Two years ago I borrowed Michael Palin’s Diaries 1969-1979: The Monty Python Years from Taylor’s mom. Unfortunately, I moved away and had to return the book before I finished it. I’m proud to say I finally finished the book!!
I recall that two years ago Taylor and I had a converation about how much we love Michael Palin, a position made almost solely from his performances in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. (We also find him the handsomest of the Pythons, even if our dear friend Evan is the spitting image of Eric Idle.) After reading the book in its entirety, I can say that not only is the man incredibly talented and funny, but also smart, sweet, and endearing. You read about the history and development of one of the greatest comedy groups of all time, as well as anecdotes about the growing young Palin family. He’s a devoted husband and father (how many celebrities can say they have been happily married to the same woman since they were 22?!), and it’s refreshing to see them featured so prominently in his diaries. He’d go see his sons perform in the school Christmas pageant and be brought to tears at how dedicated they were to their roles. He’d mention little suggestions his wife would make that would find their way into Python merchandise. And he frequently mentions his parents, and the struggle the family had with his father, who suffered greatly from old age.
Having read Kim Howard’s Monty Python’s Tunisian Holiday, I was interested in reading Palin’s version of events. Though not as thorough (of course the superfan would have better recollection of those six weeks than the very busy actor), they do mention similar events, like how funny it was to hear the local extras being taught to say “Welease Wodewick” for the Pilate scene, and how nice it was to have a sober Graham Chapman as the set doctor (I didn’t know he became a doctor before becoming a comedy actor/writer!). But then to have the pleasant filming experience followed up with all the legal and financial trouble it took to have Life of Brian released! a definite struggle, but it certainly paid out in the end.
I’m familiar with Monty Python work, but not to a great extent. So I found myself going on YouTube to look up clips and sketches from Palin’s various projects. I found this gem, a little 3-year-old who’d memorized the “Mr. Gumby and the Brain Surgeon” sketch, playing both Palin and Cleese characters:
And I also discovered this sketch that I wasn’t aware of before that had me in giggles for obvious reasons:
Definitely recommended if you’re into British comedy shows, or would at least like to know more. A follow-up is being published later this year, so get the first installment read before then!
