Hello. I read your article "Renowned British Comedian Settles For American Idle" in the Nov. 9 issue. I must say that I am disappointed in the reporting of Phillip Burge. It is clear that Burge does not like Monty Python, and this is reflected in his review of the concert. The biggest problem that I have is the errors in reporting. In the first sentence, Burge states, " ... many people would argue whether 'Monty Python's Search for the Holy Grail' is one of the funniest movies ever made." The actual title of the movie is "Monty Python and the Holy Grail."
Also, in the second paragraph, Burge complains that, unlike other Python members who have moved onto other things, Eric Idle has not. This is also untrue. After Monty Python, Eric Idle has done many things, most notably the creation of The Beatles spoof band, The Rutles.
I find that overall the review of the concert was biased from the beginning, and I highly doubt that Burge ever gave Eric Idle a chance. Apparently, he didn't think that the majority of the audience was there to see the old "rehashed" material. Performers know on which side their bread is buttered. Would the Rolling Stones come out and play nothing but new material? I doubt it.
Let me close in saying that I am very disappointed in the article because of the inaccuracies and blatant bias. You have come very close to losing a reader with this article.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
