the "Cheers"-verse, Finch-Royce was also a friend of Alan Cornwall,...
Appearing in the season 5 installment "Simon Says," Cleese played Dr. Simon Finch-Royce, a renowned marriage counselor and friend of Kelsey Grammer's Frasier Crane, who at one time attended Oxford with the distinguished doctor. Presumably, in the "Cheers"-verse, Finch-Royce was also a friend of Alan Cornwall,...
- 1/1/2024
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
BBC news anchor Maryam Moshiri gave her middle finger to the camera during a live news broadcast, and the clip of her doing so quickly went viral online.
She soon turned to social media to apologize for her offensive gesture.
She wrote an apology on X: “Hey everyone. Yesterday, just before the top of the hour, I was joking around a bit with the team in the gallery. I was pretending to count down as the director was counting me down from ten to zero … including the fingers to show the number. So from ten fingers held up to one. When we got to one, I turned my middle finger around as a joke and did not realize that this would be caught on camera. It was a private joke with the team, and I’m so sorry it went out on air! It was not my intention for this to happen,...
She soon turned to social media to apologize for her offensive gesture.
She wrote an apology on X: “Hey everyone. Yesterday, just before the top of the hour, I was joking around a bit with the team in the gallery. I was pretending to count down as the director was counting me down from ten to zero … including the fingers to show the number. So from ten fingers held up to one. When we got to one, I turned my middle finger around as a joke and did not realize that this would be caught on camera. It was a private joke with the team, and I’m so sorry it went out on air! It was not my intention for this to happen,...
- 1/1/2024
- by Alessio Atria
- Uinterview
John Cleese is poking fun at former President Donald Trump and comparing him to Adolf Hitler.
The 84-year-old Monty Python alum then immediately apologized after receiving some backlash on social media.
“Five ways that Hitler was preferable to Trump,” he began his post.
Keep reading to find out more…
“1. He fought for his country
2. He never used a teleprompter
3. He was nice to dogs
4. He wrote his own books
5. He never played golf
6. He wasn’t a big fat slob.”
“Five ways Trump is preferable to Hitler,” he then continued.
“1. He doesn’t practice genocide
2. He has nicer hair
3.
4.
5.”
Almost immediately, he then wrote: “I would like to apologize for my last tweet. It was a very bad joke, especially on Boxing Day.”
Find out which star was just cast as a young Trump in an upcoming movie.
Five ways that Hitler was preferable to Trump
1. He fought for his...
The 84-year-old Monty Python alum then immediately apologized after receiving some backlash on social media.
“Five ways that Hitler was preferable to Trump,” he began his post.
Keep reading to find out more…
“1. He fought for his country
2. He never used a teleprompter
3. He was nice to dogs
4. He wrote his own books
5. He never played golf
6. He wasn’t a big fat slob.”
“Five ways Trump is preferable to Hitler,” he then continued.
“1. He doesn’t practice genocide
2. He has nicer hair
3.
4.
5.”
Almost immediately, he then wrote: “I would like to apologize for my last tweet. It was a very bad joke, especially on Boxing Day.”
Find out which star was just cast as a young Trump in an upcoming movie.
Five ways that Hitler was preferable to Trump
1. He fought for his...
- 12/27/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
John Cleese spent Boxing Day courting controversy on X (formerly Twitter) after he posted a joke in which he compared Donald Trump and Adolf Hitler. The joke rubbed many of the comedian’s followers the wrong way, prompting Cleese to issue several responses in which he somewhat trolled those who took his post as fact and didn’t realize he was clearly messing around.
The joke featured Cleese listing “five ways Hitler was preferable to Trump” (“1. He fought for his country 2. He never used a teleprompter 3. He was nice to dogs 4. He wrote his own books 5. He never played golf 6. He wasn’t a big fat slob”), following by “five ways Trump is preferable to Hitler” (“1. He doesn’t practice genocide 2. He has nicer hair 3… 4… 5…”). It was clearly a joke for Cleese, but many of his followers weren’t laughing.
Almost immediately, Cleese issued an apology post: “I would like...
The joke featured Cleese listing “five ways Hitler was preferable to Trump” (“1. He fought for his country 2. He never used a teleprompter 3. He was nice to dogs 4. He wrote his own books 5. He never played golf 6. He wasn’t a big fat slob”), following by “five ways Trump is preferable to Hitler” (“1. He doesn’t practice genocide 2. He has nicer hair 3… 4… 5…”). It was clearly a joke for Cleese, but many of his followers weren’t laughing.
Almost immediately, Cleese issued an apology post: “I would like...
- 12/27/2023
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
British comedian and actor John Cleese has sparked controversy after comparing Donald Trump to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.
In a message posted on X, the A Fish Called Wanda, Fawlty Towers and Monty Python actor wrote that there were five ways in which Hitler was preferable to Trump, who is seeking re-election to the White House.
“1. He fought for his country 2. He never used a teleprompter 3. He was nice to dogs 4. He wrote his own books 5. He never played golf 6. He wasn’t a big fat slob,” wrote Cleese.
He continued by listing five ways Trump is preferable to Hitler, writing “1. doesn’t practice genocide 2. He has nicer hair,” and leaving the other three spaces empty.
The message, which has been viewed more than one million times, prompted hundreds of below-the-line responses, with many criticizing comedian Cleese for the comparison, and others writing it was clearly meant in jest.
Cleese...
In a message posted on X, the A Fish Called Wanda, Fawlty Towers and Monty Python actor wrote that there were five ways in which Hitler was preferable to Trump, who is seeking re-election to the White House.
“1. He fought for his country 2. He never used a teleprompter 3. He was nice to dogs 4. He wrote his own books 5. He never played golf 6. He wasn’t a big fat slob,” wrote Cleese.
He continued by listing five ways Trump is preferable to Hitler, writing “1. doesn’t practice genocide 2. He has nicer hair,” and leaving the other three spaces empty.
The message, which has been viewed more than one million times, prompted hundreds of below-the-line responses, with many criticizing comedian Cleese for the comparison, and others writing it was clearly meant in jest.
Cleese...
- 12/27/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Michael Blakemore, the only director in Tony Award history to win twice in one year, died Sunday, Dec. 10, following a short illness. He was 95.
His death was announced by the London-based United Agents literary and talent agency.
An acclaimed director of both West End and Broadway productions – his formidable credits include A Day in the Death of Joe Egg (1968), Noises Off (1983), City of Angels (1989), Lettice & Lovage (1990) and The Life (1997), among many others – secured his place in the Tony Award record books by becoming the first, and to date only, director to win twice in one year: In 2000, he won the award for Best Director of a Play for Copenhagen and Best Director of a Musical for the revival of Kiss Me Kate.
Born June 18, 1928, in Sydney, Australia, Blakemore made his directing debut in 1966 at the Glasgow Citizens’ Theatre, where he served as Artistic Director. His international breakthrough came in 1967 when...
His death was announced by the London-based United Agents literary and talent agency.
An acclaimed director of both West End and Broadway productions – his formidable credits include A Day in the Death of Joe Egg (1968), Noises Off (1983), City of Angels (1989), Lettice & Lovage (1990) and The Life (1997), among many others – secured his place in the Tony Award record books by becoming the first, and to date only, director to win twice in one year: In 2000, he won the award for Best Director of a Play for Copenhagen and Best Director of a Musical for the revival of Kiss Me Kate.
Born June 18, 1928, in Sydney, Australia, Blakemore made his directing debut in 1966 at the Glasgow Citizens’ Theatre, where he served as Artistic Director. His international breakthrough came in 1967 when...
- 12/13/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Caitlyn Jenner, the transgender Olympic gold medalist, recently expressed her disapproval of what she referred to as the “radical rainbow mafia” and voiced concerns about certain segments of the LGBTQ community.
In an interview with renowned British comedian John Cleese on Gb News, Jenner criticized a small group within the community that she believes wields significant influence through social media to promote what she called “woke ideology.”
Jenner, 74, who transitioned in 2015, has previously spoken out against what she perceives as the more extreme elements within the LGBTQ community. She now contends that the LGBTQ community has been “taken over… by a small group of highly, well, crazy people.”
She argued that the outspoken nature of this group, with its insistence that “trans women are real women,” and its confrontational approach, is detrimental to the broader trans community, and she believes that their tactics are counterproductive and hinder progress.
The television personality,...
In an interview with renowned British comedian John Cleese on Gb News, Jenner criticized a small group within the community that she believes wields significant influence through social media to promote what she called “woke ideology.”
Jenner, 74, who transitioned in 2015, has previously spoken out against what she perceives as the more extreme elements within the LGBTQ community. She now contends that the LGBTQ community has been “taken over… by a small group of highly, well, crazy people.”
She argued that the outspoken nature of this group, with its insistence that “trans women are real women,” and its confrontational approach, is detrimental to the broader trans community, and she believes that their tactics are counterproductive and hinder progress.
The television personality,...
- 12/9/2023
- by Baila Eve Zisman
- Uinterview
John Cleese, the comedy veteran star of Monty Python and Fawlty Towers, has made a surprising admission – that he once killed a man.
Cleese wrote and appeared in the comedy hit film A Fish Called Wanda – also starring Kevin Kline and Jamie Lee Curtis – and he revealed in the latest episode of his new talk show that one man was laughing so much during a screening of the film, he had a cardiac arrest and died.
Cleese expanded on the story during a conversation in his Gb News series, The Dinosaur Hour, saying:
“Kevin Kline and I killed a man in Denmark. He was a dentist, he had a huge laugh. A famous laugh. Very popular. It was in Aarhus, not a big town, but everybody knew him.
“And he went to see Wanda and he started laughing about two minutes in and never stopped.
They carried him out dead,...
Cleese wrote and appeared in the comedy hit film A Fish Called Wanda – also starring Kevin Kline and Jamie Lee Curtis – and he revealed in the latest episode of his new talk show that one man was laughing so much during a screening of the film, he had a cardiac arrest and died.
Cleese expanded on the story during a conversation in his Gb News series, The Dinosaur Hour, saying:
“Kevin Kline and I killed a man in Denmark. He was a dentist, he had a huge laugh. A famous laugh. Very popular. It was in Aarhus, not a big town, but everybody knew him.
“And he went to see Wanda and he started laughing about two minutes in and never stopped.
They carried him out dead,...
- 11/18/2023
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
John Cleese, founder member of seminal British comedy group Monty Python, has said that they were “early targets of cancel culture.”
Cleese was speaking with The Sunday Times about his new Gb News chat show “The Dinosaur Hour,” which has an episode on cancel culture. Monty Python’s 1979 film “Life of Brian” caused a furore when it released among some members of the Christian community.
“You could say that we were early targets of cancel culture,” Cleese told The Sunday Times. “People don’t like to have their cherished ideas punctured or questioned. We all love to live in our own closed systems of thought, to be surrounded by people who think a bit like us. This is what happens on the internet too, where you get these blasted echo chambers. It’s why comedy is even more important today as a way of pricking those bubbles, opening them up,...
Cleese was speaking with The Sunday Times about his new Gb News chat show “The Dinosaur Hour,” which has an episode on cancel culture. Monty Python’s 1979 film “Life of Brian” caused a furore when it released among some members of the Christian community.
“You could say that we were early targets of cancel culture,” Cleese told The Sunday Times. “People don’t like to have their cherished ideas punctured or questioned. We all love to live in our own closed systems of thought, to be surrounded by people who think a bit like us. This is what happens on the internet too, where you get these blasted echo chambers. It’s why comedy is even more important today as a way of pricking those bubbles, opening them up,...
- 10/30/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Natasha Liu Bordizzo is one of the most talented and beautiful actresses working in the film industry. The Australian actress made her debut with Netflix’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny in 2016. She followed it up with a small role in The Greatest Showman in which she starred alongside Hugh Zachman, Zac Efron, Rebecca Ferguson, and Zendaya. Since then she has starred in multiple brilliant projects and she has even joined the Star Wars universe through projects like The Book of Boba Fett and Ahsoka. So, if you love Brodizzo’s performances here are the 10 best movies and TV shows starring Natasha Liu Bordizoo you might want to add to your watchlist.
10. The Voyeurs (Prime Video) Credit – Amazon Studios
Synopsis: Pippa and Thomas move into their dream apartment, they notice that their windows look directly into the apartment opposite – inviting them to witness the volatile relationship of the attractive couple across the street.
10. The Voyeurs (Prime Video) Credit – Amazon Studios
Synopsis: Pippa and Thomas move into their dream apartment, they notice that their windows look directly into the apartment opposite – inviting them to witness the volatile relationship of the attractive couple across the street.
- 10/23/2023
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
John Cleese is best known as a member of the British comedy troupe Monty Python. Let’s look back at the Oscar-nominated funnyman and his 12 greatest films, ranked worst to best.
Born in 1939 in Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, England, Cleese rose to prominence thanks to the British sketch series “Monty Python’s Flying Circus,” which ran for four seasons on the BBC from 1969-1974. The troupe — which also included Graham Chapman, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin — revolutionized comedy with their surreal, experimental sketches, the best of which were assembled into the film “And Now for Something Completely Different” (1971). This led to other cinematic outings, including “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” (1975), “Life of Brian” (1979) and “The Meaning of Life” (1983).
Cleese achieved big screen success of his own with “A Fish Called Wanda” (1988), which he wrote and starred in as an uptight English barrister who becomes entangled in an elaborate...
Born in 1939 in Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, England, Cleese rose to prominence thanks to the British sketch series “Monty Python’s Flying Circus,” which ran for four seasons on the BBC from 1969-1974. The troupe — which also included Graham Chapman, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin — revolutionized comedy with their surreal, experimental sketches, the best of which were assembled into the film “And Now for Something Completely Different” (1971). This led to other cinematic outings, including “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” (1975), “Life of Brian” (1979) and “The Meaning of Life” (1983).
Cleese achieved big screen success of his own with “A Fish Called Wanda” (1988), which he wrote and starred in as an uptight English barrister who becomes entangled in an elaborate...
- 10/21/2023
- by Zach Laws and Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Martin Scorsese is drawing raves for his latest film, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and the nearly 81-year-old is not the only Hollywood veteran who’s still making movies.
Ridley Scott, who turns 86 in November, has “Napoleon” out that same month while Clint Eastwood and Francis Ford Coppola both have new films in the works.
Here are 15 directors over 80 who are still busy making movies.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Martin Scorsese, 80
The prolific director of “Goodfellas,” and “The Departed” just released his latest epic, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” which reteams him with Leonardo DiCaprio. He also returned to documentaries with 2022’s “Personality Crisis: One Night Only,” about New York Dolls lead singer David Johansen.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Margarethe von Trotta, 81
The leading New German Cinema director just released her latest, “Ingeborg Bachmann – Journey Into the Desert,” about the relationship between Austrian poet Ingeborg Bachmann and Swiss novelist Max Frisch.
Ridley Scott, who turns 86 in November, has “Napoleon” out that same month while Clint Eastwood and Francis Ford Coppola both have new films in the works.
Here are 15 directors over 80 who are still busy making movies.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Martin Scorsese, 80
The prolific director of “Goodfellas,” and “The Departed” just released his latest epic, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” which reteams him with Leonardo DiCaprio. He also returned to documentaries with 2022’s “Personality Crisis: One Night Only,” about New York Dolls lead singer David Johansen.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Margarethe von Trotta, 81
The leading New German Cinema director just released her latest, “Ingeborg Bachmann – Journey Into the Desert,” about the relationship between Austrian poet Ingeborg Bachmann and Swiss novelist Max Frisch.
- 10/20/2023
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
Clockwise from top left: Polite Society (Focus Features), Totally Killer (Amazon), The Burial (Amazon), Surrounded (MGM)Image: The A.V. Club
Amazon Prime Video has a diverse selection of originals, indies, and recent theatrical releases this October. Tommy Lee Jones plays a funeral home owner and Jamie Foxx is his attorney in The Burial,...
Amazon Prime Video has a diverse selection of originals, indies, and recent theatrical releases this October. Tommy Lee Jones plays a funeral home owner and Jamie Foxx is his attorney in The Burial,...
- 9/28/2023
- by Robert DeSalvo
- avclub.com
"The Palace" is a new 'black comedy' feature directed by Roman Polanski ("Chinatown"), starring Oliver Masucci, Fanny Ardant, John Cleese, Joaquim de Almeida, Barbareschi, Milan Peschel, Bronwyn James, Fortunato Cerlino, Michelle Shapa and Mickey Rourke, with a North American theatrical release Tba:
"...the film takes place on 'New Year's Eve' 1999, where a dinner party at the 'Gstaad Palace' takes an unexpected turn.."
Click the images to enlarge...
"...the film takes place on 'New Year's Eve' 1999, where a dinner party at the 'Gstaad Palace' takes an unexpected turn.."
Click the images to enlarge...
- 9/20/2023
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Kenneth Branagh’s Agatha Christie adaptation is ahead of Death On The Nile’ .
Rank Film (distributor) Three-day gross (Sep 8-10) Total gross to date Week 1. A Haunting In Venice (Disney) £2.2m £2.2m 1 2. The Nun (Warner Bros) £1.1m £3.9m 2 3. The Equalizer 3 (Sony) £874,035 £6.3m 3 4. Jawan (Yash Raj) £480,243 £2.4m 2 5. Barbie (Warner Bros)
£454,601 £94.5m 9
Disney’s A Haunting In Venice debuted at number one in the UK and Ireland with £2.2m this weekend after opening in 715 locations.
It’s up from Kenneth Branagh’s last Agatha Christie adaptation Death On The Nile which opened in third place with £1.9m in 2021 but is still...
Rank Film (distributor) Three-day gross (Sep 8-10) Total gross to date Week 1. A Haunting In Venice (Disney) £2.2m £2.2m 1 2. The Nun (Warner Bros) £1.1m £3.9m 2 3. The Equalizer 3 (Sony) £874,035 £6.3m 3 4. Jawan (Yash Raj) £480,243 £2.4m 2 5. Barbie (Warner Bros)
£454,601 £94.5m 9
Disney’s A Haunting In Venice debuted at number one in the UK and Ireland with £2.2m this weekend after opening in 715 locations.
It’s up from Kenneth Branagh’s last Agatha Christie adaptation Death On The Nile which opened in third place with £1.9m in 2021 but is still...
- 9/18/2023
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
Kenneth Branagh's newest film, "A Haunting in Venice" is his spookiest to date. Based on the 1969 novel "Hallowe'en Party," "Haunting" sees Hercule Poirot (Branagh) hauled out of retirement by a mystery author named Ariadne Oliver (Tina Fey) to investigate the veracity of an itinerant psychic named Joyce Reynolds (Michelle Yeoh). Joyce Reynolds has been hired by a wealthy Venitian socialite named Rowena Drake (Kelly Reilly) to attend a Halloween party for children and, once the lights are out, host a séance. Poirot and Ariadne don't believe Joyce has authentic psychic powers, but can't prove she doesn't.
There are about seven other main characters, each with a mystery or a personal tragedy of their own.
The bulk of "A Haunting in Venice" takes place in Rowena Drake's labyrinthine, shadowy Venetian manse, with Poirot exploring its many secret passageways and darkened corridors. As this is a murder mystery, one of the...
There are about seven other main characters, each with a mystery or a personal tragedy of their own.
The bulk of "A Haunting in Venice" takes place in Rowena Drake's labyrinthine, shadowy Venetian manse, with Poirot exploring its many secret passageways and darkened corridors. As this is a murder mystery, one of the...
- 9/15/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
‘Rise Of The Footsoldier: Veagence’, ‘Rally Road Racers’ and ‘Bolan’s Shoes’ among other releases
Disney’s A Haunting In Venice leads a busy weekend at the UK-Ireland box office as the crime horror opens in 715 cinemas.
Kenneth Branagh’s latest Agatha Christie adaptation follows the now-retired detective as he attends a séance where one of the guests ends up dead and he must solve the murder.
The director stars in the film once again as Hercule Poirot while the A-list cast also includes Michelle Yeoh, Jamie Dornan, Tina Fey and Kelly Reilly.
It is a similar number of sites...
Disney’s A Haunting In Venice leads a busy weekend at the UK-Ireland box office as the crime horror opens in 715 cinemas.
Kenneth Branagh’s latest Agatha Christie adaptation follows the now-retired detective as he attends a séance where one of the guests ends up dead and he must solve the murder.
The director stars in the film once again as Hercule Poirot while the A-list cast also includes Michelle Yeoh, Jamie Dornan, Tina Fey and Kelly Reilly.
It is a similar number of sites...
- 9/15/2023
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
A luxury ocean-liner graced by generations of the rich and famous, Hms Queen Mary is now celebrated – and feared – as “One of the World’s Most Haunted Places” (Time Magazine).
Vertigo Releasing is delighted to announce that Haunting Of The Queen Mary will be released on Digital Platforms on 9th October 2023. Written and directed by Gary Shore (Dracula Untold) and from the producers of The Woman in Black, this is an ornate and deeply disturbing tale of the haunted Queen Mary ocean liner.
Synopsis:
When photographers Erin (Alice Eve) and Patrick (Joel Fry) are brought aboard the ship with their young son Lukas (Lenny Rush), they unleash a series of events that entwines their family with the ship’s dark past. As the terror unfolds around them they begin to realise there is more to this sumptuous ocean liner than meets the eye: its remarkable legacy masking violent secrets. As...
Vertigo Releasing is delighted to announce that Haunting Of The Queen Mary will be released on Digital Platforms on 9th October 2023. Written and directed by Gary Shore (Dracula Untold) and from the producers of The Woman in Black, this is an ornate and deeply disturbing tale of the haunted Queen Mary ocean liner.
Synopsis:
When photographers Erin (Alice Eve) and Patrick (Joel Fry) are brought aboard the ship with their young son Lukas (Lenny Rush), they unleash a series of events that entwines their family with the ship’s dark past. As the terror unfolds around them they begin to realise there is more to this sumptuous ocean liner than meets the eye: its remarkable legacy masking violent secrets. As...
- 9/14/2023
- by Peter 'Witchfinder' Hopkins
- Horror Asylum
Features the voices of: J.K. Simmons, Jimmy O. Yang, Chloe Bennet, Sharon Horgan, Lisa Lu, Catherine Tate, John Cleese | Written and Directed by Ross Venokur
It must be kind of difficult for any modern-day animated filmmakers to make a film that is going to be popular. Outside of Disney/Pixar, Dreamworks and Studio Ghibli, It’s hard to get noticed. Laika are perhaps the most successful outside of the big few production companies and they did it by making several great animated movies, including Coraline, The Boxtrolls and Kubo and the Two Strings. But it’s easy to see why the poster for Rally Road Racers says in bold ‘From The Producer Of Shrek’. Unfortunately, that might be one of the few reasons some viewers might give the movie a chance.
In Rally Road Racers, a loris (a slow-moving mammal) named Zhi who wants to follow in his father’s...
It must be kind of difficult for any modern-day animated filmmakers to make a film that is going to be popular. Outside of Disney/Pixar, Dreamworks and Studio Ghibli, It’s hard to get noticed. Laika are perhaps the most successful outside of the big few production companies and they did it by making several great animated movies, including Coraline, The Boxtrolls and Kubo and the Two Strings. But it’s easy to see why the poster for Rally Road Racers says in bold ‘From The Producer Of Shrek’. Unfortunately, that might be one of the few reasons some viewers might give the movie a chance.
In Rally Road Racers, a loris (a slow-moving mammal) named Zhi who wants to follow in his father’s...
- 9/14/2023
- by Alain Elliott
- Nerdly
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