LEGENDARY comedy group Monty Python are to officially reform, The Sun can
reveal.
Surviving members John Cleese, 74, Terry Gilliam, 72, Terry Jones, 71, Eric
Idle, 70, and Michael Palin, 70, have all agreed to the reunion.
It comes 30 years after the stars of TV’s Flying Circus last worked together.
Regularly described as The Beatles of the comedy world, the Pythons made the
momentous decision following months of secret talks.
A high-profile announcement is expected at a London press conference this
week, possibly as early as Thursday.
All five surviving members are expected to attend.
Our revelation will stun Python fans who had given up hope of a reunion after
Cleese said it would be “absolutely impossible”.
And it shows that, unlike the deceased parrot in the sketch, Monty Python
really were not dead — just resting.
A source close to the Pythons said last night: “No one ever thought this was
possible, but it’s 100 per cent happening. They knew it was a case of now or
never.
“This will be a fully-fledged reunion — it’s huge news for the entertainment
world.”
The insider added: “It’s amazing that in this day and age the negotiations
have been kept completely under wraps.
“It’s a testament to their very significant cultural impact that Python fans
have never given up on a reunion, even though it’s decades since they were
last together.
“Now their wishes have come true. There’s going to be huge anticipation about
what they decide to do when they reunite.”
The amazing reunion comes three decades after the team’s last live performance
together. And it follows nearly 45 years since their surreal TV series Monty
Python’s Flying Circus first aired in 1969.
There is speculation about a possible Python tour, TV special, album or movie.
Over the years, the quintet have regularly dampened speculation about any
reunion.
The death of sixth Python Graham Chapman in 1989 was previously believed to
have ended any hopes.
The Pythons discussed a plan in 1999 that would have seen a US tour. But Palin
pulled out at the last minute, reportedly angering Idle, who had worked on
the project.
There were also strains within the group over Idle’s idea to make a sequel to
their hit film Holy Grail. When Cleese decided not to take part, the project
was dropped.
Hopes were raised again last year as it emerged Jones intended to bring the
Pythons together to voice alien characters in a film he was directing titled
Absolutely Anything. But in August, Cleese publicly confirmed the project
was off.
He said: “The truth is, I don’t think any one of us knows what’s going on.
Terry rang us about 18 months ago and said, ‘If we make this movie and I
direct it, will you do a voice for it’? As far as I know, everyone said yes
— and that’s the last we heard about it.”
Cleese went on to again rule out a Python reunion, saying it would be “too
difficult geographically”.
He added: “Dear old Mickey Palin — as I call Michael Palin — is forever away
doing his travel shows. Gilliam is either racing around the world trying to
raise money or at film festivals or directing something.
“Jonesie is always doing the most extraordinary mixture of things — I think a
few years ago he was directing an opera in Lisbon about carpet cleaners. And
Eric is very much based in LA.”
But our Pythons source said: “Where there’s a will there’s a way.
“America was always hugely important to the Pythons, but their spiritual home
is London so it makes sense to base things here.”
Between 1969 and 1974, 45 episodes were made of Monty Python’s Flying Circus —
considered one of the most important TV series. It spawned a host of
memorable sketches including Dead Parrot, Spam, The Lumberjack Song and The
Spanish Inquisition.
The Pythons’ impact on pop culture is unparalleled. In the years that
followed, they went on to create movies, touring stage shows, albums, books
and a musical.
Their first movie, And Now For Something Completely Different, was released in
1971. The acclaimed Monty Python And The Holy Grail came out in 1975.
Monty Python’s Life of Brian, which followed four years later. was considered
controversial at the time but has since been named the greatest comedy film
ever made.
The team went on to release footage of their last full live performance —
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl — in 1982.
Their final film, Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life, was released the next
year.
It proved to be the last time the six Pythons worked together on a full-time
project.
In 1989 compilation Parrot Sketch Not Included, they were filmed sitting in a
closet together for four seconds. Chapman, 48, died of spinal and throat
cancer that October. Idle once quipped: “We would only do a reunion if
Chapman came back from the dead. So we’re negotiating with his agent.”
The stars attended a major event together in 2005 — the world premiere of
their musical Spamalot, based on Holy Grail.
Flying high as comedy stars since the Sixties
HERE are some key dates in the Monty Python story:
1960-1962: Chapman, Cleese and Idle meet at Cambridge and perform with
the Footlights theatrical group. Palin and Jones meet at Oxford and join the
Oxford Revue troupe.
October 5, 1969: Monty Python’s Flying Circus sketch show first airs on
BBC.
September 1971: Film And Now For Something Completely Different
released in cinemas
January 1973: After three series, Cleese departs troupe.
October 1974: Flying Circus is rolled out across the US.
May 1975: Movie Monty Python And The Holy Grail released, followed in
August 1979 by Life of Brian, which sparked demos by religious groups who
branded it “blasphemous”. Film banned by some UK councils.
March 1983: Movie The Meaning Of Life is released.
October 4, 1989: Graham Chapman dies from cancer
October 5, 1989: BBC broadcasts anniversary tribute Parrot Sketch Not
Included — 20 Years of Monty Python.
October 1996: The Wind in the Willows film released. Written and
directed by Jones.
March 1998: American Film Institute awards Pythons AFI Star Award as
the five remaining members reunite on stage for the first time since
Hollywood Bowl performance in 1980.
December 2004: Premiere of stage musical Spamalot
October 2009: Remaining Pythons team up in New York for 40th
anniversary event.
Silliest talk
HERE are snippets of some classic Monty Python sketches:
DEAD Parrot: “’E’s not pinin’! ’E’s passed on! This parrot is no more!
This is an ex-parrot!”
MINISTRY of Silly Walks: “The right leg isn’t silly at all and the left
leg merely does a half turn.”
SPAM: “Well, there’s egg and bacon; egg, sausage and bacon; egg and
spam; egg, bacon and spam; egg, bacon, sausage and spam; spam, bacon,
sausage and spam; spam, egg, spam, spam, bacon and spam; spam, sausage,
spam, spam, bacon, spam, tomato and spam.”
SPANISH Inquisition: “No one expects the Spanish Inquisition! Our chief
weapon is surprise, fear and surprise. Er, two chief weapons… I’ll come in
again.”
ARGUMENT Clinic: “Is this the right room for an argument?” “I’ve told
you once.” “No you haven’t.” “Yes I have.”
Beyond Python
Michael Palin
MOVED away from comedy to make hit travel shows, including Around The
World In 80 Days. Won Bafta Academy Fellowship Award this year.
John Cleese
HAD the biggest solo TV success, writing and starring in Fawlty Towers.
Also made a string of films and has continued performing as solo comic.
Terry Jones
CO-WROTE film Labyrinth and directed an adaptation of Wind in the
Willows. Has more recently written books and hosted TV history
documentaries.
Terry Gilliam
THE American became a successful film director, with titles including
The Fisher King and 12 Monkeys, plus Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas.
Eric Idle
WROTE West End musical Spamalot and acted in 1990 film Nuns On The Run.
Had 1991 hit song Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.