Terry Jones threw typewriter at John Cleese, says Michael Palin

The Monty Python troupe rowed so much that Terry Jones once threw a typewriter at John Cleese, Sir Michael Palin has revealed.

Sir Michael, 80, said it is a great thing that they “don’t all agree” as he discussed the “huge” arguments among the comedy group which consisted of himself, Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle as well as the late Graham Chapman and Jones.

Speaking to Radio Times, Sir Michael said: “Since Python split up, and even in our time together, we have all had huge arguments.

“The great thing is that we don’t all agree. I remember Terry Jones once threw a typewriter across the room at John.”

The troupe stopped producing work together after 1999, reforming briefly in 2014 for a final reunion with the whole surviving crew for variety show Monty Python Live (Mostly). However, a row between Idle and Cleese and Gilliam over the way the group’s finances have been handled emerged earlier this year.

Sir Michael, an actor, comedian and travel presenter who has become known for his globetrotting travel programmes, said it was not a “surprise” that the remaining members of the group have been fighting over the financial legacy of the show.

“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,” he said.

He added that it was not “right” for Idle to be getting “very cross” with Cleese and Gilliam.

In February Idle claimed on X, formerly Twitter, that the finances of the troupe, founded in 1969, were still a “disaster”.

He blamed his financial issues on Holly Gilliam, daughter of fellow Python Terry and manager of the troupe, saying: “We own everything we ever made in Python and I never dreamed that at this age the income streams would tail off so disastrously.

“But I guess if you put a Gilliam child in as your manager you should not be so surprised. One Gilliam is bad enough. Two can take out any company.”

In a series of posts, the actor and comedian said he had to keep working into his 80s to pay the bills while his fellow octogenarians do the same. Cleese is bringing back Fawlty Towers, Sir Michael continues to make travel shows and Gilliam is directing films.

Idle’s biggest Python-related success came in 2005 with Spamalot, the musical adaptation of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, which was a hit on both Broadway and in the West End.

He also said that the Pythons – who have known each for seven decades – have not remained friends and he branded co-star Cleese “a bully”.

Idle alleged that Cleese “bullied Jonesy [Terry Jones],” adding that he “always felt ashamed we did nothing”.

The troupe landed on television with BBC sketch series Monty Python’s Flying Circus, which ran from 1969 to 1974, before moving on to the films with Monty Python and the Holy Grail in 1975, Monty Python’s Life of Brian in 1979 and Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life in 1983.

Sir Michael also dismissed the idea of another big reunion, saying that the one in 2014 allowed them to “bow out gracefully”.

Asked if the sketch show could be made in today’s more politically correct climate, he told Radio Times: “I don’t know if you would get any backers… 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.”

It comes as Sir Michael has released his latest travel show, a three-part series on Channel 5 about Nigeria.

Cleese hit back at Idle’s remarks concerning Ms Gilliam, saying that in his dealings with her for the last 10 years, she has been “efficient, clear-minded, hard-working and pleasant”.

Responding to Idle’s rant on X, the 84-year-old added: “Michael Palin has asked me to make it clear that he shares this opinion. Terry Gilliam is also in agreement with this.”

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