John Cleese Talks Religion and the 'Life of Brian' | The Dick Cavett Show

John Cleese discusses his take on the bible and the inspiration behind the motion picture 'Monty Python's Life of Brian'.
Date aired - 10/12/1979 - John Cleese
#JohnCleese #MontyPython #Dick Cavett
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Dick Cavett has been nominated for eleven Emmy awards (the most recent in 2012 for the HBO special, Mel Brooks and Dick Cavett Together Again), and won three. Spanning five decades, Dick Cavett’s television career has defined excellence in the interview format. He started at ABC in 1968, and also enjoyed success on PBS, USA, and CNBC.
His most recent television successes were the September 2014 PBS special, Dick Cavett’s Watergate, followed April 2015 by Dick Cavett’s Vietnam. He has appeared in movies, tv specials, tv commercials, and several Broadway plays. He starred in an off-Broadway production ofHellman v. McCarthy in 2014 and reprised the role at Theatre 40 in LA February 2015.
Cavett has published four books beginning with Cavett (1974) and Eye on Cavett (1983), co-authored with Christopher Porterfield. His two recent books -- Talk Show: Confrontations, Pointed Commentary, and Off-Screen Secrets (2010) and Brief Encounters: Conversations, Magic moments, and Assorted Hijinks(October 2014) are both collections of his online opinion column, written for The New York Times since 2007. Additionally, he has written for The New Yorker, TV Guide, Vanity Fair, and elsewhere.
#thedickcavettshow

[@henrikibsen1009]

My favourite is when they chant: 'We are ALL individuals' and ONE person says 'i'm not'

[@freddylubin]

Yes, and they the all "shhh" him.

[@BranceCrantly]

It's hilariously perfect.

[@WaterShowsProd]

A classic moment that was beautifully milked to the nth degree in The Royal Albert Hall performance of Eric Idle’s oratorio, Not The Messiah: He’s A Very Naughty Boy.

[@RobJazzful]

That’s a concentrated joke that is the point of the entire film.

[@jesushatesyoutoo]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXnFq4afm5xrp7M

[@ieuanhunt552]

Why don't we get interviews like this these days. Dick Cavett is well spoken and respectful. He asks relevant questions and waits patently for the answer.

[@Frisenette]

There aren’t any real celebrities left. The nearest equivalent isn’t worth the time of an intelligent interviewer.

[@danijelujcic8644]

he failed his interview with Richard Pryor :-/

[@DavidSmith-ss1cg]

The on-air people all go to school, where they're taught to "avoid dead air-time; always do something or say something, keep it moving." The people who own the TV channels consider content to be filler between adverts. Until that changes, the world is - as George Carlin said - like watching water in a toilet, going faster and faster before it goes down the pipe, with that cool gargling sound. Checked your twitter or facebook feed lately?

[@pseudonymousbeing987]

It's quite evident that you haven't seen a single interview done by Ali Plum for BBC Radio One or a single episode of Hot Ones hosted by Sean Evans, two of the very best interviewers around. Both can be found on KZbin.

[@ieuanhunt552]

@@pseudonymousbeing987 I don't know who Ali plum is and I'm really put off by people eating so I can't watch more than 5 minutes of the hot ones. I do listen to quite a lot of Joe Rogan however.

[@GuilainMusic]

The scene with the Roman soldier giving a latin class to Brian trying to write an insult on the wall is genius.

[@Stardust_7273]

That's the scene that cracks me up more than any other in the movie. And the "Right. Now don't do it aGAIN." XD

[@warrenmilford1329]

They took that straight from their harsh English private school education experience, (which in England are called weirdly, public schools). The Roman soldier is replaying exactly what their Latin teachers did to them at school.

[@aljoschalong625]

@@warrenmilford1329 Yes. But that's not the really funny part about it. That Brian writes it on the wall, which would have be the crime, and the Roman makes him write it on the same wall, just focused on the grammar.

[@simonspacek3670]

​@@aljoschalong625 Exactly. It is like scolding 16 year old boys for not sticking up their pinky when they are drinking beer behind school or stopping an illegal street race just because the driver had hand on top of the wheel instead of holding it properly with both hands on the "ten to two" position. It could be better only if Brian used blue paint and the centurion somehow got a bucket of red to correct him, but that would be out of the scene. On the other hand, carrying a bucket of red paint just in case you need to correct someone writhing on wall sounds very much like a Monty Python sketch.

[@odysseusrex5908]

Especially of you know Latin.

[@StephenBenner7]

A relaxed, intelligent conversation. Thank you Mr Cavett, that's how interviewers should be.

[@atthecore4560]

I wish there types of interviews existed in this day and age.

[@jamesallen4588]

Agree. The current formula seems to require that the host talk over the guest at every opportunity, eager to demonstrate the host’s cleverness and with-it-ness. Some hosts seem unprepared, as if the guest had just showed up on the doorstep uninvited and was fitted into the show out of courtesy. Ellen seems to be one of those who have a limited list of questions to ask, which, when exhausted, oblige her to depend upon the guest to offer comments unsolicited to salvage the moment. In general, current hosts are mediocre interviewers.

[@carpecervisiam9366]

The difference is that he is not scripted, knows more than he is told & treats the guests with respect, not as punch lines to some inane joke.

[@CN-wt2bj]

Today's audience would think this was boring.

[@mkptrsn]

Where’s the band? Funny vignettes? Any funny crank calls?

[@spockboy]

Two intelligent and witty people having a conversation. What a concept.

[@brainflash1]

The people who claim the Life of Brian is making fun of Jesus are exactly the type of people Life of Brian actually IS making fun of.

[@jdc4483]

I'm a Christian and not the type of person that looks under every Rock for an offense. But, your logic makes no sense that if you're offended by it - by anything - then that's the point of the offense? I knew philosophy was trash when I was in college, seems the more things change the more they remain the same! LOL. Also, they are parodying the story of Jesus so its disingenuous to say their satire isn't meant to be offensive. Signed, not offended.

[@jdc4483]

@Golden Knight Tolerance, isn't it wonderful?

[@Leon_Schuit]

@@jdc4483, his logic won't make sense if you take it out of it's particular context, but since he is commenting on a KZbin video in which John Cleese more or less implies the same but in more detail, the statement does make sense. Furthermore, by merely calling "The Life of Brian" a parody of the life of Jesus is selling it short in my opinion. I find it's mostly a satire on human nature, specifically on how fervently people like to follow great leaders, prophets or traditions without questioning these, nor even their own thoughts which they believe to be in service of this prophet/leader/tradition. The parody on Jesus is merely a means to put their message into context, as well as creating resonance with a western audience, which is mostly influenced by Christian values. Lastly, why would satire necessarily be offensive? Satire is a comical way of criticising, but criticism only becomes offensive when delivered in a disrespectful manner, or when the recipient isn't open to it. The former can be debated for this movie, but is in my opinion not the case.

[@jdc4483]

@Cheezus Sliced Yes, the United States. That evil country that allows us to have this exchange without repercussions. That evil country that has the bill of rights, which is the most unique document for individual liberty within any government in the world.

[@celestialdeath9659]

@@jdc4483 god please give this person a few more braincells so they can stop making themselves look like such a fool

[@hippocrates72]

7:39 _"...it is against the manifestations of certain aspects of organized religion."_ *Brilliant.*

[@iancurtis1152]

All I can say is……”thank god for Monty Python” they have guided me with comedy for 50 years!

[@timmartindale75]

Dick Cavett is probably the best interviewer I've come across. He listens, thinks and then asks a consequent question .

[@mskidi]

I'm a Christian and I've enjoyed Life of Brian since the first time I watched it and to me there is absolutely nothing offensive in it.

[@ElvarMasson]

I'm a left-handed human being and I find it funny

[@TheAlps36]

It's actually funnier because you can appreciate the biblical satire

[@Ilogunde]

I watched it with my pastor once (at a meeting of our student community). He had never seen it before and wanted to know, what all the fuss was about. - He was in tears for laughter! So, from a theological standpoint, there's no blasphemy in that movie.

[@moss8448]

the blue noses in the `80's certainly didn't share that thought.

[@kirnpu]

@@moss8448 I remember reading about all the uproar before the film had even come out. Well they sure didn't know what they were missing because the film was FABULOUS!

[@ncooty]

I'm very grateful to live in the universe that got _Monty Python._

[@JFrazer4303]

Another great line that hardly ever gets a laugh "I'm not the Messiah, I'm not!" "Well I say you are and I should know, I've followed plenty of them!"

[@baldingeagle5442]

as a young american man who doesn't see long form interviews like this often, I fucking love this video

[@duncefunce1513]

So there was a time in American history when audiences didn't applaud after every name or title? Happy days

[@Checkmate1138]

That's a product of modern audiences

[@jeffdelaney8934]

dunce funce - There was also a time when people showed up on talk shows etc for no other reason than to have a good time. They weren't plugging a book or a movie and their managers and agents didn't force them to participate. The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson ....for example.

[@duncefunce1513]

@@jeffdelaney8934 that's still often the case with podcasts. People just hang out

[@davkrod]

Back in the day when people laughed if something was funny. Now they clap.

[@maliant16]

Jeff Delaney The majority still showed up for plugs for something they were doing or if not just to garner publicity (Joan Rivers). Not that there is anything wrong with that.

[@McOddzen]

I love how George Harrison mentions Monty Python on Dick Cavett in 1971 and none of the American audience or Dick Cavett knew about it. Of course in 1979 at the end of the decade John cleese is then on Dick Cavett. Beautiful!

[@NoxiousRob]

George even helped to finance The Holy Grail movie

[@IFFrael]

@@NoxiousRob Life of Brian?

[@fifthbusiness1678]

@@IFFrael Absolutely. He majority-financed it, actually. Mortgaged his house! With him the movie would not have been made.

[@davidlean1060]

@@IFFrael ..and many other films besides. Withnail and I with Richard E Grant is a Handmade Films production, for example. I think Time Bandits is also. Harrison had a hand in some bangers!

[@jameslynch5249]

Harrison is an extra in Life of Brian.

[@lpsp442]

Dick Cavett's a good intereviewer. He has a steady and thoughtful pace, never hurries his guests or badgers them with crass questions and obvious queries. He knows the material and talks about it, *as the specific subject matter*, rather than idle nonsense. He's a good'n.

[@mondegreen9709]

I sorely miss people like him or Tom Snyder these days. Hard to believe that there once used to be some halfway descent and thoughtful programmes even on US commercial TV networks. We could surely use some of those again, you know, people who ask some deeper questions and take their time to actually listen. The extend to which the media has been dumbed down in the last few decades is just atrocious.

[@NoxiousRob]

@@mondegreen9709 I agree, I only discovered Dick Cavvett on KZbin, being from the UK we never saw these shows back in the day. Closest UK comparison would be Michael Parkinson, another interviewer who asked intelligent questions and allowed the guests to speak without feeling the need to interrupt them. He had several interviews with Billy Connolly where he would ask a question then sit back for 10 minutes while Billy Connolly started to answer before going off at several tangents, and Parkinson would just go with the flow rather than revert to whatever set of questions he had planned to ask.

[@golfsolved1559]

That's how an interview is meant to be done

[@olabergvall3154]

I miss when talk show hosts actually posed intelligent questions and would actually listen to the answers

[@elijahgavin6706]

This format has evolved (or devolved) to become the modern podcast.

[@simonspacek3670]

"Tonight we have here professor Johnson from MIT, who is teaching engineering for 35 years. Professor, what do you think about dress Kate Middleton wore last Thursday?"

[@Lynda812]

So different than these snowflake times…I’m sure “what is considered a women” would have me in stitches… stupidity at its best by respectable, polite, reasonable good old human beings, which we no longer are. (Sad, rather)

[@timallbritton7329]

I loved Johnny Carson, and nothing against him, but Cavett was the king when it came to thought-provoking interviewing.

[@karlsweeney2328]

Cavett for sure brought an earnest note to the late night world

[@ClickingHeads]

Yeah Johnny's interviews seemed extremely scripted quite off putting.

[@zapkvr]

@@ClickingHeads Carson was a hack

[@michaelm.4087]

Cavett was more intelligent, and NOT a mean drunk. Google it.

[@michaelgranger7113]

More aptly, his interviews were more so intelligent and witty personal conversations.

[@jonathanwatkins222]

I sorely miss the intellect and humor of Dick Cavett in Television today. He has a gift for making people feel comfortable, at ease with themselves. No trueer a statement was ever made; "Those were the days"!

[@geoff2027]

Probably why I like shows like " Hot Ones" an interviewer that is empathic, respectful and well researched. Makes all the difference.

[@bartbannister394]

The American oligarchy wants people to be stupid. They own the media. That's why Hollywood churns out violent trash and FOXNEWZ.

[@JSTNtheWZRD]

He's a little rotten boychild. He gave Salvador Dali no respect at all - the maestro deserves a friendly atmosphere at least.

[@teo4evermj]

I love how clearly John expresses his thoughts. Not really any "ums" and "uhs" and "you knows". His words just flow very nicely.

[@dildonius]

Well he's rather a cunning linguist.

[@mikecole6104]

@@dildonius rather titillating response , dildonius 😆

[@dildonius]

@@mikecole6104 And his many television appearances and interviews over the years, especially back when _The Life of Brian_ had just come out, prove that Cleese is not only a Cunning Linguist, but a Master Debator as well.

[@googleuser2609]

Because he's smart and highly educated.

[@sammavacaist]

All 5 of the Pythons were intellectual geniuses. John has a law degree. Graham Chapman was a medical doctor. Terry Jones was a history professor.

[@Davidstraub]

It's amazing that Mr. Dick Cavett has made these clips available on youtube. I counted around 600 videos posted on youtube so far on the Dick Cavett Show channel. Please keep them coming. It's a great insight into the latter half of the 20th century, especially for those who were not yet born to witness it.

[@Markus_Andrew]

9:35 Dick left out the funniest line, at the end: Brian: "You are all individuals!" Crowd: "Yes! We are all individuals!" One solitary guy: "I'm not".

[@benwatts7982]

That's because it wasn't in the script, apparently an extra ad libbed it and they kept it in.

[@MobinKiadeh]

@Sir Sleepy John Cleese was Nearly Headless Nick in Harry Potter.

[@benwatts7982]

@@MobinKiadeh You're right, I looked it up and Terence Bayler played the Bloody Baron, another one of the ghosts at Hogwarts.

[@vinsgraphics]

And he's shooshed "shhh!" :D

[@aljoschalong625]

Yes, and this is my favorite line of ALL movies ever made.

[@danielbrown1724]

John Cleese is a gift and I’m so glad he’s still alive and well. His knack for speech and absorption of information is allowing a wealth of people over the decades to learn from him. Keep these coming, my favorite interview next to John Lennon/Yoko Ono

[@DrCrabfingers]

That's the thing about the OxBridge comedians, like Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, John Cleese, David Mitchell etc etc...they are always able to verbally express themselves so well...there is a clarity of thought and the gift of an ability to verbally express oneself with a certain dignity of thought that perhaps is missing in other equally funny but less well educated individuals.

[@NxDoyle]

"You're making fun of Jesus!" "No, we're making fun of you."

[@jdc4483]

Explain please. Vs what? Niche? Atheism? Glass houses should not throw stones. Notice Im not.

[@RobJazzful]

JD C “Niche?” Did you mean “Nietzsche?”

[@RobJazzful]

ady nails “Divine,” not “devine.”

[@thebutlerfilmedit]

"You're making fun of Jesus!" "No, we're making fun of you." "That's worse!"

[@NxDoyle]

@@jdc4483 I saw this comment not long after posting mine and decided not to respond. Now I'm back because I clicked on a notification and can't help but wonder what you mean by glass houses throwing stones. Presumably English isn't your first language, but even taking that into account I'm struggling to understand what you mean. If English _is_ your first language, please disregard, as there'd be no point in responding.

[@kopkiwi08]

Dick really was a fantastic interviewer. Thought provoking and engaging questions.

[@trevorgwelch7412]

Sir John Cleese Absolutely A Genuine English Genius One Of A Kind .

[@perrin6]

It's always sir followed by the first name ie sir John (awfully sorry to correct you, hope I haven't spoiled your enjoyment of the video, have a good day)

[@paperbackonly8438]

Oh, I really thought he was knighted for a moment there; that”ll be an irony.

[@trevorgwelch7412]

perrin6 Thank You For Your Kind Advice . I Made The Correction. Has Eric Clapton Been Knighted As Of Yet ?

[@trevorgwelch7412]

Lion Mane yes dumb and original

[@izzienewton-cross512]

Actually, there's six of them.

[@patrolmasters4449]

I loved Monty Pythons Flying Circus from the first time I watched it on PBS in Boston in 1977. What I loved about them, was that no subject was off limits. They were fearless.

[@bradwilliams1691]

Here in Australia we have a network called SBS which is multicultural, and to thier credit they still regularly show Monty Pythons Flying Circus - in all its unedited racist, sexist & homphobic glory.

[@stevo2992]

Richard Alva Cavett, surely is a national treasure. A great interviewer, writer, comedian and television talk show host. I love this interview with John Cleese, relaxed, friendly and very funny. Thank You for putting this out.😁

[@gordonlawrence1448]

I studied for a degree in Biblical Theology. After attaining it I realised I had not seen Life of Brian for ages so watched it. I actually got a small muscle tear from laughing so much because there were a truckload of jokes I had not spotted before.

[@chuckybang]

Talk about useless degree's

[@rogersmith7396]

When Chapman falls out of the tower and is picked up by the alien spaceship had me rolling on the floor.

[@MrKmoconne]

Do people who study Biblical Theology after they are done still believe the Bible is the word of God?

[@rogersmith7396]

@@MrKmoconne I have had theology classes. They do poke holes in a lot of the commonly held beliefs of Christianity. For instance the bible was written centuries after the time of Christ. On the other hand Roman records do show Pilot actually existed at the correct time. Of course in Israel they do tour the tomb where Jesus was buried. No one will cooborate that as factual.

[@chuckybang]

@@MrKmoconne Nope, once you read the bible and study it, you realize its all just bs.

[@probablygraham]

I also like the line when the crowd all shout "Yes, we are all individuals" and one voice in the crowd says "I'm not"............

[@paulmelville2126]

Dick Cavett Show is the best interview/chat show, because he actually listens to the answers.

[@iainprendergast8311]

I love Dick. I’m from the UK. You guys had a bloke who could interview an exhausted Jimi Hendrix. A shy George Harrison. Paul Simon half into writing a tune. What a great interviewer

[@alanogilvie4504]

The Dick Cavett show was the best talk show to come out of the US from the late 60s and throughout the 70s. Instead of a 5 minute back and forth about the guests latest project be it a movie, a book, an album which is often the case today. Lengthy intelligent discourse. Sadly missing in today's dumbed down world.

[@factenter6787]

Every time I step out of the Yonge subway station in downtown Toronto I am reminded of John Cleese. There is a pub called Firkin on Bloor and on the wall beside the stairs leading to the entrance there is a mural of silhouettes of John Cleese with his derby, suit, and briefcase doing his Ministry of Silly Walks poses.

[@MacJaxonManOfAction]

Type "71 Nithsdale Street, Glasgow, Scotland" into Google Maps and you'll find a similar one. I work near there and am also reminded of him on a daily basis :)

[@factenter6787]

Cheers!

[@kelman727]

I saw that when on holiday!

[@bobbynoe1]

@@MacJaxonManOfAction I really tried hard to check it out but unfortunately didn't succeed.

[@JimmyRJump]

Dick Cavett was something special, wasn't he. Able to tackle any subject with any guest in the most calm, collected and neutral manner possible. This man doesn't have the slightest evil bone in his body and was genuinly interested all the way. Marvelous character.

[@Superfantastictop10]

These old chat shows are gems. Real conversations.

[@poopmcstuffins4417]

I love how this interview flows like a genuine conversation

[@glasgowgrad6277]

I love these interviews: space and time given to the guest; soft-spoken, respectful (not deferential) host and no fkn table!

[@DrCrabfingers]

The best interviewer I've ever seen by a country mile.

[@mikeoak5289]

I've never seen a country mile interview anyone

[@HypnoticPhantom]

I think my favorite scene in the movie is when Brian gets fed up and tells his 'followers' to F off and they reply "How shall we f off O Lord?"

[@Doctor_Straing_Strange]

good scene

[@MatSmithLondon]

I've never seen this Dick Cavett before, he is very gentle but seems so quietly subversive. He is one of us.

[@evinchester7820]

Went to see it in the theaters. The place was packed. And the scene where the space ship comes out of nowhere, just brought the house down. I was the only one of our group who wasn't Catholic. And like all good Catholics, the Church had banned it, so they had to go. It was a brilliant movie.

[@rogersmith7396]

Sort of like recreational sex.

[@Trilaan]

John Cleese is such a smart guy. I agree on all his points.

[@michaelstephens360]

The Monty Python crew is the best if not only group that could have the comedic genius tempered with restraint to pull off such an iconic gag

[@mariposahorribilis]

What a lovely interviewer Dick Cavett is! He seems to have a knack of getting people to talk easily about something they (and you) are interested in, and remaining polite and non-obtrusive. I loved his conversations with Ian (now Sir Ian of course) McKellan about his craft, which was my introduction to him. It was only a few weeks ago that I found it, and now I'm absolutely sold.

[@DavidSmith-ss1cg]

John Cleese is still around as well, and, boy, HE'S got some great stories, too. It's like a magic spell, to see these celebrities in their younger days, in makeup for TV(so they look great) and so much in their mental prime, this is so much fun to watch. Thanks for posting this.

[@nicolelala10]

Dick Cavett was so intelligently funny. As we’re the Pythons. I can’t get enough of either.

[@stevealikonis9467]

any man that can make John Cleese laugh has my respects. excellent interview, his questions were my questions. well done.

[@blipblip88]

One of the few times in American television history of chat shows where the host matched wits with his guest. They seem so suited to each other it's magical!

[@stub6378]

Genuinely I’m a 46 year old bloke from the uk and these dick cavett interviews are such a wonderful record.

[@MrUndersolo]

I found that script at my downtown library when I was too young to see the film. Guaranteed that I would find it and watch it when no one was looking... Thank you, Mr. Python...

[@toddgoes7935]

John Cleese is one of the greatest geniuses in every respect. I admire him, and his ideology. Fawlty Towers, to me, was the BESTEST comedy show ever!!

[@JeanJaquesMath]

Dick Cavett reminds me of Joaquin Soler Serrano, a talk show host from spanish TV who also knew how to interview people.

[@sallyquinn9851]

My parents’ generation got Dick Cavett while we get James Cordon 🙈🙈 Guess I was born at the wrong time

[@typerexc]

You were born at the right time. Duty is to carry on...

[@keithcroissant5640]

Yes sorry about that but we’re delighted to winch that slob overseas.

[@trekkiejunk]

Sooooo....you're comparing one of the best chat show interviewers of the past to one of the worst of the present. Well, that's an easy straw man to win. While perhaps not quite as common as 40 years ago, there are loads of content like this today. You just need to look deeper than the big late night hosts.

[@stub6378]

@@trekkiejunk could you recommend any? All the chat shows now are PR policed love ins. Charisma over content.

[@calenlaughlin3132]

@@stub6378 The Dick Cavett show comes to mind. Failing that, there are also thousands of years of wisdom produced by the greatest minds of humanity that is available if you're interested.

[@FPwLola]

These clips are such a cool time machine to a beautiful time when folks talked and laughed and didn't package and over sell. Where they spoke with decorum and intelligence and listened to one another. Such a lovely gift. Thank you, and keep 'em comin'. 😉👌💗

[@Frankincensedjb123]

You can take your faith seriously but not yourself. I've been a Christian much longer than I've been a Monty Python fan, but I LOVE John Cleese. I find nothing offensive about the Life of Brian because it doesn't mock Christ. It mocks human nature, and there's a LOT of material there.

[@Frankincensedjb123]

@Golden Knight Your ignorance and small mind are typical of the narrow minded and uninformed. Insulting people on the internet you don't even know. That says way more about you than anything else.

[@hawaiisidecar]

"because it doesn't mock Christ" Why is your god so sensitive?

[@jeffk.9075]

@@hawaiisidecar He's not. His people on the other hand....

[@ScottsOnTheRottenCotton]

The life of Brian is a total mockery of religion. I love it

[@dovegrey1]

Thanks Frank... ;)

[@markywellsboy2182]

"He's not The Messiah, he's a very naughty boy!"

[@paulheap1982]

Congratulations, you're the first person ever to use that quote.

[@markywellsboy2182]

@@paulheap1982 thank you

[@Mozart1220]

I get that a lot.

[@jerometaperman7102]

And that is my personal favorite line from this movie.

[@NoxiousRob]

@@jerometaperman7102 It's possibly my favourite line from any movie

[@kcc-karenschroniccorner9432]

To me, life of Brian illustrates the absurdity of blind faith.

[@patcola7335]

Faith isn't blind if you have been given it. Jesus did say blessed are those who don't see and believe. It can't be found with scientific measures. It is spiritual and comes from the creator of all things himself.

[@CyberDwarf1949]

@@patcola7335 nice circular argument...

[@paulheap1982]

That's the point.

[@paulheap1982]

@Ivan no he didn't.

[@lespaul5734]

Ivan Except that’s not an “atheist playbook” answer, it’s a legitimate evaluation of the other guys’ argument. He said faith was a gift given to him by god/Jesus. How does he know that tho? The Bible says it’s a gift, but you have to have faith that the Bible is reliable and the word of god in the first place, to then claim that faith is a gift given by god. He presupposes the conclusion of the argument, to legitimize his faith in it. Aka circular reasoning.

[@Jimmy_Cooper]

I’m a practising RC and the Life of Brian is arguably my favourite film of all time . It’s certainly in my top 5. I’m firmly of the belief that Jesus would have loved the film and would have hated the naysayers who opposed it … in his name .

[@daviddeida]

You are saying in his name Jesus would have hated the naysayers .🤣🤣

[@rogersmith7396]

Blessed are the cheesemakers.

[@HeathWatts]

Thanks to George Harrison for funding "The Life of Brian".

[@Nebuchadnezzar31]

Good interview. Love Cleese and Life of Brian

[@joshuaj316]

The genius of the Dick Cavetts and the David Lettermans of the world is that these great minds, like Cleese, really want to engage with them. And we as an audience actually get true insight into their work. Thank God for these interviewers, these real journalists. Modern “journalism” could still learn plenty from the greats…

[@therealzilch]

Another great interview by the master, and of course a great guest.

[@rooftopcat1785]

I remember when the movie was playing at the rt 7 cinema, people were out in front with signs boycotting the film, I smelled the popcorn and went right in and seen it.

[@con.troller4183]

The controversy was a huge boost in publicity. The fanatics shot themselves in the foot.

[@CL-pd9cp]

I saw it at the rt 7 cinema on Latham...lots of nutty protesters..lol

[@melchiorvonsternberg844]

That's the right attitude...

[@fartbirth210]

Two absolute legends. Dick Cavett had the best interviews!

[@simonlane2189]

Only just came across this chat show host and I must say he is very professional and that unlike today's chat show hosts he does not like the sound of his own voice and lets his guests answer his questions in full with out interrupting.

[@exsappermadman25055]

The greatest group of comedy writers ever.....If you want to understand the British sense of humour, see anything done by Monty Python.....

[@martinkent333]

English humour is dull, but their satire is fabulous.

[@redceltnet]

@@martinkent333 Not English humour. It's British.

[@yingyang1008]

Back when people used to have conversations

[@richardjerrybest]

How did Dick Cavett become such a clever, likable person? If only we all could be such.

[@rajmfh]

I can't seem to get enough of you Mr. Cleese 😁

[@AnthonyConstable]

I love the pace of this interview.

[@ClodiusP]

"I'm Brian. No I'm Brian. I'm Brian and so's my wife!"

[@chairsmissing]

This one always floors me.

[@MindGem]

Really! he said that, I missed that. I gotta rewarch again. Everytime I see that movie I find something new. Eazy one of my top 5 movies ever made.

[@ClodiusP]

@@MindGem Near the end when they're all hanging from the crosses.

[@MindGem]

@@ClodiusP Oh yeah i remember it now. when they try to get parden right. i thought it was when brian explained that he was not the messiah

[@Europa1749]

Cavett actually lets his guests speak instead of turning the conversation around to themselves.

[@nevarran]

John Cleese is a legend. But hats off to this Dick Cavett guy. I've never heard of him before, but what a masterful and witty interview that was. Kudos, sir.

[@gazza9463]

Less than one week ago, I had never heard of Dick Cavett. During this past week, my spare time has been mainly spent catching up on as many episodes as possible. A delight to watch.

[@user-wx9ky9lr1y]

Great interview-fabulous movie too

[@grahamb.4447]

There's more truth in satire than reality

[@BernieHollandMusic]

Really ?

[@paulheap1982]

@@BernieHollandMusic yes.

[@kinngrimm]

I suppose it depends who you talk to or more broadly interact with. Also seeing the trend how people spent their freetime more and more online, i tend to agree within that premiss.

[@pault5947]

Very true.

[@c.s.7097]

truth and reality are forever interdependant

[@kettle_of_chris]

I never knew what a great interviewer he was! His voice is the perfect compliment to his sense of humor too and it's a much deserved break from the inharmonious blather we endure today,

[@danielwmwolf]

The."tell us more" bit was always my favourite joke in the whole movie.

[@grovervansesamstraat]

This is fantastic. I love the humor and wisdom of John Cleese and the great quality of the interviewer.

[@kelman727]

They banned the film in my mother’s hometown in Wales. The actress who played Judith in the film later became the town’s mayor. The town finally screened the film in the noughties, which she attended with Michael Palin and Terry Jones, and the town threw a big party. And the funny thing? They later found out the man behind the ban never actually filed the paperwork. The other funny thing? I first bought the vid from the town Woolworths.

[@budakbaongsiah]

Was that a discarded Flying Circus sketch?

[@somewhatinformed1208]

@@budakbaongsiah we're talking about the movie : Life of Brian.

[@budakbaongsiah]

@@somewhatinformed1208 Ugh, I know that. Goodness. It just sounds like something the Pythons themselves would made to mock the absurdity of bureaucracy.

[@james5995]

Ah I miss Woolies.

[@MacIntoshMann]

it must have been quite an eye-opener for the good citizens of aberystwyth to see their mayor in such a shall we say revealing role!

[@mediocreman6323]

If fanatics hate you, you know you have done something right.

[@mediocreman6323]

@Donna English - Every one person those fanatics kill puts them one step further to their own demise.

[@mediocreman6323]

@Donna English - „Es gibt keinen Weg an der Wirklichkeit vorbei, denn sie ist der Boden, auf dem alle Wege liegen.“ In English: “There is no way/path around reality, for it is the ground on which all paths lie on.” _This_ is the reason for … being reasonable. A reasonable species has a higher chance to survive, which is why it came into existence in the first place, the ability to reflect on your own impulses. Doesn't mean that our stupidity can not still kill us all, but, you know, this is the main flaw of the extremist mind, to think that if you imagine … god, the world, however you call it … in a different way, god/the world will follow. It doesn't. And this is the only slim chance to defeat lunacy. (And no, I won't consider myself _not_ a loony, of course.)

[@howardchambers9679]

My yardstick is this... If the "Church" or any religion disapproves of something, I make a point of watching it. The Last Temptation of Christ is a case in point

[@ferox965]

@@howardchambers9679 Great movie.

[@donnavorce8856]

(As long as you're not in Afghanistan, Iran, etc. But hey, america is probably heading to that point at some future time. damn it.)

[@Actanonverba01]

Amazingly delightful interview

[@asteverino8569]

Thanks. Liked this interview very much..

[@grokeffer6226]

I hope all the remaining Pythoners are doing well, and R.I.P. to those who've gone.

[@TnseWlms]

"God is a comedian whose audience is too afraid to laugh."

[@jodymcdonald9004]

WOW!

[@lucywillis4535]

God is a Netflix viewer who understands entertainment needs conflict...

[@TesterAnimal1]

He’s an absentee landlord! Worship that? Never!

[@user-xh1kz7rm4j]

Smart and insightful conversation.

[@chickenfooker74]

I am always thankful when people tell me they are religious, it alerts me to keep away from them.

[@no-oneman.4140]

I wish I could have watched Life of Brian with John Cleese on one side and Christopher Hitchens on the other, joy.

[@drdassler]

"Well, you did say Jehovah" is one of the greatest comedy lines of all time. 👌🏼

[@jasonnstegall]

Monty Python and Mel Brooks. Only ones who have/had the guts to GO THERE.

[@thewholecity]

What a priceless interview.

[@billybobkingston5604]

there was a touch of class about Dick Cavett, greetings from Ireland

[@Eskay1206]

Best comedy ever made, and Biggus Dickus the funniest scene ever put on film.

[@BlankRami]

I never stop laughing when that scene comes. The key is to try and NOT to laugh along with the Soldiers

[@DJRitty]

"FWOW him to the gwound cenuwian! WUFFWY!" hahaha

[@deweyaustin3756]

"What's so funny about Biggus Dickus?"

[@pecanpie100]

"He has a wife, you know."

[@grumpygamer7189]

“he is the messiah and i should know I’ve followed a few “

[@steveflor9942]

"Tell us more" , was my favorite line, too.

[@mccloysong]

I love how at 6:55 Cleese eloquently defines the difference between making fun of religion or the people who don't question it.

[@NxDoyle]

This keeps appearing in my feed so I'll watch again, just to get it to go away for a month. "A Horse, A Spoon and A Bucket" was on the list of names for Python. I'm pretty sure that "Bunn, Wackett, Buzzard, Stubble & Boot" was one of John's suggestions. According to Michael Palin's diary, Bunn Wackett was a working title before Circus and Flying Circus. Gwen Dibley's Flying Circus was on the list after much back and forth between the group and the BBC. Gwen Dibley wasn't Michael's teacher, she was a name in a newspaper Michael read. Flying Circus was locked in after the BBC said they'd printed schedules with that name. They hated the addition of "Monty Python", but surrendered after John said that if they didn't agree, they'd change the name of the show every week.

[@ysgol3]

Mandy talking about how Brian's father entranced her - 'Promised me the known world he did'. 'Known'. Well I always laugh if nobody else does.

[@teresakilleen7087]

And when Brian asks her was she ravaged (by a Roman soldier) she says "Well, at first..."

[@D.Appeltofft]

Python. Brilliant in the smallest of details. My first history teacher made a joke in the same spirit, lecturing about how we name the periods. Did someone turn a page in his calender and said: Well, what do you know, Dear - apparantly The Middle Ages start today!

[@TheHenrikfleischer]

Mr. Cleese, please do not ever die.

[@stevenbootes8807]

Wonderful clip.