Tag Archives: John Cleese

Many years ago, I found myself doing some work in the comic book field, doing a little scripting and a lot of marketing. My old pal Mike Gold got me involved with DC Comics, as he did with so many other Chicagoans, and I did a fair amount of promotional writing. It was then that I first encountered Bob Wayne, who was relatively new in the marketing department. Image

Our paths crossed often over the years and we became friends who usually saw each other a couple times a year, which often involved comic book conventions. Bob was a Python fan and had a similar sense of humor, so we got along fine. Of course, I suspect Bob’s most memorable encounter with me was when he and Mike Carlin joined John Cleese and I for lunch one day when we were discussing Superman: True Brit, the graphic novel I was to write with John.

ImageThe years went by and the comic book landscape gradually changed, as it always does. The Mikes are gone. Most of my friends at DC left or or transferred to other areas. Bob Wayne was the one constant, I always figured they’d have to carry him out in a Bat-box.
That’s why I was so shocked to hear that Bob has, at last, announced his retirement. After 28 years. Twenty-eight years! That’s a lifetime–probably several lifetimes–for the comic book industry. I’m still a little shocked, but happy for Bob. And, I’m sure he’ll have a nice retirement with endless stacks of comic reading to keep him busy. Congratulations and enjoy, Bob!

Python Singing Again

In early December of 1989, I was in London for the 20th anniversary party for Monty Python. Graham Chapman had died two months earlier, on October 4, so I was prepared for a bittersweet evening.

Graham’s memorial service had been held that afternoon (the day John Cleese gave his famous and touching “Good riddance, the freeloading bastard” speech), so Graham’s presence was very much in the air. I had the chance to spend time with Graham’s foster son, John Tomiczek, the last time I would ever have a chance to see him. So, it had the potential for a very emotional evening.

Fortunately, it turned out to be emotional in a very good way, the way one would hope a Python event would be. It was held in the hall where, a few years earlier, the Mr. Creosote scene was filmed for Meaning of Life, which gave it the proper credibility. I spent the evening catching up with Pythons, crew members, and family members, several of which I hadn’t seen since Life of Brian ten years earlier. The hours flew by.

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At the end of the night, gifts were handed out. There were three or four things to choose from, but I immediately honed in on something I’d never seen before–a brand new Python record album titled Monty Python Sings! It featured most of the great Python music from TV and films, collected on one piece of vinyl, under a beautiful Terry Gilliam cover. I had long been pestering the Python office to put out such an album, and here it was!

Despite knowing what a pain it would be to carry it back in my luggage, I brought it back to the States, and still remember the first time I heard it. In addition to all of the old favorites, there was one special treat. Graham had written and sang Medical Love Song for the Contractual Obligation Album (with Eric Idle) a few years earlier. But Monty Python Sings featured a new version, with additional lyrics, sung by Graham. His voice was noticibly weakened, but it was the last thing he did for Python before he died. I later found out that Eric had walked Graham through it all so that he would have one more piece of work for Python. And Eric immediately shot up to the top of the “Nicest Python List.”

Why do I bring all of this up now?

Because Monty Python Sings (Again) is being re-released on June 9, with new bonus recordings, a few long-lost gems from the Python archives, remixed Terry Gilliam cover artwork, and a special bonus disc of their very first record album, Monty Python’s Flying Circus, recorded live at Camden Town Hall in May 1970. Whether you’re going to the shows in July at the O2 Arena, or watching the final show in theatres, it’s a great way to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Python. It’ll be available on iTunes, or you can order a copy just by clicking here. Sounds like a great deal to me. Knowwhatimean?

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Cinco de Palin

And a happy birthday to my globe-trotting friend Michael Palin.

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Born May 5, 1943, Michael is still the youngest Python, though that doesn’t really mean as much as it used to. Hope he’s resting up for 10 performances–two months from the moment that I’m writing this, he’ll be on stage with the others at the O2 Arena. making John Cleese laugh during the Dead Parrot Sketch. Happy 71st Michael!

Mickey Rooney …

A few days ago, I wrote that “nearly everyone who ever appeared in a silent movie is gone.”

Now, we’ve lost one more.

In 1988, Terry Jones invited me to visit him on the set of Erik the Viking, which he wrote and was directing. It was one of Tim Robbins’ first lead roles, and also featured John Cleese, Eartha Kitt and Terry.

When we were walking to the soundstage, Terry mentioned casually “Oh, and for Erik’s grandfather, we’ve also got Mickey Rooney.”

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Rooney had been appearing on stage in London in Sugar Babies. Apparently, he was bored during the daytime when he wasn’t performing, and so happily agreed to do Terry’s film. He was, at that time, a mere youth of 68.

After I got on the set, I looked around for Rooney. It wasn’t difficult to spot him. I just looked for the biggest crowd, and there he was at the center of it. I got close enough to hear him regaling the extras (mostly younger girls) with stories of his past. And boy, did he have stories. He ran the gamut, everything from Hollywood Past to the dangers of smoking (something to do with enlarging the pores and aging too quickly, which made you look much older on camera–with Mickey, everything eventually led back to Hollywood).

He happily offered to do an interview with me for an article I was writing on the film, and regaled me as well. And all the time I was listening to him, I kept thinking “This is Mickey Rooney! This is Hollywood history!”

A recent article noted that he had an 88-year show business career, setting a world record, longer than George Burns, longer than anybody. He starred in silent movies. He was featured in Manhattan Melodrama, the movie John Dillinger saw just before he was shot, which puts it into an amazing perspective. And he just finished filming a role in Night at the Museum 3.

The word “legend” is thrown around a lot in show business, and is very seldom deserved.

Mickey Rooney was a legend.

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Norway vs. Sweden–

The next war between Norway and Sweden will be fought with Silly Walks. John Cleese would not approve. No fooling. Have a look…

Special Message for Sydney Only–

The rest of you can just ignore it. But if you’re going to be near Sydney anytime from April 8 through April 16, you will be able to see a rather tall, somewhat elderly British friend of mine avoiding doing anything remotely close to Silly Walking. But that doesn’t mean you won’t be laughing. In fact, it may be one of the funniest evenings you’ve ever spent in a theatre.

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Are you still with me? Then you’ll probably want to click here for tickets and information.

Terry Jones Progress

The latest news is that Terry Jones’ new film, Absolutely Anything, is coming along very well. Kate Beckinsale has now signed on to the sci-fi comedy, which will star Simon Pegg and the voice of Robin Williams, along with Eddie Izzard and the voices of John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, and Terry Gilliam. Shooting is set to begin in London on March 24, and there’s more information available here…

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And after he wraps, he should have just enough time to head over to the O2 Arena for the Monty Python reunion!

Bill Hicks:

I never knew Bill Hicks until after he died.

But whenever I see a list of the top standup comics of all time, I know I can disregard it if I don’t see Bill Hicks listed on it.

Whenever standup comics hang around talking about the great ones, Bill Hicks’ name eventually comes up.

When I was working for John Cleese, we were discussing the same matter. I had heard of him but somehow had never seen any of his performances, and told John that I didn’t think there was ever a full-length Bill Hicks performance on video.

“Oh, but there is! I’ve got it!” he told me, and retrieved the bulky videocassette, then insisted I watch it. And he was right. Like all great comics, he spoke truth to power, with a righteous indignation and anger that was also extremely funny.

Why haven’t most people heard of him? Well, Bill Hicks passed away on February 26, 1994, twenty years ago this week, of pancreatic cancer. He was 32 years old.

During a week when we’re all remembering the loss of another of our great comics with Harold Ramis’ passing, I was reminded of this equally sad anniversary (thank you comicmix.com).

A few months before he died, he performed on David Letterman’s show, but Dave cut it from the show before it aired. Then fifteen years later, he did something unheard of: he apologized for cutting it and aired it, with Bill’s mother Mary as his on-air guest. It remains fresh, undated, and funny. In fact, if Bill Hicks had lived, we might not have to be dealing with Miley Cyrus. But why am I telling you all this? See for yourself…

Python Rarities

Here’s another selection of outtakes from MONTY PYTHON’S FLYING CIRCUS. These are from Episode 39, the final episode with John Cleese in the cast. Lots of Michael Palin hosting “Grandstand,” a few cricketers, and “wifeswapping,” with Michael Palin in bed with John Cleese. Enjoy.

Cleese Still Down Unda…

When I started doing this last fall, one of my very first posts was about John Cleese and his one-man show during his Canadian tour. At that time, I mentioned that he would be touring Tasmania and Australia at the beginning of 2014. That would be now.

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So, if you currently find yourself in that corner of the world, you will want to check out John’s show. As I write this, he’s performing in Tasmania, but will be back in Sydney for three weeks starting Monday, followed by six shows in Melbourne. Most of these are sold out, but if you act quickly, you may be lucky enough to score a few of the remaining seats if you click here.

You’re welcome.