Eric Idle has recently opened up about the ongoing financial difficulties faced by Monty Python and the state of his deteriorating relationship with fellow member John Cleese. In a candid interview with The New Yorker, the 81-year-old comedy legend shared his frustrations about the financial situation that has left him and other surviving members of the iconic comedy troupe still needing to work well into their later years.
Idle sparked interest back in February when he posted on social media, lamenting how his income had drastically declined. He wrote, “I never dreamed that at this age, the income streams would tail off so disastrously. People seem to think we’re all rich from Python. But the truth is, [the musical] Spamalot made money twenty years ago, and since then, Python hasn’t done much. I have to work for my living, and it’s not easy at this age.” He also made a pointed comment regarding the troupe’s asset manager, Holly Gilliam—daughter of Monty Python’s Terry Gilliam—hinting at her role in the group’s current financial woes.
John Cleese, another Python veteran, weighed in at the time, defending Holly Gilliam’s professionalism, while taking a lighthearted jab at Idle by stating he “loathed and despised” him, though he later clarified it was all in jest. However, Idle, in his recent interview, asserted that his criticism of the group’s financial management was entirely serious. “One-hundred-percent true,” he stated firmly. “I never thought Python would end up in a place where we’re struggling to maintain financial stability in our old age. Three of us are on the road, touring to make ends meet.”
Idle also voiced his dissatisfaction with the current state of the entertainment industry, blaming platforms like Spotify and YouTube for depleting traditional revenue streams. “Spotify’s taken it all, and YouTube nicks everything. People assume you’re wealthy because you’re famous, but I’m just like anyone else, having to work to pay the bills.” Nevertheless, Idle admitted that staying active has its benefits. “Touring keeps me fit, and I love making people laugh. Would I rather be at home, relaxing with a book? Of course. But life doesn’t always give you what you want.”
The question of Holly Gilliam’s management remains a sticking point for Idle. “I don’t think it’s right for someone’s daughter to manage the company. It’s impossible to be completely neutral when your father is involved. It creates tension and makes things complicated,” he said, standing by his previous critique.
As for his personal connection with John Cleese, Idle acknowledged that their relationship has been on a downward trajectory. “It’s poor now. It started to decline during lockdown. I haven’t seen him in eight years, and I think when you lose face-to-face contact with someone for that long, things can go awry. It’s unfortunate,” he reflected.
Idle expressed a certain melancholy over the state of Monty Python today, noting that with two members, Graham Chapman and Terry Jones, having passed away, the group’s legacy feels distant. “I don’t think there’s any Python left, really. Some of us are gone, and others are on the edge! (Laughs.) We haven’t done anything truly new in forty years.”
Meanwhile, John Cleese has made headlines for another reason. He recently claimed he was leaving Twitter (now rebranded as X), posting a cryptic farewell message directed at Elon Musk. “Goodbye, Twitter,” Cleese tweeted, adding, “And thanks for dinner, Elon.” The post seemed to hint at Cleese’s frustrations with the platform, but given that he retweeted a post the next day, it appears he may not be quitting the site after all.
Cleese has been active on X, frequently sharing his thoughts on U.S. politics, particularly criticizing Republican candidate Donald Trump. Musk, on the other hand, has been vocal about his opinions on Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, creating an unexpected overlap in their online presences.
As Monty Python’s legacy continues to influence generations of comedians, Idle and Cleese’s recent revelations remind fans that even legends of comedy face challenges in their personal and professional lives. While their financial difficulties and strained relationship may cast a shadow, their collective body of work remains a cornerstone of modern humor.
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