The breakup of the Rutles and why A Certain Monty Python Troupe Member is apparently a piece of bad work

No worries. At least, Idle didn't drunkenly stomp into a video rental store and shout "WHY DON'T YOU HAVE ANY MORE BLOODY COPIES OF NUNS ON THE RUN, YOU BASTARD??!!!!".

Again, the man may be a scumfuck, but his work with Python and the Rutles was brilliant. Insert any of the cornucopia of "Artists you like but who are assholes" threads here.

Cleese got all his agression out...and Idle just stewed and stewed and stewed until his Brane snapped!

as to his claim of being the guitar-toting member, etc., his gratuitous endless pushing of that "always look on the bright side ..", etc, well i say :
a) it was a lousy anti-climax to "life of brian", leaving me feeling disapointed as i left the cinema, until i remembered and reflected on the rest of the film
b) he insisted on pushing it again acoustic guitar in hand at the 25th aniversary "bash", ending the "special" for me on an also-ran "bright side" moment -- and witness the other "pythons'" apparent acquiessence and embarrassment, as though they were powerless to stop him

compare idle's achievements to Palin, Cleese, Gilliam and it looks all a bit wretched

and i love Innes' achievements from the Bonzos through to the complete musical control over the Rutles (and his recent touring was evidence of talent, beginning of show through to two enores)

i also remember sitting through "Rutland Weekend Television", imagining some second meaning to "week-end" and generally cringing at what seemed to me then to be a extended-bowel type gratuitous "play it till it's really not remotely funny now, a mere two episodes in" (and unlike the python stuff, apparently unworthy of repeats on tv or video-rental release, at least not in this country)

and there's that general feeling i get from idle, that he feels he's naturally funny, quirky face and all (looking nowadays like a boozed out has-been), contrasting with the self-conscious "we try hard to be funny here" self-effacing quality to python humour in general, and the behavior of my thre favourite principals (in no particular order, Gilliam, Cleese and Palin, the real "talent" in my book)

yeah, in contrast to other posters, i've always found idle's vaguely annoying presence in python really inconsistant and annoying, maybe evidence of the right place & right time circumstances that got him into the python fold in the first place (i don't know the circumstances of his inculcation, but he's clearly someone who sought to wrench the last blob of humour out of that python absurdist humour (like his subsequent tv series), cf: the myriad directions taken by the subsequent surving pythons, (maybe with the exception of Jones))

and if that article is to be believed, what a prick for living in style in various homes around the world while Innes has to sell his one family home to avert financial ruin, given all he's contributed over the years (and you can just see idle trading on python-age glory in hollywood, still seeking acolades, and if Nuns on the Run was anything to go by (i just saw the shorts), really low on talent and inspiration

maybe that's what moving to Hollywood does for whatever talent you might have, eh ? (no, he was always a self-serving "i'm just funny" type of guy from the get-go imho, lacking the work ethic, egt-go and passion of Palin, Cleese and Gilliam, all of whom seem to have eclipsed python almost in their subsequent "contributions" to culture) -- why was the python anniversary televised from hollywood anyway ? another idle self-serving promo stunt ?

thanks for posting the article -- unlike other posters, i've never found anything remotely funny in idle's quikiness, 'though you can still call me a python fanwell f.w.i.w. i always thought idle was the least talented of the python crew -- he had no writing partner -- ok, to me that translates into no checks and balances when you've no co-writer

as to his claim of being the guitar-toting member, etc., his gratuitous endless pushing of that "always look on the bright side ..", etc, well i say :
a) it was a lousy anti-climax to "life of brian", leaving me feeling disapointed as i left the cinema, until i remembered and reflected on the rest of the film
b) he insisted on pushing it again acoustic guitar in hand at the 25th aniversary "bash", ending the "special" for me on an also-ran "bright side" moment -- and witness the other "pythons'" apparent acquiessence and embarrassment, as though they were powerless to stop him

compare idle's achievements to Palin, Cleese, Gilliam and it looks all a bit wretched

and i love Innes' achievements from the Bonzos through to the complete musical control over the Rutles (and his recent touring was evidence of talent, beginning of show through to two enores)

i also remember sitting through "Rutland Weekend Television", imagining some second meaning to "week-end" and generally cringing at what seemed to me then to be a extended-bowel type gratuitous "play it till it's really not remotely funny now, a mere two episodes in" (and unlike the python stuff, apparently unworthy of repeats on tv or video-rental release, at least not in this country)

and there's that general feeling i get from idle, that he feels he's naturally funny, quirky face and all (looking nowadays like a boozed out has-been), contrasting with the self-conscious "we try hard to be funny here" self-effacing quality to python humour in general, and the behavior of my thre favourite principals (in no particular order, Gilliam, Cleese and Palin, the real "talent" in my book)

yeah, in contrast to other posters, i've always found idle's vaguely annoying presence in python really inconsistant and annoying, maybe evidence of the right place & right time circumstances that got him into the python fold in the first place (i don't know the circumstances of his inculcation, but he's clearly someone who sought to wrench the last blob of humour out of that python absurdist humour (like his subsequent tv series), cf: the myriad directions taken by the subsequent surving pythons, (maybe with the exception of Jones))

and if that article is to be believed, what a prick for living in style in various homes around the world while Innes has to sell his one family home to avert financial ruin, given all he's contributed over the years (and you can just see idle trading on python-age glory in hollywood, still seeking acolades, and if Nuns on the Run was anything to go by (i just saw the shorts), really low on talent and inspiration

maybe that's what moving to Hollywood does for whatever talent you might have, eh ? (no, he was always a self-serving "i'm just funny" type of guy from the get-go imho, lacking the work ethic, egt-go and passion of Palin, Cleese and Gilliam, all of whom seem to have eclipsed python almost in their subsequent "contributions" to culture) -- why was the python anniversary televised from hollywood anyway ? another idle self-serving promo stunt ?

thanks for posting the article -- unlike other posters, i've never found anything remotely funny in idle's quikiness, 'though you can still call me a python fan

And considerably over its head in a few areas:

1) An Englishman calling someone a fucking cunt doesn't have nearly the same punch as as American (though obv the nationality of the target comes into play). Though there is a sensitivity over here to the American use, which is why it's targeted much more at men than women.

2)

This is still a little surprising for us Python fans to hear. Eric Idle has always had our affection because he is so funny and talented. We have always known and appreciated that he had a very sarcastic approach to life.

Apart from 'sarcastic' being the 'electronica' of funny, you'd have to have a fairly blinkered view of the Pythons not to have figured out that he was the sixth talented, and bitter about it. I mean Monthy Python -> Splitting Heirs, this isn't rocket science, people!

Also, that article was...

A) good, in that it told me some stuff I prob'ly needed to know
B) pretty much total gobshite

(even though I too have absurd stilt-legs.)

Hold on, hold on! Eric Idle is not a musician?! I was certain that he wrote all Monty Python's songs (I like chinese, eric the half-a-bee, etc.)! And he most definitely sang them!

So what is this talking about?

Director being Eric.

Some thoughts....

1) He mentions his co-director often. So, fair play.
2) There is a lot of writing involved in this that isn't the songs. So, on reflection, Eric deserves 'the' credit.
3) I found it interesting that over 50% of the movie had played out and he'd mentioned potted histories of Ollie Halsall, John Halsey, Rikki Fataar, and that he'd pointed out his wife four times and only mentioned Neil once in passing. And then he goes and spoils it by spending the last half praising Neil and his songs to the skies...

So, I guess the commentary was done shortly before the big bust-up.

Wonder how 'cool' they are now?

The commentary on the DVD did repeat the 'Neil gave me a song, I thought it sounded very beatley' as per the article up top.

The article, while making some good points, did have a nasty overtone. (Neil writing songs in rainy london, Eric writing script in sunny barbados. Umm, maybe Eric likes it in London? also, Eric = mansion in LA and so on)

I still think Eric is an arrogant git on the evidence of that article, but then there's so much that gets done on behalf of artists by legal people, but he certainly could have stopped it. etc.

this is an interesting view

Am I wrong in remembering that Neil Innes also had ill feelings towards Viv Stanshall for not getting enough credit in the Bonzos? Maybe he shouldn't work with red heads.

Copyright (c) 2005, Chicago Tribune

Except during the commentary, Idle mentioned he'd found the outtakes and had them transferred, and was going to make "Rutles 2" I admit I said "Umm, that's a really bad Idea Eric", but he just swore back at me, which was some going for a directors commentary.

Actually, no.

More seriously, that's the sort of stuff that'd make for a nice "Directors edition" i.e. 2 disc 'loads of extras' edition.

Check this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/B0006Q94BO/ref=cm_cr_dp_2_1/103-7928526-7243035?%5Fencoding=UTF8&customer-reviews.sort%5Fby=-SubmissionDate&n=130

I've never known such uniformity in rating for anything...

The whole thing reminded me of 1999, when Idle appeared on Craig Kilborn's chat show. Before introducing him, the usually smart-assed Kilborn explicitly warned the audience that Idle refused to speak about (or be asked about) Python in any way. Very unusual to hear an immediate disclaimer like that, so in retrospect I guess Idle must have made an explicit demand before appearing. And you know, it was an enjoyable appearance, too - he strummed a guitar and sang a pretty funny song he wrote about "Eyes Wide Shut." (Even though he had nothing to do with the actual Rutles songs, it's not entirely true that he's a total "non-musician" as the article implies. He played a bit of guitar back in the Python days. And his role in that crap "National Lampoon's Vacation" sequel was forcibly reduced to a largely non-speaking one after he lost his voice during filming. Apparently he'd been partying and singing songs all night with the Rolling Stones.)

okay, granted. "cash" was much better. but david bowie's hair was stunning. you at least have to admit that.

Or his appearance in this movie too...

http://www.thezreview.co.uk/posters/posterimages/b/burnhollywoodburn.jpg

Well, sounds like he was trying to avoid another Monty Python love-in. Sounds like he stood on his own 2 feet and provided an enjoyable chat-show appearance. Half the time, you dread when they get people on and it's all the same stories and/or involving the same people...

Hey, so was watching a MP clip from Concert for George in 2002 the other night, which has both Idle and Innes present...where does this all fit into the Idle vs. Innes timeline?

Innes often behaves gracefully in public, despite the way he's treated out of it.

Idle and Innes are 'parently back pals again. Touring the Rutles, I believe.

Funny, I saw on UTube a Bonzo's TV appearance where Idle sat in for Innes as Innes had the flu. He looked 1) a lot like PMac, on the piano 2) verray pissed off...

Touring the Rutles, I believe.

This is not the case - Idle recently put on some shows with a Beatles tribute band covering the Rutles.

Ah no -- according to my friend ML, all four of the original Rutles actually appeared at the shows, but there was indeed a tribute band doing the music.

Wows. That's really cool. When you think all the things those four guys have done INDIVIDUALLY it's pretty mind-blowing that they were all in a band together (kinda).

XXP That Bonzo's number with Eric Idle must be "Love is a Cylindrical Piano" yes? That's a terrific clip isn't it?

Yeah, doesn't count as "touring the Rutles"!

xpost to Ned

Semantics!

weeelll..... I was more right than wrong.

"always look on the bright side of life" was frikkin hilarious, and was the best possible ending for a great movie (imho obviously). doesn't make idle my fave python or anything, but he deserves credit for that, and loads of other stuff as well... hell, in a group as talented as the pythons, obviously *everybody* can't be the funniest member of the group! i always liked his contributions to the whole, even if cleese was funnier.

maybe he just did the rutles 2 thing for the money? we all gotta pay the rent ya know ;)

I think "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" is terrific in the context of the original movie--great ending. However, outside of that context, it's more often been overplayed (and thus irritating) than not. I also don't like the way Idle seems to keep peddling it over the years and not letting it fade away gently.

Hahaha have any of you attended a funeral where this gets played?

Choice of funeral music dates us just as surely as clothes or what children's programmes you remember with affection. One of the UK's current favourites, according to a recent survey, is Monty Python's Always Look on the Bright Side of Life. The well-balanced funeral or memorial service will, of course, provide an opportunity for both celebration and seriousness: there is a place for Monty Python and Monteverdi.

http://music.guardian.co.uk/classical/story/0,,2282432,00.html

Anyway, thought I'd revive this 'interesting' thread to note that the "Do not adjust your set" 2xDVD is at Fopp for £3

Y' got it?

yeah. Right here.

Watched any of it yet?

Not yet, beyond the stuff I've seen already on Youtube.

Apart from, that I saw it when it was first broadcast...

... got this, from cursory viewing the Bonzos are the best thing on it. Did you notice in your FOPP, the "At Last the 1948 Show" DVD, also for £3?

Nooo, will have to check it out.

Still sulking because I don't know anyone who has Sky Arts, to record the Bilzen gig for me,.