[Johnny 1989]

Will have to download this, always been a fan of Cleese & I'm glad to read here that it was a great interview, anyway screw the target range, top guests are always welcome on this show IMO

[SAV1OUR]

Ha! I posted the parrot clip in the Aled.info thread only last week and had no idea he was on. Legend. It'll be Bruce Forsyth next for a double birthday celebration!

[Yudster]

My brother knows John Cleese. He reckons that he is one of those people that you simply have to respect, in terms of what they have done and the influence they have had on their industry and genre, but really not at all easy to like. I met him briefly once about 12 years ago and thought he was an arse - not to me, a quick handshake and immediate dismissal was the limit of my contact with him and there's no reason it should have been otherwise, but over the course of a couple of hours he managed to upset a hell of a lot of people for no reason I could make out. Maybe he was having a bad day.

[DarroM]

Glad to see I wasn't the only one that enjoyed the interview quite a lot and felt it is probably one of the better interviews Chris has done in ages. I am not a big fan of John Cleese now but I do like the Monty Python stuff but I am one of those ones who don't regard Fawlty Towers as a classic comedy (12 episodes after all). Listening to the stories of his beginnings was interesting and need to hear it again.

When did he say shit in the interview since it must have passed me by.

Even if you're a fan of said show or actor etc, listening to Fearne Cotton do an interview is pretty much a stupid idea since she just asks the most inane questions and I am pretty sure Morgan Freeman was rolling his eyes in his head thinking "What did I do to deserve this?!" But I just can't stand her at all and her accent/voice annoys me.

I hate the whole target audience crap because a lot of people who are younger tend to enjoy music pre-90s a lot more than today. I am 26 years old and 80s music is far and away better than
modern music since a lot of stuff sounds the same and auto-tune has ruined that industry in certain ways. Same goes with guests. Older guests tend to be more interesting than young ones since they have interesting stories to tell as they have had a life you may say.

[MK Chris]

I am one of those ones who don't regard Fawlty Towers as a classic comedy (12 episodes after all).

Rather it be two series of brilliance (which is what it was) than get into Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps territory. I mean don't get me wrong, I know Two Pints was pretty dreadful from the start, but you get the gist of what I'm saying - it didn't outstay its welcome and the two series they did was fantastic.

[Wykey]

Darro, what do you consider "classic"?

It might be more useful to know what you understand the word to mean, before analysing the rights and wrongs of whether Flowery Twats is a classic or not.

[DarroM]

I am one of those ones who don't regard Fawlty Towers as a classic comedy (12 episodes after all).

Rather it be two series of brilliance (which is what it was) than get into Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps territory. I mean don't get me wrong, I know Two Pints was pretty dreadful from the start, but you get the gist of what I'm saying - it didn't outstay its welcome and the two series they did was fantastic.

Not going to diss anyone now that loves Fawlty Towers but I am not a fan. Like Fawlty Towers in terms of episodes, Father Ted is one of my favourite shows ever and it only had 25 episodes and thus didn't outstay its welcome IMO. Even though Dermot Morgan died after they wrapped it up, it was still going to be the last series. I do love the Monty Python films even though I never actually watched the Flying Circus series outside of And Now for Something Completely Different... where they had some of the sketches from that show etc.

Maybe I should give that series another shot and who knows, I could change my mind.

[DarroM]

Darro, what do you consider "classic"?

It might be more useful to know what you understand the word to mean, before analysing the rights and wrongs of whether Flowery Twats is a classic or not.

I consider classic (in this type of discussion) that is something that a lot of people hold in high regard and have a fondness for it no matter how old it is. Like, Only Fools and Horses is considered classic since people to this day love that show.

Like I said to Topher, Father Ted is one of my favourite shows and I would consider it a classic since new fans from all over the world get introduced to it and it only had 3 series with 25 episodes and I can easily watch them again and again. Every year on Christmas eve, I have a tradition of watching A Christmassy Ted (Christmas Special) and The Muppets Christmas Carol since I am fond of those two things and don't watch them at all any other time of the year.

But I might be a bit skeptic with Fawlty Towers since I haven't watched all the episodes but from what I have seen, I don't think it is fantastic but people do consider it a classic.

[Wykey]

I'd suggest that given your descriptions, Farty Towels is the epitome of a classic.

It's short lifespan probably adds to that, rather than detracts from it.

It's constantly high reputation amongst civilians and professionals certainly puts it in the classic bracket.

[MK Chris]

What Wykey said.

[Wykey]

And on a side issue, the Muppets Christmas Carol is absolutely a classic.

But less so than the Muppet Movie, which is a thing of beauty.

And for anyone who loves the Muppets, you need to listen to this:

http://castroller.com/Podcasts/StuffYouShould/1201067

[neilt0]

My brother knows John Cleese. He reckons that he is one of those people that you simply have to respect, in terms of what they have done and the influence they have had on their industry and genre, but really not at all easy to like. I met him briefly once about 12 years ago and thought he was an arse - not to me, a quick handshake and immediate dismissal was the limit of my contact with him and there's no reason it should have been otherwise, but over the course of a couple of hours he managed to upset a hell of a lot of people for no reason I could make out. Maybe he was having a bad day.

Well, I've crossed paths with John Cleese twice and that was my impression too. I now make it a rule to never try to meet my heroes.
I don't think I'd really want to meet Chris -- not because he wouldn't be the cuddly bear that we all know him to be, but because fan interactions can be awkward and not everyone is how you expect them to be from only hearing or seeing their work.

There were two other people mentioned in the John Cleese interview who I wish I'd never seen "behind the scenes" -- I can't really be as big of a fan of them any more, having seen them act like arses. I won't mention their names, as you shouldn't be put off either!

Having said all that, John was an excellent interviewee and I loved hearing his stories. This was also one of Chris' best interviews. As I was listening, I was thinking if he interviewed everyone like this, he could be the next Parky or Jonathan Ross.

[Yudster]

Regarding the Fawlty Towers debate - I find it one of those programmes that I have to acknowledge is brilliantly written, brilliantly played and clearlylent. However I simply don't like it, it makes me cringe. So yes, I think it is definitely deserving of the tag "Classic" - as long as I don't have to watch it!

[MrAndee]

This was also one of Chris' best interviews. As I was listening, I was thinking if he interviewed everyone like this, he could be the next Parky or Jonathan Ross.

I've been saying this for years , a Jonathan Ross style celebrity chat show would suit Chris. His interview with Cleese was exceptional, respectful but not sycophantic. The only problem is where? Every station has their own flagship chat-show. Maybe on C4 when Alan Carr is off doing stand up and stuff.

[Wykey]

I think if he can consistently reign himself in a little, then there's no reason why his interviewing wouldn't be worthy of a wider flagship audience.

Too many people will think he's being a bighead / it's all about him at the moment (and in terms of HIS radio show, that's no way a criticism) - interviews like this one will only serve to do him good in the long term.

[Wykey]

There were two other people mentioned in the John Cleese interview who I wish I'd never seen "behind the scenes" -- I can't really be as big of a fan of them any more, having seen them act like arses. I won't mention their names, as you shouldn't be put off either!

Was it you that punched Jim Jeffries?

I find it quite easy to believe that people who ten years ago I'd have considered heroes are in reality knobheads. Likewise I know that people I took an instant dislike to are actually bloody nice.

In the main it's footballers, but happily it doesn't stop my saturday afternoon attitude working fine.

When meeting anyone, let alone 'celebrities' I generally adopt a default position of dislike, and work from there. Now and again I can happily report that people I like are genuinely ace.

[neilt0]

There were two other people mentioned in the John Cleese interview who I wish I'd never seen "behind the scenes" -- I can't really be as big of a fan of them any more, having seen them act like arses. I won't mention their names, as you shouldn't be put off either!

Was it you that punched Jim Jeffries?

Ha! No, I'm a fan of his as well. It made me laugh when Dave said he'd just discovered him. He's been around a while. His podcast is nuts, and definitely not for everyone, but recommended: http://www.jimandeddietalkshit.com/

Nothing related is SFW. NSFW. etc.

[Travis Bickle]

Moyles has improved his interviewing technique beyond recognition over the past few years. For ages I couldn't stand listening to him interviewing guests as they made me cringe with how self-indulgent he was and lack of ability to adapt when there was no chemistry between him and the guest. He used to just labour it to the point of it becoming uncomfortable to listen to.

Now, even in the most humourous interviews he asks some pertinent and interesting questions. The way he interviewed the likes of Michael Caine, Stephen Fry and lately John Cleese was very impressive. Having listened again to the Cleese interview it was better than I initially gave it credit for, although I did like it in the first place.

He does still tend to talk about himself a bit too much on occasions though, as I thought was evidenced today withe Stephen Merchent. But I do agree with others in that the real TV show that is made for Moyles is as a chat show host along the lines of Jonathan Ross and Alan Carr. I am convinced he would already be better than Graham Norton.

[Emmy]

He does still tend to talk about himself a bit too much on occasions though, as I thought was evidenced today withe Stephen Merchent. But I do agree with others in that the real TV show that is made for Moyles is as a chat show host along the lines of Jonathan Ross and Alan Carr. I am convinced he would already be better than Graham Norton.

I would agree that his interviewing techniques have improved hugely in the last few years, but I'm not sure he'd ever get a chat show for the simple reason that chat show hosts tend to be 'well loved personalities' who are both popular with the public and well liked by many of their celebrity peers (e.g. Jonathan Ross, before he got into a bit of trouble). Much as we might like Chris on here, I'd be willing to bet that there's a fair percentage of the general public who hate him with a passion, and he's peed off a far few people within the entertainment industry over the years too, by making comments such as those discussed in the slightly awkward conversation with Stephen Merchant this morning!

[neilt0]

"Welcome to the first Chris Moyles Chat Show!"

"Today's guests are Halle Berry, Drew Barrymore, Katie Price and David Guest!"

[Emmy]

Now that would be a chat show worth watching! I think Chris' best bet of getting such a show would definitely be with Channel 4.

[MrAndee]

When the age-old question of "What will Chris do after the breakfast show" comes up , Ive always said He'll persevere with his TV work as I doubt he'll go anywhere else radio-wise (everywhere else is a step down) and a Moyles-fronted chat show would be very successful i think. Jonathan Ross is just as big headed as Chris, if not more so, so I dont think thats an issue.
Though, having said all this, it is highly likely this dating show on Sky Living could ruin everything tv-wise. I still cant comprehend why he's doing it.

[basiled]

John Cleese was also the first to say "*" at a funeral, whilst making a speech about Graham Chapman, the deceased!

[English Bob]

[Wykey]

John Cleese was also the first to say "*" at a funeral, whilst making a speech about Graham Chapman, the deceased!

Which he explained quite superbly during the interview.