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Sir Michael Palin recalled having “huge arguments” on set as the TV legend admitted he didn’t always agree with his co-stars.
The on-screen star, 80, spoke candidly in a new interview as he discussed his new three-part series in Nigeria, the impact of travel shows, political correctness and conflict between the Monty Python stars.
“Since Python split up, and even in our time together, we have all had huge arguments,” he told the Radio Times. “The great thing is that we don’t all agree.”
The comic recalled a moment when he claimed the late Terry Jones disagreed with John Cleese as he briefly touched on the comedy troupe recently making headlines.
He said: “I remember Terry [Jones] once threw a typewriter across the room at John [Cleese]. What’s happening with Python now doesn’t surprise me greatly. It’s just a pity it’s not to do with comedy any more. It’s to do with people’s lifestyles.”
Michael’s comments come after actor Eric Idle said he is still working at 80 for financial reasons.
The comedian, known as Sir Robin the-not-quite-so-brave-as-Sir-Lancelot in Monty Python And The Holy Grail, said he sold his home last year in a social media post back in February.
He added the Monty Python troupe “own everything we ever made in Python” and suggested historical management issues might be to blame for his predicament.
Alongside Michael and Eric, Graham Chapman, Fawlty Towers star John Cleese, Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones, founded the comedy troupe in 1969.
Following the success of their sketch comedy television series, the troupe created five films between 1971 and 1983.
Michael added to the same publication: “Python was of its time. Then, you just had to be funny. Now, you have to be funny and politically correct, which restricts a lot of comedians.
“And it restricts a lot of people. Because we know that people aren’t politically correct. In the pub, God knows what they say!”
You can read the full interview in this week’s Radio Times out now
