1977

This morning we have the first meeting of the Pythons to begin the lead-up to the movie [Life of Brian] which starts, all being well, in April.

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. . . the money we require — about eight times as much as we were asking for on the Holy Grail.

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The next leading question is where we should rewrite in January.  For Eric and John, writing in England is out of the question.  John likes to edge all his comments with a geriatric appeal — ‘I don’t know about you others, but I’m nearly 40 and I need more . . . (money, sunshine, sleep, reading, etc, etc)’.

Eric suggests Barbados — which sounds lovely — but both the Terrys look miserable.  Graham, as usual, says nothing.  I question whether we would actually do any work in Barbados.  It’s a long way to go to do a little.  This consideration doesn’t seem to weigh heavily on John or Eric, nor does Terry’s appeal for more time at home — ‘Bring the family,’ orders Eric, and Terry rather meekly accepts.  It was decided in JC and EI’s favor, as you might expect.

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The Penguin Dictionary of Modern Quotations have been on to us — they would like to include some Python lines in their new edition.  This iconolatry is greeted with such suggestions as ‘That is my theory and what it is too,’ ‘What’s ten quid to the bloody Midland Bank,’ and ‘His hobbies are strangling animals, golf and masturbating.’

— Michael Palin, Diaries 1969 – 1979: The Python Years

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