Michael Palin

Radio Times review

The reunion of the UK's most influential comedy troupe - yes, the Pythons, of course - has now accumulated a mountain of speculation. Did the first show really sell out in under a minute? Are the "boys", all now in their 70s, really only doing it for the money? Will they still be funny? (No, yes, er. . .) More will be revealed here.

BBC Radio 2 (17.00-19.00, 1st July) has managed the considerable coup of nabbing arguably the two most eloquent members of the team (Michael Palin and John Cleese, who so memorably trounced Malcolm Muggeridge and the Bishop of Southwark during the Life of Brian scandal in 1979) to do a live interview hours before the Python show at London's 02 arena. The interviewer is Simon Mayo, and I can't imagine anyone better.

Eric Idle: Russell Brand & Eddie Izzard could stand in

In a behind the scenes documentary, Eric Idle has revealed that it has crossed their minds that one of them might not be able to make it on stage, joking that if Michael Palin can't make it they plan to draft in Eddie Izzard or use Russell Brand as a replacement for John Cleese.

Michael Palin to join Tweet of the Day team

Michael Palin will join Sir David Attenborough hosting the BBC Radio 4 series Tweet of the Day when it returns with a new series in September. World Tweet of the Day takes the cult show, which originally focused on British birdsong, beyond the UK.

Monty Python on Monty Python

Who's the funniest? Who's the silliest? Is Michael Palin really that nice? We put some quickfire questions to the Monty Python team.

Michael Palin interview

It's been 30 years since the first class traveller last performed comedy. We speak to the youngest member of Monty Python (at 71) about the much-anticipated reunion shows.

Eric Idle interview

The LA-based Python is masterminding the troupe's reunion shows, and here he explains why, unlike Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin, he always looks on the bright side of life.

Michael Palin interview

Monty Python's success was a fluke of timing, Michael Palin has said. The 71-year-old attributed the troupe's legacy to the fact the show came out just as the BBC stopped routinely wiping shows from its archive, so it could reuse the tapes.

Michael Palin calls David Beckham a "wimp"

Michael Palin has jokingly described David Beckham as a "wimp" after watching his Amazon rainforest documentary.

Radio Times review

Iain's engagement party is a low-key affair. Meg (Jo Joyner) is in the throng, still trying not to be envious of the woman who's now receiving her old squeeze's comforting, Michael Palin charm. While Iain worries that his hitherto unseen father-in-law will turn out to be exactly his age and temperament, Matt (Chris Addison) is tied up with a gang of local military nerds. The white lie that he was the skinniest hero in Helmand threatens to turn dark.

It's not the strongest episode, because the ongoing dramas take up space where traditional, farcical pay-offs should be, but there are glints of brilliance everywhere. Addison's drunk acting is a joy, and be sure to arrive on time for the pre-titles sequence, where Iain treats some difficult elderly patients.

Michael Palin interview

Michael Palin tells HuffPostUK why 'Monty Python has never really happened since'.