John Cleese Plans to Teach Comedy

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/06/12/D8I6Q4NO0.html ^

[Grendel9]

Jun 12 1:19 PM US/Eastern LONDON

He gave the world the Ministry of Silly Walks and foul-tempered hotelier Basil Fawlty of TV's "Fawlty Towers." Now John Cleese wants to pass his comic skills on to a new generation.

Cleese, one of the founders of the comedy troupe Monty Python's Flying Circus, said he plans to write a history of stage, film and TV comedy, from silent screen classics to the workplace sitcom "The Office."

"I'm too old to write new comedy," Cleese, 66, was quoted as saying Monday by The Times newspaper. "I can never do better than `Fawlty Towers,' whatever I do. Now I very much want to teach young talent some rules of the game."

Cleese told the newspaper the book would range from "the greats of silent cinema to Ricky Gervais, who is the height of modern entertainment."

The British comedian, who now lives in Santa Barbara, Calif., said too much TV comedy today is targeted at "American teenage kids."

"My generation prized really fine acting and writing," Cleese said. "Sometimes you have to go back to the basic principles which underpin great visual comedy."

He said it was "very rare today to see someone with that grasp of old-fashioned comedy," though he singled out Eddie Izzard, Gervais and Bill Hicks for praise.

[Grendel9]

"...too much TV comedy today is targeted at "American teenage kids." THAT'S why I don't watch American comedy! Haven't appreciated American stand-up since Bill Cosby left the circuit. But I enjoy chuckling at the reruns of the old Brit half-hour comedies on PBS, even Benny Hill. Give me the old duffers on the Last of Summer Wine and Are You Being Served. But, you either love 'em or detest 'em.

Cleese' book should be a good, light- hearted read.

[CertainInalienableRights]

"...too much TV comedy today is targeted at "American teenage kids."

Funny.

When I was a teenager, I watched Monty Python.

[capt. norm]

I became addicted to "Monty Python's Flying Circus" ever since accidentally stumbling onto it one dull Sunday afternoon.

"Now for something entirely different".

[dfwgator]

Will he be teaching silly walks in the class?

[irishtenor]

No, but you might learn how to defend yourself from an assailant with a banana.

[dfwgator]

What about pointed sticks?

[capt. norm]

Here is the recommended design for a highway sign designating a special "John Cleese Crossing":

[frogjerk]

What about pointed sticks?

SHUT UP! ;)

[Poodlebrain]

Fresh fruit not good enough for you?

[derllak]

I love those wacky British comedies! American comedy is flat out lame and hard for me to sit through. Needless to say, I just never watch them. I'm looking forward to ANYTHING Cleese does....he's one of the greats!

[dfwgator]

Ahhh for the days of the PBS station nightly showing Benny Hill and Dave Allen at Large, back-to-back.

[Gay State Conservative]

"You see there's Defense, Social Security, Health, Housing, Education, Silly Walks ..."

[retrokitten]

Do you have BBC America in your area? There is a show called Little Britain that is very funny.

[theFIRMbss]

>Ricky Gervais, [?!] who is the height of modern entertainment

[Corin Stormhands]

That's the Holy Grail, not Life of Brian.

[billbears]

I laughed so hard at Little Britain one night I was crying. The skit where they're at Fat Fighters coming up with names for the baby. And she suggests Jabba..

[AnotherUnixGeek]

I keep remembering the scene in "Life of Brian" (I think) where the men are clopping coconuts together to sound like the hooves of the horses they were riding in their imagination.

That was "Monty Python and the Holy Grail". One of the funniest moments for me in "The Life Of Brian" was the crucifixion scene to close the movie, in which the other crucified victims all sing "Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life" to console the crucified Brian.