Former Monty Python member Eric Idle recently made comments on social media criticising manager Holly Gilliam, who is also the daughter of Python co-founder Terry Gilliam, for the decreasing finances of the comedy troupe, formed in 1969. Idle posted on Twitter, “We own everything we ever made in Python and I never dreamed that at this age the income streams would tail off so disastrously.” He also commented on Holly Gilliam’s role as manager, stating, “if you put a Gilliam child in as your manager you should not be so surprised. One Gilliam is bad enough. Two can take out any company.” He then added, “I don’t know why people always assume we’re loaded. Python is a disaster. Spamalot made money 20 years ago. I have to work for my living. Not easy at this age.”
Idle’s comments prompted a response from fellow former Monty Python member John Cleese, who defended Holly Gilliam’s work as manager. Cleese tweeted, “I have worked with Holly for the last ten years, and I find her very efficient, clear-minded, hard-working, and pleasant to have dealings with.” He also stated that Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam were in agreement with his opinion.
The disagreement between the two continued online, with Cleese posting a tweet that read, “We always loathed and despised each other, but it’s only recently that the truth has begun to emerge.” When a user asked if they remain close, Idle replied, “I haven’t seen Cleese for seven years.” A reply from another user expressing sadness over this prompted Idle to respond, “Why. It makes me happy.”
Idle went on to express his opinions on Netflix documentaries when a user suggested a documentary about the rise and fall of Monty Python. He responded to the tweet, saying, “Fuck Netflix and fuck documentaries.”
In other news, it was announced that a Fawlty Towers stage adaptation, written by Cleese, is in the works
Read the full article on NME here: Read More