He’s not a doctor, he’s a very naughty boy!
Legendary Monty Python comedian Eric Idle, who is responsible for some of the funniest moments in the troupe’s repertoire, has been awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of South Australia in recognition for his “enormous impact on the entertainment industry across the world”.
Eric Idle, one of the hilarious masterminds behind everybody’s favourite comedy group Monty Python, was recently awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of South Australia.
When asked about the significance of his honorary doctorate, Idle joked that now all he needed was an “honorary patient”.
The award ceremony coincided with the comedian’s tour of Australia to promote his new book, Always Look On The Bright Side of Life – A Sortabiography, an homage to the song he wrote for the classic 1979 film The Life of Brian.
At the ceremony, Idle discussed his time working with the team behind Monty Python and spoke of the early days where he also wrote material for other comedians.
“When we were writing Python early on, we’d read the sketches out to each other, and if it made us laugh it’d be in Monty Python, and if it didn’t make us laugh we sold them to The Two Ronnies.”
Idle also touched on The Life of Brian and the important role The Beatles‘ star George Harrison played, who mortgaged his house to raise nearly $5 million to help fund the film.
In the spirit of the film and the song that made it so iconic, Idle went all philosophical and reflected on the meaning, and the bright side, of life:
“We tend to be worried about [US President Donald] Trump, but we’re on a bloody tiny little ball that is fragile and could be smashed any minute or could disappear under water.”
“We have to try and remember in our lives we’re so lucky and fortunate to be in these bodies, alive, just for a little glimpse of time in the enormity of this huge universe.”
Some things in life are sad, they can really make you mad, other things just make you swear and curse. When you’re chewing on life’s gristle don’t grumble, give a whistle, and this’ll help things turn out for the best.
So, in the wise words of (Honorary Doctor) Eric Idle, always look on the bright side of life.
Via ABC News.
