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Morecambe and Wise were 'bored' by Monty Python reveals new interview

Morecambe and Wise: The Lost Tapes. (ITV)
Morecambe and Wise said they were bored by Monty Python. (ITV)

Sir Michael Palin has admitted he was a “little hurt” after a recently unearthed video showed Morecambe and Wise saying that Monty Python bored them.

The late comedians shared their thoughts during an interview with the University of East Anglia’s TV station, Nexus, in 1973 and it has recently resurfaced.

According to the BBC, Ernie Wise said he did like the comedy troupe but that their shows often contained "five or six minutes of utter boredom".

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He went on: "And then there's three minutes of very funny and then another eight minutes of boredom.”

(left to right) Eric Idle, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and Terry Jones from Monty Python at a photocall before their series of live dates which start at the O2 Arena.
Monty Python stars Eric Idle, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and Terry Jones. (PA)

Eric Morecambe admitted he just didn’t understand some of the Python material, although there were segments he was a fan of.

“It's the little bit in the middle I don't like," he said. "I'm afraid that a lot of it is very unprofessional. And this irritates me, being a professional.

"But what does make me laugh, really makes me laugh. And what doesn't make me laugh bores me stiff!"

The clip was discovered during the making of a BBC Radio Norfolk documentary on the Nexus station.

Monty Python member Palin has seen the interview and said it was “very interesting”. He said although he was a bit hurt he was also "intrigued".

Michael Palin with the special recognition award in the Press Room at the National Television Awards 2020 held at the O2 Arena, London. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/EMPICS
Michael Palin was 'intrigued' by the interview. (Doug Peters/EMPICS)

"I wasn't too surprised," he said. "I felt the way they talked about us, and the way they talked generally, was rather nice."

The Monty Python comedy troupe – which included Palin, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones and Eric Idle – started in the 60s, and became well known from 1969 with sketch show Monty Python’s Flying Circus.

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Morecambe and Wise started performing as a double act in 1941 and remained together until Morecambe died in 1984, at the age of 58.

Wise passed away in 1999 aged 73.

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