Eric Idle Partied With The Original 'Star Wars' Cast

'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life: A Sortabiography' author Eric Idle remembers a party that blended together Monty Python, the Rolling Stones, and the original cast of 'Star Wars.'
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The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is the premier late night talk show on CBS, airing at 11:35pm EST, streaming online via CBS All Access, and delivered to the International Space Station on a USB drive taped to a weather balloon. Every night, viewers can expect: Comedy, humor, funny moments, witty interviews, celebrities, famous people, movie stars, bits, humorous celebrities doing bits, funny celebs, big group photos of every star from Hollywood, even the reclusive ones, plus also jokes.

[@evilmario6061]

Every Python is an international treasure

[@kurtsudheim825]

They really do need to be idle- used, I know John has his walk spray painted somewhere, but we need something proper

[@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980]

Eric Idle, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill & the Rolling Stones. Oh man I would have *killed* to be at that party!

[@Sueloveschoc]

Oh yeah, I can see that - Colbert as King Arthur and John Oliver as the Frenchman who insults him.

[@joekaput747]

I think John might make a better sir Robin

[@limberlad]

Are you wanting to cast this with Late Night TV show hosts, or Daily Show alum? If you go with Daily show, then Jon Stewart should play God

[@Sueloveschoc]

@@limberlad in that vein, who would Sam Bee be? :)

[@limberlad]

Lady of the Lake of Course

[@NicCagetheDickMage]

The woman banging the cat against a tree

[@apepmedia3059]

Always Look on the Bright side of Life, played at my dad's funeral, played at my mum's funeral and it will be played at mine.

[@A_Final_Hit]

How original. 🙄

[@c.s.7266]

Amen! I love your mum and dad too

[@thechrisandphaedrusshow]

@@A_Final_Hit sure beats amazing grace!

[@apepmedia3059]

Here is a bit more "originality" for you. I placed 2 bottles of beer for the grave diggers on my dad's coffin.

[@matt12a]

that should be a thing

[@wratched]

Eric Idle and Carrie Fisher? I would have paid to listen to that conversation.

[@AZOffRoadster]

Lots of coke to be had. With the Stones there? Obviously more than coke.

[@ellainecabiles]

@Mike Nunyabizness most people say that she was already lively even when she was younger though. She was already incredibly charismatic, only then she was terribly insecure.

[@DerickSnow]

This should have been a one hour segment. What a fantastic person he is.

[@animoetprudentia2865]

"sit on my Face" No hesitation... Lol

[@breakshot7451]

i understood shit uuupsss :))))

[@Antoinett]

I couldn't hear him properly, I heard sit on or "shit on" my face. Thank you for clearing that up, lol

[@jodidoherty4932]

"and tell me that you looooove meeee"

[@bjorn2840]

I swear he probably half stuttered and slurred the s to make it sound like sh.

[@ChristopherPolack]

“Sit on my face” Colbert’s reply “I’”” grow a beard” unintentionally funny.

[@huntingsthompson]

Brave Sir Robin knows how to party!

[@dulynoted2427]

This man brought some of most deep gut laughter I’ve ever had throughout my teenage years til now. Truly inspiring

[@greyforge27]

I'd say Eric Idle's the best Python if the rest of them weren't also the best Python

[@berulan8463]

You're right, they are all the best Python.

[@kinky_Z]

John Cleese and Eric Idle in "The Argument". And hundreds more as good.

[@nabanitabanerjee9385]

Got that right..

[@jaymitchell7778]

Sit on my Face without hesitation! I guess he remembered when they sang Always Look At The Bright Side of Life during Graham Chapman’s memorial. I hope Stephen gets Michael Palin up next, he has a new book as well!

[@sentrysyndrome8920]

Grahams funeral was hilarious and emotional especially Cleese's speech. Agree he should have Palin on.

[@zapfanzapfan]

"Good riddance to the freeloading bastard, I hope he fries" :-)

[@AbandonedKansaiVideo]

What's Palin's book about? His trip to North Korea?

[@ryanstevens11]

What a legend

[@debbiedoodiedandi]

BBC B.C. - amazing!

[@debbiedoodiedandi]

@@FlameOnTheBeat 😂🤣😂🤣 Yeah, I guess times have changed, haven't they? I should watch how I use that acronym

[@celeste5508]

.... 😯

[@Theomite]

Until that photo, I have literally never before seen any evidence that Harrison Ford was capable of being that happy.

[@NewMessage]

Literally, an Idle to many in the comedy world.

[@jonnnyren6245]

A very Python-esque thing to do. 4:22 yeah Eric preach thy holy prank unto the world!!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@claytonis1]

The first time I saw the holy grail I had to watch it again the next day because I was laughing so hard the first time through I missed half the jokes! Thank you, Brave Sir Robin, and the rest of Python, for all the laughs!

[@jessicacollins4042]

This song was played at my nans funeral, Australian not British but she loves the python boys, we all do :)

[@paulmanson253]

Radical Dame No poofters, Bruce.

[@jessicacollins4042]

@@paulmanson253 ??

[@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980]

@@jessicacollins4042 It's a reference to the Monty Pythons Australian Philosophy song where all the men are named Bruce.

[@jessicacollins4042]

@@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980 ah Yes! Hahaha thank you very much

[@Certifiable]

Bloody oath we do!

[@JamesHarris-]

"I unclog my nose in your direction..." Those guys were wonderful and totally crazy

[@ruddiko]

I love him, such a contribution towards good comedy

[@amy2059]

Wow... throughout different stages of my life I (and later my husband) have listened to "bright side" during darker times. I can't believe it turned into an anthem for so many ppl. Thank you for writing such a great song!!

[@stub2022]

One of the greatest artists in history.

[@SandraNelson063]

Nudge,nudge, say no more!!!!! Words often here around my childhood home.

[@jaylumbago559]

Sit on my face and tell me that you love me.... Brilliant !!!

[@Sleeping_Insomiac]

I'll sit on your face and tell you I love you, too! Aye, brilliant!

[@MarStam95]

SPAMALOT THE MOVIE?!?!?!?! That was the funniest musical I’ve seen!! Now I’m super looking forward to the movie!!

[@SSJ3rocks]

A true master comedian.

[@dd64954]

Two of my favourite things combined - Star Wars and Monty Python! Awesome!

[@NewMessage]

My funeral song is gonna be the hokey pokey.. and they better have some strong pallbearers to make me do the dance.

[@joekaput747]

You torture them so

[@HeadCannonPrime]

Why not string you up like a marionette?

[@oldstoneface7047]

Funny and beautiful that Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life is used so frequently that way. I guess it's natural for the positive message and it's huge popularity. Though personally I'd choose another brilliant Eric Idle composition; "That's Death", which he wrote for the game Discworld II. Check it out if you haven't heard it. Very apt for a funeral, Death himself listing all the positives of being dead.

[@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980]

I've always thought that the humor in the late great Terry Pratchett's books (& by default the games) had a very Pythonesque quality to it.

[@kurtsudheim825]

A bit to obvious though, I think it's the irony as to why this gets sung

[@Ring0fSaturn]

Eric is a gentleman with that fabulously wicked sense of humor. He's written many great songs, though, Stephen. Credit where credit is due.

[@lkhjsdfg]

Wow, Eric Idle hasn’t aged a day. Thank god for having such a sense of humor. Oh and by the way big guy, could you have a mention to your followers?

[@SpaceCattttt]

He's aged a lot. But after losing weight, he looks younger than he has since the 90s.

[@reverendgaddy2435]

All of "The Rutles" songs he (co-?) wrote are amazing

[@reichlinsmall9765]

John didn't know the song, someone in the band taught it to him *that fast!* IMPRESSIVE! I'VE BEEN THERE, BUDDY!

[@rebeccasabet2802]

I can see the end of the world from my house.

[@sirierieott5882]

Eric (never) Idle - Always a laugh!

[@musik0033]

I have listened to this book multiple times. 🎉

[@slaughterhouse5309]

An idol within an Idle.🤔

[@lumpy0100]

Thanks The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.☺ Thanks Eric ("Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life").☺ Next time i hope i hear you for an hour?😀

[@tobiassundquist446]

Eric Idle, what a legend in comedy! I love the Pythons, miss Chapman terribly and they sang Always Look on the Bright Side of Life at his Memorial service too

[@jimmiununger2767]

Feelt like colbert lost an opportunity to have an conversation. Im hoping he will get more time (like how jon put up extended (worthy the name interviews on the web) to do longer talks.

[@jenschristensen1774]

Iron Maiden always runs 'Always Look ...' after their concerts, as people leave. Love it. Love Python

[@dave1986R]

My friends and I are all Star Wars fans and I told one of them the story of the cast partying at Eric Idle’s house with members of The Rolling Stones. He was blown away, and whenever I watch Empire Strikes Back and I see them coming off the Millennium Falcon I say “They’re still drunk from all the Boukha they drank at Sir Robin’s house”. 😆😆😆.

[@robinsinpost]

The Monty Python crew was so incredibly talented it just had to be a success. Thank God(or whoever responsible) they found each other.

[@marcziegenhain8420]

Always look on the bright side of life.

[@cocoono11]

I need that book!

[@jasonflay8818]

King Colbeard...... MAKE THIS HAPPEN!!!!

[@ShadyShadok]

Geez I haven't seen him since the old movies....crazy how he grew old....but that voice is still the same ^^

[@dmk351]

that star wars story :D

[@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980]

Man I would have killed to have been at that party!

[@benm5221]

The look on Eric's face at the very end was either "Dear God, I hope my song choice didn't offend him and/or the network!" or "Where am I supposed to be going now....?")

[@Von_Der_Tann]

Nudge - nudge!

[@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980]

Say No More!

[@reenarawat5537]

Know what I mean!

[@oscargordon]

Eric Idle, one of the greatest song writers of all time. Let's not forget the Galaxy Song, the most profound lyrics ever recorded.

[@fanatamon]

A man after my own heart. Thank you Erik for your wonderful creativity.

[@josjanssen6733]

Eric Idle will for me always the man who invented the original title for the "Life of Brian' movie. And I still am sad that they dismissed that title.

[@toripurgers9769]

You have the legs for it.. LOL

[@danboyle116]

I was 16 when Python started - never missed a show or movie - and I still watch every appearance and interview I find. To say that these guys are comic genius would be to damn by faint praise.

[@Akitten84]

Loved this interview!

[@macronencer]

Eric is a hero of mine and such a clever comedic writer. If you want a measure of his genius, look up "The F C C Song" :)

[@pixiniarts]

Galaxy Song for my funeral... So remember, when you're feeling very small and insecure, How amazingly unlikely is your birth; And pray that there's intelligent life somewhere out in space, 'Cause there's bugger all down here on Earth!

[@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980]

Never have truer words been spoken Sir - especially given the three ring circus going on in Washington DC right now.

[@Williamwestp24]

I would be epic to see Eric Idle and Rowan Atkinson do comedy shows together.

[@nomadicgrenada]

Only 7 mins !. We need a long form of colbert with these amazing people. Jeez maybe I'm getting used to Joe rogan 2-3 hrs with a guest.

[@kurtsudheim825]

No, even before I discovered Joe roman show, I, & a few others would complain when they had brilliant & rare guests on, I remember, a few composing about rowan Atkinson being to short

[@kinky_Z]

"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" as a top favorite funeral parlor tune with everyone singing? OMG! That is hilarious and that's what I want people to sing at my funeral!!

[@ColinPoole]

My instant thought the moment Stephen said "Always look on the bright side of life" was that they should have had the audience plan to do the whistle like when Graham Norton had his audience do the Friends clap.

[@c.s.7266]

My absolute favorite show ever.

[@danielcliment8251]

This man is a living treasure....👍🏻

[@bonniegreatorex72]

Love this guy!

[@mralsfan6996]

The Pythons were the Beatles of comedy. Like the Beatles did with music, the Pythons did with comedy, rescued it and breathed life into it and therefore improved it and changed it forever.

[@wrmty56413]

I'd pick "The Galaxy Song" for my funeral

[@topazzsky]

I've always thought Eric Idle was adorable on Monty Python. I'd love to meet him. He's so brilliant!

[@fretplec5326]

Excellent!

[@mb26158]

Brilliant interview!

[@albaabur]

How can humor come so effortlessly to some? Damn!

[@jasonq7504]

I absolutely love Eric Idle. What a comic.

[@michelemaliano7860]

My ringtone and fav movie Shit on my face...didn’t see that coming Lmao

[@hmapton]

What a legend!!!!

[@emilypadden6406]

Between this and the Kids in the Hall biography, October is going to be an amazing month for reading about comedy history!

[@CusterFlux]

Time has shown, they were "The Beatles of Comedy" … living legends … "No pressure Eric!" ;)

[@dudeman7208]

Great book I have read it four or five times already

[@markpasse9691]

The funniest man that I've ever seen.

[@SpaceCattttt]

The last joke made me happy for the first time this year. Not for long, but for a few seconds, all was well.

[@murf0118]

1 person did not look on the bright side of life.

[@coleenparsons4905]

2 hours later - 2 now. Glad it's not us (whistles "that part"...)

[@tomitstube]

eric is a legend, get me a couple drinks and i could listen to him for hours.

[@cthulpiss]

Fantastic man!

[@tommartin7728]

Eric Idle is always the Python who I forget that I love

[@jasonjimerson7046]

Wait... Wait... Eric Idle is making a movie based on a Broadway show that is based on a movie? ...Okay.

[@jensraab2902]

There's a whole category on Wikipedia of "Films based on musicals based on films": en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Films_based_on_musicals_based_on_films I guess it makes sense if you look at it from the musical point of view. "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" didn't have that many songs in it, and certainly wasn't narrated by the means of songs as musicals do. So there is a raison d'être for this kind of film, if you like songs/musicals. :-)

[@jasonjimerson7046]

@Terncote thank goodness. We don't need anymore of that.

[@95bochamp]

Think of 'The Producers'. A play made into a movie made into a play made into a movie....

[@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980]

How very Monty Python.

[@RFC3514]

And I hear the original movie was based on a script.

[@ExileOnDaytonStreet]

“Sit On My Face” !!!!! I can only imagine.

[@pmfg875]

Eric ❤needs to be on every channel

[@Floxxoror]

Eric is an....wait for it ... Idol!

[@johnwatts8346]

'bright side' is a classic song of course, but its been thrashed as is the way, im planning to have 'there is nothing quite as wonderful as money' played at my funeral.

[@mollytsanadis1323]

Legend

[@elliemccarthy3487]

Eric partied hard ; another wonderful brit , we produce the best with u guys in the USA

[@alexaales7937]

I saw Spamalot while living in NYC. If you ever want to drag your husband/boyfriend to a musical, which they usually hate, Spamalot is the one to go to. very funny, engaging for the guys as well despite the singing cause even the songs are hilaríous!

[@jahnaroth669]

hahaha haha I have have to watch star wars now that's a great one Thank you for your funniness

[@DPMindsEyeFilms]

For me, it's a toss-up between Always look at the Bright Side song and The Galaxy Song - look it up. Brilliant comedian, brilliant career.

[@sujitbedi]

too short an interview with a legend!!

[@TheHManShow]

Thank the lord for Eric Idle and all the members of Monty Python! RIP Graham Chapman and Terry Jones

[@scottdurflinger3628]

this is GREAT

[@RIXRADvidz]

00:50, FANGURL!!! I FANGURLED even HARDER than Stephen!!! STILL Tingling!! even as you're reading this hours later...

[@l.p.8041]

I love Eric

[@IROQUOISxPLISKEN]

These interviews are too short, this was great! Eric's always a live wire.

[@DungeonStudio]

Holy cow! Eric has hardly aged! But to party with him back in the day...? Someone's doing a Hans Solo to Keith Richards wookie in the other room!