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+--- Thread: John Cleese Book tour (/showthread.php?tid=3260)
John Cleese Book tour - Greg_phpbb3_import1 - 11-19-2014
John Cleese is out promoting his new book 'So, Anyway' and he made a stop here at the Alex Theater in Glendale, CA. What made the evening that much better was the fact he was interviewed by Eric Idle. (Or as his intimates call him, 'El'. Well that's what it sounded like Cleese called him a couple of times. But now that I've spent time with him, I feel comfortable calling him 'El', too)
The pair entered to a rapturous standing ovation. The stood center stage, bathed in the adulation and then left the stage as if their job was done for about five more minutes. Humor!
The show got off to a rough start as the pair of them struggled to find a thread for their conversation. It seemed that Cleese would have been much more comfortable interviewing Idle. Eventually, Idle managed to start the meandering conversation which lasted for almost ninety minutes.
There was too much to cover thoroughly so it was more like a mix-tape. They talked about the early Python days and how they started. They mentioned getting their start with the Frost report. There was a fine anecdote about Cleese mother who comes across as a terror. New Zealand does not come across as a great travel destination. Cleese has never understood Gilliam although they did think his animations worked brilliantly during the show despite the fact they don't really mean anything. The evening was full of good tidbits.
Probably the best two moments were when they read long forgotten or never performed sketches from Cleeses's book. One was about memory retention that was written for Marty Feldman. Yes, that Marty Feldman who worked with all of them on the Frost report. The other I'm currently blanking on. Although, it's in the book somewhere.
So many good stories. Fortunately, the people all around us where recording the show on their cel phones.
As part of our ticket purchase, we both got autographed copies of the books. All in all, it was a good night.
Before we got in to the theater, while we were waiting in line for forty-five minutes, I noticed Idle was tweeting about the show. He mainly wondered why he had agreed to do this show.
Re: John Cleese Book tour - thatguy - 11-20-2014
Hijacking this thread to mention "Monty Python Conquors America" (or something similar to that...) that was on KQED+ last night. Low budget production that traces how PBS (specifically in Dallas, TX) was the first to broadcast in the US. Great old footage from their first North American tour. Stories from the boys, often painting Cleese as a bit of a jerk. Interesting tidbit: Owen and Luke Wilsons' dad was the programmer at that TX PBS station that first aired the series.
--tg
Re: John Cleese Book tour - Greg_phpbb3_import1 - 11-20-2014
I had the impression that Cleese was a bit of a jerk, but I've reevaluated that position since seeing the show. He seemed very nice and genuinely happy to have Eric Idle there with him. He paid compliments to Idle throughout the evening. He even mentioned that the reason the 02 arena shows in London were a success or even possible was due mainly to Idle.
MPCA was very enjoyable - Drunk Monk - 11-20-2014
Cleese must have some jerk in him. How else could he nail the character of Basil Fawlty so well?
Re: John Cleese Book tour - The Queen - 11-21-2014
Acting?
He talked a bit about the origins of Fawlty Towers, and told a story about staying at the hotel on which the series was based, and then meeting the daughter of the man who inspired Basil Fawlty.
I laughed a lot and thoroughly enjoyed the evening!
tQ
so you guys got two copies of the book? - Drunk Monk - 11-22-2014
cuz u know wats on my xmas list.... just sayin...
Re: John Cleese Book tour - Greg_phpbb3_import1 - 11-23-2014
One of them is already spoken for. Still debating about the other. . .
Re: John Cleese Book tour - thatguy - 12-14-2014
Interesting interview. Apparently the pythons had a huge legal kerfuffle and decided to do the farewell shows to pay it off:
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--tg