John Cleese clearly shows a grudge against the BBC for not showing reruns of Monty Python. It writes Deadline.
The 83-year-old actor and comedian asked his 5.6 million Twitter followers the following:
– Can anyone (including BBC staff) tell me why the BBC hasn’t shown Monty Python for a couple of decades?
Marked 50th anniversary
Cleese’s question overlooked the BBC’s celebration of the iconic comedy, which included airing the first episode, to mark the show’s 50th anniversary in 2019.
John Hoare, a television director, responded to Cleese, reminding him of the night dedicated to Python at the BBC.
“I was sitting in BBC Two’s press suite on 7 September 2019, preparing an episode of Monty Python for transmission as part of an evening of Python-related programmes, and then putting it on air, if that helps,” Hoare said.
TOTAL: The actors Eric Idle, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and Terry Jones, together in 2020. Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS / NTB
Did not mention rights agreements
Cleese’s tweet also did not mention rights deals made for the Monty Python catalog.
The series and films, including Monty Python and The Holy Grail, are all streamed on Netflix in the UK.
A British TV channel also made a deal earlier this year to rebroadcast all four seasons of the comedy, which stars Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Graham Chapman, Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam.
The rights to Monty Python are owned by Python (Monty) Pictures. Cleese, Palin, Idle and Gilliam are all CEOs of the company.
Many have therefore responded to Cleese’s Twitter message and pointed out that he should know very well that the BBC does not have the rights to the series.
– Because the BBC sold the rights to Netflix. I don’t work for the BBC, but this is pretty easy to figure out, John, for example, writes one user.
Fighting against cancellation culture
Cleese’s tweet about Python was interpreted as a dog whistle about cancellation culture, which he has vociferously fought against in recent years. He was to make a documentary for Channel 4 on the subject.
Cleese has also announced plans to host a show on GB News, the right-wing British news channel, which will campaign for freedom of expression.
In response to Cleese’s question about the BBC, actor Rob Schneider said:
– They have not finished editing out the parts that do not fit in with their ideology. Which is the entire series!
Complained earlier
It is not the first time Cleese has complained that the BBC has not shown Python. In 2020 he said:
– The BBC hasn’t broadcast Monty Python on linear TV now for 20 years, and young people don’t know about it. Now young people have no idea who I am and it seems strange as I think they would like Python.
