Michael Palin recalls violent ‘Monty Python’ spat between Terry Jones and John Cleese
On several occasions, former Monty Python star Eric Idle has compared his position in the comedy troupe to that of his late friend George Harrison in The Beatles. Following Harrison’s death in 2001, Idle revealed that he felt this level of understanding had strengthened their connection.
“We both played similar roles inside our groups with big power blocks,” Idle famously recalled. “Once I was moaning a little bit on [Life of] Brian, saying, ‘It was hard to get onscreen with Michael Palin and John Cleese,’” he continued, pointing out the power struggle within the group.
In reply, Harrison recalled his period of overcrowded talent in The Beatles. “Well, imagine what it’s like trying to get studio time with Lennon and McCartney,” Idle quoted Harrison. “I said, ‘All right. Absolutely. Got it. OK. Check. I’ll shut up now.’ Then it occurred to me that yes, in fact, we were slightly the outsiders, playing similar roles in our groups,” he told Rolling Stone.
Those who watched Peter Jackson’s The Beatles: Get Back will understand how heated things got between the Fab Four towards the end of the 1960s. On camera, the bickering suggested wilder exchanges in private, and the footage captured the famous moment Harrison stormed out after an argument with Paul McCartney.
Monty Python, The Beatles of comedy, were similarly fractious. As Michael Palin revealed in a recent conversation with the Radio Times, things got particularly heated on several occasions. It may be hard to imagine Harrison throwing his guitar at McCartney, but perhaps McCartney was slightly more diplomatic than John Cleese.
Following the huge success of Monty Python’s Flying Circus, the troupe broke up for the first time in 1973. Cleese would go on to create Fawlty Towers, becoming a huge star in his own right. However, popular demand brought the group back from their separate endeavours for a series of movies, namely The Holy Grail, The Life of Brian and The Meaning of Life.
Throughout its history, the troupe endured plenty of acrimony, but Palin remembered how it only got worse over time, even while they were apart. “Since Python split up, and even in our time together, we have all had huge arguments,” the 80-year-old revealed.
Palin refers to the breakup of 1999 here. After that, the troupe reunited once in 2014 for the variety show Monty Python Live (Mostly). “The great thing is that we don’t all agree,” Palin detailed. “I remember Terry Jones once threw a typewriter across the room at John.”
As the 21st century wore on, bitterness grew, mostly regarding financial divisions. “What’s happening with Python now doesn’t surprise me greatly,” Palin concluded. “It’s just a pity it’s not to do with comedy any more. It’s to do with people’s lifestyles.”
Following Jones’ death in 2020, it is unlikely that Monty Python will return to screen or stage. However, the surviving members, Idle, Palin, Cleese and Terry Gilliam, still have time to patch things up.
For many years, Michael Palin has supplemented his Python income with a successful series of travel shows. This year, he sets off to Africa in Michael Palin: In Nigeria. Watch the trailer below.
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