Peter Keepnews' review of Michael Palin's Diaries 1969-1979 in yesterday's New York Times Review of Books reminded me that Palin was my favorite Python when I was a kid. They were all rubber-limbed tearaways but for some reason Palin endeared himself to me more than the others. Keepnews nails the Palin vibe:
In the world of Monty Python, the troupe that thew the rules of sketch comedy out the window and made television safe for absurdity, (John) Clease's signature move was outsize anger, Graham Chapman's was outsize pomposity and Eric Idle's was outsize smarminess. Palin was something a bit (if not completely) different: rarely larger than life, he seemed most in his element playing befuddled accountants, unhelpful clerks and other characters not far removed from reality.Remembering that Michael Palin was my favorite Python made me think of all my other troupe favorites through the course of my life. In no particular order...
Favorite Beatle: John Lennon.
Favorite Monkee: Mike Nesmith.
Favorite Osmond: Marie (pictured right... I think.)
Favorite James Bond: Sean Connery. (Scotland forever!)
Favorite Bond Girl: Rosie.
Favorite Bond villain: Rosa Klebb.
Favorite MAGNIFICENT SEVENer: Britt.
Favorite DIRTY DOZENer: Franco.
Favorite of THE WARRIORS: Ajax.
Favorite Columbus ship: the Santa Maria (pictured right).
Favorite porn star, American: Sharon Mitchell.
Favorite porn star, French, living: Brigitte Lahaie.
Favorite porn star, French, deceased: Karen Bach.
Favorite Lincoln conspirator: Lewis Payne.
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3 Arbogasps:
I was never a deep-end Monty Python fan, but once, when I was going to Toronto on a job, I bought a new children's book by Michael Palin to give as a gift to the friend who was putting me up during my stay. The gift was well received. A week later, when this same friend drove me back to the airport, he stayed nearby till I got through Customs. I happened to look over to the next aisle and saw a familiar face I couldn't immediately place -- then, suddenly, I could.
"Look," I whispered to my friend. "It's Michael Palin!" Sure enough it was. He looked surprisingly anonymous, which we respected by not bothering him -- but what a nice bookend for that visit north.
I'd have to go with John Surratt for favorite Lincoln conspirator. I think he was known with the teeny-boppers of the day as the "quiet one."
By the way, did you know that Marie was a little bit country? And I think Donnie was a little bit rock n roll.
Tim, your anecdote reminds me of the time I flew into JFK from Heathrow and, for some reason lost to me now, my companion and I were ripping Ricki Lake a new one (maybe we saw her on the inflight TV or something)... only to deplane and find ourselves cooling our heels at the luggage carousel with... Ricki Lake.
Needless as it is to say, you had the better experience. Palin rules.
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