Eric Idle Claims That the Rest of Monty Python Excluded Him From ‘The Holy Grail’s Anniversary Event

Just recently, we heard a nice little anecdote about how the surviving of Monty Python are still there for one another during life’s hard times. But now it seems that they’re already back to their regular routine of petty grudges and hurt feelings.

Last weekend, Monty Python and the Holy Grail returned to movie theaters thanks to Fathom Events and Shout! Studios. The screening, which was intended to celebrate the film’s 50th anniversary, also included “an exclusive special introduction from Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam and John Cleese.”

Notably absent from that list of names is the only other living ex-Python: Eric Idle. Why was the guy who played Brave Sir Robin and Roger the Shrubber not part of this new intro? Well, according to Idle, it’s because nobody actually invited him to participate.

Fielding questions from fans, who were naturally curious about his absence, on social media, Idle revealed that “as usual I wasn’t asked.” Reiterating the same statement in a later post he added, “You have no idea…”

Idle fired off another post claiming that he wasn’t exactly sure why he was excluded, asking one fan, “Sound weird to you?”

When a follower suggested that the Python intro leaving Idle out was like Led Zeppelin reuniting, but “forgetting to invite Jimmy Page,” the comedian responded, “It’s not forgetting…”

Even more saltily, when asked how he feels about Monty Python and the Holy Grail today, Idle’s only response was, “I think it will make a great musical,” referring to his Broadway hit Spamalot, which was, somewhat controversially, made without any creative contributions from the rest of the Python team. 

All of this is quite different from how the 40th anniversary was celebrated in 2015, when the remaining Pythons were happy to conduct TV  interviews together.

And they all appeared on stage for an occasionally anarchic Tribeca Film Festival moderated by John Oliver, following a screening of the movie. 

But those events came about the state of his personal finances.

This may explain why Idle’s participation wasn’t requested by the same business entity that he’s been feuding with. But it’s also not totally unprecedented for Idle to sit-out a reunion, as we’ve mentioned before he opted not to the others for the Pythons’ ittedly terrible 30th anniversary special. 

There could have been logistical issues as well, since Idle is the only Python who lives in the U.S., rather than the U.K. Still, it always sucks to feel excluded, whether it’s from a perfunctory movie introduction or somebody’s birthday party.