And a happy birthday to my globe-trotting friend Michael Palin.
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!
If you’ve been fretting because Monty Python Live (mostly) won’t be coming to your corner of the world (which would be just about anywhere except for the O2 Arena in London), fret no more.
It’s true, the Pythons won’t be touring the U.S. (or anywhere else for that matter). Once the O2 show is done, so are the Pythons. But there is some good news. The Last Night of Monty Python will be shown live from the O2 Arena on the final night of live shows on Sunday, July 20th, broadcast live to 1500 movie theatres around the world. If you can’t be there in person, this is the next best thing. Actually, it’s the only thing. But it’s cheaper than a ticket to London.
Theatre details aren’t available yet, but keep your eyes peeled–this is liable to sell out quickly. Here’s the official press release:
The Last Night of Monty Python is coming to a cinema near you
“Thanks to the wonderful invention of moving pictures, The Last Night of Monty Python is coming to a cinema near you. Get your knotted handkerchiefs out and warm your brains one last time at any one of 450 cinemas across the UK, and 1500 across the world. Join the crowd live from London’s O2 in a final weepy, hilarious, uproarious, outrageous, farewell to the five remaining Pythons as they head for The Old Jokes Home …. On the big screen, in HD.” The Pythons
Picturehouse Entertainment will be broadcasting the upcoming Monty Python Live (mostly) show on July 20 2014, the historic Last Night of the Pythons live from London’s O2, to cinemas around the world.
UK cinema tickets will go on sale from April 25, with further information available on www.montypythonlive.com.
Monty Python rightfully hold a place amongst the world’s finest ever comedians, influencing a generation and revolutionising comedy on their way to greatness. There was huge demand for tickets at the O2, which will be the first live performances on stage by the stars of Monty Python since performing at the Hollywood Bowl on 26-29 September 1980. It will also mark 40 years after they last appeared on stage in the UK at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. At a combined age of nearly 361, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin will once again take to the stage and perform some of Monty Python’s greatest hits with modern, topical, Pythonesque twists.
Since I made mention of the “Killer Joke”/”Joke Warfare”/”Deadliest Joke in the World” Monty Python sketch the other day, it struck me that since most of the people reading this weren’t in my iO classroom last weekend, I should probably elaborate on the two versions of the sketch.
The original version of “Killer Joke” is in the very first “Flying Circus” show aired (which is actually the second one recorded), and runs about nine minutes. When I was interviewing Terry Jones a little while back, he mentioned that when the Pythons released their “Personal Best” DVDs, he had actually re-edited it, shortening it by over three minutes. He was proudest of the the fact that, with nearly one third of it removed, he still hadn’t lost a single laugh.
That seemed like a lot to edit, so I viewed both versions afterward. And, not surprisingly, he’s absolutely right! The original version, which is the one I’ve embedded here, is very funny, but there are still a number of slow spots that can be edited out without damaging the sketch whatsoever. The most glaringly obvious is probably the pan from the British lines to the German lines, which seems to take forever. Terry took the whole thing and tightened it up, and when you view it on “Terry Jones’ Personal Best,” it zips right along and you don’t lose a single laugh.
I use it in my classes to teach students the value of editing, and it works wonderfully. Anytime the audience isn’t laughing is a good time to examine the sketch to see if anything should be cut.
Actually, there is a third version in “And Now For Something Completely Different,” the first Python movie. It’s also shorter than the original version, but as I’m too busy to get it out and time it, you can check it out for yourself if interested. In the meantime, here’s the original.
Had a great weekend subbing for the Writing Program classes at the iO Chicago while the regular teacher went skipping off to Malaysia (Hi Michael!).
Here, my Spec Script students watch two different versions of Monty Python’s “Killer Joke” on three different screens to learn how Terry Jones cut three minutes out of a nine minute sketch, without losing a single joke. Great job, classes, and I’ll see you again soon!
The Monty Python Live Facebook page just went live last week, and it looks like it might be a very good place to check in for occasional updates. Of course, this will, I hope, continue to be another very good place to check in for occasional updates. Why not keep using us both?
BTW, a couple of people have asked me if Terry Gilliam will be taking over Graham Chapman’s roles in this show. As I understand it…not quite. First of all, Terry and Graham are rather different types. Other Pythons may fill in for Graham in some circumstances, but there will also be clips and recordings of Graham filling in for Graham.
I should point out that while the show will include lots of favorite old sketches, there’s going to be new material, and new twists on old material. If you’ve seen or heard Monty Python Live at City Center or Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl, you haven’t seen Monty Python Live (mostly). Tickets are still blah, blah, blah…
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.”
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.
I’ve been telling you all for months that if you want to see Monty Python Live (Mostly), you shouldn’t hesitate. Don’t wait for an American tour.
And now, it’s official. The O2 Shows in July in London will be the Last of the Pythons Live. No European Tour, no Australian Extravaganza, no Final Presentations in Finland. This will be it. If you want to see the Pythons, this will be your final opportunity.
That’s the bad news. The good news is:
A final release of tickets for the final final show will go on sale Friday, April 4th at 12 noon (London time). This will be it, folks. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Click here when they go on sale, cross your fingers, get your credit card ready, and good luck.
And here’s the official press release:
|
MONTY PYTHON LIVE (Mostly) |
In spite of offers from arenas all over the world for further shows, the Pythons reluctantly have to announce that the last night of their run of shows at the London O2 Arena on 20th July 2014 will be the Last Night of the Pythons Live. All of them have many commitments elsewhere and it is difficult for them to find another window when they would all be free to work together again.
Because until now the Pythons were not sure whether they would be available to do any more shows after London O2 Arena run, tickets for the 20th July 2014 have not been available to the general public for some time. Now that the decision has been made that the 20th July will be the Last Night of the Pythons Live, the final tickets for this historic night will go on sale at 12 noon on Friday 4th April. If you wish to come and say farewell to the Pythons, please come and join them for their last and special night.
View the brand new music video from the Pythons to accompany their new track – “The Silly Walks Song” – that’s been written for, and will be featured in, the upcoming “Monty Python Live (mostly)” O2 shows this July.
http://youtube.com/montypython
Tickets will be available on the following websites:
The O2
http://www.axs.com/uk/events/246428?skin=theo2mars
Ticket Zone
http://www.ticketzone.co.uk
Ticketmaster
http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/Monty-Python-tickets/artist/702617
See Tickets
http://www.seetickets.com/tour/monty-python/
The Ticket Factory
https://www.theticketfactory.com/default/online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=34FCA387-A43C-44CE-B515-5090BF5378DB
Hospitality packages available from www.markbutler.co.uk
…I mentioned a week or two ago that there would be some new Python material coming out soon. “The Silly Walks Song” will be featured in Monty Python Live (mostly) this summer at the O2 Arena, but the music video is out now. So why are you reading this when you could be watching it?
The next war between Norway and Sweden will be fought with Silly Walks. John Cleese would not approve. No fooling. Have a look…
…Eric Idle turns 71 on March 29, and is getting a brand new Python reunion for his birthday this year. It’s hard to believe they’re now all in their 70s, and even harder to believe that they waited until now to reunite for the stage show.
I’m happy to say that he is busier than ever, organizing, producing, and in general planning for this massive production. Oh, and he’s also getting ready to re-release Monty Python Sings on CD with five new tracks, as well as releasing a single from it. Oh, and overseeing the various road productions of Monty Python’s Spamalot. Yes, he’s a busy man.
Eric and the others have influenced my life more than I have time to write about, but here’s one small example, stemming from one off-handed remark that I’m sure he doesn’t even remember.
Many years ago, I was with a group of folks, including Eric, although I wasn’t talking with him at that moment. There was a brief lull in the conversation of the group I was with, and I heard Eric say, casually, “Oh yes, I owned a tie once.” Something about the way he said it, and knowing he never had to wear a tie or deal with all that it entails, spoke to me loud and clear. I decided to embrace the idea, and avoid ties whenever possible. I haven’t been able to avoid it as much as Eric, but it struck me as a noble goal.
Of course, even Eric wasn’t immune to ties, although I can count the number of times on one hand since then that I’ve seen him wear a tie. Hopefully, today is not one of those days.
Happy birthday Eric!
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