It's the clever way to power - part 2 Mar 16, 2008
Eric Idle (Pembroke). Hugh Laurie (Selwyn). (Guardian Unlimited -- UK)
Rutles to reunite Mar 3, 2008
Rutles' members Eric Idle, Neil Innes, Ricky Fataar and John Halsey (aka Dirk, Nasty, Stig and Barry) will be on hand for a Qscreening of a digitally remastered version of the 1978 spesh "All You Need Is Cash" at the Egyptian Theater, hosted by the Mods rs Film Festival. Also set to unspool is the rarely seen 1975 British TV skit that launched the Rutles; Rutles-related material from "Saturday Night Live" circa 1976 and '77; and highlights from the 2003 sequel "Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch."... (Variety)
Clay Aiken deftly handles supremely silly in 'Monty Python's Spamalot' Feb 23, 2008
The tale, concocted by "Python" legend Eric Idle, is loosely based on the movie "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," and film buffs will recognize some of their favorite bits from the film. Idle also wrote the lyrics and shares credit with John Du Prez for the music. (International Herald Tribune)
Clay Aiken Goofy In Spamalot Feb 23, 2008
The singer, who burst to fame during the second season of "American Idol," has made his Broadway debut in "Monty Python's Spamalot," in creator Eric Idle's old role as Sir Robin ... The tale, concocted by "Python" legend Eric Idle, is loosely based on the movie "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," and film buffs will recognize some of their favorite bits from the film. (CBS News)
Britney's collapse Feb 21, 2008
"Because we don't laugh at sad people," said show author Eric Idle. "Britney Spears is being tortured to death, and we don't want to be on that side.". (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
Pythons went on to make more pithy, comic movies Feb 21, 2008
NUNS ON THE RUN (1990): Enormously underrated, this slapstick comedy about two small-time gangsters (Robbie Coltrane and former Python Eric Idle) hiding out in a convent is often written off as fluff. You know what, it is. (The Augusta Chronicle)
'Spamalot' Drops Spears Lyric Feb 14, 2008
Python member Eric Idle said the show's director, Mike Nichols, wanted the change "and he's right.". "We don't laugh at sad people," Idle said in a statement. (NBC 11, CA)
Lyrical Switch: Britney Spears Out, Posh Spice In Feb 13, 2008
Asked why the lyric was changed in the song "Diva's Lament," "Spamalot" author Eric Idle said Tuesday in an e-mail. "Because we don't laugh at sad people. Mike Nichols (the show's director) requested it and he's right. We changed the lyrics in London, on tour, on Broadway and in Las Vegas. We think that it's now too sad. Britney Spears is being tortured to death and we don't want to be on that side.". (Fox News)
Mirvish adds The Color Purple to 2008-09 season lineup Feb 8, 2008
Reached at his home in California, Monty Python veteran Eric Idle, the show's creator, quipped "I am very happy Spamalot is returning to Toronto, but I have forgotten why.". The actual season begins in October at the Princess of Wales Theatre with the Andrew Lloyd Webber production of The Sound of Music, still enjoying a popular run in London. (Toronto Star)
Mirvish goes with musicials for 2008-9 season Feb 5, 2008
Eric Idle does a dance on stage at the Canon Theatre while taking the curtain call for his musical Spamalot in Toronto on July 16, 2006. (Stuart Nimo/Canadian Press). (CBC.ca)
New DVDs: The Invasion, Damages Feb 1, 2008
The 1979 film features Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam in the tale of a nice Jewish boy whose outrageous exploits parallel those of Jesus Christ, who was born the same night in a stable just up the street. Extras include a new hour-long examination of the story, commentary with Gilliam, Idle, Jones, Cleese and Palin, five deleted scenes and a recording by the troupe of an early version of the screenplay. (MSNBC -- Movies)
Cellphones A Big Hang-up Feb 1, 2008
The warning: (Voiced by show creator/Python Eric Idle): "Hello, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Shubert Theatre. During this performance, please feel free to let your cellphones and pagers ring willy-nilly. However, do remember that there are heavily armed knights onstage, and you might well be dragged up and impaled. Oh, and the Spamalot orchestra is under the baton of Todd Ellison.". . (New York Post -- Entertainment)
They ham a lot in 'Spamalot' Jan 18, 2008
That's in keeping with Eric Idle's book and lyrics, and with the music Idle wrote with John Du Prez: There's never one silly rhyme when four will do, and the songs pile pastiche on top of parody on top of skit until you can barely see the original joke beneath the frosting ... Book and lyrics by Eric Idle, music by John Du Prez and Idle. (Boston Globe)
More of this story Jan 6, 2008
" (Photo courtesy of The Opera House) By JODY FEINBERGThe Patriot Ledger He is a King Arthur like no other. In search of the Holy Grail, he gets insulted by flatulent Frenchmen, fends off flying cows and a killer rabbit, and obsesses about putting on a Broadway musical. This is the King Arthur of Monty Python s Spamalot, the 2005 Tony Award winning musical which runs Jan. 15-27 at The Opera House in Boston.It s bizarre and ridiculous and pokes fun at all kinds of pretensions, said actor... (Patriot Ledger, MA)
Seussical the Musical Dec 7, 2007
By Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, and Eric Idle ... Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, and Eric Idle (of Monty Python fame) have structured this entertainment mostly on the Dr. Seuss story Horton Hears a Who. (Georgia Straight)
And Hugo can talk for the animals Dec 3, 2007
Grant is chums with Spamalot's creator, Eric Idle, and both men are friendly with the recently knighted Sir James Dyson, the multimillionaire inventor of a vacuum cleaner that bears his name. Dyson offered Grant and his wife, Joan Washington, a lift from Los Angeles to Melbourne on his private jet to celebrate the launch of the show, which may explain why they all looked so relaxed on the red carpet outside Her Majesty's Theatre. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Second poll likely to choose president Nov 28, 2007
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. Jose Ramos-Horta, 57, is mobbed by the press as he arrives at a polling station to cast his vote. (Yahoo News -- East Timor)
Bush hails handshake as negotiations begin Nov 28, 2007
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. on shaky ground politically, Ehud Olmert, left, George Bush and Mahmoud Abbas are not expected to achieve anything concrete at Annapolis. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Gastro outbreak: seven fall sick from rare bug Nov 28, 2007
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. SEVEN people, including three children, have been struck down by a serious form of bacterial gastroenteritis that can lead to kidney failure. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Council won't stand for sinking cafe chairs Nov 28, 2007
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. Sunanda Creagh Urban Affairs ReporterNovember 28, 2007. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
UN report points finger at Australia Nov 28, 2007
Sydneysiders are set to see Eric Idle in an oratorio, Not The Messiah. 00001BCB. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Hodge demands Bushrangers must stand and deliver Nov 28, 2007
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. VICTORIA'S Brad Hodge has urged the Bushrangers to lift their game to cover for the loss of captain Cameron White in today's crucial day-night match against NSW at the MCG.. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Beckham effect will be felt for years to come, says Rasic Nov 28, 2007
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. More than a game David Beckham in full flight warming up for the LA Galaxy's sell-out match against Sydney FC at Telstra Stadium last night. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Always looking for the Python side of theatre Nov 28, 2007
Not naughty Eric Idle in Sydney for his show Not The Messiah, feels reinventing the Monty Python material is a "wonderful thing to do" ... WHEN a television journalist asked Eric Idle to perform an impromptu rendition of Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life at a press call in Sydney yesterday, he was happy to oblige ... They follow the Eric Idle Exploits Monty Python tour of the US in 2000 and the Greedy Bastard tour in 2003. (Sydney Morning Herald)
Building collapse threat Nov 28, 2007
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. The large crack in the wall of the Surry Hills building this morning. (Sydney Morning Herald)
Just say Cleese Nov 3, 2007
The Australian production of the Broadway hit starts in a couple of weeks but must seem a million miles away for Cleese, who wrote the Grail screenplay with fellow Pythons Graham Chapman, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Eric Idle and Terry Gilliam way back in 1973. It was done on a shoestring; a contrast to the spectacular budget for the lavish stage version he saw premiere in Chicago at the Shubert Theatre on March 17, 2005. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Eric Idle asks 'What About Dick?' Oct 24, 2007
Eric Idle asks 'What About Dick ... Eric Idle asks 'What About Dick ... Eric Idle will be trying out his new play "What About Dick?" with two public performances in Hollywood. (Variety)
Clay Aiken Heading To Broadway Oct 17, 2007
(AP) From "American Idol" to Eric Idle's "Spamalot." ... "Let's not lie. The chance to work with legendary creative minds like Mike Nichols and Eric Idle is, on its own, a reason to jump at this opportunity.". (CBS News)
Eric Idle sets Hollywood tryouts Oct 13, 2007
Eric Idle will be trying out his new play "What About Dick?" with two public performances in Hollywood ... Cast includes Billy Connolly, Tim Curry, Eric Idle, Eddie Izzard, Jane Leeves, Emily Mortimer, Jim Piddock and Tracy Ullman. (Variety)
Book roundup: Audiobooks Oct 4, 2007
The other members were John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam and Eric Idle. The audio is a bit hard to follow because Palin is reading his abridged diary entries. (USA Today -- Life)
Forbidden Broadway: Rude Awakening Oct 4, 2007
Among previously seen material, a bit based on "Monty Python's Spamalot" deserves its ongoing place because it reclaims an extended joke stolen by Eric Idle from "Forbidden Broadway.". But the indisputable highlight is the cast's gut-busting capsule rendition of the "Les Miserables" revival, including "On My Phone," with Fagan as a bored Eponine killing time behind the barricades with her iPhone while waiting to be shot. (Variety)
Python's progress Sep 16, 2007
Alongside Terry Jones, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle and the late Graham Chapman, Palin - who published his diaries about the Python years in 2006 - rewrote the rules of television comedy and invited viewers into an absurd comic universe inhabited by upper-class twits, Spanish inquisitors and, of course, lumberjacks. The Pythons went their separate ways in the mid-1970s, reuniting for the occasional movie or stage show. (Scotsman)
Ever-present laughter Sep 10, 2007
In this respect, the spectrum runs from John Cleese strutting about in his tin-pot, punitive, self-righteous persona to Eric Idle oozing media smarm. Among the many stops in between lies one version of Michael Palin, the concerned, compassionate-eyed facilitator, superbly represented in his role as a prison guard, helpful and caring, handling the flow of condemned men in "Monty Python's Life of Brian." ("Next! Crucifixion? . . . Go-o-o-d. Out of the door. Line on the left. One cross each."). (Boston Globe)
Python 'most influential' comedy Aug 14, 2007
Monty Python's Flying Circus was first screened in 1969 and also starred Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones and Graham Chapman. The dead parrot sketch was named the best alternative comedy sketch by the readers of Radio Times in 2004. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
Python's nourishing nonsense a weighty role Aug 2, 2007
Penned by Python member Eric Idle, the Tony Award-winning musical has broken box-office records by playing to more than 3 million people in London and the US.. Before the Melbourne premiere on December 1, the big question was who would play Arthur, King of the Britons, on his hapless encounters with anarcho-syndicalist peasants, the shrubbery-obsessed knights who say Ni, and killer rabbits. (The Age)
Welles was ahead of his time Jul 12, 2007
He was joined by "Monty Python" member Eric Idle, "Star Trek" veteran Leonard Nimoy, Brat Packer Judd Nelson and Robert Stack, who is best remembered for either "The Untouchables" TV series or "Unsolved Mysteries," depending on how old you are. "It was groundbreaking to introduce these famous actors in an animated feature," "Transformers: The Movie" producer Joe Bacal says on the film's DVD. In this way, "Transformers: The Movie" presaged a contemporary commonplace: Cartoons voiced by noted... (Buffalo Reflex, MO)
Bovine intervention Jul 7, 2007
But it's the very boring-ness of the bovine, the dullness of the dairy denizen, that inspired Los Angeles photographer Glen Wexler to create "The Secret Life of Cows" a book of surreal images created with digital imaging technology, with a foreword by "Monty Python" member Eric Idle, and an exhibition that opens today at Bergamot Station's Track 16 Gallery. Wexler's work suggests there is another side of the cow that doesn't look exactly like, well, the other side of a cow. (Los Angeles Times)
No fairytale ending| Jun 29, 2007
Monty Python veteran Eric Idle fares somewhat better as the addled Kum Ba Yah wizard who succeeds in swapping the bodies of Donkey and Puss setting up the most inspired comic moments. But for the rest we have the old faithful formula of Shrek and his gang the Three Little Pigs, Gingerbread Man and Pinocchio joined by a posse of ass-kicking damsels in distress foiling the plans of a villain (Charming, again) and his sidekicks (Captain Hook et al, again). (iAfrica.com)
Carey wins 3 Grammys in pretelecast ceremony Jun 23, 2007
Monty Python member Eric Idle and co-writer John Du Prez won best musical show album for the Broadway smash "Monty Python's Spamalot," the musical adaptation of their 1975 Arthurian comedy "Monty Python and the Holy Grail.". Aretha Franklin's Grammy total rose to 17 with a best traditional R&B vocal award for "A House Is Not a Home," another track from the Vandross tribute "So Amazing.". (Yahoo News -- Grammy Awards)
Orson Welles last role? Original Transformers Jun 23, 2007
He was joined by Eric Idle (Monty Python), Leonard Nimoy (Star Trek), Judd Nelson (The Breakfast Club) and Robert Stack (Unsolved Mysteries). In this way, Transformers: The Movie presaged a contemporary commonplace: cartoons voiced by stars. (MSNBC -- News)
License to Wed World Premiere Monday, June 25, 2007 Jun 20, 2007
WHEN: Monday, June 25th WHERE: Pacific Cinerama Dome Crew Arrivals: 5:00 pm 6360 Sunset Blvd. Celebrity Arrivals: 6:00 pm Hollywood, CA Screening: 7:00 pm WHO: From the film: Robin Williams, Mandy Moore, John Krasinski, Christine Taylor, Josh Flitter, and Eric Christian Olsen will be joined by: Billy Crystal, Eric Idle, Bonnie Hunt, Bobcat Goldthwait, David Crosby and more. Newly engaged, Ben Murphy (John Krasinski) and Sadie Jones (Mandy Moore) can't wait to start their life together and live... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
* A grumpy green giant who would not be king Jun 15, 2007
With The Voices Of: Mike Myers (Shrek), Eddie Murphy (Donkey), Cameron Diaz (Princess Fiona), Antonio Banderas (Puss In Boots), Julie Andrews (Queen), John Cleese (King), Rupert Everett (Prince Charming), Eric Idle (Merlin), Justin Timberlake (Artie), Amy Sedaris (Cinderella), Maya Rudolph (Rapunzel), Amy Poehler (Snow White), Larry King (Doris), Regis Philbin (Mabel) ... Eric Idle plays Merlin as a hippy druid, and Larry King and Regis Philbin do fine work as ugly stepsisters. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Katzenberg Announces Shrek Sequels Jun 8, 2007
Julie Andrews, John Cleese, Rupert Everett and Antonio Banderas reprise the roles they performed in Shrek 2, while Justin Timberlake and Eric Idle are the latest additions. "The new film maintains its irreverence to traditional fairytale traditions," Katzenberg says, "and there are surprises involving some of the female fairytale characters such as Snow White and Cinderella.". (Suite101.com)
Not The Messiah @ Luminato Jun 3, 2007
Eric Idle and John DuPrez do it again ... Eric Idle has the golden touch - his last 3 musical projects have worked out for him ... The performers here are top notch opera and musical theatre talent - Shannon Mercer (soprano), JEan Stilwell (mezzo-soprano), Christopher Sieber (Tenor), Theodore Baerg (bass-baritone) and the amazing Eric Idle as the narrator, who sings, according to the program "baritone-ish". (Suite101.com)
No puss in boots May 28, 2007
The dippy dropout Merlin (Eric Idle) is a sweet addition to the familiar line-up and more than a few laughs come from the character's New Age, fireside ramblings. Underlying the hilarity is Shrek's lack of preparedness for fatherhood, which seems to stem from his low self-esteem and difficult childhood - problems that saw him the victim of teasing. (Daily Telegraph)
Shrek Inc., the franchise, can dodge artistic accountability May 28, 2007
The only actor who deserves recognition is Eric Idle, who provides the voice of Merlin, whom our heroes meet in the woods during their quest. Wearing sandals and a barely-covering single robe, Merlin has become somewhat of a hippie in his desire to "return to his roots." All the other characters, however, are given little to no creative material that is genuinely funny. (Fresno Bee -- Lifestyle)
Movie review: ‘Shrek 3’ falls short of others May 23, 2007
Eric Idle should have been great as the wizard Merlin, but the script isn t smart enough for somebody with his comedic talent and subtlety. The jokes in the movie never rise above the level of sitcom material here. (Lompoc Record, CA)
Shrek 3 breaks animated record May 23, 2007
With Julie Andrews, Antonio Banderas, John Cleese, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Mike Myers, and Eric Idle in one flick, that's a lot of stars to pay. It's likely that Shrek the Third will make its investment back in theatres, but will it be the cash. (Suite101.com)
In pictures: Shrek 3 premiere May 21, 2007
Monty Python's Eric Idle is a new addition to the Shrek cast, starring as Merlin. His co-star Cheri Oteri (l) voices the character of Sleeping Beauty. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
Cynical Shrek Grows Up; Don't Bet on `Even Money': Rick Warner May 20, 2007
In ``Shrek the Third,'' they're joined by Fiona's outcast cousin Artie (Justin Timberlake), Merlin the magician (Eric Idle), Captain Hook (Ian McShane) and a wacky band of princesses (Amy Sedaris and ``Saturday Night Live'' veterans Maya Rudolph, Cheri Oteri and Amy Poehler). And let's not forget Larry King as the ugly stepsister Doris. (Bloomberg)
'Shrek the Third': A new stage of life for the grumpy green ogre May 19, 2007
Eric Idle plays Merlin as a hippy druid, and Larry King and Regis Philbin do fine work as ugly stepsisters. And of course Eddie Murphy is the indispensable Donkey. (International Herald Tribune)
'Shrek' Delivers May 18, 2007
Eric Idle voices a cameo as Merlin, Ian McShane is unrecognizable as Cap'n Hook. But there's an amusing plotline involving efforts by Fiona and her gal-pals Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and Rapunzel to foil the coup. (CTNow.com)
Third time's the charm May 18, 2007
Eric Idle debuts the character Merlin in Shrek 4. Artie (Justin Timberlake) Casting the top pop star in the world as a dweeby teen came to director Chris Miller after seeing Timberlake's comedic chops on display on "Saturday Night Live." Artie, it seems, is destined for greatness. (Vero Beach Press Journal)
'Shrek' wreck May 18, 2007
Voice cast: Julie Andrews, Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Eric Idle, Justin Timberlake, Antonio Banderas. Running time: 1 hr., 37 min.. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Shrek loses steam in Third film May 18, 2007
Merlin (Eric Idle) makes an appearance and there are even cameo roles for Guinevere and Lancelot. But the kingdom will not easily go to Arthur, who is required to fight for the crown with wicked Prince Charming (Rupert Everett), who has radicalized the peasants, the witch from Snow White and several other monsters. (MSNBC -- Movies)
"Shrek the Third" May 18, 2007
Donkey, voiced by Eddie Murphy; Puss In Boots, Antonio Banderas; Shrek, Mike Myers; and Fiona's underachiever cousin Artie, Justin Timberlake; pay a visit to the magician Merlin, voiced by Eric Idle, in "Shrek the Third." Click photo for larger image ... The introduction of new characters, including Arthur, Merlin (Eric Idle) and some iconic females voiced by Amy Poehler, Cheri Oteri, Maya Rudolph and Amy Sedaris, means less screen time for old favorites such as Donkey and Puss in Boots, who are... (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
'Shrek': The more the merrier May 18, 2007
Eric Idle, who with Cleese is the second Monty Python member to join the Shrek cast, voices a scatterbrained Merlin, who has retired to the woods as a New Age self-help guru. A new ugly stepsister is paired with Doris, the grotesque barmaid voiced by Larry King. (USA Today)
Lucky strike May 17, 2007
And at some point a crusty Merlin (Eric Idle ) shows up and does some magic that has amusing consequences for Donkey and Puss. Meanwhile, Prince Charming (Rupert Everett ), still smarting that Shrek married his girl, has convinced a mob of defeated storybook villains (Captain Hook , the Evil Queen , etc. (Boston Globe)
'Shrek the Third': Royal lineage of laughs goes on May 17, 2007
Adventures ensue, including a hilarious stopover at the home of Merlin the wizard (Eric Idle). Culminating with girl power moments from diva princesses voiced by Maya Rudolph, Amy Poehler and Amy Sedaris, the action closes with an apropos number: Sly and the Family Stone's Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), performed by Murphy and Banderas. (USA Today -- Life)
Shrek the Third May 14, 2007
Voices:Shrek - Mike Myers Donkey - Eddie Murphy Princess Fiona - Cameron Diaz Puss in Boots - Antonio Banderas Queen - Julie Andrews King - John Cleese Prince Charming - Rupert Everett Merlin - Eric Idle Artie - Justin Timberlake ... Film itself is becalmed when their ship runs aground and the action is briefly dominated by a broken-down, New Agey Merlin (Eric Idle) whose magical powers aren't what they once were. (Variety)
OGRE THE EDGE! May 13, 2007
MERLIN: "Eric Idle, who voiced him, was awesome. For an animator, the most important thing is a great voice performance. It can inspire you to do really great animation. This is a good example where you have a great voice, and we were able to bring him to life as this crazy old man.". PUSS IN BOOTS: "A cat's face is absolutely more limited than a human's. The way they smile and make their mouth shape. The good thing is, the general audience does not know how a cat talks. So even if it doesn't... (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Hollywood hopes numbers add up for a big year May 5, 2007
Let's see, there's Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Julie Andrews, Larry King and Regis Philbin. Where's Helen Hayes. (Washington Observer Reporter)
Broadway series slates 'Wicked,' 'Spamalot' next season Apr 27, 2007
Python Eric Idle wrote the book and co-wrote the score (with John Du Prez) for the show, which was directed by Mike Nichols and features all the coconuts, killer cows and French people anyone could want. Wicked, April 23-May 4. (Orlando Sentinel -- Entertainment)
A life coach for dogs Apr 26, 2007
" Boasting a client list that includes celeb pet owners Oprah Winfrey, on whose TV show she appeared Wednesday, Ben Affleck, Olivia Newton-John, Eric Idle, Nicollette Sheridan and Goldie Hawn, Geller has been training dogs in Los Angeles for 19 years. She founded The Loved Dog Center, a dog day care in West Los Angeles, in 1996, and also does in-home training. Her career path sounds like something out of a film script. She became interested in canine behavior while an intelligence officer in the... (USA Today)
Loving it down the rabbit hole Apr 23, 2007
MICHAEL PALIN makes travel documentaries and Eric Idle created the hit musical Spamalot. But Terry Gilliam believes that his former Monty Python colleagues have not been creative enough since they went their separate ways. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
