John Cleese On How They Sold Monty Python To The BBC

Living legend John Cleese stops by to talk about his book "So, Anyway," how he and his fellow Pythons pitched their show, and why fish are funny.

[AuntieWelly]

Cleese was expelled from Clifton College school for the following incident: There was a white statue of Earl Haig in the grounds. Cleese painted white footprints from the statue to the toilet and back again.

[muhhest]

Notice how Stephen doesn't say much here. He usually has a lot of small witicisms he interjects, but here he is mostly just listening, because Cleese is a legend.

[danpalmer]

Amazing to see how star struck comedians get when they interview Cleese, true respect and admiration

[BenjWarrant]

I remember watching the fish-slapping sketch when it was first broadcast. My mum and dad were in the room, I was a teenager.
The sketch made me helpless with shaking, but what made me cry with laughter was the dead-pan, slightly disgusted expressions of my parents.

[ExoShaman]

Stephen is getting the best people to interview. They're all so interesting and he's letting them open up about themselves and it's wonderful.

[singenstattatmen]

I just love that Stephen is absolutely familiar with John's work and, most importantly, his humour. "You looked like an absolute idiot", "Did it help being a circus freak" - you can tell Mr. Cleese is absolutely loving it. He does always say that he prefers rude, interesting questions to boring, polite and generic ones. What a marvelous interview with a wonderful atmosphere.

[DJ-bjku]

I saw Cleese interviewed by Conan, Colbert and Seth Meyers and they all yielded the microphone to his brilliance. The guy at BBC who told the Pythons to create thirteen episodes without knowing what they’d produce is the wisest executive ever.

[Danmarinja]

I love that John Cleese isn’t just a comedian, he’s a properly respectful and insightful guy who knows how to tell a story.

[KingOfMadCows]

Hats off to John Cleese for all the years of laughter he's given us.

[SamBinuful]

Now this is a good talk show. Colbert is letting the guest have fun and asking questions that actually can have a thoughtful response.

[shkotayd]

Colbert has to stop interviewing geniuses back to back (seriously). This is blowing the brain.

All the respect to Cleese. The man has earned his kudos!

[daggumnametaken]

His willingness to just sit there in awe of people he looked up to as his guests, he doesnt even attempt to hide it. That is one of the best parts of Colbert.

[fabulousmyriad]

I've rarely seen John smiling and so relaxed. Kudos to Stephen for being an excellent host!

[JessemyBeadle]

I don’t think I fully understood my father until I understood John Cleese. He was raised on Monty Python And went to university in the 70s, he speaks and thinks just like the talented mr Cleese. What a lovely reminder of a fun time.

[Drinapropriatetouch]

John Cleese has to be one of the best guests to interview, he just seems to be able to carry it himself, I notice he just needs so little to work with, he can respond with the most interesting & funny stories to only the simplest questions.

[lettuceprime]

He's like the world's most well-spoken irreverent Grandpa.

[Kdpsnake]

I love that Colbert actually allowed the guest to talk and didnt interrupt every 4 seconds to steer the conversation

[thesheepthatwentmooo]

Most subtle reference to the Parrot Sketch I have ever seen at 5:24 :P love it

[chrisb]

John Cleese is incredible. I love that he is still with us.

[DeathlyTired]

You get the guest on, who actually has things to say, not just things to sell, you let them talk, and don't interrupt them every five seconds.
Substance, see, it's not difficult. Of course, it helps to have so seasoned a raconteur as Mr. Cleese - who can make any tangent a joyous diversion - but, still: conversations not soundbites