During a recent appearance on the talk show ‘Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend,’ Eric Idle opened up about his experience with disagreements during his time with Monty Python. He shared that arguments and fights were a common occurrence among the comedic group, often revolving around the tiniest details. Idle even reminisced about a heated debate he had with Robert Smigel about a comedic moment, where they disagreed on what kind of laughter they wanted to elicit from the audience.
Idle also revealed that these disagreements were the result of care and passion for their craft. He mentioned that if you don’t care about the work, the arguments wouldn’t matter. He attributed his ability to stand up for his ideas to his solo writing background within the group. Despite the occasional fiery arguments, Idle emphasized the importance of finding good mentors and companions who push you to be better.
The conversation then turned to Idle’s recent disagreements with John Cleese, his longtime collaborator from Monty Python. Idle clarified that their disagreements were purely business-related and not personal or about comedy. He acknowledged that there is no right or wrong way to deal with business matters, and differing views can lead to arguments.
Idle admitted that not seeing each other enough plays a role in disagreements, as he hadn’t seen Cleese in ten years. He believes that understanding the person you’re disagreeing with, knowing what decade they’re in, and seeing them face-to-face can help avoid further conflicts. Despite their recent disputes, Idle emphasized that they never disagreed on the fundamental essence of what was funny.
The article also touched on the misconception that the members of Monty Python are swimming in wealth. Idle explained that deals and residuals have changed over time, making it challenging to maintain steady income from past projects. However, he expressed his love for making people laugh and his passion for touring and performing.
Idle concluded by mentioning his upcoming tour in Australia and New Zealand, promising wonderful surprises for his audience. He enjoys surprising people and creating shows with a meaningful through line. Idle aims to keep making people laugh and believes that comedy brings a special and secret joy to both performers and audiences.
Overall, Idle’s candid conversation on Conan O’Brien‘s talk show provided a glimpse into the world of comedic collaborations, the passion behind disagreements, and the challenges of sustaining a successful career in the industry.
