Eric Idle on ‘Monty Python’ Money Troubles, “Poor” John Cleese Relationship

Eric Idle on ‘Monty Python’ Money Troubles, “Poor” John Cleese Relationship

As a lifelong Monty Python fan, I find myself saddened by the public discord between two of the troupe’s founding members, Eric Idle and John Cleese. Having grown up watching their groundbreaking skits and laughing at their witty humor, it’s disheartening to see their friendship strained over financial matters.


Eric Idle discusses the financial struggles faced by Monty Python and the strained dynamic he experienced with fellow comedian John Cleese within their group.

In a recent interview with The New Yorker, the 81-year-old individual shared that he’s kept quite busy instead of being idle during his later years, largely because of financial constraints.

In February, Idle expressed his dismay over dwindling income sources at an advanced age, stating “I never imagined that income would dwindle so catastrophically… People often assume we’re wealthy, but it’s not the case. Python is in shambles. Our musical Spamalot made money two decades ago. I have to work hard to make a living, which isn’t easy at my age.” He also seemed to point fingers at Holly Gilliam, the comedy troupe’s asset manager and daughter of Terry Gilliam, for their financial predicament. Initially, Cleese expressed his dislike and contempt for Idle, but later clarified that he was merely joking.

As a devoted fan, I’d put it this way: “What Idle shared is spot-on. I never imagined Python would find itself in a predicament where we might not have enough for our golden years. Yet, here we are, embarking on a tour together! It’s not just about one person. Streaming platforms like Spotify and YouTube are taking everything. People often assume we’re rolling in dough. But let me tell you, I work just as hard as anyone else. Honestly, I don’t see it as a burden. Touring keeps me active, and there’s nothing quite like making people laugh. Sure, I’d love to sit down with a good book sometimes, but life doesn’t always give us what we want.

At that moment, 84-year-old Cleese spoke up in support of Holly Gilliam, praising her as “effective, mentally sharp, diligent, and delightful.

Currently, Idle maintains his stance regarding his criticism: “I don’t believe it’s proper for someone’s daughter to run the company when her father is on the board. It’s impossible to be impartial in this situation. I think it’s wrong, and it could lead to problematic emotions and challenges.

He currently characterizes his relationship with Cleese as “strained” and mentioned that their bond began to deteriorate during the lockdown period, causing him concern. He has not had contact with him for eight years. It’s unfortunate, he believes, when communication between people ceases in person, as various things can unfold. It’s a shame.

He commented, “I believe none of our Python projects remain.” He continued, “Two have vanished, several are precariously hanging on, [laughs] and some managed to survive. I’m not confident we have made any significant advancements in the last forty years.

Meanwhile, Cleese claimed he’s saying goodbye to X/Twitter in a new post referencing Elon Musk.

“Good bye, Twitter,” Cleese wrote Sunday evening. “And thanks for dinner, Elon.”

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve noticed that both Cleese and Musk have been vocal about their political views recently. Cleese seems to be voicing his concerns frequently about the Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, whereas Musk is expressing criticism towards the Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris. However, neither has offered much of an explanation yet.

It’s not very plausible that Cleese is departing from the platform, considering his Monday morning retweet.

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2024-09-09 19:54