'Monty Python's Terry Gilliam disagrees with John Cleese's 'view of the world'
While they may have spend decades working together as Monty Python, Terry Gilliam and John Cleese are poles apart when it comes to politics.
The 12 Monkeys director has said that he disagrees entirely with how Cleese views the world.
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Cleese has spoken publicly about his support for the UK leaving the EU, and has also made controversial statements about how he no longer believes London to be an English city.
Gilliam told the Radio Times: “I’m the instinctive, monosyllabic American and he’s the tall, very suave one.
“I love John enormously but I just disagree with the way he perceives the world.
“John has never changed, he’s just got fat, that’s all.”
Cleese tweeted in May this year: “Some years ago I opined that London was not really an English city any more. Since then, virtually all my friends from abroad have confirmed my observation.
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“So there must be some truth in it. I note also that London was the UK city that voted most strongly to remain in the EU.”
Some years ago I opined that London was not really an English city any more
Since then, virtually all my friends from abroad have confirmed my observation
So there must be some truth in it...
I note also that London was the UK city that voted most strongly to remain in the EU— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) May 29, 2019
At the time, London mayor Sadiq Khan hit back: “These comments make John Cleesesound like he’s in character as Basil Fawlty. Londoners know that our diversity is our greatest strength. We are proudly the English capital, a European city and a global hub.”
Gilliam goes on to say that the only person he feels he can align himself with in public life is Sir David Attenborough.
He also adds that the current political climate in the US with Donald Trump and the UK with Brexit is leaving him 'terminally depressed', as does political correctness in comedy.
“It doesn’t have anything to do with gender, sex or anything,” he said. “Good writing is what it’s about, and that’s why you hire people, not because they’re this colour or that gender. ‘Is it funny?’ is the only thing that should be asked.
“Comedians are treading carefully and this is terrible. I really want some comedians to really go for it again, but people are frightened of saying the wrong thing, of causing offence.”
