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Diaries, 1969-1979: The Python Years

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What a nice man! Michael Palin's diary of Seventies Britain Diaries 1969-1979: The Python Yearsshows that you don't have to be weird or "out there" or even arrogant to create the kind of ground-breaking humor that was Monty Python's Flying Circus. They certainly needed the comic genius of John Cleese to make it come to life, but it is clear that Michael Palin and Terry Jones did much of the writing and then the general tidying up afterwards that made Python at once gloriously offensive and yet globally marketable.

Palin's honest yet self-effacing notes on his life during the 1970's include lots of interesting out-takes on Python writing and performance for Python aficionados, but his attendance to his aging parents and his thoughtful asides on a critical decade in British politics show an Everyman that contrasts wildly with the lunacy of Python. Maybe that's why Python became a global experience - because it connected us to that silly streak we all have inside but seldom allow to show, in a decade when so many accepted social mores were being overturned.

For those of us that lived through that decade (I am English and two months younger than Palin) this is an entertaining and absorbing social history which will make you think "maybe if I had just had the right friends?".

To be quite honest, I got this on a whim. I was never a huge Python fan, but I have liked Michael Palin's journey series' and thought I would like his humor. I figured it would also give me a "behind the scenes" view of one of the largest comedy moneymakers in history.

I was caught up as much with his family life and watching his children grow up as I was with the spats and tirades from the Python members. I cried when his father slowly faded away, just like my grandmother did. I laughed at the antics of his children, very close in age to myself, doing many of the same things I did, half the world away.

I enjoyed the book immensely, but I have a caviat. I bought it as a Kindle download. I didn't realize that the Kindle version would not include the pictures that were included in the actual book. I know Kindle is black and white, and I would have had no problem with seeing them as such, but there was only one small picture of Michael as a child, and that was it. No other pictures were on the Kindle, no other pictures were available from Amazon. I paid a lot of money for this book, and was very disappointed that I could not FULLY enjoy it. I enjoyed the book, and remembered many of the pictures and scenes that he talked about, but I would really have liked to SEE his children grow up. I would have liked to SEE a picture of his wife. THat's why the pictures were included in the book in the first place.

Buy the book. Enjoy the book. Just don't get the Kindle version.

I have vivid memories of watching MONTY PYTHON'S FLYING CIRCUS every Saturday evening with group of fellow college students. We packed into the Grand Wazoo's apartment to watch the program on PBS followed by SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. What a hoot!

I was delighted when I opened MICHAEL PALIN DIARIES as a Christmas present. I read it while receiving therapy for my back. The book was a fantastic diversion. As for me, I looked forward to reading Palin's description of the clerical attacks on THE LIFE OF BRIAN.* Well, that part was at the end. Nevertheless, the entire diary was a pleasure and captured my interest.

One unexpected dimension of Palin's life that captured my attention was the unfolding relationship he had with his family including his parents, wife and children. In particular, the progressive decline and death of his father produced a profound portrait of Palin. It was touching. Less touching but still an attention grabber was Palin's portrait of the other Pythons. The personality of each Python was a candid and multidimensional. However, I wasn't surprised by these descriptions and reaffirmed Palin's reputation as being "the nice one."

As for THE LIFE OF BRIAN, my primary interest in reading this diary, the description of the evolution of the leper and crucifixion scenes was a real hoot. The evolution of the leper scene was more complex than imaginable.

* An Episcopalian Bishop asked a close friend (a priest) to discourage his flock to not view THE LIFE OF BRIAN. He and his Bishop never saw the film, but after I explained the storyline, my friend became less concerned. The protest of the film could have easily been included in the film itself. If the Python boys realized a protest would ensue, I am sure they would have done so.

Ah, to have been on the scene as six young men launched a comedy revolution. Now you can be, thanks to Michael Palin and his often wise, witty, and engaging journal excerpts from 1969-1979, or as he calls them, "The Python Years".

Of all the six members of the troupe that made up Monty Python - first on British television as the "Flying Circus" and then as stars of books, albums, and hit films - Palin always came off as the genial one, the one whose versatile acting and diamond-sharp wit didn't interfere with being a nice guy. You get that feeling even more reading his journal excerpts. For all his success with Python, Palin's never aloof from the concerns of family and friends.

Among the non-Python issues Palin deals with: The slow loss of his father's mental acuity, the bringing up of his three children, a thriving marriage, co-ownership of Shepperton Studios, attempts at a novel, sunrises, sunsets, travel, hosting "Saturday Night Live" three times in two years, clashes with bus drivers, a friend's suicide, her grieving husband's second marriage, and plenty of fine wine and beer. A well-stuffed life, one anybody can envy but also relish as the kind of greatest-hits collection you get here.

Having to listen to the ranting of fellow Python Graham Chapman one day, Palin muses: "It's at times like that that I wish I was forceful, opinionated and rude." In fact, he seems a refutation that, particularly in show business, nice guys finish last. They only finish second to John Cleese in a Name-That-Python competition.

The Python part of the story is something of a disappointment, early on. There's little discussion of the foment behind the writing and production of the BBC show from 1969 to 1973. It's only when Cleese leaves the series that Palin focuses more on the comedy team.

Palin may have excised some of his harsher sentiments of fellow Python from publication, but there's a good deal of dish left to relish. Cleese is brilliant but uptight and often aloof. Chapman is an alcoholic prone to drifting but the only Python worth trusting with a lead role, even when soused. Eric Idle is narcissistic and caught up in the glamour of show biz, not to mention the money, but he's also the guy who dashes off just the right song to cap their "Life Of Brian" despite Palin's own doubts "Look On The Bright Side Of Life" will amount to anything. The two Terrys, Gilliam and Jones, argue a lot as they take turns helming signature Python movies.

Jones and Palin have a tense moment when they work out who is in control of a joint project, a BBC TV series entitled "Ripping Yarns". "Yes...I think I do want it to be the Michael Palin Show," Palin records himself saying, feeling relieved to get it out there despite Jones' disappointment. It's perhaps the moment Palin launches himself as a solo artist, and "Ripping Yarns", with Jones' able behind-the-scenes assistance, does emerge as a successful, sustained feature. Yet when Python comes calling again, to do "Life Of Brian", Palin's on a plane to Tunisia, thinking how he can worth his dental problems into his latest Python roles.

This was a remarkably fruitful period for Palin. In addition to all the above, he also starred in a hit movie, Gilliam's "Jabberwocky", and helped lay the groundwork for another Gilliam hit, "Time Bandits". But for all the career coverage, Palin's journals stand out as much for the small moments, like his talk with a ruddy-faced Major sadly puttering about the stately house he is being forced to sell to pay for his flown family. "He was in tanks in Alamein, the kids are on motorbikes in Tenterden."

There's plenty of recognizable people passing through the pages of Palin's journal, but I think that poor major will hang with me the longest. Him and Palin, of course. He's too delightful a fellow to let go of, even when someone isn't slapping him with a giant fish.

Michael Palin is a very nice man. This may seem a simple, even banal conclusion, but it sums up this reader's overall reaction upon completing this charming, revelatory (at least so far as the Pythons are concerned), and oftentimes poignant diary of the heyday of Monty Python. This book begins in 1969, when the Pythons first came together to create their groundbreaking show, and continues until 1979, when 'The Life of Brian' has been released amidst acclaim and controversy. Along the way the Python fan will be fascinated to explore the stressful, even tortured, relationships between the principals themselves, as well as the industry professionals and artistic colleagues they come in contact with. The Pythons, like any small, select society had their differences (often major)and cliques (never truly sinking to the level of petty), and it is primarily this reason that no one among the group could have captured as successfully the viscitudes of this prolific period as well as Palin. In the group dynamic, Palin functioned as both a conscience and a moral compass; whatever difficulties were taking place between the members, it was always him that everyone else was ringing up. Never captivated by the trappings of success and wealth himself, it is highly amusing to read his gentle, never mean-spirited musings upon such subjects as John Cleese's Rolls Royce or Eric Idle's almost obsessive drive to make more and more money. Because Palin has such a sincere liking for all of his colleagues, whatever their personal failings, his diary never comes close the sort of viscious, dishy, dirty-laundry airing we have come to expect in show business memoirs. And though the most fascinating parts of the book for most readers will undoubtedly be the workman-like descriptions of the writing and filming processes that produced some of the twentieth century's most memorable comedy, the personal side of Palin's diary manages somehow to be utterly ordinary and yet completely moving. Children grow up, parents fall ill and slowly deteriorate, old friends pass on, and through all the cheerful, life-affirming force of Palin's gentle personality guides the reader along like a friendly, somewhat protective curator. What a blessing for us that this engaging man had the energy to write it all down at the end of the day!

What a fruitful and stimulating period for Michael Palin from 1969 through 1979! The trajectory runs from the young man and his colleagues trying to find their way as barely-known humorists and performers in England to huge worldwide stars with a portfolio that remains strong to this day.

The diary shows a wonderful family man of wit, personality, sensitivity, talent and various other positive attributes. A book with only that would of course be rather dull eventually, and Palin freely admits his errors, worries, and somewhat edgy remarks about others. One can't help but wonder what was trimmed in the massive editing job, whether it was mostly day-to-day stuff or whether we lost some naughty bits and rougher comments. My guess is that we saw enough personality of the author that there was only modest need to excise nasty or regrettable words.

One of the better aspects is, in fact, that Palin paints quite human portraits of the other Pythons, some warts and all. There's John Cleese, often stand-offish and wanting to move on. There's Eric Idle, moody and worried about money. There's Graham Chapman, struggling with booze, and Terry Jones, who is closest to Palin, trying to find his way. Naturally, there are many positive remarks about the boys, too, and I particularly liked the behind-the-scenes stories during the making of the films and their writing sessions. How little money they made! To the Pythons' good fortune, the BBC gave up the non-UK rights to video.

Other highlights were Palin on Saturday Night Live, his first publicity tour to America and the subsequent rise of the Python shows on public TV, the decline and death of his father, and the general realization that he was becoming quite famous and the burden of celebrity was not always welcome. Quite a few famous people appear, with a fine example being George Harrison (a big "Lumberjack Song" fan). Palin is at first intimidated by Harrison, and eventually they became friends. It's a testament to Palin's charm, friendliness and interest in so many subjects (he reads constantly in the diary) that he has countless friends and contacts, and must be an excellent companion.

If you want to dip into the book for a sample, try February, 1975. Palin says, "Good news from New York - Python is top of the PBS Channel 13 ratings" on Feb 4. He complains, "I am so sick of being Python odd-job man, and yet the alternative is to not know what's going on in your name - which is infinitely more dangerous." There are family news, socializing with others, and thoughts of a future project, and on Feb 22, "I suppose this could be said to be the day on which Python finally died."

The author is clearly a pretty smart guy, and some predictions about the future and lamentations about the loss of scale in human development were spot on. I had to smile at one exception, when he thought Keith Richards wouldn't last long. But, hey, that's ok, you were far from alone!

Don't read the book looking to laugh throughout. "Amusing" and "funny" are more appropriate, and I actually laughed rarely. I can't see much of an audience beyond people with a positive view of Python, as the best bits certainly work far better for people with an appreciation of the material and (ideally) a recollection of the 1970s.

This is a great book by Michael Palin. I felt as if he was talking to me as we were taking a walk on a nice day. There's all the history here of the Monty Python's and their film's. His times with George Harrison and much more.He's a great writer as those of you know who have enjoyed all of his travel books and shows. This book takes you up to 1979 the Python years and I hope there's not a long wait for the next book.

Although this is rather a big book, it reads easily and can be read pretty quickly. This coming from a dyslexic! So it must be an easy read. The thing about diaries is that everytime I read an interesting one that has been put into book form I want to keep one myself. I did for a short time after reading this book, but since I'm not Michael Palin, I had very little to say. Reading this book helps one to get to know this most versitile Python a little bit. I was especially interested in his working relationship with the other members of the Python group and his relating of stories and occurances on the various sets. It would have been nice to actually have more content on his work with Python and his other projects, but of course, if his diaries didn't contain more information on these subjects, how can he add it? Perhaps, he should write a memoir on his comedy cafreer sometime in the future so idiots like me don't complain that there wasn't enough content regarding his comedy work! All this being said it was a very interesting read and a good glimpse into the life of Palin at least between 1969 to 1979. Let's hope he has another volume coming out soon. I'd have given it a five star rating if and when Palin starts writing his diaries with more detailed accounts on the things I'm most interested in reading!

It's raw Michael Palin and a total pleasure. Anything he does is great by me.

I picked this book up, started reading it with the intent to dip into it when I had a spare moment or two, and then couldn't put it down. Palin is the Python I'd most like to sit and have coffee with. He is utterly grounded, articulate, intelligent, compassionate and a genius on many levels. I, like many reviewers, fell in love with Python on PBS in the 70s. I have all of their DVDs and most of the books they released which I bought in first printings. This diary gives us a glimpse into one of the most amazing comedy troupes of all times, and allows us a window on the creative and business aspects of the Pythons that is without precedent. As a bonus, we get to see something of the process by which films are written, produced, shot and released. We get a glimpse into Saturday Night Live's amazing first 5 years. We get a pretty impressive look at life in the UK and a glimpse into the film industry in the 70s. We get to see how British Rock Bands helped finance Python's early film ventures and a lovely look at George Harrison more as a fan (and financier) of Python rather than as a Beatle. This book is gentle. By that I mean that Palin is very fair in his observations about his peers, and reveals a diplomacy and self awareness that made him the hub of this groundbreaking troupe. This collection of his diaries shows us the genesis of the writing and observational style that would make his later travel documentaries an utter delight. If you are a fan of Python, BritComs, Film, Business, the 70s or are curious what it was like to live in England in the 70s, then you'll love this book.