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Graham Chapman and 'The Life of Brian'

Monty Python's Life of Brian — a biblical satire — is being re-released in theatres, 25 years after its first release. We feature archive interviews with four of the players from Monty Python's Flying Circus, starting with Graham Chapman. He was the straight man in the Monty Python troupe, who would come in and break up the skits. A physician by training, he was a writer and activist for gay rights. He died in 1989. (Rebroadcast from July 2, 1987.)

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Other segments from the episode on May 14, 2004

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, May 14, 2004: Interview with Graham Chapman; Interview with John Cleese; Interview with Michael Palin; Interview with Eric Idle; Review of the film "Troy;" Review of the…
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05:07

Michael Palin

Palin recreated the journey Jules Verne described in Around the World in 80 Days and turned his journey into a successful eight-part BBC television series. He is, of course, also known for his tenure as a member of Monthy Python and his appearances in The Missionary and A Fish Called Wanda. (Rebroadcast from April 17, 1990.)

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05:51

John Cleese

Post-Python, Cleese is best known for Fawlty Towers and a number of movies, including his 1988 comedy, A Fish Called Wanda. He's also written a book called Families and How to Survive Them with therapist Robyn Skinner, and he makes training films for corporations. (Rebroadcast from Sept. 22, 1990.)

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14:41

Eric Idle

Idle was one of the six original members of Monty Python. He wrote many of the songs from the show, including "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life," and he produced a CD, Eric Idle Sings Monty Python, Live in concert. (Big Monkey Records). Idle has also written a number of books, including a comic science-fiction thriller, The Road to Mars: A Post-Modem Novel. (Rebroadcast from Oct. 6, 1999.)

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05:31

Movie Review: 'Troy'

Film critic David Edelstein reviews Troy, directed by Wolfgang Petersen (The Perfect Storm) and starring Brad Pitt as the Greek warrior Achilles.

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Transcripts are created on a rush deadline, and accuracy and availability may vary. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Please be aware that the authoritative record of Fresh Air interviews and reviews are the audio recordings of each segment.

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21:41

Gilliam's 'Imaginarium': Surreal And All-Too-Real.

Terry Gilliam's new film, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, is another entry into his long line of dream-like films. But it's also the final performance of the late Heath Ledger. Gilliam joins host Terry Gross to talk about the personal and professional challenges of creative filmmaking.

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12:41

Actor Michael Palin on His Post "Python" Career

Palin is best known for his comedy work with England's legendary Monty Python troupe. But his new movie, "American Friends," is a romance based on the life of his great-grandfather. Edward Palin was a 35 year-old tutor at Oxford University when he met 17-year-old Brita, an American girl touring Europe. Oxford tutors in the Victorian era were sworn to chastity, so Edward Palin left his job to marry Brita. Michael Palin found the story in his great-grandfather's journal.

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