Monty Python: Difference between revisions

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===After ''Python'' reunions===

[[File:Monty Python O2 Arena.jpg|thumb|Left to right: Palin, Gilliam, Jones, Idle, Cleese (pictured in 2014).]]

Since ''The Meaning of Life'', their last project as a team, the Pythons have often been the subject of reunion rumours.<ref name="ParkerO'Shea2006" /> In 1988 Monty Python won the [[British Academy Film Awards|BAFTA Award]] for Outstanding British Contribution To Cinema, with four of the six Pythons (Jones, Palin, Gilliam and Chapman) collecting the award.<ref>{{cite news |title=Outstanding British Contribution To Cinema in 1988 |url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/1988/film/outstanding-british-contribution-to-cinema |access-date=25 August 2019 |website=BAFTA.org}}</ref> The final appearance of all six together occurred during the 1989 ''[[Parrot Sketch Not Included – 20 Years of Monty Python]]'' TV special.<ref name="Reunions"/><ref>McCall, Douglas (2013). Monty Python: A Chronology, 1969–2012, 2d ed. McFarland. {{ISBN|9780786478118}}.</ref> The death of Chapman in October 1989 put an end to the speculation of any further reunions. However, there were several occasions after 1989 when the remaining five members gathered together for appearances — albeit not formal reunions. In 1996 Jones, Idle, Cleese, and Palin were featured in a film adaptation of ''The Wind in the Willows'', which was later renamed ''[[Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (film)|Mr. Toad's Wild Ride]]''.<ref name="TJones">Nathan Bevan (5 March 2011). [http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/arts-in-wales/2011/03/05/the-life-and-times-of-monty-python-s-terry-jones-91466-28274298/ "The life and times of Monty Python’s Terry Jones"]. ''Western Mail''. Wales Online. Retrieved 19 August 2019</ref> In 1997, Palin and Cleese rolled out a new version of the "[[Dead Parrot sketch]]" for ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''.<ref name="Reunions"/>

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=== Eric Idle ===

[[File:Monty Python Live 02-07-14 12 51 26 (14578960366).jpg|thumb|[[Eric Idle]] singing the "[[Galaxy Song]]" (from ''The Meaning of Life'') at the 2014 Monty Python reunion. Known for his [[wordplay]] and musical numbers, he also performed "[[Always Look on the Bright Side of Life]]" (from ''Life of Brian'')]]

When Monty Python was first formed, two writing partnerships were already in place:existed, Cleese and Chapman, as well as Jones and Palin. That left two in their own corners: Gilliam, operating solo due to the nature of his work, and [[Eric Idle]]. Regular themes in Idle's contributions were elaborate [[wordplay]] and musical numbers. After ''Flying Circus'', he hosted ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' four times in the first five seasons. Idle's initially successful solo career faltered in the 1990s with the failures of his 1993 film ''[[Splitting Heirs]]'' (written, produced by, and starring him) and 1998's ''[[An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn]]'' (in which he starred). He revived his career by returning to the source of his worldwide fame, adapting Monty Python material for other media. Idle wrote the [[Tony Award]]-winning musical ''[[Spamalot]]'', based on ''Holy Grail''. Following the success of the musical he wrote ''[[Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)|Not the Messiah]]'', an [[oratorio]] derived from the ''Life of Brian''.<ref>Eric Idle, [Email letter to] "The Pythons," 20 December 2006. Reprinted in Roy Thompson Hall Performance Program Insert, Summer 2007. p. 6.</ref> Representing Monty Python, Idle featured in a one-hour symphony of British Music when he performed at the [[2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony|London 2012 Olympic Games closing ceremony]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2012/08/201281305330562117.html |title=London ends Olympics on extravagant notes – Europe |work=Al Jazeera English |date=12 August 2012 |access-date=20 August 2019}}</ref>

=== Terry Jones ===

[[Terry Jones]] has been described by other members of the team as the "heart" of the operation. Jones had a lead role in maintaining the group's unity and creative independence. Python biographer George Perry has commented that should "[you] speak to him on subjects as diverse as [[fossil fuel]]s, or [[Rupert Bear]], or mercenaries in the [[Middle Ages]] or Modern China&nbsp;... in a moment you will find yourself hopelessly out of your depth, floored by his knowledge."<ref>Perry, George (2007). ''The Life of Python''. p. 40. Pavilion</ref> Many others agree that Jones is characterised by his irrepressible, good-natured enthusiasm. However, Jones' passion often led to prolonged arguments with other group members—in particular Cleese—with Jones often unwilling to back down. Since his major contributions were largely behind the scenes (direction, writing), and he often deferred to the other members of the group as an actor, Jones' importance to Python was often under-rated. However, heHe does have the legacy of delivering possibly the most famous line in all of Python, as Brian's mother Mandy in ''Life of Brian'', "He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy!", a line voted the funniest in film history on two occasions.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://film.guardian.co.uk/features/featurepages/0,,2131880,00.html|title=The last laugh: your favourite 50|work=The Observer|___location=UK|first1=Philip|last1=French|first2=Mark|last2=Kermode|first3=Jason|last3=Solomons|first4=Akin|last4=Ojumu|first5=Killian|last5=Fox|date=22 July 2007|access-date=21 September 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1385293/Life-of-Brian-wins-the-vote-for-film%27s-best-laughter-line.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206011706/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1385293/Life-of-Brian-wins-the-vote-for-film%27s-best-laughter-line.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 December 2008|title=Life of Brian wins the vote for film's best laughter line|work=The Daily Telegraph|first=Sarah|last=Womack|date=19 February 2002|access-date=21 September 2008|___location=London}}</ref> Jones died on 21 January 2020 from complications of dementia.<ref>{{cite news |title=Monty Python star Terry Jones dies aged 77 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-51209197 |access-date=22 January 2020 |work=BBC News |date=22 January 2020}}</ref>

=== Michael Palin ===