John Cleese

The Global Perception of American Politics: John Cleese’s Warnings and the Reality of MAGA Influence Identifying the Power Players John Cleese’s remarks about Americans being “tarred by the MAGA brush” point directly to the heart of institutional power and influence in the U.S. political landscape. The key players here are former President Donald Trump and his continuing influence over American politics, particularly through projects like the billion-dollar ballroom and the so-called “anti-weaponization” fund. These ventures, funded by taxpayer dollars despite public opposition, underscore a broader narrative of political elite manipulating public resources for personal and politicized gains. The Decision Makers and Their Influence The decisions to escalate the funding of Trump’s ballroom project from private donations to taxpayer money and to establish a controversial fund ostensibly for January 6 rioters reflect a clear trajectory of power misuse. Trump, supported by certain factions within the GOP, has redirected public funds into projects that serve personal and political interests rather than public good. This maneuvering not only highlights the misuse of executive power but also the complicity of parts of the Republican Party who have either supported or failed to effectively oppose these decisions. Misdirection and Scapegoating Cleese’s commentary touches on a critical aspect of political misdirection: blaming an entire nation’s people for the actions of its leaders. This scapegoating serves to distract from the real issues at hand—the deliberate decisions by political leaders to prioritize personal gain over public interest. By focusing on the broad and undifferentiated criticism of Americans, there’s a risk of obscuring the specific actions and policies that should be the focus of scrutiny and criticism. The Pattern of Authoritarian Influence Trump’s actions, as highlighted by Cleese through his critique, are emblematic of a larger pattern of authoritarian behavior that prioritizes personal loyalty and benefit over democratic principles and fiscal responsibility. This pattern is not only about the overt actions taken but also about setting a precedent where such behavior becomes normalized or tolerated within the political framework of the country. The Consequences on Global Perception The international perspective, as voiced by Cleese, is that American democratic institutions are being undermined by the very leaders who are supposed to protect them. This has led to a credibility crisis that affects not just the politicians involved but ordinary American citizens, whose global standing and personal interactions are colored by the actions of their leaders. This erosion of soft power and international trust is a direct consequence of the political decisions made by Trump and his enablers. Systemic Political Insight The scenario described by Cleese, while focused on individual projects and comments, is indicative of a broader systemic issue within American politics: the conflation of personal and political power and the erosion of democratic norms. It’s a stark reminder that the actions of a few can indeed tarnish the global reputation of many, leading to real-world implications for citizens both domestically and abroad. The lesson here is clear: democratic institutions and international credibility are fragile, and the cost of political malpractice is ultimately borne by the nation as a whole, affecting its people in profound ways that transcend political divides. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit paulstsmith.substack.com

The One with John Cleese’s Fawlty Towers - Danny Bayne as Basil Fawlty, Mia Austen as Sybil This “as good as comedy gets” production (Sunday Times) – which first opened in May 2024 to a host of rave reviews - is directed by originating West End director Caroline Jay Ranger , and stars Danny Bayne as Basil Fawlty , Mia Austen as Sybil , Hemi Yeroham reprising his role as Manuel , Joanne Clifton as Polly , Paul Nicholas reprising his role as The Major and Jemma Churchill as Mrs Richards . 50 years since Fawlty Towers was first broadcast on BBC Two on 19 September 1975, comedy legend John Cleese , who originally co-wrote the “greatest British sitcom of all time” (Radio Times) with Connie Booth , has chosen three of his favourite original TV episodes - ‘The Hotel Inspector’ and ‘The Germans’ from series one and ‘Communication Problems’ from series two - and adapted them into a two-hour play, complete with a new finale. Theatre goers across the country are in for a treat as this “comedy masterpiece makes a seamless transition to the stage” (The Arts Desk) to deliver “an indisputably funny evening” (Daily Telegraph), as “from the moment Basil walks on stage, the audience start laughing” (Daily Mail) whilst watching “some of the best punchlines ever written” (London Theatre). To quote Broadway World; “ if you loved the original TV series, you will adore this show” . John Cleese said: “ I’m thrilled with the top-class group of comedy actors that we've assembled for the UK tour of Fawlty Towers - The Play which begins in September. September also marks exactly 50 years since the first ever TV episode was broadcast on the BBC. I never thought that all these years later the stage show would get the reception that it has. But here we are, still making theatres rock with laughter .” The play also features other beloved characters from the original TV sitcom: Mr Hutchinson / Wilhelm played by Greg Haiste ; Miss Tibbs played by Emily Winter; Miss Gatsby played by Dawn Buckland ; Mr Thurston / Günter played by J ohn Hasler ; Mr Walt played by Adam Elliott ; Taxi Driver / Mr Firkins / Mr Kerr / Mr Sharp played by Neil Stewart ; and Johanna and Liz (Hotel Guest) played by Josie Brightwell . Completing the company are Ashleigh Harvey playing Debbie (Hotel Guest) , Ben Jacobson playing Ken (Hotel Guest), Matthew Gordon playing Mr Dale (Hotel Guest) and Raymond Rose playing Philip (Hotel Guest). Following a tip off that hotel inspectors may be visiting and eager to impress, Basil attempts to ingratiate himself with guests that he suspects are there to critique the establishment. The situation is further plagued by a party of Germans, the deaf and dotty guest-from-hell, Mrs Richards, whose infuriating complaints prevent him from hiding a gambling win from his ever vigilant and bossy wife, Sybil. Together they run their hotel with a little help from the unflappable Polly, and very little help at all from Manuel, the trainee waiter from Barcelona who is the butt of Fawlty’s frustration. Set in a fictional hotel in the seaside town of Torquay, only 12 half hour episodes of the original BBC comedy were ever made. Based on a real-life hotel owner, Donald Sinclair . John Cleese came up with the idea for the character Basil Fawlty when he stayed at Sinclair’s Gleneagles Hotel in Torquay and became fascinated with his

Hi everyone! We recently surveyed our audience and learned that many of you would like to see more video. So, we’re kicking off a new run of video episodes, beginning with our interview featuring John Cleese—actor, writer, comedian, and author of Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide. You can watch the interview on our Substack , or on Youtube . Enjoy! Original intro The Ministry of Silly Walks . The Cheese Shop . French Taunting . If you haven’t seen any of these Monty Python sketches before, do us a favor and go watch one or two of them. You’ll discover—or re-discover—why our guest for this episode is a creative comic legend. John Cleese starred in and co-wrote the award-winning series Fawlty Tower s, was nominated for an Academy Award for the screenplay of A Fish Called Wanda , and even has a species of lemur named after him (Cleese’s wooly lemur, Avahi cleese i). He’s also an expert on the creative process, and so if you’re looking for a new framework to level-up your own workflow, his book Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide is a great resource. We talk with John about his new book, and also about creative collaboration in the midst of friction, how to be comfortable with ambiguity, and creating boundaries of space and time to get in a creative mode. We also get to ask him a question that’s been bugging us ever since we first watched Monty Python and The Holy Grail. These days, we can all use a little more laughter in our lives. We hope our interview with John sparks some joy, and leaves you with some new creative tools. Thanks for listening. Bio John Cleese is an English actor, comedian, writer, and film producer. He achieved success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and as a scriptwriter and performer on The Frost Report . In the late 1960s, he co-founded Monty Python, the comedy troupe responsible for the sketch show Monty Python's Flying Circus and the four Monty Python films , And Now for Something Completely Different, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Life of Brian , and The Meaning of Life . In the mid-1970s, Cleese and his first wife, Connie Booth, co-wrote and starred in the British sitcom Fawlty Towers . Later, he co-starred with Kevin Kline, Jamie Lee Curtis, and former Python colleague Michael Palin in A Fish Called Wanda and Fierce Creatures . He also starred in Clockwise , and has appeared in many other films, including two James Bond films, two Harry Potter films, and the last three Shrek films. He is also the author of Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide. *** This ad-supported episode is available to everyone. If you’d like to hear it ad-free, upgrade to our premium subscription , where you’ll get an additional 2 ad-free episodes per month (4 total). Premium subscribers also get access to the documentary Design Disruptors and our growing library of books , as well as our monthly AMAs with former guests , ad-free episodes, discounts and early access to workshops , and our monthly newsletter <e

On this archive episode of Kyle Meredith with... , Meredith rewinds to his conversation with John Cleese. The iconic comedian discusses his 2017 tour, various projects, and how he reflects on his life. Listen to the talk from the vault. Speaking about his then-upcoming Louisville appearance, he expressed appreciation for his American fans, who he finds kind and receptive — contrasting that with the treatment he often receives from the British press. Cleese also discussed his love for cats and his comedic journey, attributing his fascination with human psychology as a major influence in his work. The conversation also touched on Hold the Sunset , originally titled "Edith," which marked Cleese’s return to television after a long hiatus. He had some pointed words for BBC executives, lamenting their cautious approach in commissioning the show’s future despite positive feedback. The frustration he shared seemed to reflect his broader views on the evolving landscape of television, where executives, unlike those from his Monty Python days, often lack hands-on creative experience. Listen to John Cleese chat about all this and more in the new episode or watch it on YouTube . Please take the time to like, review, and subscribe to KMW wherever you get your podcasts, and keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network . Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Join Mike and Mark as they explore John Cleese’s perspective on creativity, inspired by his book “Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide.” This episode is packed with practical advice and humorous anecdotes to help you unlock your creative potential. • Introduction : Mike and Mark introduce John Cleese and his unique take on creativity. • Creativity is a Way of Operating (3m21s): Discover how creativity is more about a way of thinking and operating than a natural talent. • Create Space : • Build Boundaries (2m41s): Learn how to create a dedicated space and time for creative work. • State of Play (52s): Tips on getting into the right mindset for creativity. • Build Habits : • Start Putting Pencil to Paper (2m06s): Practical advice on beginning your creative projects. • Let Your Ideas Bake (1m27s): Understand the importance of allowing your unconscious mind to work on your ideas. • Outro : • Delay Decision Making (1m): Why waiting until the last minute to make decisions can benefit your creativity. Tune in to gain insights and practical tips from John Cleese’s delightful guide to creativity. Links: • Episode Page • Book Summary • Related YouTube Video Thanks to our monthly supporters Mike Edwin Deitch Jamie Dorward Emily Rose Banks Malcolm Magee Natalie Ryan N. Marco-Ken Möller 孤鸿 月影 Fabian Jasper Verkaart Andy Pilara ola Austin Hammatt Zachary Phillips Mike Leigh Cooper Gayla Schiff Laura KE Roar Nikolay Ytre-Eide Stef Roger von Holdt venkata reddy Ingram Casey Ola rahul grover Ravi Govender Craig Lindsay Steve Woollard Deborah Spahr Samoela Jo Hatchard Kalman Cseh Berg De Bleecker Paul Acquaah MrBonjour Konnor Ah kuoi Marjan Modara Dietmar Baur Bob Nolley ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

0:00 SEG 1 Dustin Bryson talks about an event on November 19th at Two Plumbers Arcade called ‘Viva La Retro Video Game and Toy Con’ Get your tickets at Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/viva-la-retro-video-game-and-toy-con-tickets-733658220487 https://twoplumbers.com/ https://twitter.com/DustinBryson 17:24 SEG 2 Dustin Bryson continued 34:45 SEG 3 John Cleese talks about everything from ‘Fawlty Towers’ to ‘James Bond’. See John Cleese live at The Factory in Chesterfield on November 16th for his ‘An Evening with the Late John Cleese’ Tour https://www.thefactorystl.com/event/john-cleese/ https://www.johncleeselive.com/ https://twitter.com/JohnCleese Check out the ‘Justice League Revisited Podcast’ with Susan Eisenberg and James Enstall at https://anchor.fm/justiceleague Thanks to our sponsors Historic St. Charles, Missouri ( https://www.discoverstcharles.com/ ), Bug’s Comics and Games ( https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070575531223 ), Kokomo Toys ( https://www.kokomotoys.com/ ) Amazon Affiliate Link - http://bit.ly/geektome Buy Me a Coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/3Y0D2iaZl Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/GeekToMeRadio Website - http://geektomeradio.com/ Podcast - https://anchor.fm/jamesenstall Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GeekToMeRadio/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/geektomeradio Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/geektomeradio/ Producer - Joseph Vosevich https://twitter.com/Joey_Vee

John Cleese visits Google to discuss his book "So, Anyway…", a chronicle of his early life and career. John Cleese's huge comedic influence has stretched across generations; his sharp irreverent eye and the unique brand of physical comedy he perfected now seem written into comedy's DNA. In this memoir, Cleese recalls his humble beginnings in a sleepy English town, his early comedic days at Cambridge University with future Monty Python partner Graham Chapman, and the founding of the landmark comedy troupe that would propel him to worldwide renown. Cleese was just days away from graduating Cambridge and setting off on a law career when he was visited by two BBC executives, who offered him a job writing comedy for radio. That fateful moment propelled him down a different path, cutting his teeth writing for stars like David Frost and Peter Sellers, and eventually joining the five other Pythons to pioneer a new kind of comedy that prized invention, silliness, and absurdity. Along the way, he found his first true love with the actress Connie Booth and transformed himself from a reluctant performer to a world class actor and back again. Originally published in November of 2015. Visit YouTube.com/TalksAtGoogle to watch the video.

Comedy royalty John Cleese stopped by the podcast to chat with Helen and Dave about Monty Python's inspiration for making Life of Brian, what fascinates and frustrates him about the Bible, and so much more. Members of the Time Travelers Club can listen to an uncut version of our entire, hour-long conversation with John. For $5/month, you can help support the show and receive bonus content and behind-the-scenes extras. Thanks to all those who have joined and special thanks to listener Josh Boldman for submitting an audio question for John Cleese. For our U.S. listeners, John is about to embark on an American tour of his hilarious stage show An Evening with the Late John Cleese , so find out when he's coming to a city near you. Enjoy the episode! Support the show Theme music written and performed by Dave Roos, creator of Biblical Time Machine. Season 4 produced by John Nelson.

John catches the iconic (and 'generous and warm-hearted', in his own words) John Cleese for a conversation during his Australian comedy tour 'An Evening with the Late John Cleese'.

Mariel & Melissa welcome the best comedian in the world, Mr. John Cleese to Out Comes The Sun! He is one of the most recognized and popular comic actors in the world. In fact, the father of modern satire crowns a list of 50 of the most revered names in entertainment. More than 300 comedians, comedy writers, producers, and directors on both sides of the Atlantic have named John Cleese #2 on the list of the world's most talented comedians. The list was compiled for the Channel 4 show - “The Comedians' Comedian” John Cleese is probably best known for his television work on Monty Python’s Flying Circus and Fawlty Towers, but if you ask anyone under 20 who John Cleese is, they give you a quizzical look at first, and when you say “Nick the Nearly Headless Ghost” in the Harry Potter film series, they light up and shout “I LOVE JOHN CLEESE!” John Cleese has appeared in numerous movies, including Time Bandits, Silverado, The Out-of-Towners, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, and The Day the Earth Stood Still. He had leading roles in several comedies, such as “A Fish Called Wanda,” a cult classic and my dad’s favorite movie of all time. He also did voice work in numerous films, including the Shrek series as well as Charlotte’s Web and Trolls. Find John Cleese on: On Instagram - @johncleeseofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our very special guest today is John Cleese! They say tragedy + time = comedy. I ask John, it seems we have tragedy all of the time, how do we get to the comedy? He is one of the most recognized and popular comic actors in the world. In fact, the father of modern satire crowns a list of 50 of the most revered names in entertainment. More than 300 comedians, comedy writers, producers and directors on both sides of the Atlantic have named John Cleese #2 on the list of the world's most talented comedians. The list was compiled for the Channel 4 show - “The Comedians' Comedian” John Cleese is probably best known for his television work on Monty Python’s Flying Circus and Fawlty Towers, but if you ask anyone under 20 who John Cleese is, they give you a quizzical look at first, and when you say “Nick the Nearly Headless Ghost” in the Harry Potter film series, they light up and shout “I LOVE JOHN CLEESE!” John Cleese has appeared in numerous movies, including Time Bandits, Silverado, The Out-of-Towners, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, and The Day the Earth Stood Still. He had leading roles in several comedies, such as “A Fish Called Wanda,” a cult classic and my dad’s favorite movie of all time. He also did voice work in numerous films, including the Shrek series as well as Charlotte’s Web and Trolls. When I first met John, I called him Mr. Cleese. I asked him: “May I call you “John?” He replied: “Yes, but please alternate between Mr. Cleese and John.” Find John Cleese on: On Instagram - @johncleeseofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve has been busier than a florist in England this week, so I grabbed retro gaming Twitter celebrity 8BitEquire for a fun catch up episode. We go through Louis' working with John Cleese this week, the PCE-2-USB by Robert Dale Smith and the recent enhancements to the RetroTink 5x. 0:00 Start 2:30 Louis organized the John Cleese live show in Tallinn 7:00 Autograph hunters are weird 16:00 Roger's controversial racial theories about British Australian settlers 200 years ago 23:30 Louis explains the origin of the Australian accent 27:00 The PC Enginer controller to USB adapter 36:00 Roger is a 2.4ghz kinda guy, not a bluetooth kinda guy 40:00 Louis' new video connecting the MiSTer up in a 1700 seat theater 47:00 Someone else has an affinity for 2.4ghz too.... 49:00 Louis' 20 inch 4:3 Dell LCD 55:00 The latest RetroTink 5X PVM filter is wild! 1:01:15 Roger talks about the HDR modes in the 5x 1:11:00 Why John Cleese has not been knighted Follow the 8-bit Esquire: https://twitter.com/8bitesquire The USB-2-PCE https://controlleradapter.com/products/usb-2-pce USB-2-PCE Creator Robert Dale Smith https://twitter.com/RobertDaleSmith RetroTink 5X https://www.retrotink.com Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog" https://www.cathoderayblog.com You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app https://anchor.fm/zezretro Catch us on Twitter https://twitter.com/zez https://twitter.com/usa_retro For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA