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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
I grew up watching Monty Python and Eric Idle was always one of my favorite members (especially in recent light of Terry Gilliam being terrible), so this was a fun read. It is a little disjointed, and he name-drops a lot (though he is pretty tongue-in-cheek about it). Overall, however, it invokes a lot of nostalgia not only about Monty Python, but also other well-known people from the 60s to the present.
Very interesting and fun book to read. With my husband working in another room, I would laugh out loud at passages and he would stop what he was doing until I was done. Even had him read some excerpts. I would highly recommend it to all who lobe Monty Python, Spamalot, and anything Eric Idle.
I was never a British comedy "fan" growing up, but I did tune into Monty Python's Flying Circus here and there. Loved some of their movies and liked a few more, and I've enjoyed watching the actors in a variety of roles in movies and TV. And I can say that Eric Idle's comic sensibilities match mine more closely than other Pythons.
I loved this audiobook, narrated by Idle, because someone with his comedic timing knows how to deliver a line. I thought it was interesting that he created humor about his upbringing, which included years in a boarding school (and one only has to read Charles Spencer's new book to find out what British boarding schools were really like), as well as growing up without a father.
Surprisingly, the time spent on his days in The Flying Circus probably won't satisfy rabid fans, but in all fairness, the TV show was what, four years of his early adulthood? I do find it interesting that throughout the book, until the more recent years, there seems to be this offhanded dismissal of John Cleese. Maybe dismissal isn't the right word, but there seemed to be an edge in writing about John that seems to have resolved itself once they got to the 2000s. And I'm sorry, but Idle makes it sound like he's the one who came up with ALL the most funny and famous of Python bits. He is incredibly funny, and obviously no one wants to hear about bits that bombed but come on.
I'm glad Eric owned up to being a randy scouse git and ruining his first marriage with his f**ery. One's private life, of which he shares a little, says more to me about a person than what they accomplish on the screen.
I loved this audiobook, narrated by Idle, because someone with his comedic timing knows how to deliver a line. I thought it was interesting that he created humor about his upbringing, which included years in a boarding school (and one only has to read Charles Spencer's new book to find out what British boarding schools were really like), as well as growing up without a father.
Surprisingly, the time spent on his days in The Flying Circus probably won't satisfy rabid fans, but in all fairness, the TV show was what, four years of his early adulthood? I do find it interesting that throughout the book, until the more recent years, there seems to be this offhanded dismissal of John Cleese. Maybe dismissal isn't the right word, but there seemed to be an edge in writing about John that seems to have resolved itself once they got to the 2000s. And I'm sorry, but Idle makes it sound like he's the one who came up with ALL the most funny and famous of Python bits. He is incredibly funny, and obviously no one wants to hear about bits that bombed but come on.
I'm glad Eric owned up to being a randy scouse git and ruining his first marriage with his f**ery. One's private life, of which he shares a little, says more to me about a person than what they accomplish on the screen.
I'm of two minds about this book. On one side, it's a dull narrative of celebrity encounters. He tries to be humble about hanging out with rock stars like the Rolling Stones, the Star Wars cast, various Beatles, and all the various women and drugs he did and slept with.
On the other, it's Eric Idle, one of the leading Monty Pythons. A progenitor of modern humor. Is it witty? Intelligent? British? Charmingly droll? Most definitely.
I figure, unless you're a Monty Python fan, there isn't a lot you'll get out of this book. But you won't know who Eric Idle is unless you're a Monty Python fan anyway. So the question becomes, will you enjoy it if you are?
And the answer's yes. It's not a quick book, and there isn't much about Monty Python therein. It includes the origins and the aftermath though. And really, you've probably already seen all that Behind the Scenes already, so there's no need to repeat it. There sure is a lot about his relationship with the book's title. One could say it's partly about that famous song as much as its author. Ellie Kemper's biography was a little punchier, but not as much stuff in it.
On the other, it's Eric Idle, one of the leading Monty Pythons. A progenitor of modern humor. Is it witty? Intelligent? British? Charmingly droll? Most definitely.
I figure, unless you're a Monty Python fan, there isn't a lot you'll get out of this book. But you won't know who Eric Idle is unless you're a Monty Python fan anyway. So the question becomes, will you enjoy it if you are?
And the answer's yes. It's not a quick book, and there isn't much about Monty Python therein. It includes the origins and the aftermath though. And really, you've probably already seen all that Behind the Scenes already, so there's no need to repeat it. There sure is a lot about his relationship with the book's title. One could say it's partly about that famous song as much as its author. Ellie Kemper's biography was a little punchier, but not as much stuff in it.
One of the best autobiographies I have read. Told extremely well by the one and only Eric Idle, whose name is synonymous with Monty Python, and the song 'Always look on the bright side of life' as featured in the Life of Brian.
Indeed, as I was reading this book, I couldn't help singing the tune to this song, particularly when it was mentioned. I have to say it was quite a few times, but then again that is the title of this book. I had no idea Eric Idle has led such an interesting life, and with so many connections to famous and well-known people that you and I know as 'celebrities' and he was fortunate to call them friends. It is a wonderful glimpse into the mind and thoughts of a famous comedian, told through many funny, meaningful, honest, sad and "bright" stories.
Indeed, as I was reading this book, I couldn't help singing the tune to this song, particularly when it was mentioned. I have to say it was quite a few times, but then again that is the title of this book. I had no idea Eric Idle has led such an interesting life, and with so many connections to famous and well-known people that you and I know as 'celebrities' and he was fortunate to call them friends. It is a wonderful glimpse into the mind and thoughts of a famous comedian, told through many funny, meaningful, honest, sad and "bright" stories.
I appreciate that Idle starts out by saying that these are the facts as he (mostly) remembers them and that some things might not be as true as he'd like. It's a very honest way to start out what turns out to be a name-dropping bonanza of incredible life opportunities that he worked hard to earn and (at least it seems) like he totally deserved. He admits his errors and, even when glossing over some of them, admits fault when its his.
As someone with more of a passing knowledge of Monty Python than a true fan, there were things I'm not overly familiar with. I do have a list of things I will now look for because some of the sketches and events he mentions seem like they would really be right up my alley comedy-wise.
If you are a big fan of MP, then this is sure to delight with tons of behind the scenes looks at how things came about and how they worked to make it happen. The opportunities that were open to them were spectacular.
I did find the behind the scenes comradery a little hard to believe, but that's just me being cynical and the whole point of the book is that Idle does indeed have a very positive "look on the bright side" attitude.
Overall, it's a look at Monty Python thru the eyes of one of my favorite members as he tells his side of the story and the things he did in between the rare get together. It made me chuckle several times, it gave a look at a decade that made friends of some legendary individuals, and it proves that Eric Idle can indeed write anything and make it entertaining.
As someone with more of a passing knowledge of Monty Python than a true fan, there were things I'm not overly familiar with. I do have a list of things I will now look for because some of the sketches and events he mentions seem like they would really be right up my alley comedy-wise.
If you are a big fan of MP, then this is sure to delight with tons of behind the scenes looks at how things came about and how they worked to make it happen. The opportunities that were open to them were spectacular.
I did find the behind the scenes comradery a little hard to believe, but that's just me being cynical and the whole point of the book is that Idle does indeed have a very positive "look on the bright side" attitude.
Overall, it's a look at Monty Python thru the eyes of one of my favorite members as he tells his side of the story and the things he did in between the rare get together. It made me chuckle several times, it gave a look at a decade that made friends of some legendary individuals, and it proves that Eric Idle can indeed write anything and make it entertaining.
The first portion about how Eric Idle came to be part of Monty Python was interesting as were the tales of the early days. But after that, the memoir devolves into one name dropping anecdote after another, one trip to the Carribean after another, one "special moment" with a fabulously famous person after another. He says he started therapy when he was 50 but I don't think it's working (it he was even more insufferably before that).
A delight. I'm a bit confused at folks complaining at the name dropping, brash humour, etc. It's f***ing Eric Idle - of course these things are present. If they weren't, it would be a huge disappointment.
I listened to the audio book version, narrated by the author. I highly recommend this, as he performs every single word. He should get an Oscar for his performance of the word "and".
I listened to the audio book version, narrated by the author. I highly recommend this, as he performs every single word. He should get an Oscar for his performance of the word "and".
