The Full Monty

Confession: When presented with the opportunity to interview Eric Idle for this page, I drew a blank on his name. I blame it on being an American who wasn’t old enough to understand the wry humor of the beloved British comedy troupe Monty Python (of which Idle is a founding member) during its 1970s heyday. I had heard the 65-year-old’s famous single, “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” many times—or rather the remakes by Green Day and Art Garfunkel—but never recognized it as the theme song for the classic Monty Python reel, Life of Brian. I watched, with the rest of the musical-loving world, Spamalot—which stars the dashing John O’Hurley during its San Francisco run (May 22–July 5)—win the top prize at the 2005 Tony Awards, but failed to register Idle’s name as that of the show’s writer. Having been chastised for my ignorance by members of the 7x7 staff and by my Australian boyfriend, whose childhood was strongly influenced by the comedic stylings of Idle and his fellow Pythons (John Cleese and Terry Gilliam among them), I offer the following Q & A as humble repentance for my sins against British pop culture. May the gods of comedy forgive me.

I’m from Hawaii, where the beloved luncheon meat Spam is an integral part of the culture. On behalf of kama’aina everywhere, should I be offended by the name of the play?
I believe so, especially, if you recall, that the Hawaiian Islands were originally called the Sandwich Isles. That’s before the natives ate Captain Cook … or did they just cook him? Perhaps that’s how that taste for Spam developed.

The economy is in the pits. Can you give us some valuable Python-esque advice on how to “look on the bright side of life”?
Avoid reading all information as to the state of the economy. Concentrate on the state of your bowels, the state of your health and the state of play in whatever sport obsesses you as a surrogate for sex. Incidentally, you should know that “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” is the number one requested song at funerals.

Spamalot is based on the 1975 film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail. What do you think about the vulgar turn some would say the comedic arts have taken since then?
Stop listening to people who say that. People always say that. It’s because they are aging. Sure, popular culture can seem trivial and pointless, but popular culture always has.

Ex-Seinfeldian John O’Hurley plays King Arthur in the musical during its San Francisco run. What about him suits the role well?
He is a charming fellow of infinite patience who loves his audience almost as much as they love him. Also, he can remember all the words and more often than not, he gets them in the right order.

David Hyde Pierce and Clay Aiken have both played Sir Robin in Spamalot. If an aspiring actor had eyes for that role, what advice would you give for his audition?
Don’t be too gay.

You’re a Python in this life, so what do you think you were in a past life to deserve such a fate? What will you be in the next life?
I believe reincarnation to be bollocks. I yearn for the dawning of intelligence and scientific rationalism, when mankind ceases to destroy itself at the behest of fictional gods.

Sounds complicated. Do you think you’re complicated?
All humans are complicated. That’s because we are evolving animals with four brains. At our finest, we are breathtaking, amazing creatures—scientists, composers, astronomers, geologists and writers. At our worst we are selfish, greedy and grasping—film producers, politicians and talk-radio apes. But I think “complicated” is actually a euphemism for grumpy, difficult, bad-tempered and downright nasty. I am very good at all of these.

How about a quick game of word association? Say the first thing that comes to mind: First up, American humor.
Overpaid.
British humor.
Overwritten.
Japanese humor.
Over rice.
Icelandic humor.
Overheated.

Everyone has a hidden talent. What’s yours?
Sadly I have exposed most of mine—not to say overexposed. My Ping-Pong used to be quite good, my chess is still pathetic, my guitar playing is improving and my dancing, once impeccable, is now frankly embarrassing. In a moment of insecurity, I once asked my wife what she thought I was good at. She pondered it for a while and then said, “Well, you’re very good at dinner.”

What man or woman has had the most illuminating effect on you and why?
George Harrison. He taught me the value of friendship and the realization that show-business success is utterly worthless. Since we are all going to die, death is the only serious issue we have to face. I miss him every day.

Speaking of death, what will your tombstone say?
Say no more!