Costumes, props and ‘llama' from Monty Python's final live show to be auctioned
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Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Future of groundbreaking documentary series 70 Up confirmed after creator dies
GROUNDBREAKING documentary series Up will be back for its next chapter - 70 Up - after its creator Michael Apted died in 2021. The films followed the lives of a group of average British people every seven years since 1964 and so the director became incredibly close to the contributors. 5 Michael Apted's documentary series Up will be back for its next chapter - 70 Up Credit: AP There were therefore question marks over whether the ITV series would continue without him. But producers began work on the next run this week to continue his life's work and honour his legacy, with the instalment likely to air in 2026. Before he died, Michael had shared hopes he'd be able to make 84 Up - when he would have been 99. But he later acknowledged that might not be possible due to his health. read more on Michael Apted SCREEN LEGEND DIES James Bond and Coronation Street director Michael Apted dies, aged 79 In one of his final interviews, he suggested it could possibly continue with someone else at the helm, such as his longtime producer, Claire Lewis. The Up series of documentary films followed the lives of ten boys and four girls in England, beginning in 1964, when they were seven years old and was directed by Paul Almond. The first film was titled Seven Up!, with later films adjusting the number in the title to match the age of the subjects at the time of filming. Michael took up the reins for 1970's Seven plus Seven. The children were selected to represent the range of socio-economic backgrounds in Britain at that time, on the assumption that each child's social class would determine their future. It's painted a fascinating picture since, with some participants criticising the series, and Apted, when they chose to quit the process. Michael Apted discusses the filming of iconic movie Stardust The documentary has had nine episodes—one every seven years. ITV has aired every series except 42 Up in 1998, which aired on BBC One. In 1991, 28 Up was chosen for Roger Ebert's ten greatest films of all time. But it has also attracted criticism for some editorial choices, for example just four of the 20 participants are female. 5 He passed away in 2021 Credit: Getty Images - Getty 5 The films followed the lives of a group of average British people every seven years since 1964 Credit: Handout 5 Before he died, Michael had shared hopes he'd be able to make 84 Up - when he would have been 99 Credit: Handout
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Wales Online
Sir Michael Palin gets musical memories from John Peel
Sir Michael Palin gets musical memories from John Peel The Monty Python comic and the legendary broadcaster used to attend Shrewsbury School, and although they were in different year groups, Michael always tried to "hang around" to hear what John was listening to and certain tracks had a particular impact on him. Sir Michael Palin (Image: Getty ) Sir Michael Palin learned about music from late DJ John Peel. The Monty Python comic and the legendary broadcaster used to attend Shrewsbury School, and although they were in different year groups, Michael always tried to "hang around" to hear what John was listening to and certain tracks had a particular impact on him. Asked his favourite piece of music, he told The Times newspaper: "Springsteen or Sibelius. I went to the same boarding school as John Peel and though I was in my first term and he was in his last I always tried to hang around when he played his music. "He was the housemaster's favourite and allowed to play his music very loudly. And to hear Sibelius's Karelia Suite at full volume was not something you ever forget. "Springsteen's music was big too. I was making the Ripping Yarns series in Yorkshire, and to go from being a man with two shovels to a man driving over the Pennines with Thunder Road at full pitch was all I wanted to live for." The 82-year-old star wishes he'd written songs by Pulp and Billy Joel. Article continues below He said: "The lyric I wish I'd written [is] Billy Joel's haunting New York State of Mind. It's not a blaster, but it's thoughtful and a little melancholic and echoes my nostalgia for a city I used to know so well. Jarvis Cocker's Common People would run it a close second." However, Michael admitted his own musical talents have always been very limited. He said: "At school I played the triangle, so I think if I were part of a band I'd probably be a roadie." Article continues below Asked the instrument he wished he had learned, he said: "I love the saxophones in a big band, but can't imagine myself ever sorting out where to put my fingers." If he is feeling down, Michael knows the music of pianist Jools Holland can always uplift him for a while. Asked the music which cheers him up, he said: "Anything played by Jools Holland. As soon as he sits at the piano I know I'm going to enjoy life for at least the next three minutes."
Metro
2 days ago
- Metro
Classic comedy branded ‘most blasphemous ever' is available to stream
If you're looking to escape the heatwave, you could settle down with one of cinema's best loved and most controversial comedies. Back in 1979, Monty Python's Life of Brian was met with furore when it hit the big screen, with fans today still hailing it the funniest film ever, while some at the time slammed it as 'blasphemous'. Whether it's asking 'what have the Romans ever done for us?', shouting 'Blessed are the cheesemakers' or whistling along to Always Look On the Bright Side of Live, the film's legacy lives on. Luckily for fans in the UK, it's available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube and Google Play Movie for £3.49. The iconic movie, which has a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 96%, starred Graham Chapman as Brian, an ordinary man living in Roman-occupied Judea at the same time as Jesus. His mother insisted he was simply a 'very naughty boy', but Brian found himself mistaken for the messiah as comedy ensued. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Despite the Pythons turning a satirical eye on political militants, the idea of stoning people to death, and speech impediments, it was the link to Jesus and Christianity that sparked outrage. At the time, Rabbi Abraham Hecht – President of the Rabbinical Alliance of America – told Variety: 'Never have we come across such a foul, disgusting, blasphemous film before.' Indeed, the film was even banned in Ireland, Norway, and beyond, while picketers outside screenings claimed Monty Python's serpentine name was linked to Satan. Michael Palin once pointed out back in 1979 that the comedy troupe deliberately decided against making the film about Jesus himself – but not for the reason you'd expect. 'It was quite obvious that there was very little to ridicule in Jesus's life, and therefore we were onto a loser,' he said. 'Jesus was a very straight, direct man making good sense, so we decided it would be a very shallow film if it was just about [him].' Studios shied away from the project regardless, but George Harrison – who was at the centre of similar backlash when John Lennon declared The Beatles to be 'more popular than Jesus' in 1966 – decided to help fund the film, which he simply wanted to see. During the Fab Four's controversy, he quipped to the Evening Standard: 'Why is there all this stuff about blasphemy. 'If Christianity's as good as they say it is, it should stand up to a bit of discussion.' Almost five decades after its release, Life of Brian – which also starred Pythons John Cleese, Palin, Terry Jones, Terry Gillian and Eric Idle in various roles – is hailed almost as a British institution. 'Irreverent, brilliantly observed and finely crafted with a significant twist of madness and surrealism – by far Python's crew best work,' wrote Niall L on Google Reviews. And fellow fan Paul Bury raved: 'A shame that it has been seen as blasphemous by some – when in reality, it is a reflection, critique and irony of many of today's problems in the world. 'So much truth exposed and ridiculed, so many hidden messages (and some not so hidden) in an entertaining and intelligent script. Timeless comedy!' While fan Yurriaan Van Duyn added: 'Its clever script, bold performances and fearless approach to taboo subjects make it a timeless classic.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
