British comedy troupe Monty Python, currently celebrating its 55th anniversary, is well known to several generations through its BBC1 series Monty Python’s Flying Circus (1969 to 1974) and feature films Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) and Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979). As a result, people have been quoting their comic routines for decades, though, in retrospect, member Eric Idle may wish he wasn’t being quoted after commenting that the group’s lack of continued financial return is due to mismanagement. Colleague John Cleese decided to respond with some quotables of his own.
Idle recently spoke about his ongoing career, saying that he continues to work at age 80. This is, he claimed, in part out of necessity. He pointed the finger at Holly Gilliam, daughter of Monty Python star Terry Gilliam, who runs HDG Projects and manages Python, suggesting her management lost the troupe substantial funds. In response, Cleese has come to Holly’s defense and slammed Idle.
Eric Idle blames Monty Python management for a shaky financial future
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. https://t.co/nFDbV9BOfC
— Eric Idle (@EricIdle) February 9, 2024
“I don’t know why people always assume we’re loaded,” Idle recently said on Twitter. “Python is a disaster. ‘Spamalot’ made money 20 years ago. I have to work for my living. Not easy at this age.” He went on, “We own everything we ever made in ‘Python’ and I never dreamed that at this age the income streams would tail off so disastrously. But I guess 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.”
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Holly first became the manager of Monty Python back in 2014. That same year, she also co-produced the highly-anticipated reunion show among its members. On Twitter, Cleese came to defend Holly and slam Idle for his accusations, his words heartbreakingly eye-opening for many Monty Python fans.
John Cleese addresses claims made by Idle, surprising many Monty Python fans
Holly Gilliam
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 withMichael Palin has asked me to to make it clear that he
shares this opinionTerry Gilliam is also in agreement with this
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) February 13, 2024
On social media, Cleese countered Idle’s claims that Holly had crippled the troupe’s funds. “I have worked with Holly for the last 10 years,” he objected, “and I find her very efficient, clear-minded, hard working, and pleasant to have dealings with.”
He went on, “Michael Palin has asked me to to make it clear that he shares this opinion. Terry Gilliam is also in agreement with this.”
A Monty Python fan asked if Cleese and Idle had had a falling out. To this, Cleese responded, “We always loathed and despised each other, but it’s only recently that the truth has begun to emerge.”