Eric Idle has declared Monty Python «dead,» putting a definitive end to any hopes of a reunion from the surviving members of the legendary British comedy troupe. The actor, comedian, and writer made the announcement while promoting his new book, Idle In Provence: A Brief History of Thyme, on social media.
«Today is my publication day in the UK. I hope you like and enjoy the book I spent five years on. That's what I'm doing,» Idle wrote. He then signed off with a blunt three-word verdict: «Python is dead.»
The declaration followed a series of exchanges with fans who had asked whether Idle might reunite with former collaborators John Cleese, Michael Palin, and Terry Gilliam for one final project. When one fan urged him to have «one last hurrah» with the group, Idle replied simply: «No thanks.»
Idle also addressed the long-running rift with his former castmates, writing: «When you hear what caused it, you might be more sympathetic.» When another fan expressed hope that Idle and Cleese could «see past their political differences,» Idle responded: «Unfortunately it's much worse than that, but I'm not going to say as it's very boring.» Asked whether he would ever make a new Python show with just Palin and Gilliam, without Cleese, Idle said: «No.»
Monty Python was formed in 1969 by Idle, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin. The troupe became a cultural phenomenon through their television sketch series Monty Python's Flying Circus, classic films such as Monty Python's Life of Brian and Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and numerous musical projects. Their influence on comedy, film, and popular culture remains profound more than five decades after their debut.
The group last performed together in 2014 for the stage show Monty Python Live (Mostly) at London's O2 arena. The dates marked the Pythons' first live outing in 34 years, the second without Chapman, who died in 1989, and the last with Jones, who passed away in 2020.
The feud between Idle and his former collaborators has been simmering for years. In 2024, Idle claimed he was not «loaded» despite his past success with Monty Python, saying he still had to work into his 80s. «Python is a disaster,» he wrote at the time. «Spamalot made money 20 years ago. I have to work for my living. Not easy at this age.»
Idle continued: «We own everything we ever made in Python and I never dreamed that at this age the income streams would tail off so disastrously.» He suggested that manager Holly Gilliam, the daughter of Terry Gilliam, might be to blame for the decreasing finances.
Cleese responded at the time, saying he and Idle had «always loathed and despised each other, but it's only recently that the truth has begun to emerge.» He defended Holly Gilliam, saying he had «worked with her for the last 10 years» and called her «very efficient, clear-minded, hard-working, and pleasant to have dealings with.» Cleese added that Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam shared his opinion.
Speaking to NME last summer, Idle was asked about the likelihood of the surviving Pythons coming together for another project. «I don't think this lot will get together and be funny. I don't think it's possible,» he said. «If I'm going to be funny, I want to be funny with new or different people or jam with other wonderful musicians.»
Reflecting on the 2014 reunion shows, Idle said: «We did it in 2014 with Monty Python Live (Mostly), which I wrote and directed. It was 10 nights at the O2 and fabulous. It happened just in time because Terry was having difficulty remembering things and his mind was going.»
When pressed on his current relationship with the other members, Idle described it as «from poor to terrible.» He said: «They don't talk to me. I haven't seen them for 10 years so it doesn't really matter.» He also revealed he had survived pancreatic cancer, adding: «Every day is a gift and I'm not going to waste my time bickering with people who have things to say that I don't read.»
Idle told NME that Cleese «complains all the fucking time» and had «no idea what he's doing,» referring to Cleese taking issue with actors in a stage adaptation of Life of Brian. According to Cleese, the actors were «objecting to a scene from the film in which Eric Idle's character says he's going to become a woman.»
With Idle's latest declaration, it appears the curtain has finally fallen on Monty Python as a creative entity. The troupe that once defined a generation of comedy will not be reuniting, and Idle seems content to move forward with his writing and other projects.