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Monty Python Live!
A Private Word to the ReaderYou are currently holding in your hand . . .. . . well, actually, God knows what you are holding in your hand, you are after all adults, and what you hold in your own right hand is entirely up to you . . .. . . you may, after all, have this in your left hand and something else in your right hand and you will probably have held far worse things in both your hands than this . . . and hey! . . . No! . . .Stop that! Miss Johansson, I said, "Please hold my calls . . ." Honestly. Hollywood!Anyway, what you are about to read--or have read to you--is a new book that is the first active collaboration of the Monty Python chaps for many, many years. In fact, the first book written and produced by the Pythons, themselves, since 1979. No, they are not all dead. Okay, some of them have been a bit quiet recently, and one or two have DNR notes by their bedsides, but the point is five of them are still technically alive and that, if not exactly cause for rejoicing, may well be cause for a new book. And this is it!So hold whatever you like in your right hand while you read this book. Because laughter is jolly good for you. Even if it can make you blind.--The Pythons
233 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2009
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124 people want to read
About the author
Eric Idle
69 books301 followersEric Idle is an English comedian, actor, author and composer of comedic songs. He wrote and performed as a member of the internationally renowned British comedy group Monty Python.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 5, 2017
This is a bit of a dog's breakfast, really. It throws into the pot various elements, from excerpts from other works to scripts to, apparently, some new material--short reminiscences by the principal parties--for this book itself. It is interesting to see the actual Hollywood Bowl script, especially to contrast it to what ended up on film (largely the same, but with some variation), and there are occasional flashes of interest elsewhere. But the whole seems a bit cobbled together rather than a carefully-planned project. Essential for Python fans, I'd say, probably not for anyone else.
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August 13, 2010It’s hard to imagine that it’s been over 40 years since the first episode of Monty Python’s Flying Circus burst forth upon the most Regal and Majestic airwaves of the BBC in October 1969. Huge popularity eventually caught up with the six lads - four English, one American, one “other” (Welsh) - not only because of the TV shows but also through recordings, films, live shows, more films, books, and wombats. [Note: delete Aussie reference, Ed.] This is the first new book by the Python team in 30 years and it contains the requisite boring history of the troupe’s live touring…blah, blah, blah…but with all the spicy details only English literature can provide. There are scripts of many famous sketches, such as Ministry of Silly Walks, Gumby Flower Arranging, The Lumberjack Song, Nudge Nudge, The Parrot Sketch, and The Bruces (Philosophy Song). [Note: delete Aussie reference, Ed.] Reminiscences include those of “extra” Python members Neil Innes (music) and Carol Cleveland (voluptuousness), and there are photos and Gilliam illustrations galore.
January 23, 2015
These are the best worst jokes that I can write right now:
I once dated a girl with a missing toe. Her deformity didn't bother me because I am lack toe tolerant.
The Food and Drug Administration will not place their rubber stamp on any type of sweets because the FDA wants to toughen up their image. Thus, no sugar coding.
Q: Which vacation monument did the much-too-conservative card player visit?
A: The "I fold" tower in France.
I wanted to mark the spot on the sidewalk where I found the $100.00 bill, so, finding nothing else, I used a very hard natural igneous rock. Unfortunately, I died three minutes later. Queuing up for heaven, I was crestfallen to be denied admittance due to "taking something for granite."
Q: How do people with a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain eat healthy?
A: They order a seizure salad.
I once pushed a girl out of the way whilst having her committed to a mental institute. Later, the judge scolded me for committing Sue aside.
I once dated a girl with a missing toe. Her deformity didn't bother me because I am lack toe tolerant.
The Food and Drug Administration will not place their rubber stamp on any type of sweets because the FDA wants to toughen up their image. Thus, no sugar coding.
Q: Which vacation monument did the much-too-conservative card player visit?
A: The "I fold" tower in France.
I wanted to mark the spot on the sidewalk where I found the $100.00 bill, so, finding nothing else, I used a very hard natural igneous rock. Unfortunately, I died three minutes later. Queuing up for heaven, I was crestfallen to be denied admittance due to "taking something for granite."
Q: How do people with a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain eat healthy?
A: They order a seizure salad.
I once pushed a girl out of the way whilst having her committed to a mental institute. Later, the judge scolded me for committing Sue aside.
August 6, 2012
If you're a Python fan [I say "if" because, apparently, there ARE people out there who aren't - I know! I was shocked too!] you'll probably get a bunch of laughs out of this book.
Basically, it's the recollections, reminisences and "behind-the-scenes" stories of the Pythons in their early days. All of their memories are gathered and edited together so you get all the Pythons memories of the same event or time-frame together so it's a 360 view of that moment.
It's kind of like all the Pythons kept a group diary documenting all their crazy experiences as they travelled the world, acted nutty, had fun, and became famous. There are tons of photos and verbatim scripts of some of their most famous and funniest bits through the years.
It's a fun read. If you are any kind of Python fan, this is worth a read.
Basically, it's the recollections, reminisences and "behind-the-scenes" stories of the Pythons in their early days. All of their memories are gathered and edited together so you get all the Pythons memories of the same event or time-frame together so it's a 360 view of that moment.
It's kind of like all the Pythons kept a group diary documenting all their crazy experiences as they travelled the world, acted nutty, had fun, and became famous. There are tons of photos and verbatim scripts of some of their most famous and funniest bits through the years.
It's a fun read. If you are any kind of Python fan, this is worth a read.
July 6, 2012
Interviews with the Pythons about what touring together was like, piles of sketches, the art of Terry Gilliam...what's not to love here?
You can bet there were antics on the road. What was a surprise, mainly to the cast, was how many people had been converted to their brand of zany before they ever toured. They all seemed genuinely surprised that in Canada and the US they were already well-known upon their arrival.
You can bet there were antics on the road. What was a surprise, mainly to the cast, was how many people had been converted to their brand of zany before they ever toured. They all seemed genuinely surprised that in Canada and the US they were already well-known upon their arrival.
October 2, 2025
Saw this browsing a library and just thought I'd check it out. It's a collection of writings and remembrances from their tours during the 70s of America, Canada, and England. Also lots of Terry Gilliam doodles and lots of sketch scripts. Love the Pythons, wished this book was a little more serious in-depth of how they all operated and got along during that time, but they're too silly to put out a sustained non-fiction book like that, so I shouldn't have expected that. Still, a hilarious trip down memory lane and also lots of crazy sketches and bits and absurdity along the way. Edited by Eric Idle. Say no more, say no more! Nudge Nudge!
June 6, 2010
It was entertaining learning about their live-performance tours. It was especially good to hear from Carol Cleveland, who isn't usually in the documentaries or commentaries, but who relates some interesting stories here. Such as how she ad-libbed the new ending of the line in the travel complaint sketch - "Have you come to arrange a holiday, or would you like a blowjob?" Ah, the question every (straight, male) Pythonphile would have wanted Carol to ask them ;)
January 19, 2016
Monty Python Live! edited by Eric Idle (Hyperion 2009) (792.702) contains among other funnies the program and script of sketches from "Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl." It includes the lyrics to "Sit On My Face", "The Lumberjack Song", and "Never Be Rude to an Arab" as well as the complete script for "Nudge Nudge," "Argument Sketch," and "Parrot Sketch." My rating 7/10, finished 9/19/11.
September 29, 2013
I enjoyed this book. I consider this a bookshelf piece. It is something to own, flip through on occasion, and read in pieces. It doesn't work as well to read straight through, though it can still be enjoyed that way. It is also a handy reference when you want to know exactly how the string of epithets in sketches actually goes.
September 10, 2013
The book gives a great behind the scenes of Monty Python on their live tour during the 70's if I'm correct. Stories of the pythons, jokes and scripts for some of their most famous sketches are included. Including my favorite "Dead Parrot".
April 9, 2015
Since most rabid Python fans like myself already know all the sketches, the great part of this book is the behind-the-scenes antics and stories during the tours. Although there were a couple of sketches at the very end that I didn't know. Perhaps written for the tour(s).
January 4, 2017
This 2009 book is a zany collage/montage of photos and reminiscences by the Python cast. Also includes some scripts: the Bruces, Nudge, Nudge, Four Yorkshiremen, Parrot, etc. No table of contents, no index, very disorganized. Primarily of interest to Python fans.
January 18, 2010
Nothing wrong with the content, except that a lot of it is repeated from earlier books. Still, nice pictures and a few oddities. Good to hear from Neil Innes and Carol Cleveland, too.
February 2, 2011
had fun reliving the skits via the written word. Also liked the insights provided by the reminiscences of the main players.......
August 12, 2012
Details from the members of Monty Python about their experiences touring. Transcripts of some of the most popular skits. Photos. Hilarity ensues.
February 25, 2013
Quick read, lots of dialogue.
December 9, 2013
WARNING! THIS IS A SILLY BOOK. VERY SILLY. IT INCLUDES JOKES, PUNS, SATIRE, WORDPLAY, FUNNY STORIES, AND OTHER NONSENSE. NOT RECOMMENED TO THOSE WITHOUT A SENSE OF HUMOR.
Lemon curry?
Lemon curry?
January 3, 2015
Fantastic book chronicling Monty Python's tour life.
May 8, 2024
I just finished watching all of Monty Python (minus one movie and couple specials) this past week - my husband is a big fan and so he got me on watching them.
Sometimes the comedy went right over my head (and I asked a lot of times “Is that a British thing??”) but I can see why they were so popular and especially after I watched Live at the Hollywood Bowl and wished I could’ve experienced them live. We saw Spamalot on stage last year and that was fun enough but to see the actual group must’ve been something!
I loved learning more about them as people and about their experiences. I said to my husband that I was at the perfect place when I read this where I didn’t revere them so much that I would feel bad if I learned anything untoward but I also wanted to know more about the behind the scenes. (I think it also solidified that, yes, Michael Palin is my fav and I totally would’ve been that girl who screamed and passed out in his arms back in the day. 🤣 I probably would’ve also been a girl who was heartbroken when I found out Graham Chapman was gay because I do like tall boys with pointy noses lol!)
For that reason the first half or so of this book was fantastic. I loved the recollections. It was sad to see that Terry Jones was already starting to forget things (but playing it off for jokes) and, of course, sad we couldn’t ever know more of Graham Chapman’s opinions a distance away from the hype of the times, but it’s still a great book.
I appreciated the scripts of the sketches being printed but would’ve preferred more interview content and less of that.
3.75/5
Sometimes the comedy went right over my head (and I asked a lot of times “Is that a British thing??”) but I can see why they were so popular and especially after I watched Live at the Hollywood Bowl and wished I could’ve experienced them live. We saw Spamalot on stage last year and that was fun enough but to see the actual group must’ve been something!
I loved learning more about them as people and about their experiences. I said to my husband that I was at the perfect place when I read this where I didn’t revere them so much that I would feel bad if I learned anything untoward but I also wanted to know more about the behind the scenes. (I think it also solidified that, yes, Michael Palin is my fav and I totally would’ve been that girl who screamed and passed out in his arms back in the day. 🤣 I probably would’ve also been a girl who was heartbroken when I found out Graham Chapman was gay because I do like tall boys with pointy noses lol!)
For that reason the first half or so of this book was fantastic. I loved the recollections. It was sad to see that Terry Jones was already starting to forget things (but playing it off for jokes) and, of course, sad we couldn’t ever know more of Graham Chapman’s opinions a distance away from the hype of the times, but it’s still a great book.
I appreciated the scripts of the sketches being printed but would’ve preferred more interview content and less of that.
3.75/5
December 11, 2020
I read /Monty Python Live!/.
Some Monty Python history I wasn't aware of... they were barely subsisting from the BBC stipends, but Eric Idle had the idea to do take Monty Python Flying Circus TV bits and make them in to live performances, and Idle essentially produced that.
He took the TV sketches, figured out which ones would work live in the theater, adapted them, and then went out and sold the idea to theaters around the UK (and later, Canada and elsewhere).
The book is about all those Monty Python tours to various theaters, beginning in 1973, and performing live (where they made pretty good money for the first time, too).
The name of their first tour was Monty Python's First Farewell Tour.
Some Monty Python history I wasn't aware of... they were barely subsisting from the BBC stipends, but Eric Idle had the idea to do take Monty Python Flying Circus TV bits and make them in to live performances, and Idle essentially produced that.
He took the TV sketches, figured out which ones would work live in the theater, adapted them, and then went out and sold the idea to theaters around the UK (and later, Canada and elsewhere).
The book is about all those Monty Python tours to various theaters, beginning in 1973, and performing live (where they made pretty good money for the first time, too).
The name of their first tour was Monty Python's First Farewell Tour.
November 22, 2018
An essential purchase for Python completists. Anyone who has the Flying Circus script books and the screenplays of the three original movies on their shelves needs this to complete their collection. In addition to a full copy of the Hollywood Bowl script (as it was written, but not necessarily performed) there are a number of companion pieces which were performed occasionally at live shows. So the Python obsessive who wants to know the words to the Last Supper, Four Yorkshiremen or Slapstick sketch has them here along with a lot of history and personal insight into the touring live shows.
Now someone needs to write a history and transcript of the Python albums.
Now someone needs to write a history and transcript of the Python albums.
February 28, 2025
Mixed feelings on this. Firstly, it’s a bit half-arsed. A good chunk of the book is made up of the script from the Hollywood Bowl show (which is an excellent example of the Python output, but it’s a bit of a cop-out when the book is supposed to be about the team on tour).
On the other hand, there are some glimpses of what it was like when they toured the UK and Canada, plus little bits about the U.S. I just feel like the whole thing could have been a lot more detailed and interesting.
It was good that it included Neil and Carol, who definitely added to the live performance parts.
On the other hand, there are some glimpses of what it was like when they toured the UK and Canada, plus little bits about the U.S. I just feel like the whole thing could have been a lot more detailed and interesting.
It was good that it included Neil and Carol, who definitely added to the live performance parts.
November 8, 2018
Mixed bag. Some excruciatingly funny jokes and some extremely unfunny ones. Some interesting things about the Pythons...and some repeated ones. Feels rather more like a money-grab than a proper Python product.
January 11, 2019
Commentary about their stage shows and many scripts! Very silly.
November 11, 2010
A history of the Monty Python troupe as they toured and performed together as told by the members of the group. Yes, it's just as funny but at times as crude as you would expect from Monty Python.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews