Michael Palin

The Death of Stalin review

Armando Iannucci's superlative satire brings together a terrific ensemble.

The Death of Stalin film review

Blimey, but this is a comedy, isn't it? This is a mockery and so it's intended to be barbaric and exaggerated, right? Well, comedy is not a carte blanche for bigotry. There are limits of what's acceptable. We have grown to dismiss blackface and exaggerated representations of homosexuals as a no-go. I think that the humour of The Death of Stalin is plainly founded on xenophobia and prejudices, and so it belongs in a very similar category. Laughing at someone dead on a pool of piss is neither funny nor subversive. It's simply silly and vulgar. Despite the presence of Michael Palin, The Death of Stalin simply isn't The Life of Brian.

Michael Palin on making Jabberwocky

"Crowds of tourists turned up to look at my bottom"

Terry Jones is supported by Michael Palin as they walk

He was diagnosed with dementia nearly two years ago but despite his health battle, Monty Python star Terry Jones, 75, looked in good shape as he enjoyed a walk with his longtime friend and co-star Michael Palin, 74 in London on Tuesday.

The comedy genius, who played the eccentric nude organist in Monty Python's Flying Circus, cut a dapper figure in a slate grey suit and straw trilby as he enjoyed an afternoon with his close pal.

Video: Inside Michael Palin's diaries

Michael Palin has made a significant donation of written archives to the British Library, which documents his literary and creative career, covering the years 1965-1987.

The secrets behind the making of QI

TV viewers are baffled and bamboozled by QI's staggering facts. But the secrets behind the making of the quiz show are... Quite Incredible!

Why television must learn from Michael Palin

When it comes to comedy, there seems to be a crisis
 of confidence and a dread of taking risks, says David Butcher.

Terry Jones update

Jones was not expected to talk to the press again - until last week, when his family requested an interview to help promote public awareness of FTD, a condition that affects tens of thousands of people in the UK but which remains a relatively little-known medical problem.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail fell foul of censors

Think of a Monty Python film with blasphemous content, and Life of Brian springs to mind. Yet previously unseen files from the British Board of Film Classification show that the comedy team's earlier offering, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, fell foul of the censors for repeated use of the words 'Jesus Christ!'

Preview - Monty Python: Almost the Truth (Lawyer's Cut)

This documentary series was made back in 2009, but it is still one of my favourites, covering just about everything about Monty Python (at the time - this was still before their final shows at the O2 Arena).