Eric Idle, comedian: Nothing is off limits in comedy

About this episode

John Wilson interviews comedian Eric Idle about his career and the boundaries of comedy.

“I think there's nothing off limits [with comedy] because it's subconscious, it's examining things. I find it quite interesting. And Monty Python was particularly good at not allowing ourselves to be censored, although people tried with ‘The Life Of Brian’... But that’s what made it a hit.” John Wilson speaks to English comedian, writer, musician and actor Eric Idle about his life and career. He’s best-known for being a founding member of the comedy troupe Monty Python, writing and performing across their four television series and their films, including ‘The Life Of Brian’ and ‘The Meaning Of Life’. Idle is also behind the Tony Award-winning musical ‘Spamalot’, based on the film ‘Monty Python and The Holy Grail’. It ran twice in London’s West End and on Broadway, and has also been staged in 14 countries around the world. Thank you to the This Cultural Life team for their help in making this programme. The Interview brings you conversations with people shaping our world, from all over the world. The best interviews from the BBC, including episodes with Mexican actor Diego Calva, tennis champion Martina Navratilova, and global music icon Stevie Wonder. You can listen on the BBC…

People in this episode

Host: John Wilson

Guest: Eric Idle

Topics covered

• comedy
• Monty Python
• censorship
• interview
• Eric Idle
• theatre
• musical

Keywords

• Eric Idle
• Monty Python
• comedy
• censorship
• Spamalot
• The Life Of Brian
• interview

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Monty Python

Books & works: The Life Of Brian, The Meaning Of Life, Spamalot, Monty Python and The Holy Grail

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