You're listening to the Sunday Session podcast with Francesca Rudkin from News Talks.

You're listening to the Sunday Session podcast with Francesca Rudkin from News Talks.

Edb remember this song, goodness me. It's to the test of time, hasn't it. My producer Harry's sitting out there dancing away to it, and it's apparently also the most requested song for British funerals. There we go. It originated from Monty Python's The Life of Brian Suck If Just Turn It Down career, written by founding member of the group Eric Idol. Eric has had a phenomenal career. He's an actor, comedian, songwriter, musician, author, screenwriter and playwright. His career spanned sixty three years and he's not stopping yet. In fact, he's heading here to New Zealand with his stage show Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, and Eric Idol joins me, now, good morning.

Edb remember this song, goodness me. It's to the test of time, hasn't it. My producer Harry's sitting out there dancing away to it, and it's apparently also the most requested song for British funerals. There we go. It originated from Monty Python's The Life of Brian Suck If Just Turn It Down career, written by founding member of the group Eric Idol. Eric has had a phenomenal career. He's an actor, comedian, songwriter, musician, author, screenwriter and playwright. His career spanned sixty three years and he's not stopping yet. In fact, he's heading here to New Zealand with his stage show Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, and Eric Idol joins me, now, good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning.

So we started the segment with your song, Always Look on the Bright Side of Life. It's also the name of the show you're bringing here. You're released it in nineteen seventy nine. Did you think then it would still be flowing around now?

So we started the segment with your song, Always Look on the Bright Side of Life. It's also the name of the show you're bringing here. You're released it in nineteen seventy nine. Did you think then it would still be flowing around now?

No? I mean it's fairly mostly improbable. I mean, there was a it was a suggestion for how to end the life of Brian when all our characters were being crucified and we didn't know how to end it. And I said, let's let's finish with a song and it will be it could be song. We can be crucified and we can sing a nice little cheerish song, like a Disney song with a little whistle. And then I went home and wrote it, and I brought it back, recorded it and brought it back next day and it was in the scripts and suddenly, you know, so then we then we were filming it and I revoiced it in Tunisi up on mister Cheeky's voice, and now and then about you know. Thirteen years later it was re released again and went to number one in the UK and then in the in two thousands it suddenly it became the number one song requested British funerals, which is kind of which is kind of sweet. I mean, I think that's very sweet and funny.

No? I mean it's fairly mostly improbable. I mean, there was a it was a suggestion for how to end the life of Brian when all our characters were being crucified and we didn't know how to end it. And I said, let's let's finish with a song and it will be it could be song. We can be crucified and we can sing a nice little cheerish song, like a Disney song with a little whistle. And then I went home and wrote it, and I brought it back, recorded it and brought it back next day and it was in the scripts and suddenly, you know, so then we then we were filming it and I revoiced it in Tunisi up on mister Cheeky's voice, and now and then about you know. Thirteen years later it was re released again and went to number one in the UK and then in the in two thousands it suddenly it became the number one song requested British funerals, which is kind of which is kind of sweet. I mean, I think that's very sweet and funny.

It has had a lot of different lives really the song, isn't it.

It has had a lot of different lives really the song, isn't it.

It certainly has.

It certainly has.

Absolutely you are now touring a show, you're hitting here, is it a motto you stick to to always look on the bright side of life.

Absolutely you are now touring a show, you're hitting here, is it a motto you stick to to always look on the bright side of life.

Well, I am an optimist in the mornings. I'm a pessimist by night, but I'm an optimist in the morning. So I think maybe it's just a boarding school habits. You have to start a new day, get on with it. What else, you know, don't let anything hang over from yesterday. So I think it is a very good motto, and I think it does encourage people. And they write to me a lot and say it meant a lot to them, And it means a lot to them. And you know, I think if you can make them laugh and smile and feel a little better at funeral or is, that's a really nice thing to be able to achieve. Even though that didn't set out to do that.

Well, I am an optimist in the mornings. I'm a pessimist by night, but I'm an optimist in the morning. So I think maybe it's just a boarding school habits. You have to start a new day, get on with it. What else, you know, don't let anything hang over from yesterday. So I think it is a very good motto, and I think it does encourage people. And they write to me a lot and say it meant a lot to them, And it means a lot to them. And you know, I think if you can make them laugh and smile and feel a little better at funeral or is, that's a really nice thing to be able to achieve. Even though that didn't set out to do that.

There's something that Monty Python certainly did made us laugh and smile. What impact has Monty Python hit on your life and career? I mean it's been mess of hisn't it?

There's something that Monty Python certainly did made us laugh and smile. What impact has Monty Python hit on your life and career? I mean it's been mess of hisn't it?

Yes, I mean it not us all. You know, it did go side risk because I mean once it's in America and we were famous in America. Well then you know you do certainly not live and at least all sorts of different worlds. But I think you know it also had effects on. There were a lot of people wanted to know you and get to know Some of them were quite interesting. A lot of rock and rollers, for for example, wanted to know us because they love the show, and you know, rock musicians always very close to the comedian and vice versa. And because I was able to play guitar and I was able to hang out with a lot of them and play, you know, and that's kind of a nice thing to do.

Yes, I mean it not us all. You know, it did go side risk because I mean once it's in America and we were famous in America. Well then you know you do certainly not live and at least all sorts of different worlds. But I think you know it also had effects on. There were a lot of people wanted to know you and get to know Some of them were quite interesting. A lot of rock and rollers, for for example, wanted to know us because they love the show, and you know, rock musicians always very close to the comedian and vice versa. And because I was able to play guitar and I was able to hang out with a lot of them and play, you know, and that's kind of a nice thing to do.

The longevity of that work too. So I've watched Monty Python with my two teenagers and they've laughed. Sometimes we're laughing at different things, Eric, But that comedy it still works.

The longevity of that work too. So I've watched Monty Python with my two teenagers and they've laughed. Sometimes we're laughing at different things, Eric, But that comedy it still works.

I know, it is intriguing, and it's also not supposed to be. I mean, you know, the Holy Grass fifty years old next year. I mean, I don't remember list watching fifty year I suppose we watched some fifty year old comedies. I mean we watched Harol Lloyd and you know, well this is Laurrel and Hardy and things like that. But they seemed in a different era because they were in black and white. And I think one of our luckiest things was that when we first did the TV show, we were only three months from being in black and white. Color was new and we were in color, so we were both digital, which is great because it can survive, and we were in color. And those are the only two reasons I can explain why the longevity of it is because we're still in the digital era.

I know, it is intriguing, and it's also not supposed to be. I mean, you know, the Holy Grass fifty years old next year. I mean, I don't remember list watching fifty year I suppose we watched some fifty year old comedies. I mean we watched Harol Lloyd and you know, well this is Laurrel and Hardy and things like that. But they seemed in a different era because they were in black and white. And I think one of our luckiest things was that when we first did the TV show, we were only three months from being in black and white. Color was new and we were in color, so we were both digital, which is great because it can survive, and we were in color. And those are the only two reasons I can explain why the longevity of it is because we're still in the digital era.

Well, that's interesting. Look, I did wonder when watching it whether we are still whether it's still okay to be laughing at Monty Python and twenty twenty four. Have people given you their opinion on that.

Well, that's interesting. Look, I did wonder when watching it whether we are still whether it's still okay to be laughing at Monty Python and twenty twenty four. Have people given you their opinion on that.

I'm sure they have opinions, but I don't tend to listen because I don't read anything that has it it's opinionated. I mean, you know, if people wanted and they laugh, I think it might have gained a few passes because it's so well established, you know what I mean. But I don't like people telling people what to laugh at and what not to laugh at. I'm not in favor of that. I think the point about comedy is to say the right thing at the wrong time.

I'm sure they have opinions, but I don't tend to listen because I don't read anything that has it it's opinionated. I mean, you know, if people wanted and they laugh, I think it might have gained a few passes because it's so well established, you know what I mean. But I don't like people telling people what to laugh at and what not to laugh at. I'm not in favor of that. I think the point about comedy is to say the right thing at the wrong time.

I read that during the Monty Python days the others kind of paired up to write, but you would often work on your own. Why was that you? Is that the way you preferred to work?

I read that during the Monty Python days the others kind of paired up to write, but you would often work on your own. Why was that you? Is that the way you preferred to work?

Well, I still work on my own, so I didn't lose my partner. I have writing by the thing you do on your own. I didn't like. I don't like talking to people in the mornings, and you know, if you write with a partner to chalk all the time. And so I didn't, And that's that's just who I am, and I don't think. I think the only partners I ever had was I had a part cale, John Dupray for about forty five years, who was a musical partner who wrote music. I had a partner, Nil Innis, who wrote the Rustle songs, you know. So I would tend to partner with people who couldn't do what I could do, and I couldn't do what they couldn't do. I think that's the best form of partnership. Whereas you know, somebody like Acclees has to write with somebody to get to write with the Graham Chapman and then he wrote Faulty with Connie Booth. You know, he wrote Wander with the director. You know, he has to have somebody to always to channel it through. And I feel fortunate that I don't. I don't need that. I write every day, you know, I write what comes into my mind and see all that's interesting or maybe that will lead to that, or shall I But sometimes I just write down when i'm thinking it's I find that interesting.

Well, I still work on my own, so I didn't lose my partner. I have writing by the thing you do on your own. I didn't like. I don't like talking to people in the mornings, and you know, if you write with a partner to chalk all the time. And so I didn't, And that's that's just who I am, and I don't think. I think the only partners I ever had was I had a part cale, John Dupray for about forty five years, who was a musical partner who wrote music. I had a partner, Nil Innis, who wrote the Rustle songs, you know. So I would tend to partner with people who couldn't do what I could do, and I couldn't do what they couldn't do. I think that's the best form of partnership. Whereas you know, somebody like Acclees has to write with somebody to get to write with the Graham Chapman and then he wrote Faulty with Connie Booth. You know, he wrote Wander with the director. You know, he has to have somebody to always to channel it through. And I feel fortunate that I don't. I don't need that. I write every day, you know, I write what comes into my mind and see all that's interesting or maybe that will lead to that, or shall I But sometimes I just write down when i'm thinking it's I find that interesting.

You've been in show business since nineteen sixty one, sixty three years, which is incredible. Do you think you'll ever stop? What's keeping you going?

You've been in show business since nineteen sixty one, sixty three years, which is incredible. Do you think you'll ever stop? What's keeping you going?

I don't know. I mean I think I would. I might stop, but I think this the time is not right to stop, you know. I mean, it's kind of fun to be while you can still come to New Zealand, and it's still amazing to be able to do that and so still entertain an audience. I think that's a fortunate position to be in at my age and stage of life, especially as I had to survive cancer to do it. I feel very much a fortunate man, and I got a reprieve and I can see a bit more of the world and a bit more of you know, beautiful New Zealand. I mean, what fun is.

I don't know. I mean I think I would. I might stop, but I think this the time is not right to stop, you know. I mean, it's kind of fun to be while you can still come to New Zealand, and it's still amazing to be able to do that and so still entertain an audience. I think that's a fortunate position to be in at my age and stage of life, especially as I had to survive cancer to do it. I feel very much a fortunate man, and I got a reprieve and I can see a bit more of the world and a bit more of you know, beautiful New Zealand. I mean, what fun is.

That you had pancreatic cancer, as you mentioned a few years back, and you really didn't tell anyone about it until you had the clear Was that the way that you just wanted to deal with it?

That you had pancreatic cancer, as you mentioned a few years back, and you really didn't tell anyone about it until you had the clear Was that the way that you just wanted to deal with it?

Well, I think the thing is when you deal with something like that. It's not so bad for you, it's worse for your wife and your children, and so you have to you go through that. But I didn't feel I should come out and broadcast it. And then I was asked to be on the Mass singer and I thought, oh, I wonder if I can still do this. So I went and did it, and then when it came out, I thought, I'm going to use this opportunity to tell people because this is an encouraging news that somebody, somebody survived pancreatic cancer, you know, and we can, we can conquer this, and so I help them a bit, you know, on charity things. And I'm very much in favor of people giving money to pancredit cancer charities because we are improving very very rapidly the numbers of survivors because we now know or in a blood test, and you know, it's it's managed to just gets better and better, which.

Well, I think the thing is when you deal with something like that. It's not so bad for you, it's worse for your wife and your children, and so you have to you go through that. But I didn't feel I should come out and broadcast it. And then I was asked to be on the Mass singer and I thought, oh, I wonder if I can still do this. So I went and did it, and then when it came out, I thought, I'm going to use this opportunity to tell people because this is an encouraging news that somebody, somebody survived pancreatic cancer, you know, and we can, we can conquer this, and so I help them a bit, you know, on charity things. And I'm very much in favor of people giving money to pancredit cancer charities because we are improving very very rapidly the numbers of survivors because we now know or in a blood test, and you know, it's it's managed to just gets better and better, which.

Is good news. Yes, yeah, tell me about the show you're coming in October. A mix of comedy and music. What's an Eric Idol show like?

Is good news. Yes, yeah, tell me about the show you're coming in October. A mix of comedy and music. What's an Eric Idol show like?

Well, it's like a one man musical. I mean, it's it's got favorite bits in I've I've tried to make sure that nobody's seen the things I'm playing. I'm playing things from rotten weekend television, nobody's seen. I'm playing bris from the Buttles, nobody's ever seen. But also I have a virtual band which I've been working with, and they're they're sort of a part time they're like the Monkey's band and they play with Mickey Dolan's mainly. But they're very nice and I've got them on screen singing along with me. So this is a first time everybody's been on tour with a virtual band. And of course they're much easier than taking real musicians on the road because they're you know, they're not you know, getting drunk and being smelly and all that. So so it's kind of, you know, it's it's it's I try and surprise people when I create a show. I spent two months on it, and I try and you know, think, well, what's what haven't they seen? What? What will amuse them? What will be different? Why will they like this show? How can I surprise them and tickle them? And that's what I try and do.

Well, it's like a one man musical. I mean, it's it's got favorite bits in I've I've tried to make sure that nobody's seen the things I'm playing. I'm playing things from rotten weekend television, nobody's seen. I'm playing bris from the Buttles, nobody's ever seen. But also I have a virtual band which I've been working with, and they're they're sort of a part time they're like the Monkey's band and they play with Mickey Dolan's mainly. But they're very nice and I've got them on screen singing along with me. So this is a first time everybody's been on tour with a virtual band. And of course they're much easier than taking real musicians on the road because they're you know, they're not you know, getting drunk and being smelly and all that. So so it's kind of, you know, it's it's it's I try and surprise people when I create a show. I spent two months on it, and I try and you know, think, well, what's what haven't they seen? What? What will amuse them? What will be different? Why will they like this show? How can I surprise them and tickle them? And that's what I try and do.

I'm surprised you don't have musicians with you, because I know that you've had great friendships with musicians. You've been drawn towards musicians throughout your life, really have you?

I'm surprised you don't have musicians with you, because I know that you've had great friendships with musicians. You've been drawn towards musicians throughout your life, really have you?

Yes, But you can't afford to take a band on the road, you know, you know you have to be It's just isn't possible. So I have them on screen.

Yes, But you can't afford to take a band on the road, you know, you know you have to be It's just isn't possible. So I have them on screen.

I've filmed them brilliant. You have tributes to friends George Harrison and Robin Williams in the show Too Wonderful Men. What impact did the death.

I've filmed them brilliant. You have tributes to friends George Harrison and Robin Williams in the show Too Wonderful Men. What impact did the death.

Have on you, Eric, Well, enormous life changing impact. So George changed my life and he found me in nineteen seventy five the screening of The Holy Grail, and you know, it was just like a friendship that suddenly, you know, we just clicked and we were you know, I was in Python and he was in the Beatles, and we both wanted to know what it was like in his group and you want to know what it's like in my group. And you know, we just talked and talked and talked the first time we met, we talked all night. It was very you know, it was just great. I met him in La Here and a screening and it was it was just and then we just became great pals. And you know, he appeared on My Rotten weekend television show, and you know, he came on stage with us in New York and finally he paid and he came you know, he supported the Ruttles and he's in the Ruttles and then finally paid for the Life of Brian to be made, which is four and a half million dollars, which is extraordinary.

Have on you, Eric, Well, enormous life changing impact. So George changed my life and he found me in nineteen seventy five the screening of The Holy Grail, and you know, it was just like a friendship that suddenly, you know, we just clicked and we were you know, I was in Python and he was in the Beatles, and we both wanted to know what it was like in his group and you want to know what it's like in my group. And you know, we just talked and talked and talked the first time we met, we talked all night. It was very you know, it was just great. I met him in La Here and a screening and it was it was just and then we just became great pals. And you know, he appeared on My Rotten weekend television show, and you know, he came on stage with us in New York and finally he paid and he came you know, he supported the Ruttles and he's in the Ruttles and then finally paid for the Life of Brian to be made, which is four and a half million dollars, which is extraordinary.

So we could have there's a possibility without that we would have never have had always look on the right side of life.

So we could have there's a possibility without that we would have never have had always look on the right side of life.

Absolutely, you wouldn't have had the Life of Brian either. I don't think anybody would have made it. So whether the song could have slept out on its own, I doubt it. You know, it was there for us to end the film.

Absolutely, you wouldn't have had the Life of Brian either. I don't think anybody would have made it. So whether the song could have slept out on its own, I doubt it. You know, it was there for us to end the film.

I believe. You've also got a book coming out later this year, the spam Alot Diaries. Of course, Spemme a Lot has been back on Broadway as touring North America. It's been quite a bumpy ride getting the musical up and running, isn't it.

I believe. You've also got a book coming out later this year, the spam Alot Diaries. Of course, Spemme a Lot has been back on Broadway as touring North America. It's been quite a bumpy ride getting the musical up and running, isn't it.

Well, it was easy to get up and running. I mean, I think the trouble is in January and February there's no way you can make money anymore on Broadway because there cost twenty million to open and you can't getting that money back, so the investors have gone away. I mean, they're in a big crisis there. But you can what we did. We brought in a production from the Kennedy Center Washington, which had been very funny and successful, so we didn't cost half as much. So we put it on and it was funny and people loved it. And then you know, then there was a big fight for theaters come April because about twenty musicals were opening, about all of which most of which will have gone already, so it's very I'm very happy that which are in North America because that's what we were always going to do, and that happens next year. And while I was clearing out last year, I came across the spam a lot diaries which I'd written at the time in two thousand and four, and they were fascinating because it was dated. You know, every few days I'd write about what was going on and our panics and anxieties and our fights and our loves and our joys and highs and lows. And it's about putting on a show and you have no idea how it's going to end up, and so it's it's just kind of bit I've mean, people like it because it's a sort of honest story about that, and there's people's emails to each other. Mike Nichols writes a lot, and the great encouragement I got from Mike Nichols is really the secret to it all. I think she was extraordinary.

Well, it was easy to get up and running. I mean, I think the trouble is in January and February there's no way you can make money anymore on Broadway because there cost twenty million to open and you can't getting that money back, so the investors have gone away. I mean, they're in a big crisis there. But you can what we did. We brought in a production from the Kennedy Center Washington, which had been very funny and successful, so we didn't cost half as much. So we put it on and it was funny and people loved it. And then you know, then there was a big fight for theaters come April because about twenty musicals were opening, about all of which most of which will have gone already, so it's very I'm very happy that which are in North America because that's what we were always going to do, and that happens next year. And while I was clearing out last year, I came across the spam a lot diaries which I'd written at the time in two thousand and four, and they were fascinating because it was dated. You know, every few days I'd write about what was going on and our panics and anxieties and our fights and our loves and our joys and highs and lows. And it's about putting on a show and you have no idea how it's going to end up, and so it's it's just kind of bit I've mean, people like it because it's a sort of honest story about that, and there's people's emails to each other. Mike Nichols writes a lot, and the great encouragement I got from Mike Nichols is really the secret to it all. I think she was extraordinary.

And Eric, just finally, congratulations you and your wife Tan. You just celebrated forty three years married. What is the secret to long term merital bliss?

And Eric, just finally, congratulations you and your wife Tan. You just celebrated forty three years married. What is the secret to long term merital bliss?

Well, we've been together forty seven years and I gave that woman two of the best years of her life.

Well, we've been together forty seven years and I gave that woman two of the best years of her life.

And she just hang around for a forty five more. Oh, it's been a delight to talk to you. So looking forward to seeing the show and when you get to New Zealand. Thank you so much for your time today.

And she just hang around for a forty five more. Oh, it's been a delight to talk to you. So looking forward to seeing the show and when you get to New Zealand. Thank you so much for your time today.

Appreciate it, Jessica, Thank you.

Appreciate it, Jessica, Thank you.

Eric Idle. Always look on the bright side of life. It's coming to New Zealand. The October tickets are on sale now.

Eric Idle. Always look on the bright side of life. It's coming to New Zealand. The October tickets are on sale now.

For more from the Sunday session with Francesca Rudkin, listen live to News Talks it B from nine am Sunday, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.

For more from the Sunday session with Francesca Rudkin, listen live to News Talks it B from nine am Sunday, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.