Talk:Eric Idle

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"Early Life"[edit]

The article states that Idle was born in South Shields and in Harton Village. Is that some sort of Pythonesque humour, or was that sentence meant to read something like "he grew up in South Shields and in Harton Village"? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 132.199.174.149 (talk) 15:11, 17 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

"Boks"[edit]

As this has been altered several times, it's probably worth noting here that the Monty Python books are referred to as "boks", hence why the author wrote "boks" (sic) in the original article. Please do not "correct" it to "books" [sic], as this makes no sense. -taras 17:39, 8 January 2006 (UTC)[reply]

"Anglo-American"[edit]

I edited the sentence that called Monty Python Anglo-American, to just English, because it is English, and from England, even if one member is from America

(The above was an unsigned comment by 81.158.50.245 - on 11:34, 14 September 2006)

You're correct in removing "Anglo-American" The group was defined by the nationality of the majority of its members and the fact that all of them (including the one American) all lived in Britain. However - as Terry Jones was/is Welsh - the correct all-encompassing term is "British" - hence my change to that effect. Davidpatrick 13:52, 14 September 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Nearly Departed[edit]

Does anyone have any details on Eric's extremely short-lived sitcom "Nearly Departed"? If I remember correctly, he played a ghost living in a family's attic. It didn't last an entire season. This might make a worthwhile addition to Eric's Wikipedia entry. (addendum: IMDB info at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096659/)

Books[edit]

why are there two paragraphs on the books he has written? Delete the first one. jettofabulo 01:32, 28 Feb 2005 (UTC)

Also, there are too many states these days, please eliminate three.--Crestville 23:23, 28 Feb 2005 (UTC)

Eric Idle is the best Monty Python actor[edit]

By who's estimation? The Python's themselves seemed to think it was Chapman.--Crestville 12:21, 17 July 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Should we add the FCC song to this? [1]. Secret london 18:27, 16 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Pre-Python collaborations[edit]

Could people please leave non-Python members of shows in the article, as well as "Monty Python" members. The non-Python members are as much a part of Eric Idle's comedy history as the Python members are. Figaro 01:52, 5 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

his accent[edit]

at least in python's his accent sounds coming from south of englang, maybe london. i have little idea of british accents though, what is his accent sounds like being from?

He's from Durham so he has a northern accent, though his time in America has definitely softened this. What does it matter anyway?--Crestville 18:14, 30 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

He also wrote the song "Fuck You FCC"[edit]

Just thought I'd mention it.

It's actually just called the FCC Song. 174.0.46.168 (talk) 02:42, 10 December 2009 (UTC)[reply]

"Early Life"[edit]

It states that he was born in South Shields, County Durham. South Shields is in South Tyneside, not County Durham --Geordiejon 18:06, 30 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I changed it. Thanks for noticing. Garion96 (talk) 21:25, 30 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

addition of Books[edit]

Boks or Books, or maybe even better Bibliography, it might be good to have a section where Eric Idle's books can be easily located. If it is deemed as useless repetition, feel free to revert. If not and if possible, please, help to list all his books with edition and ISBN. Hoverfish 21:32, 11 September 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I agree. Good idea. Davidpatrick 14:10, 14 September 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Description in first pararaph[edit]

He is a clearly renowned as a comedian and actor. And known (to a lesser extent) as an author and composer. I think to identify him in the midde of the opening sentence as a film director is stretching it. (And I'm a big fan of his!) According to IMDB and other online sources - his only sole directing credits have been the occasional TV segment (not entire shows) and one music video. And a TV special that was shelved and eventually released only on DVD. His best-known directing credit is a shared credit with an established TV director Gary Weis (from SNL) So we should definitely refer to those projects as appropriate in the overall article - but I don't think those amount to a description of him as a film director Davidpatrick 14:09, 14 September 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Ratty[edit]

Eric Idle makes also a remarkable appearance as Ratty in Terry Jones' 'Wind in the Willows' (1996). Yet the way the paragraph starts (Idle received good critical notices...) makes it questionable to add this after 'Casper'. (Did he receive good critical notices for it too?) Also the paragraph on 'Honey, I Shrunk the Audience'(1995) comes after mentioning 'Burn Hollywood Burn' (1999). Shouldn't there be a better chronological structure in this section? Hoverfish 23:45, 14 September 2006 (UTC)[reply]

By the way, I added missing dates for some Post Python features, and ask for a go-ahead to put some order in this section's paragraphs. -Well, actually I did it. Hope the good guardians of the article are pleased with it. Hoverfish 12:52, 15 September 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Does Eric have a contact?[edit]

I was wondering if there was a way to contact Eric. I looked around that PythOnline site, but no such luck. The message board is not working either. Does anyone know if he's got an e-mail? --Sivak 05:13, 5 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Eric Idle, Drugs, Star Wars? Is that true?-mattawa

George Harrison?[edit]

The section under "Trivia" that states that he made a joke about Dhani needs to specify which event honouring George Harrison he made it at. I mean, it's the sort of thing he WOULD say, I have no doubt, but I have seen "Concert for George" and he says no such thing there...

Shrek the Third[edit]

There's a missing work in a sentence toward the end of the Post-Python career section, in reference to his reaction at the Shrek the Third premiere:

"Idle was reported to have stormed out of the premiere to Shrek the Third and has said he may sue the producers of the film after seeing them directly a gag from his earlier film Monty Python and the Holy Grail."

Perhaps this word was left out intentionally, since the correct verb in this circumstance appears to be a matter of some dispute? Could a suitable placeholder be found in the interim? Mr. Chuck 23:49, 23 May 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I added "copy" - it may not be the best choice, but at least it fixes the sentence for now. Thanks for catching that one. --Ckatz^chat _spy 23:54, 23 May 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I am not sure this trivia is of any significance unless to document that he has an irrational temper or how some people don't pick up when he is making a joke. After all Idle stole the coconut gag himself. I believe several B&W movie actors (Abbott&Costello?) have used the gag in movies were they got caught using the coconuts to deceive someone about an approaching horse. Worse yet for claiming originality, the gag itself is just making visible how old radio and early movie sound effects crews made the familiar hoof beats. Thus there are hundreds of cases of prior art in sound and possibly dozens in film. 69.23.124.142 (talk) 04:39, 7 March 2008 (UTC)[reply]

"He was reported to have stormed out of its premiere and has said he may sue the producers of the film after seeing them directly copy a gag from his earlier film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The gag in question is banging coconuts together to imitate hoofbeats- a running gag throughout Monty Python and the Holy Grail.[6][7]"

Tonight (Monday 9th June 2008) BBC Radio Seven played a classic radio comedy episode, "I'm Sorry I'll Read That again", first broadcast in April 1967. This episode uses the "you're not riding a horse - you're just banging two coconuts together!" gag quite a few years before Python and the Holy Grail. The script is attributed to Grame Garden and Bill Oddie. So logically, aren't they due a big court pay-out from Idle and the Pythons, as logically, in the absense of a time machine, the only conclusioon is that Idle pinched a Garden/Oddie joke? (Or perhaps Idle could stop being precious and accept that gags, by their nature, get recycled over the years)86.155.78.146 (talk) 22:05, 9 June 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Ancestry[edit]

Hi!

Eric Idle strongly reminds me of Gene Wilder. And his nasal pronunciation (Cockney-like, quite uncommon for Northern England) is very similar to that of Fran Drescher.

I just wondered whether he might have Jewish forefathers or perhaps even he himself is or was Jewish.

Best regards

Harald

Eric's mother moved back to Stratford-upon-Avon when his father died, where Standard English is the norm. I suspect Eric's mockney accent is just an attempt to hide this.

Anyway, Eric Idle and Gene Wilder look more Eastern European than middle-eastern. Unknown Unknowns 12:04, 31 May 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I do not understand your last sentence. Is he Jewish or not?

Sorry, there is no record of Eric having Jewish ancestory. Unknown Unknowns 07:55, 1 June 2007 (UTC)[reply]

and what do the jews have to do with it? just stop the false stereotype i ain't funny Markthemac 14:05, 14 July 2007 (UTC)[reply]

But I would need a creditable citation to accept that the majority of bloodline Jews have no characteristic noses. However nose shape generally has little to do with nasal accents. Isn't Drescher's accent actually New Jersey? While Eric himself may not claim Jewish faith or close ancestors...keep in mind that the famous Jewish Geneologies only track those who retain Jewish faith. Eastern European noses can come from many sources, including the large number of Jews who once migrated there to get away from Rome.

For most people the Jewish ancestory would make no difference either way -- except if they were adding names to that semi-comic song about all the Jewish people in show business. Don't worry the song is by a singing Jewish comedian (whose name I forget). 69.23.124.142 (talk) 04:51, 7 March 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Just noticed the bit about Stratford-on-Avon, where the true local accent is South Warwickshire/SW Midlands, not Standard English. It is easy enough for a middle-class English comic actor of Eric's skill to adopt a bit of a Cockney accent when the need arises.Carreg63 (talk) 20:59, 5 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

CITIZEN[edit]

Is this person an American citizen? If not, this article should not be in an 'English American' category. Please fix. Hmains 03:18, 14 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Child Actor?[edit]

He's listed as being an English Child Actor, but there's no mention in the article or his IMDB entry about anything before 1966, when he was probably 23. Rayhol (talk) 19:52, 6 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Fair use rationale for Image:Eric Idle presenting Rutland Weekend Television.jpg[edit]

Image:Eric Idle presenting Rutland Weekend Television.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Wikipedia:Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images lacking such an explanation can be deleted one week after being tagged, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.

BetacommandBot (talk) 06:26, 2 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Deletion of Criticism section[edit]

PythonFacts (talk · contribs) repeatedly deletes the "Criticism" section: [2], [3], [4]. I think it's a good section, well-sourced, and not particularly POV. Until today, the reason stated for the deletion. In one deletion, the summary was "Section deleted due to invalid and false claims stated within," which is clearly not the case: the sources check out. In the most recent deletion, the summary is "Passage was removed as it was maliciously inspired by an individual with a personal vendetta." I don't know that that's true, but even so, as long as it's sourced and accurate, and WP:NPOV, the motivation of the editor adding it does not concern me. If there really is a POV issue, it would be better addressed by appropriate (NPOV) edits to provide balance, rather than by deletion. TJRC (talk) 21:22, 1 October 2010 (UTC)[reply]

born at age 67[edit]

it is stated in the info-box

'Born 29 March 1943 (1943-03-29) (age 67) South Shields, England'

i don't quite follow this, please repair. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 89.204.238.236 (talk) 21:20, 5 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Sport[edit]

It looks like Eric disputes the claim in he supported Wolverhampton Wanderers:

"Idle stated that the two things that made his life bearable were listening to Radio Luxembourg under the bedclothes and watching the local football team, Wolverhampton Wanderers."

uptone: @ericidle You've taken the piss out of sport for decades eg Being Eaten by a Crocodile Olympic Event but Wiki says you support Wolves. Huh?? http://twitter.com/uptone/status/267968024261304322 12:32pm, Nov 12 from HootSuite

EricIdle: @uptone Wikilies. http://twitter.com/EricIdle/status/268029647613218816 4:37pm, Nov 12 from Web Johnalexwood (talk) 21:58, 12 November 2012 (UTC)[reply]

This information came from a review of 'The Pythons Autobiography of the Pythons' by Richard Williamson in the Birmingham Mail.[5] The Wikipedia article does not say that Idle is a Wolves fan, only that he watched them as a child. Unknown Unknowns (talk) 11:13, 16 April 2014 (UTC)[reply]

small matter but am wondering if his performance at the 2012 Olympic closing ceremony is worth a mention — Preceding unsigned comment added by 109.157.170.64 (talk) 01:17, 14 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Footlights president[edit]

It's claimed here (without a citation) that he was the first Footlights president to allow women to join. I'm not sure that this is true, given that Eleanor Bron was in a Footlights production in 1959 and Idle wasn't president until 1965. Then again, it's possible that women were allowed to perform but not be official members, or something. Maybe some Cambridge types could shed light on this.... MFlet1 (talk) 12:21, 8 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Request for Comments[edit]

There is an RfC on the question of using "Religion: None" vs. "Religion: None (atheist)" in the infobox on this and other similar pages.

The RfC is at Template talk:Infobox person#RfC: Religion infobox entries for individuals that have no religion.

Please help us determine consensus on this issue. --Guy Macon (talk) 19:38, 23 April 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Add to Songs written Eric uploaded a Youtube video song "PUT HARRY NILSSON INTO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME!" on 16th May 2015 in support of the submission. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Davy Nook (talk • contribs) 02:17, 7 September 2015 (UTC)[reply]

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Figment?[edit]

He was on figment guys come on 170.203.145.239 (talk) 20:32, 23 September 2022 (UTC)[reply]

secondary misinformation[edit]

Idle was eventually caught watching the X-rated film BUtterfield 8 (suitable for audiences aged 16 years and over under the contemporary film certificates)

"X-rated" was not yet a concept in 1960, and I cannot imagine that BUtterfield 8 would ever have been rated X; it's racy but there's no nudity (unless I have forgotten something in the years since I watched it). But because the above sentence is paraphrased from a biography of Monty Python, I am told it must remain as is. What's the policy on keeping falsehoods that were reported by others? —Tamfang (talk) 19:38, 13 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]

It's not false information. Take a look at the original promotion poster on this page. Unknown Unknowns (talk) 23:12, 13 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Wow, I learn something every day. —Tamfang (talk) 05:22, 21 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]