Latest news with #MontyPythonandtheHolyGrail
The Advertiser
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Monty Python's Black Knight doesn't want a knighthood
John Cleese would refuse a knighthood if he were offered the British honour. The Monty Python star - who played the Black Knight in the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail - previously turned down the offer of a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and a peerage. Cleese is adamant that if King Charles selected him for the most prestigious accolade to make him "Sir John Cleese", he would say no to the title because he does not need or want the validation. "I would. I simply don't need that sort of validation," Cleese said, asked if he would turn down a knighthood in the New Year's Honours List. "It's enough for me to know - because people often tell me - that I've helped them through difficult times by making them laugh. "They come home, turn on an episode of Fawlty Towers, and the world doesn't seem quite so bleak. That's my reward. "Frankly, I think those things are rather silly." Cleese's fellow Monty Python troupe member Michael Palin accepted a knighthood and although Cleese was not interested in receiving one himself, he was happy for his long-time friend. "Good luck to him," Cleese said in an interview with Candis magazine. "I was genuinely pleased. I call him Sir Mickey: that's how I always address my emails to him. He's a lovely guy." The late rock star David Bowie and The History Boys writer Alan Bennett famously turned down knighthoods. "Just look at those men who have turned down awards and titles: David Bowie, Michael Frayn, Alan Bennett and Albert Finney," Cleese said. "I have respect for them." Cleese admits his political beliefs are still on the left when it comes to the distribution of wealth, despite him presenting a show on the right-wing TV channel GB News. "I'm more to the left economically," he said. "I think greed is in danger of killing everyone. "People should be paid good salaries, where possible. We should be generous, not try to save money so billionaires can get richer." The Life of Brian actor also wishes the world would lighten up and enjoy more "good old-fashioned laughter". "I think we need much more laughter in the world," he said. "I'm not advocating mean-teasing - just good old-fashioned laughter. "There's nothing to beat it." John Cleese would refuse a knighthood if he were offered the British honour. The Monty Python star - who played the Black Knight in the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail - previously turned down the offer of a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and a peerage. Cleese is adamant that if King Charles selected him for the most prestigious accolade to make him "Sir John Cleese", he would say no to the title because he does not need or want the validation. "I would. I simply don't need that sort of validation," Cleese said, asked if he would turn down a knighthood in the New Year's Honours List. "It's enough for me to know - because people often tell me - that I've helped them through difficult times by making them laugh. "They come home, turn on an episode of Fawlty Towers, and the world doesn't seem quite so bleak. That's my reward. "Frankly, I think those things are rather silly." Cleese's fellow Monty Python troupe member Michael Palin accepted a knighthood and although Cleese was not interested in receiving one himself, he was happy for his long-time friend. "Good luck to him," Cleese said in an interview with Candis magazine. "I was genuinely pleased. I call him Sir Mickey: that's how I always address my emails to him. He's a lovely guy." The late rock star David Bowie and The History Boys writer Alan Bennett famously turned down knighthoods. "Just look at those men who have turned down awards and titles: David Bowie, Michael Frayn, Alan Bennett and Albert Finney," Cleese said. "I have respect for them." Cleese admits his political beliefs are still on the left when it comes to the distribution of wealth, despite him presenting a show on the right-wing TV channel GB News. "I'm more to the left economically," he said. "I think greed is in danger of killing everyone. "People should be paid good salaries, where possible. We should be generous, not try to save money so billionaires can get richer." The Life of Brian actor also wishes the world would lighten up and enjoy more "good old-fashioned laughter". "I think we need much more laughter in the world," he said. "I'm not advocating mean-teasing - just good old-fashioned laughter. "There's nothing to beat it." John Cleese would refuse a knighthood if he were offered the British honour. The Monty Python star - who played the Black Knight in the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail - previously turned down the offer of a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and a peerage. Cleese is adamant that if King Charles selected him for the most prestigious accolade to make him "Sir John Cleese", he would say no to the title because he does not need or want the validation. "I would. I simply don't need that sort of validation," Cleese said, asked if he would turn down a knighthood in the New Year's Honours List. "It's enough for me to know - because people often tell me - that I've helped them through difficult times by making them laugh. "They come home, turn on an episode of Fawlty Towers, and the world doesn't seem quite so bleak. That's my reward. "Frankly, I think those things are rather silly." Cleese's fellow Monty Python troupe member Michael Palin accepted a knighthood and although Cleese was not interested in receiving one himself, he was happy for his long-time friend. "Good luck to him," Cleese said in an interview with Candis magazine. "I was genuinely pleased. I call him Sir Mickey: that's how I always address my emails to him. He's a lovely guy." The late rock star David Bowie and The History Boys writer Alan Bennett famously turned down knighthoods. "Just look at those men who have turned down awards and titles: David Bowie, Michael Frayn, Alan Bennett and Albert Finney," Cleese said. "I have respect for them." Cleese admits his political beliefs are still on the left when it comes to the distribution of wealth, despite him presenting a show on the right-wing TV channel GB News. "I'm more to the left economically," he said. "I think greed is in danger of killing everyone. "People should be paid good salaries, where possible. We should be generous, not try to save money so billionaires can get richer." The Life of Brian actor also wishes the world would lighten up and enjoy more "good old-fashioned laughter". "I think we need much more laughter in the world," he said. "I'm not advocating mean-teasing - just good old-fashioned laughter. "There's nothing to beat it." John Cleese would refuse a knighthood if he were offered the British honour. The Monty Python star - who played the Black Knight in the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail - previously turned down the offer of a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and a peerage. Cleese is adamant that if King Charles selected him for the most prestigious accolade to make him "Sir John Cleese", he would say no to the title because he does not need or want the validation. "I would. I simply don't need that sort of validation," Cleese said, asked if he would turn down a knighthood in the New Year's Honours List. "It's enough for me to know - because people often tell me - that I've helped them through difficult times by making them laugh. "They come home, turn on an episode of Fawlty Towers, and the world doesn't seem quite so bleak. That's my reward. "Frankly, I think those things are rather silly." Cleese's fellow Monty Python troupe member Michael Palin accepted a knighthood and although Cleese was not interested in receiving one himself, he was happy for his long-time friend. "Good luck to him," Cleese said in an interview with Candis magazine. "I was genuinely pleased. I call him Sir Mickey: that's how I always address my emails to him. He's a lovely guy." The late rock star David Bowie and The History Boys writer Alan Bennett famously turned down knighthoods. "Just look at those men who have turned down awards and titles: David Bowie, Michael Frayn, Alan Bennett and Albert Finney," Cleese said. "I have respect for them." Cleese admits his political beliefs are still on the left when it comes to the distribution of wealth, despite him presenting a show on the right-wing TV channel GB News. "I'm more to the left economically," he said. "I think greed is in danger of killing everyone. "People should be paid good salaries, where possible. We should be generous, not try to save money so billionaires can get richer." The Life of Brian actor also wishes the world would lighten up and enjoy more "good old-fashioned laughter". "I think we need much more laughter in the world," he said. "I'm not advocating mean-teasing - just good old-fashioned laughter. "There's nothing to beat it."
Daily Record
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
City crowned Scotland's best filming location and it's not Glasgow or Edinburgh
Bonnie Scotland has served as a backdrop for major productions Scotland's cinematic scenery has long captured the attention of filmmakers, but it's not just the big names like Glasgow or Edinburgh that are drawing production crews. Stirling has now been named among the UK's most popular filming locations, thanks to a new study by TV and entertainment experts OLBG. The research looked at key markers such as IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes scores for shows filmed in each location, tourism interest based on online searches, and average accommodation costs to determine the top TV show capitals across the country. Stirling impressed with an exceptional average IMDb score of 9.2, a Rotten Tomatoes critic score of 89 percent, and an audience score of 85 percent. It has seen a 224.4 percent jump in annual search interest, totalling more than 1.6 million location searches per year. The average cost of a three-star hotel in the area sits at £82 per night. Altogether, the city earned a strong TV show tourism score of 8.58 out of 10. Among the most iconic productions filmed in and around Stirling are Braveheart, Outlaw King, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Mary Queen of Scots, and Elizabeth: The Golden Age. Stirling's dramatic backdrops and historic landmarks have also featured in hit series such as Game of Thrones, Outlander, Good Omens, Cold Water, and recent releases like Lockerbie and Mary & George. The findings placed Stirling firmly in the spotlight, showing just how much its film credentials have grown in recent years. The city's rich history, impressive architecture, and sweeping landscapes have made it an increasingly attractive choice for both period dramas and fantasy epics. Rank Location Average IMDb Score Average Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score Average Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score Annual Location Searches Percentage Change in Annual Location Searches Average Cost of 3 3-Star Hotel TV Show Tourism Score (/10) 1 Dudley 8.7 93 94 1,495,000 295.9% £93.00 9.42 2 Dunstable 8.3 98 88 850,500 169.7% £66.00 8.78 3 Ellesmere Port 8.7 93 94 717,500 149.2% £68.00 8.75 4 Hayes 8.8 90 85 1,056,000 254.7% £72.00 8.70 5 Stirling 9.2 89 85 1,626,000 224.4% £82.00 8.58 6 Northwich 8.7 93 94 834,000 163.5% £89.00 8.53 7 Newbury 8.7 84 94 1,470,000 176.0% £85.00 8.27 8 Seaham 8.5 91 95 528,800 142.9% £88.00 8.24 8 Leeds 7.9 93 88 7,169,000 138.9% £85.00 8.24 10 Bradford 7.9 93 88 2,827,000 127.6% £62.00 8.21 While Stirling made a strong showing, Dudley in the West Midlands was crowned the UK's top TV show location overall, earning a TV tourism score of 9.42 out of 10. It gained acclaim for productions like Dancing on the Edge and Peaky Blinders, with the second-highest Rotten Tomatoes audience rating (94 percent) for shows filmed in the area. London, unsurprisingly, topped the list for the sheer volume of TV productions, boasting over 1,500 shows filmed there. Other top contenders included Manchester, Hertfordshire, and West Yorkshire. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Meanwhile, the BBC comedy Ghosts was named the most popular show in the study, earning a near-perfect TV tourism score of 9.41 thanks to its critical and audience acclaim (96 and 92 percent respectively on Rotten Tomatoes). And for fans planning a filming location-inspired getaway, Bradford came out as the best value option. The West Yorkshire city, featured in shows like Downton Abbey, offers an average three-star hotel stay for just £62 a night, the lowest in the top-ranked locations.
The National
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Family-run cafe overlooking famous Scottish castle closes suddenly
Castle Stalker View Cafe and Giftshop closed their doors for good at the start of May, according to local reports. The venue was popular with locals and tourists as its terrace offered 'stunning' views of Loch Linnhe, the Islands of Mull and Lismore. Along with its loch views, the cafe was popular with those visiting Castle Stalker, a four-storey tower house, located midway between Oban and Glen Coe. READ MORE: Gary Lineker issues statement as he's to leave the BBC this weekend The Scottish landmark name originates from the Gaelic 'Stalcaire,' which means hunter or falconer, and is a fortified building dating from 1320 and belonging to the MacDougalls. It is also well known as Castle Aaaaaaargh from the cult classic movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail. (Image: Supplied) The cafe offered a selection of food including homemade scones, paninis and burgers, and also boasted a panoramic gift shop which sold jewellery, childrens' clothing and toys along with knitwear and pictures. Google indicates the business is now permanently closed, with the Castle Stalker View Cafe and Gift Shop's Facebook page also being taken down. On social media, one person who claimed to have worked at the cafe said the business closed its doors for good on Sunday, May 4. They said: 'I'm sorry to say, but both the cafe and shop are closed. I was working there in the shop and our last day of trading was Sunday, 4th May. 'All staff very upset to see it close as a lovely atmosphere to work in. Hoping that it might open again but we just don't know.' People flooded the comments of the post to share their disappointment that the business had closed, as one person said: 'So very sad as it was a great place to visit and the restaurant was so good, will miss going there. They added: 'Hope someone else will open it again soon.' While a second person said: That's awful, this was a great cafe, and staff were lovely, so sad they have had to close and staff losing their jobs. 'Hopefully someone buys it and gets it up and running again.' A third person added: 'Sad news.'
Miami Herald
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Struggling fast-food chain has 2 locations, down from over 800
A one-time mighty and national fast-food chain seems a lot like the famous Monty Python Black Knight. The Knight, who appeared in the iconic "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," downplays his injuries as he gets hacked to pieces. Black Knight: 'Tis but a scratch. Arthur: A scratch? Your arm's off! Black Knight: No, it isn't. Arthur: Well, what's that then? BlackKnight: I've had worse. Arthur: You liar! It continues like this for a while until the Black Knight has lost both his arms and both his legs before telling Arthur,"All right; we'll call it a draw." As Arthur leaves, the Knight is outraged and calls after him. Don't miss the move: SIGN UP for TheStreet's FREE Daily newsletter "Oh, oh, I see, running away then. You yellow bastards! Come back here and take what's coming to you. I'll bite your legs off!" the Knight yells. Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips has had all of its limbs lopped off as the chain which once had over 800 locations has dwindled to three. Despite that, its owners remain hopeful (perhaps irrationally hopeful) of a comeback. Nathan's Famous, the Coney Island hot dog chain known for its 4th of July eating contest, owns the Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips brand and it had a plan for a comeback. "Arthur Treacher's was a major quick-service fried seafood chain founded in Columbus, Oh. that hit its peak in the 1970s with more than 800 locations. The UK-style fish and chips chain was named after British actor, Arthur Treacher, who was known for playing butler roles," Nation's Restaurant News reported. None of that information appears on the seafood brand's website which is basically blank aside from the addresses of the two remaining stores using the brand name. Nathan's tried to bring the brand back as a virtual kitchen in 2021. "We are thrilled to provide operators across the country with the opportunity to add Arthur Treacher's to their portfolio. Nathan's Famous and Arthur Treacher's have a long-standing relationship and we have worked diligently to keep the brand's traditional menu items while also evolving the menu to fit the Nathan's mantra of the 'craveable, memorable and Instagrammable' product that we believe both operators and customers will love," shared Nathan's Vice President James Walker. More Food News: Popular breakfast restaurant chain menu adds deal amid closuresPopular restaurant chain's massive change may anger customersWendy's menu adds fast-fast food take on hot new trend That effort, which included an expanded menu with more focus on shrimp, did not last very long. No statement has been made, but It's probably telling now that Nathan's Famous does not make any mention of the Arthur Treacher's brand on its website. You could argue that Arthur Treacher's is America's second-most famous barely existent seafood fast-food chain behind Long John Silver's. The chain, however, refuses to die and a third location recently opened. The near-dead chain just opened its third restaurant in the Cleveland area, returning to a spot it once had a location in over 30 years ago, After a fire delayed the homecoming, the new shop has opened for business. "We're here now. We're ready to go. Full interior renovation, all new equipment. New hoods, you name it. We didn't spare any expense on the inside of this building. It looks great and can't wait for you guys to see it," said Arthur Treacher's Operations Director Oliver Savander, News 5 Cleveland reported. The chain has not shared any plans for further expansion. Its near-blank website does include the hashtag "#treachyourself." A search for that brings you to the company's Facebook page which offers sporadic posts to the company's 3,100 followers. Related: Struggling national Mexican chain closes locations, gets new life Arthur Treacher's social media presence, however, has been saluting its recent 50% growth in store count. "This Lenten season just got even better. For the first time in a long time you now have THREE opportunities for the best fish & chips in Ohio!" it shared. The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
Following the record-breaking opening weekend for 'A Minecraft Movie' and the breakout success of Ryan Coogler's 'Sinners,' a new slate of blockbusters and indie films are hoping to drum up excitement in May about what 2025 has to offer in the cinema landscape. Starting with the weekend's wide releases, Marvel is betting big on 'Thunderbolts' after a series of underwhelming releases with 'Captain America: Brave New World' and 'The Marvels.' Starring Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Sebastian Stan and Wyatt Russell, the film follows an unconventional team that bands together after being sent on a rogue operative mission. To give 'Thunderbolts*' a different flair, Marvel's marketing has focused on the talent behind the camera that previously worked on A24 projects like 'Beef,' 'Midsommar' and 'A Different Man.' More from Variety For moviegoers not quite on the Marvel train, Nicolas Cage stars in the new psychological thriller 'The Surfer' directed by Lorcan Finnegan ('Vivarium' starring Jesse Eisenberg), which premiered at last year's Cannes. After returning to surf with his son at his childhood beach, Cage's character gets humiliated by the locals in 'a trippy slapdash comic nightmare,' Variety's Owen Gleiberman said in his review. So far, the film has an 88% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Beginning Sunday, May 4, 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' will be back in theaters for its 50th anniversary re-release. Over limited release, audiences can check out director Durga Chew-Bose's new take on Françoise Sagan's classic novel 'Bonjour Tristesse,' now starring Chloë Sevigny and Lily McInerny, while the indie neo-noir thriller 'A Desert,' featuring Sarah Lind, Kai Lennox and David Yow, follows a photographer in the American Southwest. Check back each week to find the latest releases in theaters, from major wide releases to niche independent titles. Friday, May 2 'Thunderbolts' Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (Wide and Imax) 'The Surfer' Roadside Attractions (Wide) 'Magic Farm' Mubi (Wide) 'Bonjour Tristesse' Greenwich Entertainment (Limited) 'A Desert' Dark Sky Films (Limited) 'The Dumpling Queen' CMC Pictures (Limited) Sunday, May 4 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' Fathom Events (50th Anniversary re-release) Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
