This will be a quick post, but I just had to write something very exciting about my other favorite British ensemble, Monty Python! I saw a quote from Eric Idle a couple of weeks ago saying that there was a very big Python announcement coming up, and a few days ago, my dad emailed me this article: http://news.yahoo.com/monty-python-reunite-show-30-years-110816721.html
In case you somehow can’t access this article, I’ll sum it up for you… MONTY PYTHON IS FINALLY REUNITING ON STAGE! YES!!!
Granted, this could just be a one-time thing, but I have high hopes that this will turn into a tour of some sorts, maybe to places besides London… Maybe even across the pond to New York… You never know! I can’t even fathom how jubilant I would feel if I got to see 5 out of the 6 original Python members (RIP Graham Chapman) on stage together for a show. It would probably be the silliest night of my life. But just the thought that they are back together for a little while makes me very happy!
If you live near the London area, and you like Monty Python, do not miss this show at the O2 Arena next July! Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
One world-famous, incredibly influential musician…
… Against this guy!
As promised, here is my Eric Idle vs. Paul McCartney showdown. One of my favorite actors against one of my favorite musicians. I’m not quite sure how this will go down, but I guarantee that I will play fair. Enjoy!
Sense of humor: While Paul McCartney is certainly no slouch in the humor department, this is Eric’s category to lose. Why? Because Eric Idle is a comedic genius and a member of possibly the funniest group of people ever, the Monty Python comedy troupe. Just him appearing onscreen for a split second is enough to crack me up. Eric Idle is just a hilarious person and a brilliant comedic actor. And that’s why he wins this category!
Paul McCartney: 0
Eric Idle: 1
Acting ability: Once again, no contest here. As revered as Paul is, I doubt that many people would put him above Eric in the acting department. Although Paul did a great job in that SNL sketch from last year, Eric Idle is definitely the superior actor.
Paul McCartney: 0
Eric Idle: 2
Singing ability: Don’t worry, it won’t be a washout for Paul! Eric Idle actually has a pretty good voice and is unofficially known as “the singing Python” because he plays guitar and wrote most of the famous Monty Python songs, like “Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.” However, Paul McCartney, who I think was the best singer in the Beatles, is definitely the better singer. Paul has always had a fantastic and very versatile voice, but the fact that he still sounds amazing at age 71 is a true testament to his legendary singing talent. So, Paul wins!
Paul McCartney: 1
Eric Idle: 2
Overall charm: Eric Idle certainly comes across as a charming person, but Paul is definitely the more charming of the two.
Paul McCartney: 2
Eric Idle: 2
Sense of style: To be honest, I don’t really know how to call this one. I don’t think of either as being particularly notably stylish, although Paul always looks well dressed to me. I think I’m calling this a draw.
Paul McCartney: 3
Eric Idle: 3
Personality: I really love both of their personalities, although I feel like I have a better sense of Paul’s personality because I’ve watched way more interviews of him than I have of Eric. But as far as the person who I am interested in and respect more, I think I have to go with Paul on this one. Since there’s no official Paul McCartney documentary or autobiography floating around, the real Paul is still a bit of a mystery to me, and I hope that one day they make a movie about Paul like they did with George!
The Final Tally:
Paul McCartney: 4
Eric Idle: 3
Even though I love Eric, I’m kind of glad Paul won. He definitely deserves it!
Have a fab week! Enjoy the last weeks of summer!
As I’ve scoured the internet in search of pictures of my favorite famous people, I’ve realized that they often have what I call a “signature face”. Basically, a facial expression that makes this person instantly recognizable. They differ for many people, but here I’ve compiled some of my favorite self-determined signature faces, and you can decide for yourself whether you think this is this person’s “signature face” or not. I hope you enjoy!
George Harrison
I consider this focused stare to be George’s signature face, but he has a lovely smile as well!
Paul McCartney
Paul always has a huge smile on his face, which is why this is his signature face!
John Lennon
This is John’s weird spazz face that he does at random moments. Definitely his signature face.
Ringo Starr
Like Paul, I define Ringo with a grin!
Jim Parsons/Sheldon Cooper
This cute, slightly mischievous smile is definitely Jim’s signature face!
This Sheldon Cooper face, on the other hand, is one that I will NEVER unsee! It has been permanently ingrained into my mind.
Elton John
In almost every picture of Elton performing that I’ve seen, he has this expression on his face. It seems to be his trademark.
Eric Idle
I’m not sure if Eric really has a signature face, but he’s good at making funny faces, so I thought this picture was rather appropriate.
That’s about all I’ve got for now. Have a fab weekend!
I know that I posted about Monty Python a while ago, and today I’ve returned to that subject to wish my favorite member of the British comedy troupe a happy birthday. Happy 70th birthday to Eric Idle! If I could invite 3 people to dinner, I’d probably invite George, Paul, and Eric Idle. I’m sure that would make for some interesting dinner conversations! 🙂
Eric Idle is probably the funniest man I can think of. Really, he’s just so hilarious that I can’t help but smile or laugh whenever I see him on my computer or TV screen. Although every member of Monty Python is hilarious and extremely talented in his own special way, I think Eric is just a notch above the rest in terms of pure comedic potential.
I first discovered the true extent of Eric’s comedic abilities while watching The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash for the first time last fall. I probably watched it about 4 times in the span of one weekend. I just couldn’t help but notice how incredibly funny he was as both the narrator and as Paul McCartney, although his bass playing/miming did leave much to be desired. After that, I started endlessly looking up Monty Python sketches in Youtube. And here we are today.
In fact, if I could have one dream job, it would be to be in the Monty Python comedy troupe. I love acting, and if time travel were somehow possible, I would seriously love to be on Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Unfortunately, the show ended about 40 years ago… Oh well, I can dream, can’t I?
Oh dear, I think I’ve gone a bit off topic. This is Eric Idle’s birthday post, so I should probably talk about him some more. Here’s a video of Eric on Rutland Weekend television in 1976… featuring George Harrison! He’s playing a pirate, and… You really just have to see it to believe it.
Two of my favorite people, being funny together! I love this so much. George as Pirate Bob reminds me a lot of Patchy the Pirate on Spongebob.
Finally, another one of my favorite clips of Eric Idle, in what may well be his most famous sketch from Monty Python.
That’s all. Once again, happy birthday to Eric Idle!
Well… Not quite. I mean, I love Eric Idle, but he hasn’t reached “George status” yet. I don’t think anyone besides George Harrison can reach “George status,” actually! Still, there was a pun that had to be made, and I made it.
So, anyway, I remembered that I said in my first post that I would post about Monty Python, and as of now, I have not done so. That’s about to change, because in this post I’ll describe why I love Monty Python and why Eric Idle is my favorite member of Monty Python. So Python fans, here you go!
My obsession with Monty Python is a fairly recent development, much more recent than my obsession with the Beatles. I actually really discovered them just last November, over Thanksgiving break. That was when I started looking up sketches from Monty Python’s Flying Circus on Youtube, and also when I saw the movie The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash for the first time.
That movie is basically a Monty Python-style parody of the Beatles, through this fictional band called the Rutles. Eric Idle stars as the narrator and as Paul McCartney, another Python regular Micheal Palin makes an appearance as Rutles’ press officer Derek Taylor, and George Harrison himself even appears in disguise as an interviewer! If you like the Beatles, Monty Python, or both, you’ll love this movie!
But a few weeks before that, I saw Monty Python and the Holy Grail for the first time, and before the movie even officially started, I was in tears from laughing so hard. (those of you who have seen the very beginning of that movie probably know what I’m talking about) I don’t think I stopped laughing for the entire movie. It is an hour and a half of comedic genius, and it’s by far the funniest movie I’ve ever seen. I have yet to see the other two Python movies, Life of Brian and The Meaning of Life, but I’m sure they’re just as good.
I also love the show Monty Python’s Flying Circus, and I was thrilled to receive the box set with all the episodes for Christmas! Here are some of my favorite sketches that I’ve seen so far. If I come across any others I like in particular, I’ll make another post.
Yes, this sketch is the origin of the word “spam” being used as a term for incessant useless emails. I swear, if you’re not in stitches by the end of this, you might want to get your pulse checked. It’s just SO ridiculous and funny!
I love how this sketch develops from organized chaos into complete and utter foolishness. The whole thing is just absurdly funny, and after about 3:23 in the video, when Eric Idle goes completely nuts, I can’t stop laughing! Especially when he goes, “It’s the end of the road!”
This is a classic! John Cleese is hilarious in every Python sketch, but I think he’s at his best here. I’ve tried to walk like this on occasion. It hasn’t worked out so well, and I’ve probably done something to my ankle in the process.
All of the Pythons are hilarious in this sketch! Eric’s constant comments about the pointed sticks always crack me up, Graham Chapman’s character’s last name is Harrison, and John Cleese doesn’t stop yelling at the top of his lungs for about 5 minutes. I honestly don’t know how he keeps it up for so long.
I think this is one of Eric’s best sketches. He gets funnier and funnier as the sketch goes on. By the end, I’m barely listening to the lines because I’m so busy laughing!
I firmly believe that Monty Python is the funniest thing ever created, plain and simple. There is nothing on TV today that can remotely compare to its level of hilarity and wit.
So anyway, as you may have noticed from the videos, I love Eric Idle! He is so funny in every single sketch he’s in, and even if he’s not the featured character, he always steals the show. He does so many characters with tons of different wigs; I don’t know where they even got all of them. He’s got impeccable comedic timing, and best of all, he’s still so funny! I’ve seen interviews with him from a couple of years ago, and I still laugh at almost everything he says. Finally, he and George Harrison were really good friends! Two of my favorite people! Yay for the Beatles and Monty Python!
George Harrison and Eric Idle, two of my favorite people!
That’s all for now. Look out for a John Lennon solo countdown post and a post about this awesome Youtube musician guy over the weekend!
Beatle Me Do 