I just read on Wiki that apparently when Graham died Cleese had to be lead out of the room because he was in such a state. Something about that makes this so much better. He probably wanted to express how heartbroken he was but instead sacrificed it for something he felt Graham would appreciate more. That's a true friend
He was absolutely distraught, yes. I agree that Cleese did this the way he did mainly for Graham, but I don't think he sacrificed his authenticity. He did express his true feelings, just in an unorthodox way. I have always felt that the "fuck!" at the end was the most sincere uttering of that word ever spoken.
I mean, I think he's absolutely right that Chapman would never have forgiven him for playing it straight. It's a much more fitting memorial than a staid rendition of the usual platitudes about grief. Everyone knew it, too.
Cleese wrote what partly amounts to a novel length eulogy to "Gra" as his book, "So, Anyway". You can tell Chapman was an incredibly important part of his life
About 10 years ago our friend died in a tragic car crash. At gatherings he would often get a bit too drunk and pass out on the couch. During his viewing, my two friends and me were solemn during the funeral when the one friend leaned in and whispered, "How many times have we seen him like that?" We laughed and cried at the same time.
RIP the two members of Monty Python Graham Chapman (January 8, 1941 - October 4, 1989), aged 48 Terry Jones (February 1, 1942 - January 21, 2020), aged 77 You both will be remembered as legends
I will never forget when Mr. Chapman visited my university to speak to a full house, and we gave him a standing ovation as he entered the stage. He immediately chastised us all, made us sit down, pulled out stop watch, and insisted we give him 60 seconds of abuse. We did and enjoyed every second. He was and always will be brilliant. RIP.
Graham really did that. He invited audiences to abuse him and often encouraged them to get more abusive. He did it during an appearance on the Tonight Show as well as other places.
As far as I know, Cleese has had a very sad crying about Graham's death. He was broken about it. This eulogy is like a resurrection, for both Cleese and Chapman. Their final sketch together, with Graham appearing as a ghost haunting him to say "f*ck" at the memorial. And even though Cleese refuses to do that, he does "quote" the word and, in case it went past unnoticed, also his own "sh*t".
Loved John’s line, “He would never forgive me if I didn’t take this opportunity to shock you all” That’s what the pythons were all about, taking a normal, respectful, reverential situation and twisting it to shock us. That’s why they were so unique and so funny😁😁😁😁
They all NEEDED that laugh too. Memorial services are not only sad, they're tense, with everyone wondering if someone's going to say the wrong thing. John did but he gave them all the release they needed.
@@ZarkowsWorld It's a matter of option. No ignorance here. No matter whether a person is offended by bad language or not, it really never is appropriate to be vulgar.
Except maybe Tom Hanks. I love Monty Python and have always appreciated the way John Cleese helped send off Graham Chapman, but Tom Hanks telling a story at Michael Clarke Duncan's funeral was awesome. th-cam.com/video/DsQhB4tJRxw/w-d-xo.html
@@vaderetro264 That is the most narrow and ignorant comment I've read recently. It has no basis in fact and displays a complete lack of awareness. Either that, or it's the dumbest troll comment on TH-cam today. And considering that it has nothing to do with my comment (aside from mentioning the two people involved), it also shows you didn't pay attention to the point of my post.
@I Love You I'm sorry your reading comprehension isn't up to the task of this thread, but I didn't "boast" of anything, and I never said or implied that I knew "of something better". The original post states that "only John Cleese" could make people laugh like that at a funeral. I stated (with link to an example) that it was not true. How that is not relevant to the original post, I'm curious to know. His response was only to denigrate Tom Hanks with patently untrue comments. If he'd had anything to back them up, he's had almost a week to respond without the need for you to white knight for him with additional idiocy. As far as my account, when you pay my fees, you can determine when my account gets canceled. Otherwise, tend to your own.
I've always heard that when bob hope (or some comedian) died, just before his death, his wife asked where he wanted to be buried and he replied "surprise me"
I love the look on the kids face at 1:06. He's privileged to discover at a very young age that irreverence has its time and place--always and everywhere.
There are many who dislike John because he is brash and overconfident. He may be those things. But what he really is is courageous enough to be the one who got up there and said what needed to be said, in the way it needed to be said, with the humor, honesty,, and compassion deserved...to eulogize a man who lived unabashedly at the edge of "good taste". This was a man they all respected, loved, and called friend. He deserved nothing less than this send-off. Just beautiful.
It takes a great person to make the audience laugh while he himself cries inside. Cleese respected Chapman enough to give the eulogy in his spirit and create light in people's hearts instead of darkness. That was what Chapman's life was all about. That was what his funeral was about.
My brother wanted to write a eulogy for his best friend's funeral, so I sent him this video as inspiration. His eulogy made people laugh at the grave site. He recounted his last time spent with his best friend where they were lost in NYC an his best friend was shouting out the car window for directions to people who didn't speak English.
Ten years ago I delivered my best friend's eulogy after he'd thrown himself under a train (rather inconsiderately, during the rush hour). Faced with about 200 of his friends and family, it was possibly the most nerve wracking moment of my life. I wish I'd watched this first...
This is not only the funniest but also by far one of the most respectful and beautiful memorial speeches I've ever heard. They were true friends, and the Monty Python group truly loved Graham Chapman, and it shows in so many ways. John Cleese honors him with a grace you can't find anywhere else. Makes me proud to have grown up during their era, making their work a huge part of my childhood. There are none like them.
Goes to prove the Pythons are just simply the best. Even at something as sacredly reverent as a eulogy, John Cleese is cracking jokes and Eric Idle sings "Always look on the bright side of life".
This was a powerful eulogy, by any measure. One of the greatest, ground breaking comedy ensembles and partnerships in movie and television history. The looks on each of their faces, as John speaks, tells you everything. Well done.
Well, no, not really. I doubt John would agree with you. He’s certainly talented but his contribution is rather limited. Hundred of years from now he and the rest of Python will largely be a footnote. Like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton they will be revered but that’s it.
I remember when my dad introduced me to Monty Python on PBS when I was pre-teen. My dad's name was ironically Monte. My life has been made better for eternity because of these guys. I will shed a tear for each and everyone when they pass on to Heaven. When I stop crying I will remember that when my time comes, Heaven will be awesome!
My Grampa once told me, "you can't call yourself a true friend if you can't make people laugh at their funeral. If you can't tell the best stories while they can't defend themselves, were you really their friend?"
What a gift of love to have a relationship where John Cleese felt so comfortable being exactly who he was supposed to be for his friend who had passed.
Graham Chapman, co-author of the 'Parrot Sketch,' is no more. He has ceased to be. Bereft of life, he rests in peace. He's kicked the bucket, hopped the twig, bit the dust, snuffed it, breathed his last, and gone to meet the Great Head of Light Entertainment in the sky. And I guess that we're all thinking how sad it is that a man of such talent, of such capability for kindness, of such unusual intelligence should now so suddenly be spirited away at the age of only forty-eight, before he'd achieved many of the things of which he was capable, and before he'd had enough fun. Well, I feel that I should say, "Nonsense. Good riddance to him, the freeloading bastard! I hope he fries." And the reason I feel I should say this is he would never forgive me if I didn't, if I threw away this glorious opportunity to shock you all on his behalf. Anything for him but mindless good taste. I could hear him whispering in my ear last night as I was writing this; "Alright, Cleese", he was saying, "you're very proud of being the very first person ever to say 'shit' on British television. If this service is really for me, just for starters, I want you to become the first person ever at a British memorial service to say 'fuck'!"
+MØ extras Thanks! But you left out one word, glorious, in "if I threw away this glorious opportunity to shock you all." I personally feel the word intensifies the Pythonness of this eulogy +herbie747 Transcripts are very helpful for non-native English speakers like me!
I would believe it. I feel like one can actually feel the sadness as he says "Good riddance to him the freeloading bastard, I hope he frys." Something about the delivery and how he needs to read it off his paper. Like he's feeling really unhappy even as he's making an incredible joke.
Michael Palin's diary - Travelling To Work: October 3rd[1989]: Time Out is the first journal to sow the seeds of doubt in my mind over 80 Days' appeal. A humourless review which whines about the shame of having to 'pour cold water' over the programme and proceeds to do so with great glee. *Anne[James, management] rings to say Graham has had a bad night and may go back into hospital. He certainly won't be able to attend the anniversary party tomorrow.* Down to the Holiday Inn Hotel in Mayfair to fulfil a series of interview obligations. First an appearance in a documentary about Viz, defending the magazine, then a piece about Python's 20th for Australia's Channel 7. The TV crews are so typical of their countries. The Australians grin a lot, are rather like big schoolboys and seem anxious to get it done and go round the pub. Then hare off home to a longish chat with CBC - the non-aligned, apologetic, intelligent Canadians. Establishing shots of me in garden. Squirt what I think is water from one of Helen's garden sprays into my mouth as a joke. Later told it's highly poisonous! Granny G has arrived for Mary and Edward's 25th wedding anniversary party. We eat late - it's almost ten by the time we are all assembled at Mon Plaisir, Mary and Edward's favourite restaurant in courting days, now benefiting from the Covent Garden renaissance and no longer having the rather squashed, cosy, plain and unpretentious French presence it had in the bad old days. *Will rings sounding grave. He's heard from TG[Terry Gilliam], who's heard from Anne, that Graham is seriously ill in hospital. He has secondary cancers all over his body and is not expected to last the night. All this over the noise of popping corks and laughter reminds me of my father dying during the football results. There is precious little dignity around. Ring Terry J. Sal[Terry's daughter]answers. He and Alison[wife] have both gone down to the hospital.* *Back home. It's half past twelve and been a long evening. There seems no point in my rushing down to Maidstone. I'm legally too drunk to drive anyway. Phone the hospital, but can never get through. Sometime after one I give up and get to bed, expecting to be woken any time.*
Travelling To Work: Wednesday, October 4th: Anne rings at a quarter to eight. Graham has stayed alive through the night. The anniversary party this evening is to be cancelled. I agree. There will be nothing to celebrate. After breakfast I call David[Graham's partner]. Can't keep back a choke of emotion on the phone and feel rather feeble having to curtail the call, but the moment of regret for Gra suddenly so intense. Sit for a few minutes in the sunshine on my balcony. The telephone rings. Drag myself back in. It's Alison at the office. She's had a call from JC[Cleese] who has just spoken to Graham's brother, John. Gra has only a few hours left to live. John is on his way down to the hospital. I um and ah for a moment. What can I do? Will I be in the way? Consult Helen[wife], who says I should go. Suddenly the tiredness disappears and, I suppose, a shot of adrenaline revives the system as I grab whatever I may need, check the directions and leave for Maidstone. The traffic is going home all across South London and it takes me over one and a half hours to get to the hospital. It's set in fields outside Maidstone, has some bright, post-modernist pavilions at one end, and a big, heavy Victorian workhouse at the other. Around it a quiet and spectacular sunset is fading. Long walk to the Cornwallis Ward. Graham is in a private room at the end. At Graham's bedside are John - his brother, heavier, a quite different shape from the megapodal Graham - and on the other side, holding the hand above which the bandages conceal a drip feed which is keeping Gra alive, is John C. We talk a while, then they go out and I'm left alone with Graham. He breathes laboriously but regularly. I'm told that the faculty of sound is known to be the last to go and so I rattle on about everyday things. About my lousy review in Time Out, the sunset, the fountain being removed from Prominent courtyard. David comes in, smiling and relaxed. He kisses Graham's head and smoothes his sallow brow, closes the window a little, tells me that their house is the next one to the hospital, just across the field. He's happy to leave me with Gra. David says a room has been cleared where we can go. I say I'm all right ...'You Yorkshiremen', grins David. I walk round to the window then come back to his right-hand side; take his cold hand in my hot one and tell him, quite loudly, that we all love him. The regularity of his breathing is broken. A long pause, then a long inhalation. His lower jaw rises, his mouth closes and bares his lower teeth. I reach for my cup of tea. He breathes heavily. I start to talk again. A single tear emerges from his right eye and rolls down his cheek. The mouth is set. The great ridge of Adam's apple is still. There is no more noise from him. Nothing dramatic, no rattles or chokes or cries. He's not moving anymore. I don't want to leave him, nor do I want to make any noise or sudden movement. It's a moment out of time. All I can feel is that I shouldn't be here, that David and John his brother should be.
Growing up with these comic marvels i was shocked to realize Graham was only 48yrs old, a funeral is so sad and to have laughter is a massive help to those grieving .good ole john to help MR Chapman on his way to the great comedy store in the sky// we will never see the likes off these hugely talented men together again/ 2022
I gave my little brothers Eulogy. Told a bunch of funny stories and made fun of him. Like bad. The entire congregation was rolling. When the world is falling apart all around you, laughter is what you need, even if you don't know it. It was one of the greatest things I ever had the honor of doing, even though I wish I never had to.
When I was young, I used to watch Monty Python with my Dad. One of my fondest memories is my Dad convulsing in laughter during the Parrot Sketch. For two weeks we would still go into fits of laughter "They stapled the bleeding bird to the perch. Loved every episode.
you can hear Cleese's voice on the verge of breaking down in tears at the beginning; he soldiered on and gave the best eulogy of all time after Shakespeare's Marc Antony
Even after years since the first time of watching this, the more he swears the more I tear up thinking about what sort of bond they have. It takes an incredible friend to do something like that. I am sure Chapman would have appreciated it beyond anything reasonable. "Mindless good taste" is also a fantastic way of wording a type of affection that rarely develop even among close friends. It takes a deep understanding of each other to be able to be that light-hearted, deep and elegant despite the circumstance.
Not only are John's words so well chosen and put together, so are the wonderful comments added by people who are fans of all things Python So I say thank you to you all because I got pleasure from reading them.
How hard must this have been for Cleese to do with such composure and perfect delivery? Anyone who has been unfortunate enough to get up and say something about someone who has died at a funeral, will appreciate this. Absolutely astonishing personal control.
What an outstanding bit of comedy John Cleese's eulogy was. The composure, the timing, playing off of the audience. At the funeral of his childhood friend. In front of the departed's friends and family. And it was so simple but so profound. We pass through life seeing our loved ones in different lights, having them wear different faces. They're fathers and mothers, friends and confidants, inspirations and great influences on the next of kin's lives. And Clesse summed it up, all of it. All the words I've heard in person in funerals real or in media by that beautiful sentiment and the brilliant drop of "Good riddance to him, the freeloading bastard". From romantic reminiscence to deadpan dunking on. From darkness to light. Smiles and laughter from hearts overflowing with grief. To me, this is what it's all about, comedy. Making life just a little bit lighter.
Simply one of the funnest things I've ever seen. I come back occasionally, having alrandy seen it dozens of times, and it never fails to make me howl with laughter.
@@markorollo. Cleese probably should have came up with the silly walk, started off by doing the parrot sketch opening again, made a silly face, mugged to people in the audience... then said one line about how sad he is Terry was dead and sit back down. Never give them what they expect.
All of those brilliant folks from Monty Python made an otherwise sad childhood much more bearable. I will never forget any of them. From the bottom of my heart, thank you very much! 😂🤣😂❤️❗️
This is what true friendship is: when someone knows us so well as to unashamedly and unreservedly pulls this kind of nonsense in front of all one's friends and loved ones. This is how you know you are loved.
"Anything for him but mindless good taste" Such a good line. forming the service to what the deceased would have liked instead of doing the norm because it's "Respectful".
Life of Brian and Holy Grail are two of few movies I'm willing to watch again and again. I had never heard of them 'till the mid 90's. I didn't know Graham was dead till just now.
As only the great John Cleese can do it: make people laugh in the face of sorrow. Rest in peace, Graham. And thank you for all of the laughs. God bless.
Having lost a good friend recently, I come back to this moment to learn how to appreciate the contributions of my friend, and not dwell on my own sorrow. This is a lesson taught much better than any religious leader I have had to listen to. John provides wisdom and guidance more than he probably realizes.
Losing a friend and ally is a painful matter for anyone; John Cleese handled this eulogy so well that I’d bet some of the people attending felt a sense of relief and calm when they were able to earnestly laugh… And Cleese got credit for saying “Fuck!” at the memorial! Sometimes, laughter is what we all need! Thanks for sharing!
A fantastic group of men, the Pythons. As they pass it will be a series of bittersweet tears and a genuine appreciation for all of the laughs that they have given me.
The love Cleese and the rest of the Python gang feel and felt for Chapman is so very evident in this short video. Chapman and the rest were such a tremendous gift to us all.
This is both brilliantly hilarious and deeply touching. The best tribute Chapman could ever have from his old friend. They are both comic geniuses, even through the darkest times of life.
Whenever live gets you down Mrs brown, when people are hard or tough. When people are stupid, obnoxious or daft, and you feel like you've had quite enough..... Just remember this speech.
OMG! French MP fan here, this is one the reasons why I'm happy to speak decent English. It's even more touching when you know the history of the Flying Circus and why Cleese left......
Supposedly, except up until the last moments when Cleese couldn't handle it anymore and had to leave the room, the Pythons were all ripping at each other still while Chapman lay on his deathbed in the hospital. It takes a special sense of bravery to do that.
I found Monty Python when I was just in Jr. High school and it was the beginning of a lifelong love for their wonderful sense of humor and talent. Truly one of the best groups to ever grace our screen.
This is a literally hilarious yet touching at the same time, since the funny bit is that they literally said swear words in a church and the heartwarming bit is that at least they get to crack one more laugh with Graham Chapman even if he's dead.
I just read on Wiki that apparently when Graham died Cleese had to be lead out of the room because he was in such a state.
Something about that makes this so much better. He probably wanted to express how heartbroken he was but instead sacrificed it for something he felt Graham would appreciate more.
That's a true friend
He was absolutely distraught, yes.
I agree that Cleese did this the way he did mainly for Graham, but I don't think he sacrificed his authenticity. He did express his true feelings, just in an unorthodox way. I have always felt that the "fuck!" at the end was the most sincere uttering of that word ever spoken.
I mean, I think he's absolutely right that Chapman would never have forgiven him for playing it straight. It's a much more fitting memorial than a staid rendition of the usual platitudes about grief. Everyone knew it, too.
Cleese wrote what partly amounts to a novel length eulogy to "Gra" as his book, "So, Anyway".
You can tell Chapman was an incredibly important part of his life
and he was in a room full of his comedian peers. They needed a laugh at that point
Well they were roommates at university and really good friends. So yes he broke down when he was dying.
About 10 years ago our friend died in a tragic car crash. At gatherings he would often get a bit too drunk and pass out on the couch. During his viewing, my two friends and me were solemn during the funeral when the one friend leaned in and whispered, "How many times have we seen him like that?" We laughed and cried at the same time.
Beautiful. True friendship. Sorry for your loss
That's a true bond there
Fuck, I understood that too well. Hope you okay, brother
That’s quite beautiful , I find myself conflicted at funerals. Mourning and laughing at memories
Damn good line ❤️ sorry for Your loss
Graham Chapman left earth because he thought it was getting rather silly.
And now he is doing something completely different...
Isn't he still searching for the Holy Grail?
Hahaha perfect comment :D
Yes, he wanted them to start the next sketch.
Well, I mean, it has.
RIP the two members of Monty Python
Graham Chapman (January 8, 1941 - October 4, 1989), aged 48
Terry Jones (February 1, 1942 - January 21, 2020), aged 77
You both will be remembered as legends
They are not resting in peace, they are in torment in the pits of the earth. Serve them right for serving Satan.
Terry Jones chose the right moment to exit.
as John said: 2 down, 4 to go
I will never forget when Mr. Chapman visited my university to speak to a full house, and we gave him a standing ovation as he entered the stage. He immediately chastised us all, made us sit down, pulled out stop watch, and insisted we give him 60 seconds of abuse. We did and enjoyed every second. He was and always will be brilliant. RIP.
Haha that's brilliant!
Ha thanks for sharing that.
That's performance art!🇬🇧 Holy Cow?! He know how to work it! Brilliant folks. Love and condolences to their(Graham,Neil I
And Terry's) families.
Wow, what next in "Things that never happened"?
Graham really did that. He invited audiences to abuse him and often encouraged them to get more abusive. He did it during an appearance on the Tonight Show as well as other places.
Finding someone who loves you enough to write a eulogy like this should be a life goal for all of us.
Yes 👍 very true 😀🌸
Alright, alright … what’s all this then?
Laugh crying is better than sad crying. Good job, John.
As far as I know, Cleese has had a very sad crying about Graham's death. He was broken about it.
This eulogy is like a resurrection, for both Cleese and Chapman. Their final sketch together, with Graham appearing as a ghost haunting him to say "f*ck" at the memorial. And even though Cleese refuses to do that, he does "quote" the word and, in case it went past unnoticed, also his own "sh*t".
It’s like he said, Chapman wouldn’t have wanted Cleese to miss a chance to make everybody laugh.
Too true
this is probably the best funeral somebody can get where people not just lament the death but remember the greatness of the person who passed away
A brilliant, suitable tribute to a truly funny guy, from a truly funny guy.
Loved John’s line, “He would never forgive me if I didn’t take this opportunity to shock you all”
That’s what the pythons were all about, taking a normal, respectful, reverential situation and twisting it to shock us. That’s why they were so unique and so funny😁😁😁😁
And why they are, and will always be, the greatest comedic team of all-time.
They all NEEDED that laugh too. Memorial services are not only sad, they're tense, with everyone wondering if someone's going to say the wrong thing. John did but he gave them all the release they needed.
not exactly a novel observation
This is how services should be - a celebration of someone's life - sadness yes - but laughter too.
ewaf88 That is very true! I hope my funeral will be something like that.
Laughter can certainly be good at funerals, and a welcome relief, but the potty mouth vulgarity is childish and disappointing.
@@billh.6135 I don't think you understand what Monty Python stood for and in particular Graham Chapman.
@@billh.6135 Stupidity cannot be helped, but your ignorance can.
@@ZarkowsWorld It's a matter of option. No ignorance here. No matter whether a person is offended by bad language or not, it really never is appropriate to be vulgar.
Holy shit, only John Cleese could make audience laugh like that at a funeral.
Except maybe Tom Hanks. I love Monty Python and have always appreciated the way John Cleese helped send off Graham Chapman, but Tom Hanks telling a story at Michael Clarke Duncan's funeral was awesome. th-cam.com/video/DsQhB4tJRxw/w-d-xo.html
Throatwobbler Mangrove Tom Hanks is a nobody compared with John Cleese, either from an artistic and a human point of view.
@@vaderetro264 That is the most narrow and ignorant comment I've read recently. It has no basis in fact and displays a complete lack of awareness. Either that, or it's the dumbest troll comment on TH-cam today. And considering that it has nothing to do with my comment (aside from mentioning the two people involved), it also shows you didn't pay attention to the point of my post.
@I Love You I'm sorry your reading comprehension isn't up to the task of this thread, but I didn't "boast" of anything, and I never said or implied that I knew "of something better". The original post states that "only John Cleese" could make people laugh like that at a funeral. I stated (with link to an example) that it was not true. How that is not relevant to the original post, I'm curious to know. His response was only to denigrate Tom Hanks with patently untrue comments. If he'd had anything to back them up, he's had almost a week to respond without the need for you to white knight for him with additional idiocy. As far as my account, when you pay my fees, you can determine when my account gets canceled. Otherwise, tend to your own.
@@throatwobblermangrove8510 WHO?
This is one of the most touching and honouring things one friend has ever done for another.
I've always heard that when bob hope (or some comedian) died, just before his death, his wife asked where he wanted to be buried and he replied "surprise me"
True
Chap would've done the same thing for John, and everyone else in that troupe.
Cliff Hanley . Calm down Han..
Hanny*
I love the look on the kids face at 1:06. He's privileged to discover at a very young age that irreverence has its time and place--always and everywhere.
Always look on the bright side of death
Just before you draw your terminal breath
***** That's what one gets for using meth.
+wilson_1984 Keep 'em laughing as you go. Just remember that the last laugh is on you!
*whistling*
your right
There are many who dislike John because he is brash and overconfident. He may be those things. But what he really is is courageous enough to be the one who got up there and said what needed to be said, in the way it needed to be said, with the humor, honesty,, and compassion deserved...to eulogize a man who lived unabashedly at the edge of "good taste". This was a man they all respected, loved, and called friend. He deserved nothing less than this send-off.
Just beautiful.
"Anything for him, but mindless good taste."
Not lying, I'm crying. RIP, Graham. Well played, Mr. Cleese.
"Stop it! Stop right now! That's just plain silly!" -- Chapman, on MANY occasions
It takes a great person to make the audience laugh while he himself cries inside. Cleese respected Chapman enough to give the eulogy in his spirit and create light in people's hearts instead of darkness. That was what Chapman's life was all about. That was what his funeral was about.
They treated Graham respectfully with disrespect, no other way to have done it.
Like Cleese sugg'd, he wouldn't have wanted it any other way. The congregation really needed that laugh.
Cliff Hanley. So, you were a close friend of Graham Chapman? You seem to know all about him.
Cliff Hanley No the joke is that British Televison was really censored
But with "disrespectful" love.
Why is sarcasm and meanness so important to the British?
-Good riddance to him, the freeloading bastard! After nearly 30 years this is still hilariously funny.
Graham Chapman isn't dead. He's probably pining for the fjords...
Or the witch turned him into a newt.
PINING FOR THE FEEEEEEEEEJOOOOOOOOOOORDS?!
It was just a flesh wound.
Or he simply became a pilot & is currently somewhere over the Earth irritating people.
Pining for the fjords? What kind of talk is that?
I know this is years old, but I could feel the love in that eulogy. So, so much love. Oh, my heart.
My brother wanted to write a eulogy for his best friend's funeral, so I sent him this video as inspiration.
His eulogy made people laugh at the grave site.
He recounted his last time spent with his best friend where they were lost in NYC an his best friend was shouting out the car window for directions to people who didn't speak English.
LMAO
Sounds like computer support.
That's RIDICULOUS! LOL
Ten years ago I delivered my best friend's eulogy after he'd thrown himself under a train (rather inconsiderately, during the rush hour). Faced with about 200 of his friends and family, it was possibly the most nerve wracking moment of my life. I wish I'd watched this first...
I would've started with "You'll have to excuse me but I'm in pieces, very much like my newly departed best friend."
I know this is Graham Chapman’s eulogy but RIP Terry Jones. I hope John does something similar here.....
Just a pair of python banging two halves of a coconut together in the clouds
cainm101 BRILLIANT!!!
In his tweet today, Cleese stated, "2 down, 4 to go."
Actually, I hope Michael Palin delivers Terry's eulogy. They were pretty close
Sheepless saw Palin get quite emotional in his interview on the news, could tell he really will miss him
This is not only the funniest but also by far one of the most respectful and beautiful memorial speeches I've ever heard. They were true friends, and the Monty Python group truly loved Graham Chapman, and it shows in so many ways. John Cleese honors him with a grace you can't find anywhere else. Makes me proud to have grown up during their era, making their work a huge part of my childhood. There are none like them.
Like this Gentle Person said ! Best Part Of my Adolescent upbringing!
Goes to prove the Pythons are just simply the best.
Even at something as sacredly reverent as a eulogy, John Cleese is cracking jokes and Eric Idle sings "Always look on the bright side of life".
To be honest, I for one wouldn't have had it any other way
Nowhere near the best. Not even close, Cleese's best work was solo.
It's one of the most popular songs at British funerals.
The marvelous part is his delivery, very typically his style, but you can sense the dried tears on the paper. Extraordinary.
This was a powerful eulogy, by any measure.
One of the greatest, ground breaking comedy ensembles and partnerships in movie and television history. The looks on each of their faces, as John speaks, tells you everything.
Well done.
Much can be learned here. My Dad has requested a similar funeral. And as God is my judge, he will sit up in his casket at a most inopportune time.
John cleese is to comedy what beethoven was to music,,,genius,,,,,
All SIX of them were! BTW, if you haven't seen it, check out the Simon Says episode of Cheers.
These were virtuous as the whole cast was the same. May the laughs continue.
Well, yes, but actually, it's "John Cleese is to comedy what The Galloping Kazoo Band was to music....genius...."
Well, no, not really. I doubt John would agree with you. He’s certainly talented but his contribution is rather limited. Hundred of years from now he and the rest of Python will largely be a footnote. Like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton they will be revered but that’s it.
@@fredferd965 lmlmmac
O
I remember when my dad introduced me to Monty Python on PBS when I was pre-teen. My dad's name was ironically Monte. My life has been made better for eternity because of these guys. I will shed a tear for each and everyone when they pass on to Heaven. When I stop crying I will remember that when my time comes, Heaven will be awesome!
How only a true friend could say goodbye....just heart warming...
My Grampa once told me, "you can't call yourself a true friend if you can't make people laugh at their funeral. If you can't tell the best stories while they can't defend themselves, were you really their friend?"
Based Gramps.
"Two down. Four to go." John Cleese. RIP Mother of Brian.
Crashburn 32 - it's Terry Jones who has just died.
@@markfox1545 Yeah, that's why he said RIP Mother of Brian.
How do you reunite the Beatles? Two bullets. As tasteless as any joke should be. Love to all the pythons.
What a gift of love to have a relationship where John Cleese felt so comfortable being exactly who he was supposed to be for his friend who had passed.
Graham Chapman, co-author of the 'Parrot Sketch,' is no more. He has ceased to be. Bereft of life, he rests in peace. He's kicked the bucket, hopped the twig, bit the dust, snuffed it, breathed his last, and gone to meet the Great Head of Light Entertainment in the sky. And I guess that we're all thinking how sad it is that a man of such talent, of such capability for kindness, of such unusual intelligence should now so suddenly be spirited away at the age of only forty-eight, before he'd achieved many of the things of which he was capable, and before he'd had enough fun. Well, I feel that I should say, "Nonsense. Good riddance to him, the freeloading bastard! I hope he fries." And the reason I feel I should say this is he would never forgive me if I didn't, if I threw away this glorious opportunity to shock you all on his behalf. Anything for him but mindless good taste. I could hear him whispering in my ear last night as I was writing this; "Alright, Cleese", he was saying, "you're very proud of being the very first person ever to say 'shit' on British television. If this service is really for me, just for starters, I want you to become the first person ever at a British memorial service to say 'fuck'!"
.
Same...thanks for this. Cheers!
Yeah, we all have ears dumbass. It was in the video.
+MØ extras Thanks! But you left out one word, glorious, in "if I threw away this glorious opportunity to shock you all." I personally feel the word intensifies the Pythonness of this eulogy
+herbie747 Transcripts are very helpful for non-native English speakers like me!
I thought it was capability *for* kindness.
I don't believe a more poetic, beautiful, or truly present Eulogy has ever been given.
Putting the fun in funeral
Absolutely. Celebrate the life and carry that spirit onwards with you.
RIP Terry Jones - Jan 22, 2020
That close-up 0:43 ...
Graham isn't dead. He's just resting.
Pining for the fjords maybe?
+djbadlt Pining for the fjords?! What kind of talk is that?!
+ShahenHayIan Shame on you for not knowing
Of course I know. "What kind of talk is that?" is the sketch's next sentence... YOU should've known.
ShahenHayIan wow, I must be slipping
God bless those who make us laugh. I cannot imagine my life without Monty Python.
John Cleese was there when he died and apparently was so full of grief he was taken to another room.
I would believe it.
I feel like one can actually feel the sadness as he says "Good riddance to him the freeloading bastard, I hope he frys."
Something about the delivery and how he needs to read it off his paper. Like he's feeling really unhappy even as he's making an incredible joke.
and shot
You Can hear his voice cracking at the beginning when he says "bereft of life" and on, he was fighting the tears
Michael Palin's diary - Travelling To Work: October 3rd[1989]:
Time Out is the first journal to sow the seeds of doubt in my mind over 80 Days' appeal. A humourless review which whines about the shame of having to 'pour cold water' over the programme and proceeds to do so with great glee.
*Anne[James, management] rings to say Graham has had a bad night and may go back into hospital. He certainly won't be able to attend the anniversary party tomorrow.*
Down to the Holiday Inn Hotel in Mayfair to fulfil a series of interview obligations. First an appearance in a documentary about Viz, defending the magazine, then a piece about Python's 20th for Australia's Channel 7. The TV crews are so typical of their countries. The Australians grin a lot, are rather like big schoolboys and seem anxious to get it done and go round the pub. Then hare off home to a longish chat with CBC - the non-aligned, apologetic, intelligent Canadians.
Establishing shots of me in garden. Squirt what I think is water from one of Helen's garden sprays into my mouth as a joke. Later told it's highly poisonous!
Granny G has arrived for Mary and Edward's 25th wedding anniversary party. We eat late - it's almost ten by the time we are all assembled at Mon Plaisir, Mary and Edward's favourite restaurant in courting days, now benefiting from the Covent Garden renaissance and no longer having the rather squashed, cosy, plain and unpretentious French presence it had in the bad old days.
*Will rings sounding grave. He's heard from TG[Terry Gilliam], who's heard from Anne, that Graham is seriously ill in hospital. He has secondary cancers all over his body and is not expected to last the night. All this over the noise of popping corks and laughter reminds me of my father dying during the football results. There is precious little dignity around. Ring Terry J. Sal[Terry's daughter]answers. He and Alison[wife] have both gone down to the hospital.*
*Back home. It's half past twelve and been a long evening. There seems no point in my rushing down to Maidstone. I'm legally too drunk to drive anyway. Phone the hospital, but can never get through. Sometime after one I give up and get to bed, expecting to be woken any time.*
Travelling To Work: Wednesday, October 4th:
Anne rings at a quarter to eight. Graham has stayed alive through the night. The anniversary party this evening is to be cancelled. I agree. There will be nothing to celebrate.
After breakfast I call David[Graham's partner]. Can't keep back a choke of emotion on the phone and feel rather feeble having to curtail the call, but the moment of regret for Gra suddenly so intense.
Sit for a few minutes in the sunshine on my balcony. The telephone rings. Drag myself back in. It's Alison at the office. She's had a call from JC[Cleese] who has just spoken to Graham's brother, John. Gra has only a few hours left to live. John is on his way down to the hospital. I um and ah for a moment. What can I do? Will I be in the way? Consult Helen[wife], who says I should go. Suddenly the tiredness disappears and, I suppose, a shot of adrenaline revives the system as I grab whatever I may need, check the directions and leave for Maidstone.
The traffic is going home all across South London and it takes me over one and a half hours to get to the hospital. It's set in fields outside Maidstone, has some bright, post-modernist pavilions at one end, and a big, heavy Victorian workhouse at the other. Around it a quiet and spectacular sunset is fading. Long walk to the Cornwallis Ward. Graham is in a private room at the end. At Graham's bedside are John - his brother, heavier, a quite different shape from the megapodal Graham - and on the other side, holding the hand above which the bandages conceal a drip feed which is keeping Gra alive, is John C.
We talk a while, then they go out and I'm left alone with Graham. He breathes laboriously but regularly. I'm told that the faculty of sound is known to be the last to go and so I rattle on about everyday things. About my lousy review in Time Out, the sunset, the fountain being removed from Prominent courtyard. David comes in, smiling and relaxed. He kisses Graham's head and smoothes his sallow brow, closes the window a little, tells me that their house is the next one to the hospital, just across the field. He's happy to leave me with Gra. David says a room has been cleared where we can go. I say I'm all right ...'You Yorkshiremen', grins David. I walk round to the window then come back to his right-hand side; take his cold hand in my hot one and tell him, quite loudly, that we all love him.
The regularity of his breathing is broken. A long pause, then a long inhalation. His lower jaw rises, his mouth closes and bares his lower teeth. I reach for my cup of tea. He breathes heavily. I start to talk again. A single tear emerges from his right eye and rolls down his cheek. The mouth is set. The great ridge of Adam's apple is still. There is no more noise from him. Nothing dramatic, no rattles or chokes or cries. He's not moving anymore.
I don't want to leave him, nor do I want to make any noise or sudden movement. It's a moment out of time. All I can feel is that I shouldn't be here, that David and John his brother should be.
Growing up with these comic marvels i was shocked to realize Graham was only 48yrs old, a funeral is so sad and to have laughter is a massive help to those grieving .good ole john to help MR Chapman on his way to the great comedy store in the sky// we will never see the likes off these hugely talented men together again/ 2022
I gave my little brothers Eulogy. Told a bunch of funny stories and made fun of him. Like bad. The entire congregation was rolling. When the world is falling apart all around you, laughter is what you need, even if you don't know it. It was one of the greatest things I ever had the honor of doing, even though I wish I never had to.
Must of been hard but we'll done
Way to go! Condolences on the loss of your Brother. At least you'll always have a chuckle when you remember his memorial service.
If anyone comes to my funeral (which is distinctly in doubt), I really hope they have the good taste to affectionately take the piss out of me.
I hear ya!
"The entire congregation was rolling."
Rolling... Cigarettes?..
You didn't type what they were rolling, could just as easily have been joints.
Rest In Peace Terry Jones and Graham Chapman; mother and son reunited at last
Hahaha!
It takes a special type of comedian to get laughs at a funeral. RIP Graham Chapman, and long live John Cleese.
When I was young, I used to watch Monty Python with my Dad. One of my fondest memories is my Dad convulsing in laughter during the Parrot Sketch. For two weeks we would still go into fits of laughter "They stapled the bleeding bird to the perch. Loved every episode.
I would have never thought to ever say this, but:
BEST
FUNERAL
EVER
Certainly put the ‘fun’ in funeral!
you can hear Cleese's voice on the verge of breaking down in tears at the beginning; he soldiered on and gave the best eulogy of all time after Shakespeare's Marc Antony
Better than Marc Antony. Cleese was sincere.
"Friends, halibut, deceased parrots, lend me your ears! (No, not literally!)"
John Cleese is obviously the best friend anyone could ever have.
Graham Wouldn't Have Wanted It Any Other Way..R.I.P. Graham & Terry..Thanks For All You Gave Us..Gone But Definitely Not Forgotten.
This is my favourite clip of any media of all time.
Even after years since the first time of watching this, the more he swears the more I tear up thinking about what sort of bond they have. It takes an incredible friend to do something like that. I am sure Chapman would have appreciated it beyond anything reasonable. "Mindless good taste" is also a fantastic way of wording a type of affection that rarely develop even among close friends. It takes a deep understanding of each other to be able to be that light-hearted, deep and elegant despite the circumstance.
Not only are John's words so well chosen and put together, so are the wonderful comments added by people who are fans of all things Python
So I say thank you to you all because I got pleasure from reading them.
A eulogy for many others to aspire to. You can hear the love in the barbs.
How hard must this have been for Cleese to do with such composure and perfect delivery? Anyone who has been unfortunate enough to get up and say something about someone who has died at a funeral, will appreciate this. Absolutely astonishing personal control.
And perfect comic timing.
@@stellarocquie7957 It's like muscle memory to people of this level in their field.
People usually die BEFORE the funeral and not AT one. 😉🤣
@@SpeccyMan either way he's dead...... ;o)))
It's 2021, this is genius, amazing and all the like
"Anything for him, but mindless good taste"
What an outstanding bit of comedy John Cleese's eulogy was. The composure, the timing, playing off of the audience. At the funeral of his childhood friend. In front of the departed's friends and family. And it was so simple but so profound. We pass through life seeing our loved ones in different lights, having them wear different faces. They're fathers and mothers, friends and confidants, inspirations and great influences on the next of kin's lives. And Clesse summed it up, all of it. All the words I've heard in person in funerals real or in media by that beautiful sentiment and the brilliant drop of "Good riddance to him, the freeloading bastard". From romantic reminiscence to deadpan dunking on. From darkness to light. Smiles and laughter from hearts overflowing with grief. To me, this is what it's all about, comedy. Making life just a little bit lighter.
Simply one of the funnest things I've ever seen. I come back occasionally, having alrandy seen it dozens of times, and it never fails to make me howl with laughter.
You can hear Cleese's voice trembling. :(
Cleese and Graham were very, very, very close friends. I think he had an enormous amount of respect for Graham, as both a human and comedian.
@Jeremy Brookes Yes.
Who's here after Terry Jones died? Doubtful they would publicise his funeral though. R.I.P. Terry xxx
*WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THAT?*
Yeah I can't see that being on TV these days, pity, I'm sure he would "pull a Cleese " again, Terry would expect it.
What a hillarious band of misfits Monty python are...just fucking hillarious!!😂😂
I dunno. Cleese tweeted after Terry J passed: "2 down, 4 to go". Perfect.
@@markorollo. Cleese probably should have came up with the silly walk, started off by doing the parrot sketch opening again, made a silly face, mugged to people in the audience... then said one line about how sad he is Terry was dead and sit back down.
Never give them what they expect.
This is John Cleese’s way of saying ‘I love you’
You can almost hear Graham laughing his arse off in the next dimension.
No I think he'd pointing his arse at us and Farting in our general direction !!!
@@johnh9200 you win xD
John Cleese is exactly right. Graham wouldn't have had it any other way. 100% appropriate.
Damn right, and not so much as a whisper of that fucking political correctness bollocks in sight.
A perfect eulogy
All of those brilliant folks from Monty Python made an otherwise sad childhood much more bearable. I will never forget any of them. From the bottom of my heart, thank you very much! 😂🤣😂❤️❗️
This is what true friendship is: when someone knows us so well as to unashamedly and unreservedly pulls this kind of nonsense in front of all one's friends and loved ones.
This is how you know you are loved.
"Anything for him but mindless good taste"
Such a good line. forming the service to what the deceased would have liked instead of doing the norm because it's "Respectful".
One of Cleese's greatest moments.
Friendship at its best. Knowing someone so well is a gift as is the time spent with them. If you're lucky enough, cherish both.
0:15 - I love Michael Palin's look of "where are you going with this John?"
Life of Brian and Holy Grail are two of few movies I'm willing to watch again and again. I had never heard of them 'till the mid 90's. I didn't know Graham was dead till just now.
As only the great John Cleese can do it: make people laugh in the face of sorrow. Rest in peace, Graham. And thank you for all of the laughs. God bless.
I've seen this a hundred times and I'm still laughing my ass off. God bless John Cleese.
You can see so many people on the verge of tearful break downs… but Cleese, like all the Pythons, knew that would not do.
48 years old… so so young.
Having lost a good friend recently, I come back to this moment to learn how to appreciate the contributions of my friend, and not dwell on my own sorrow. This is a lesson taught much better than any religious leader I have had to listen to. John provides wisdom and guidance more than he probably realizes.
Morbid as this may sound but this is the coolest eulogy!!!!!
+obscurecamera24 This is a Monty Python funeral experience. You don't need to qualify your statement with "Morbid as this may sound"
Nothing morbid about it. It's a great eulogy.
Please God, let someone have enough respect for me when I die, to give me at the very least, this kind of loving send off. Cheers!
Now that is how best friends honor each other. A nice good ribbing. Graham would have been proud.
Losing a friend and ally is a painful matter for anyone; John Cleese handled this eulogy so well that I’d bet some of the people attending felt a sense of relief and calm when they were able to earnestly laugh…
And Cleese got credit for saying “Fuck!” at the memorial! Sometimes, laughter is what we all need!
Thanks for sharing!
John Cleese is a legend. Graham and Terry can laugh at this together now.
A fantastic group of men, the Pythons. As they pass it will be a series of bittersweet tears and a genuine appreciation for all of the laughs that they have given me.
I watched it and I feel moved, even though almost 30 years have passed...
The love Cleese and the rest of the Python gang feel and felt for Chapman is so very evident in this short video. Chapman and the rest were such a tremendous gift to us all.
There is no better place for laughter than a funeral, to celebrate the ridiculous nature of life.
This is both brilliantly hilarious and deeply touching. The best tribute Chapman could ever have from his old friend. They are both comic geniuses, even through the darkest times of life.
"Anything for him, but mindless good taste." I can't even imagine a better epitaph.
Whenever live gets you down Mrs brown, when people are hard or tough. When people are stupid, obnoxious or daft, and you feel like you've had quite enough.....
Just remember this speech.
OMG! French MP fan here, this is one the reasons why I'm happy to speak decent English.
It's even more touching when you know the history of the Flying Circus and why Cleese left......
Graham's awrf to play the 'graand piano'... RIP to him and Terry. Thanks so much for the tears of laughter.
That's the sweetest thing I have ever seen
Thank you lads for coming into a young mans life and showing him that yes there is intelligent life out there.......
This was perfect in the way that only someone speaking with deep love could make it. How completely Cleese understood his friend.
Cleese and Chapman were close friends the way Palin and Jones were. Cleese judged this so perfectly.
Supposedly, except up until the last moments when Cleese couldn't handle it anymore and had to leave the room, the Pythons were all ripping at each other still while Chapman lay on his deathbed in the hospital. It takes a special sense of bravery to do that.
Co - author of the "Parrot Sketch"!😁 Still watch their skits all the time. Best troupe EVER!!!!❤
I found Monty Python when I was just in Jr. High school and it was the beginning of a lifelong love for their wonderful sense of humor and talent. Truly one of the best groups to ever grace our screen.
This eulogy made me tear up more genuinely than any I've ever been to. The love is so heartfelt and sincere.
That's Classic John Cleese right there. Love it. Graham definetly approved.
John Cleese better outlive me. I want him to do my eulogy as well. I love this guy.
Well, we were gonna surprise you with it tomorrow. 😌
This is a literally hilarious yet touching at the same time, since the funny bit is that they literally said swear words in a church and the heartwarming bit is that at least they get to crack one more laugh with Graham Chapman even if he's dead.