Probably spending 12 years at boarding school - comedy became a survival gene. But I think some people are funny right off the bat, as soon as they can speak or be naughty. — Eric Idle Copy Share Image
My father, who was a sergeant in the RAF during the Second World War, was killed in a hitchhiking accident while returning home on compassionate leave. As a result, my mother had to get work, as a nurse, and at… — Eric Idle Copy Share Image
“Life's a piece of shit, when you look at it, life's a laugh and deat's a joke, it's true: You'll se it's all a… — Eric Idle Copy Share
Having little money to spend was a valuable learning experience. My schooling also shaped my work ethic because while other children were listening to… — Eric Idle Copy Share
Americans like to think 'Python' is how English people really are. There is an element of truth to that. — Eric Idle Copy Share
If you're famous, you have to [be overly generous], otherwise people say, "Eric Idle came in and only left me $4." I always tip… — Eric Idle Copy Share
At least in America, you have freedom of speech, which is a good thing. It's just a question of whether you're allowed to use… — Eric Idle Copy Share
Many years ago I also bought a house in Provence for about 70,000 francs. It had no electricity or running water, and no road… — Eric Idle Copy Share
No day of my life passes without someone saying the words 'Monty Python' to me. It's not bad. — Eric Idle Copy Share
“sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will make me cry by myself in a corner for hours.” — Eric Idle Copy Share
At least one way of measuring the freedom of any society is the amount of comedy that is permitted, and clearly a healthy society… — Eric Idle Copy Share
The Minister of Transport issued this appeal to motorists: Can anyone give him a lift to Leicester? — Eric Idle Copy Share
I think the special thing about Python is that it's a writers' commune. The writers are in charge. The writers decide what the material… — Eric Idle Copy Share
There's no gap between the writer and the performer, which is what I think makes [Monty] Python unique. Five or six people who write… — Eric Idle Copy Share
