Graham truly is a wonderful story. From one of the first celebrities to come out on TV to curing his own alcoholism, Graham is definitely quite the character. Now if only he'd quit wasting time in heaven and have the decency to visit us every once in a while!
When I first started watching Python, I decided I wanted to meet Graham. Then I look online to find that he had kicked the bucket, so they say. Now, if only he had the decency to send me a postcard for denying me the chance of meeting him...
This will sound pathetic, but I always considered myself a Python fan, having watched the show and films as a kid and teenager. Today, I stumbled across a John Cleese interview, and feeling nostalgic, started watching other Python interviews. I was just wondering what Graham Chapman is up to, when I just now learned that he had died. Is it strange that I should feel upset, 32 years after the fact?
Same energy as him wearing a carrot costume at a university meeting where he was invited to talk about nuclear stuff, according to John Cleese. It’s funny I don’t remember the exact words for what the meeting was about because it honestly didn’t matter, hence 🥕
You just love GC for his honesty and vulnerability - such a good and troubled soul. The normally classy Michael Parkinson probing and prodding Graham on one of the most humiliating and painful episodes of his life - surprising but GC stayed a gentlemen. God rest his soul.
"I'd like to answer this question if I may in two ways. Firstly in my normal voice and then in a kind of silly high-pitched whine." That's my favorite Monty Python line.
It's very hard to know what to write here really. It's such a terrible, terrible shame. But how does one mourn for someone one never knew but simply admires for their shining talent and beauty? I suppose you just have to accept the whole person, including the private demons (which are no business of us, the public, anyway), be very grateful for what's left of them on film and video like this, and then move on.
I had no idea he was openly gay, it makes me love him even more for being himself and standing up for LGBTQ+ rights in a time where it was looked down on more than now, so I can be openly gay in a more acceptable society thanks to people like him. An Amazing actor and intelligent chap all around.
I will never get used to the way acceptable terminology changes from year to year. Referring to a gay person as "queer" when I was a kid would start a fight, but now it's a go-to term.
Graham looked so good in this interview despite the years of alcoholism. Love that jacket he's wearing. Seemed to be a nod at homosexuality with the rainbow jacket. It was very brave to be open at that time.
He has a gentle spirit, and doesn’t seem like a “gotcha” interviewer, trying to get a scoop for ratings. It helps the guests to relax and open up a bit more.
Chapman may have been the greatest genius among the brilliant Python gang - sad that his life didn't run more smoothly. This brief interview reveals much.
He was definitely his own man. Fucking tragic we couldn't see him grow old. Not many people can talk about their insecurities, talk about getting delirium tremens and hallucinations, and not sound self-pitying or pretentious. A very sincere guy, as the best comedians usually are.
A beautiful tortured soul. Wonderfully creative and yet torn inside. It was nice to know from the others that they accepted him regardless of his orientation, but I guess in those days it was hard to show it. RIP Graham your wonderful legacy lives on in celluloid and DVD for all to enjoy
Terry J. was the heart of Python...Graham was the soul of Python. Of course not discounting the contributions of all the others, Graham & Terry J. were just the two that most embodied what I love about Monty Python. Godspeed to the both of them.
The other guest was Michael Bentine (1922-1996), a British comedian, comic actor, and founding member of the Goons, a British radio comedy programme, originally produced and broadcast by the BBC Home Service from 1951 to 1960. This episode of Parkinson (S10:E08) aired October 15, 1980.
I wanted to scream for poor Graham..."I'm gay!"...but even as brave as he was...and how little he really cared at this point, he still couldn't. It doesn't say anything against Graham...it was a serious social disgrace...I just feel so sorry for him. God bless you, Graham!
www.DrumsTheWord.com idk but I think the public already knew it at that time, though it's mentioned in the book many times which is promoted in the beginning.
He was the most 'Python' of the Pythons and the best actor (hence his playing both Arthur and Brian). And sadly he did least well post Python, and of course died so young. I still miss him.
@@michaelloparco3817 if you said that as an insult; I think Chapman would have been delighted (or atleast not offended) by that joke. Just watch Cleese's Eulogy for him. Nothing to get angry about ^^
Perhaps not in the popular consciousness as LGBTQ+ issues are today, but the rainbow or pride flag dates back to at least 1978, two years before this 1980 interview. I can imagine Graham had some awareness of it, and wore it as a nod to the community. Although use of vibrant color was also coming into vogue with the growth of Hip Hop and New Wave at this time. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_flag_(LGBT)
People talking about his jacket, then about he is being brave to be openly gay... this guy suffered so much because of that - maybe one of the reasons he became an alcoholic. People should realise that no matter if you are good looking, gay, straight, rich, educated, you can still struggle with alcoholism. Not only the man you see on streets can struggle, many people struggle... He was much more than a gay brave man.
I suppose his performance in The Holy Grail would be my first exposure to "the gay" :-P such a perfect choice for King Arthur, we really got robbed of god knows how much entertaining from Graham, RIP.
I think you mean Michael Bentine. With Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan they did The Goon Show. A UK radio show that was hugely successful in the 50's (well before my time actually so maybe the 60's) that influenced all the Monty Python crowd.
three days and you are fine...is it possible to count the number of sapiens who have had this experience...once the decision has been made...is it possible to count the number of sapiens who have had this experience and line that up along the curve that involves conjuring fantastic fantasies in order to accomplish the same end or help the child of one to under stand the self... there are dogs in this war and this dog did the pi ((us)) work of every dog who is breathing the sweet morning tree breath now inhale that mixture of garbage you copper top and process your bitt...write a story for today the first day of the rest of your life... look back now you will not burn tin to a pillar of salt if you read the word evil backwards and see that live is the devil of lived look kool when you look through the school that wings the wonk or winks the wool that withers the weft whence few are left
One of the first celeb's to come-out, I'm hetro so can't speak for gay people....I just found it wonderful that he was so honest and brave....and so fucking funny....and the word fuck was said in church at his memorial. A great person. xx
