12-16-04
I liked version 5.0, but parts of it needed to be tweaked, so I made 6.0 and I think it looks a lot better, much cleaner, tad more professional. Part of it is thanks to my new programs I got as an early Christmas gift- Photoshop CS, Imageready CS, Firework, Flash, Freehand, and Dreamweaver (which I will not be using for IH because I'm too much in love with the program I already use). Be expecting new, really cool addition to Idleized Heaven as I learn more and more neat tricks on my programs!
My goal is to try and have all of IH updated and converted to 6.0 by New Year's. I will be having three weeks off from school, but I'm over-loaded with homework, so we'll just have to see. :) I'm at least going to try and get some more galleries up, if anything.
Also, for those of you wondering where in the heck the DDF issues are, don't worry. There hasn't been any Eric news for a while, but with the coming of SPAMALOT there has suddenly been a major burst of news, so I'm going to send out a holiday issue sometimes around Christmas. Keep your eyes open for it!
I'd like to remind everyone that comments, questions, or addictions to any of the site/games is very much welcome. If you're bored one day, why not make a wallpaper, or write a fanfiction, or draw some art? I'm always very eager to add contributions to IH, and I, of course, always credit.
My last note is that today is the anniversary of the day I got to meet Eric, and I'm proudly displaying my Greedy Bastard Tour t-shirt along with SPAM earrings with pride. It still remains the happiest day of my life, so I'd like to take a moment to appreciate (once more) the wonderfullness of that man... Eric, we love you!!!!!! <3
10-28-04
So, let's see... I've been adding some galleries lately, with our three newest ones being the Naughty Gallery, the National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 2 Gallery, and the Ella Enchanted Gallery. I've also slowly been updating pages, adding new styles and info, etc. The SPAM Club page now, for example, has SPAM club pride buttons that you are welcome to use and post onto your blog, livejournal, website, wherever! :)
10-6-04
Well, how can you have NOT noticed it? We have a BRAND-NEW layout! It is Version 5.0, and for lack of a better name, and because I liked it, it's called 'The Ericness.' I had the old layout for a year, so I thought it was about time for something much more professional, something with a bit of a nicer touch. As you can see, I changed the scrollbar, cursors, background, menu, titles, etc. etc. etc. It will take some time for me to convert all the new pages, however, so please bear with me. ;) Most of the big updates will come on the weekends, so snoop around on Saturday / Sunday / Monday for udpated pages and some new goodies. ^^ For example, if I can get my server to publish them, I'm going to be creating a movie clips section. I've also FINALLY figured out how to save songs from CDs and such, so I might be trying to figure out how to put on some clips from them as well... I don't know... You'll just have to wait and see! :)
The Daily Dirty Fork will hopefully be sent out this weekend to all those of you who are wondering where it is.
If you haven't already, check out the new Wallpaper and Buttons And Icons pages. I redid them not too long ago, and they have TONS of new goodies that you can use to decorate your computer, IMs, livejournal, whatever you like!
8-28-04
IT IS UP AT LAST!!! IT IS OPEN FOR VIEWING!!! IT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN WORKING ON ALL BLOODY SUMMER!!!
THE NEW HEAVENS IDLES PAGES ARE UP!!!
Yes, after many, many months of you waiting and me working, the all-new Heavens Idles pages are up! 11 out of the 30 galleries are running with delicious piccys for you to drool over. We currently have approximaetly 1,041 pictures in the Heavens Idles pages. By the time every gallery is done, we should have well over 4,000! 4,000 Eric pics... it's any Idle fan's dream come true, no? But please, PLEASE take a look and tell me what you think! All of the bigger galleries take well over 10 hours to complete, and the smaller ones anywhere from 2-5 hours, so I'd like to know if my work paid off! And also, please don't steal anything without permission... just ask, okee?
Enjoy, all! I'll be putting up new galleries as I go. Expect to see the Ella Enchanted gallery very soon!
8-25-04
My summer has been over for three days now *grumble* so it's going to be a bit harder to accomplish everything I want to do...
As we speak, I'm working on the A Concert For George Gallery and then I'm going to cap Ella Enchanted and work on it. Once those two are done, I'm going to make the Honey I Shrunk The Audience gallery. When all that is done, I'm going to finish the final touches on the new Heavens Idles pages and open them to the publc. Yayyyy!!! They will rock, believe me.
Also, on some pages you might notice that the background is pure white. Well, I've decided to get rid of my pure white background and just leave on the original background, which is more of a creamy color. I'm doing this because not only is the added on white background a royal pain to mess with when I'm updating, but it makes page loading slower. So, it's going to be going, and should hopefully make IH loading a tad quicker. :)
If you know how to play Six Degrees, expect a new The Six Degrees Of Eric Idle page up this weekend!
8-17-04
Well, unfortunately, summer is almost over. That means less time to update, less time to get things done that I want accomplished... *sigh*. But I'll keep up the best I can, I promise.
Meanwhile, I've been updating here and there. I hate working on the big heavy-duty pages like Heavens Idles because it takes so long, so instead I've been cleaning up a couple of little pages. For example, all the DDF issues are updated and much nicer looking. All the multi-colored fonts and such just wasn't working for me... And I've started a new caption contest. I also got rid of two old games, scrambler and the never ending story, becuase not a soul was playing them. No use keeping stuff and taking up space if it isn't being used, no? Let's see... I'm adding Issue #6 and #7 to the Erichive right now... hmm... Oh yes, and I redid my little personal page. It's MUCH better now. *yay* You can even view some scary pictures of me!
BTW I'm going to add a new section to the Say No More pages- videos and movies. If you have any good little clips or whatnot of Eric, or if you like making those music videos / slideshows, why not send them my way?
7-19-04
For all you avid Eric fans, Idleized Heaven has some terrific news- I (Diane) am now the owner of the Official Eric Idle Fanlisting! So if you don't know what a fanlisting is, or if you have not yet joined it, go here to our new home: http://www.eric-idle.com/ericfanatic/. Our title is now "So Much More Than Just A Python". (Well, heh, it was either that or "Cheeky." ;)) But yes, please check it out and join!
I've been extremely busy working on this, that, and the other. At one point I seriously considered making a whole new layout, but I really do like this one, and my tester, though very nice looking, was just too small. I like fanlistings to be small, and websites to be big, so instead I think I'll use my tester layout for the next Idleized Heaven fanlisting layout. :)
We've been getting some more SPAM Club members lately, which is fabulous. I know that the SPAM Club page seriously needs help. I'm going to redo the entire thing one of these days and make it really spiffy. ;) Also big works-in-progress is the new Heavens Idles page I've been promising you (it will be worth the wait, believe me!) and a new buttons and wallpaper section.
I'm also planning on sending out another issue of the DDF at the end of this month/beginning of August, so we'll just have to see about that. I haven't sent it out in ages and I feel like I'm slacking, so I'm going to try and get back on course.
6-30-04
I did a web poll to help me make my final choice, but I've decided to get rid of the music on every page. It was really starting to annoy, and the midi bar at the bottom looked tacky. Don't worry- you can still listen to all of the music. I'm just moving it all to the new music page that I've been working on for a month now. It's going to be a BIG page, lol, with lots of new downloads, midis, and lyrics. But yeah, the music is going off of the pages themselves. Sorry folks. And I'm also updating the quotes. I had them in a really fancy, pretty text, but apparently it only showed up on my computer. So I changed the text, and hopefully it will look a bit nicer now.
I've also been capping like crazy, but let me tell you, it takes forever. The new Heavens Idles page is going to rock though. I thought we'd have over 1,000 pics, but now it's going to be over 2,000!!! Perhaps we'll make it to 3,000? Anyspam, just be patient. I want to build at least a couple more galleries before releasing the new page.
I also redid the Half A Bee Headquarters page. It was looking shabby, and like the quotes page, I was having font difficulties. So I changed it, added all new pictures, put the fonts on the pictures instead, ect. I also updated and spiffed up the forum, guestbook, chatroom, and FAQ. So it's all nice and current now and not looking too cheesy.
I haven't sent out the DDF in ages. I don't know why. I think it's lack of energy and time. Writing the DDF is a lot of work, so please vote on the new poll (on the main page) about what to do about it. I really, really need your voice, so please vote, and honestly.
5-30-04
The calendar page was bugging me, so I just completely redid it. It looks much better, and I especially like my banner- such a lovely pic of Eric. But now the calendar page is only going to have one month at a time. I mainly did the three month thing to begin with because of the tour; I'd wanted to show all of the tour dates. Also, with my new screencapping program, I created a new 230 picture Casper gallery. If you'd like to look at it, here's the link: Casper Gallery. The program is working nicely, well, was, I should say. For some reason I can't get it to play any of my DVDs. I don't know what's wrong, but I'll get it fixed sooner or later. ;)
5-26-04
The Heaven's Idles pages are coming along nicely. Also, after much frustration and irritation, I have succumbed to buying myself a screencapping program. Yes, that's right folks. Within the next month or so I should be screencapping like crazy. This site will soon be boasting over 1,000 Eric pics or more, lol. I have tons of DVDs just screaming at me to cap them. Cap cap cap cap... cap cap. It'll be great, and I won't have to keep asking other sites to be able to use their pics. (Note: Not all pics used on IH are other sites- many are actually ours as well. There are other ways of getting pics than screencapping, lol.) So yes, very good thing, triple plus...
For those of you Idle-Wilds who love Eric music, I'm making a brand-new music page. It'll be huge. I'm adding tons of songs and I've fixed about twenty links that were broken. There will also be many many new lyric pages and a new "Other Musical Credits" section as well. The new music page should be up... sometime... I want to say next week, but no guarantees.
5-13-04
I'd like to apologize for not keeping the calendar updated. It's a lot of work and takes forever, so I'll probably be designing a new calendar soon as well. As my friend Frick said to me, "You're redoing the whole site." I hadn't really thought about it, but in a way, I am. And it needs it. Some things are just too cheesy and need serious sprucing, and others just need to go. For example, I've decided to delete the Rutland Isles. For one thing, no one went to them. They just sat there. It's sad, really, because my whole concept of the Rutland Isles was to continue where Eric's Rutland Isles website left off. I heard once in an interview with him that he wished that the RI site could have gotten very big, with people submitting names of islands, creating things for them, designing their own flags, etc. I had thought that this was a grand idea, but like his RI site, it never really happened. So yes, the RI are gone. *waves* Sorry mates. We need to focus on more important things (Yes I know I know... like keeping this page updated *bangs on head with frying pan*).
In my whole theme of "let's redo the whole site!" I've grown tired of my Heaven's Idles pages. The galleries just look... slobby. The multi scrollbars are driving me (and others) nuts. Also, I'm tired of having to use my old stupid expage server for all of my pictures... so I've set to the ever-fun task of MOVING THEM ALL!!! ("And there was much rejoicing... yaaaaayyy....") Also, I've got almost 100 new pictures to add, AND (but wait, there's more!) instead of having 50 million different things on the Miscellaneous Gallery, I'm splitting it up so that each movie/event will have it's own personal gallery. Each gallery will not only say how many pictures is in it, but it will be in chronological order, and also in the Eric As Himself Gallery I will be putting the pictures into chronological order as well from taken the longest ago to the most recent. So that's my big project for right now.
One more thing. Due to the fact that A) it takes absolutely forever to write and create and send B) not enough people read it or care and C) I don't have enough time the DDF email issues will now not be monthly but instead once every two months. Sorry! It's just easier this way. So expect the next issue sometime in the next week or so...
4-25-04
The brand-new Idleography page is now complete. It looks wonderful, and words can't even describe how much better it looks than the old page! It took me over a good 20 hours to make... plus I did a lot of research... and not to mention, it's way over twice as long as the original page. Yes, I added a LOT of stuff that I didn't have on there before. So yes, now its all current and recent and updated and just looking terrific... I feel like I've accomplished something huge, lol, because it took me so long. So new Idleography page, please check it out, and hopefully it'll have uploaded itself by today or sometime within this week. (Meaning, sometimes big pages take a long time to show that they've been updated. If you keep getting the old page, check back every so often because it will eventually show up! lol)
4-24-04
Life's been pretty dull. Unfortunatly, our traffic has dropped almost half percent since October. I think mainly this is because people were much more interested in Eric when he went on tour. They used IH to find out more about who he is and what he's done in the past, but ever since the tour ended our stats have gone down. *sniff* Perhaps we should all write Eric letters and tell him to go on a permanent tour for the sake of this site... LOL. Hopefully we'll get lucky and he'll do one last tour before he decides to lie low. But Spamalot comes first, of course.
Because some things on here are very out-of-date, I've decided to go on a rampage and clean things up a bit. Make new banners, add new pics, change old text, do a bit of redesigning and coloring, etc. For example, right now I'm redoing the entire Idleography page which is a total pain in the arse, let me tell you. So far it's already taken me over 5 hours on the bloody thing. This is because, like I said, I'm totally redoing it. Adding new pics, correcting wrong information, and adding a TON of stuff which wasn't on there originally. While I've been making it, it just makes me wonder with amazement at how much Eric truly has accomplished in his lifetime. I mean, he's so diverse. It's not just strictly movies... there's tons of writing... and composing, and directing, and voice acting, and producing, and guest appearances, and the list just seems infinite. Basically the only thing I can see that he HASN'T done is a show of just dancing! But that's pretty impressive. You've just got to be astounded at someone like him. Like the Beatles, I don't think there will ever be another Eric Idle.
Also, for those who love new Eric pics, I've scrounged up a few new ones, so there are about 10-15 or so new ones in the Eric As Himself gallery and 2 more in the Greedy Bastard Gallery. But I'm getting quite tired and fed up with having to get most of my pictures from other resources, so I'm going to spend some cash and get myself a good screencapping program. Hopefully once I get it I can take pictures like crazy and then I won't know what to do with myself, 'cause I'll be too busy drooling... LOL.
Nothing else really to tell. Not too many people have joined the fanlisting. Please join, people! I worked hard on it, and even have made a new layout for it!
2-16-04
Shame on me for not posting in here as I should be... shame! I should be poked with soft pillows, don't yah think? Anyspam, I have a new things to announce, so get your nose out of that book and listen up!
First, IH now has its very own fanlisting. (Oooohhh, awwwwwhhh....) Pwetty pwease join it. You can do so HERE. We need members! We're not officially approved yet (because, uh, heh, I filled out the form wrong the first time... oops...) but will be very very very very very ect. very soon indeed. So join now! You can get cool codes! (Or make some of your own, if you prefer it that way...)
Second, I have sent out the Daily Dirty Fork Issue #5 AND added it below! *claps* A bit shorter issue than normal, but still very good.
Third, because IH is now ONE YEAR OLD (*gasp!*) I have thought hard of some new goodies to add. For example, there is now a second page of pics to the 'Eric As Himself' gallery. There will also soon be a Caption Contest where we can make utter fools of ourselves and show off how witty we all are, a Birthday Blitz for celebrating people going over the hill, and a card service so you can send funny, ironic IH/Eric/Python themed cards so you don't have to get off your arse to go to Hallmark. Now isn't that a quinkydink?
Finally, to raise a toast to IH, there will be a party held in the Nudge Nudge chatroom THIS FRIDAY (February 20th) from six to eight o'clock PM EST. Everyone is more than welcome to attend. Actually, we'd be pleased if you did. As a matter of fact, it would truly tickle us pink if you were to join us this Friday evening. It wouldn't be a party without YOU! :)
1-18-04
Been actually working the past couple of days. I decided that I wanted to try and redo the Which Eric Idle Character Are You? quiz and make one of the professional ones that don't involve emailing me the answers, etc., with codes and everything. So I created a new quiz on quizzilla, and it works very nicely. Why don't you try it out? Here's a link: The New Quiz. Please vote on it too!
Also added some new artwork to Bright Side, including another great picture by Danita and a SPAM comic strip that made me laugh out loud when I read it. And for those who love The Rutland Isles, I added five new song lyrics, including Surfer Apes, Muff Diving, The Gay Animal Song, Mugger's Day, and Fishing For Compliments.
Finally I have begun work on The Rutland Isles. I hope to have them open before our big birthday. Can you believe we've been open for almost a year? Not as E-I.com (we moved four times before we came here) but we virtually have been around for about that long. Wow. If you have any ideas for special things to add or do for our anniversary, please tell me.
Last, but not least, I have taken all of the 2003 entries to this page and put them on another page and started an archive, or, "Erichive" as I'm calling it.. Had I kept it all on one page year after year, this page would become very very very very very etc. very big, don't you think? ;)
1-10-04
Happy New Years! I can't believe how quickly 2003 whipped by. My new year's resolution is to get The Rutland Isles done. ;) I finished listening to the CD a couple of times (very good, I might add- if you don't have it already, then get it!) so I have a basic idea of what I'm going to put in it. If you'd like to send any suggestions of what you'd like to see in The Rutland Isles, Drop Me A Line, won't yah?
Sometime in the next few months I will start to be cleaning things up a bit, and adding new things. Just general updating. For example, I want to add a lot more movie reviews, quotes, and song lyrics. I also will be throwing in some new fanfiction and fanart every now and then. Hopefully, once everything looks nice and spruced up, I plan on going on an advertising frenzy to gather more people to the site. Any assistance in advertising or promotion of IH is VERY much appreciated!
Also, added issues #3 and #4 to the archives section below.
12-16-04
Wow, what a burst of Eric news! For the longest time there was nothing, but now there's lots to tell, but I'm not going to give quite all the goodies away, or else I'll spoil the upcoming special holiday DDF issue!
Well, as everyone who's closely following Eric/Python news, the Chicago premiere of SPAMALOT is in just FIVE DAYS!!! I'm going to see what I can do to snag comments, reviews, pictures, editorials, you name it. If you just so happen to be going to the premiere, or to ANY of the Chicago shows for that matter, PLEASE send us a story about your evening at the show, we'd love to have it!
And speaking of SPAMALOT, it now has its own official website located at http://www.montypythonsspamalot.com. Check it out! They still have some stuff to add, but if you're bored and want something funny to look at, go there. You can also purchase tickets from there as well as sign up for a SPAMALOT newsletter.
Eric is also going to be releasing his "pre-cast" CD that he and John Du Prez made over the course of three years with all the original songs, PLUS seven other songs that will not be in the show. A definite must-have for those (like me) who are craving for some more Eric melodies. The exact release date has not been said of yet, but we'll let you know the moment we find out.
Last, but not least, Hormel SPAM is creating it's very own Monty Python flavor- golden grail honey SPAM!!! The tins will be sold in New York starting sometime in February while sporting Holy Grail cartoon work. A definite collectors item!
10-28-04
I have been searching all around at movie stores and cannot seem to find The Nutcracker And The Mouseking, so I fear that if you want to see this movie, you'll either have to order it in from Blockbuster or buy it online. I know that Amazon is selling the DVD at a nice price right now.
However, ANOTHER movie HAS been released that you CAN buy in stores. It is National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 2! This funny slapstick is the sequel to the first Christmas Vacation movie, but instead is about Cousin Eddie and his family being stranded on a tropical island for Christmas. Eric has a small cameo in the film of about maybe ohh... five, six minutes... but it's VERY funny stuff, but I'm not going to give it away. ;) I got my own DVD at Target for only fourteen dollars as a heads up for anyone interested.
10-6-04
A couple of weeks ago, Eric was (get this!) in UTAH! (Yes, where your obsessed webmistress resides!) He was visiting (along with Tania and Lily) at our animal shelter of Best Friends, which is located not too far away from Kanab in southern Utah. Best Friends just aired their weekly radio show which contained a seven minute interview with him. For more information about Eric's trip and for the interview, be sure to get your hands on a copy of the upcoming issue of the DDF!
Also, just last weekend a new animated film called "The Nutcracker And The Mouseking" was announced, featuring Eric as a character called Drosselmeier. It is, of course, yet another remake of the classic German tale of the prince who got himself and all his servants turned into toys who were threatened by the evil mouseking. This movie will be released in Canada and the states on DVD and VHS either on the 12th of October of the 19th. (The reason why I say both is because all my sources have both dates.)
9-5-04
Good news! I have just received word that Eric is out of his wheelchair and his cast has been taken off! Yay Eric, speedy recovery, we still love you!
8-28-04
Here's some more news on SPAMALOT!
It seems to be that some more cast members have been accepted, the ensembles. The cast list is now up to 23 people. Here are the recent additions!
Brad Bradley (Annie Get Your Gun)
Thomas Cannizzaro (Cabaret)
Kevin Covert
Jesse Tyler Ferguson (On the Town)
Jennifer Frankel (Chicago)
Lisa Gajda (Movin’ Out)
Jenny Hill (Seussical)
Emily Hsu (Flower Drum Song)
Abbey O'Brien
Ariel Reid
Pamela Remler (Chicago)
Greg Reuter (Chicago)
Brian Shepard (Annie Get Your Gun)
Rick Spaans (Annie Get Your Gun)
Scott Taylor (Contact)
Since specific characters were not named for these people, I am guessing that, like I said, they are the ensemble, the choir, the extras, the fill-ins, etc. etc.
8-25-04
As I've announced previously, Ella Enchanted was released in stores everywhere yesterday. I, of course, went out and bought myself a copy. And the answer to the anxious question- YES, there IS BRAND NEW Eric bits never before seen! He not only has a bit in a deleted scene, but also a bit in an extended scene. So grab a copy if you can get your hands on one!
8-22-04
If you're a big TV watcher, keep your eyes open for any Aquafina commercials. Eric is the new Aquafina (a water bottle company) spokesperson, and is the narrator on the commercials. So far to our knowledge, there are two commercials of Eric's out on U.S. television, "I Feel Pretty" and "Drink." "I Feel Pretty" can be downloaded for watching on the internet HERE.
8-17-04
For all you avid Eric movie collecting fans, Eric's latest film, Ella Enchanted, is released in exactly one week. That's right- next Tuesday, August 24th, you too can buy your own DVD or VHS filled with Eric riding a bicycle, Eric in a feathered hat, Eric with creampuffs, and Eric the artist! Expect a new photo gallery soon too. :)
7-27-04
Well, we've got a little bit of good news, and some saddening news today as well. I'm going to start with the bad news first so that the good will help you recover from any shock you may receive.
The short story is that our beloved Eric has had major surgery recently and is now in a wheelchair. Gratefully, he is fine, and is slowly, but surely, recovering. The problem was his right leg. For those who read the Greedy Bastard Tour Journal, Eric complained more than once about his foot and leg hurting him when he walked. He tried all sorts of medication for it, none seeming to really help much. So now, the pain must have become unbearable so he finally went to the doctor, and it comes to be that he snapped a tendon. So they operated on his leg and he now has a giant (get this) hot pink cast from his foot going up to his knee. He is stuck in a wheelchair for a couple more months and then will have to go through a treatment of physical therapy. He writes below:
I’m at the moment sitting in a wheelchair with a huge shocking pink cast covering my foot and ankle up to my knee; my dancing days may be over (Alas poor Twaila!) and, sadly, England will have to turn to someone else for soccer this season. An MRI revealed that an irritating foot injury from my Tour last fall (see The Greedy Bastard Diary) was a snapped tendon, and so now I’ve had major foot surgery, a weekend in the Valley on Morphine, several days of Vicodin which have left me as solid as Elvis, (All things Must Pass), and I have to sit around for a couple of months awaiting the awful hateful painful process of physio-therapy to begin. What a summer. No walks. No swimming. No trips to Europe to see Lance kicking butt. Grrr.
I'm planning on having the SPAM Club perhaps participate in some sort of sympathy action, sending him some cards or letters and such. And even if they don't wish to do it, I am going to. Poor Eric!
The good news, however, is that we now have the official date for the opening of the selling of SPAMALOT tickets. If you are interested in seeing the premiere of SPAMALOT in Chicago, then get our your piggy bank, because tickets go live and on sale September 14th!
7-19-04
OK, BIG NEWS, SO BE PREPARED. WE'VE GOT A LOT OF GOODIES IN STORE FOR YOU!!!!
We've been hearing stuff about the mysterious "SPAMALOT" for almost an entire year now. SPAMALOT, yes, the first ever Python-based musical set with themes and characters from the original "Monty Python And The Holy Grail" film. The catch phrase is "the musical ripped off from the motion picture."
Well, finally, after all of these months, we are getting somewhere.
Yes, ladies and bruces, we have part of the cast list, and so far it's looking snazzy.
King Arthur: Tim Curry (The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Charlie's Angels, Three Musketeers)
Sir Robin: David Hyde Pierce (A Bug's Life, Sleepless In Seattle, Frasier)
Sir Lancelot: Hank Azaria (The Simpsons, The Birdcage, Along Came Polly)
Sir Bedevere: Steve Rosen (Little Shop Of Horrors, The Foreigner, Enter Laughing)
Sir Galahad: Douglas Stills (Sabrina The Teenage Witch, Will & Grace, The Scarlet Pimpernel)
Patsy And Other Miscellaneous Roles: Michael McGrath (The Martin Short Show, Changing Lanes, The Good-bye Girl)
The Lady Of The Lake: Sara Rimarez (Spiderman, You've Got Mail, Law And Order)
Here is also some of the behind-the-scenes cast...
Writer: ERIC IDLE (YAY!!!!!)(...sorry...)
Music And Lyrics: ERIC IDLE (*cheers*) and John Du Prez (Greedy Bastard Tour, The Meaning Of Life, A Fish Called Wanda)
Director: Mike Nichols (Angels In America, The Graduate, Closer)
Set And Costume Designer: Tim Hatley (Private Lives)
Lighting Design: Hugh Vanstone
Musical Director: Todd Ellison
Choreographer: Casey Nicholaw
Special Effects Design: Gregory Meeh
Orchestrations: Larry Hochman
Music Arrangements: Glen Kelly
Musical Coordinator: Michael Keller
Associate Director: Peter Lawrence
Casting: Tara Rubin
Gene O'Donovan: Production Manager
Looks good, no?
Ticket information will be posted shortly if you're interested in going to see it. (You should, go now, flee, fly, run away!!!) We don't know whether or not SPAMALOT will be touring the U.S., but it will be having it's world premiere in Chicago's Shubert Theatre from December 21st - January 16th. It will then proceed to New York and Broadway and will be in the Broadway Shubert Theatre from February 7th - March 10th.
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!!!!
For those who enjoyed following Eric throughout his Greedy Bastard Tour by reading the journal, you'll be pleased to be informed that the published version of the journal will be in stores February of 2005! Perhaps there will be extra tid-bits in it that we didn't have or read before?
BUT WAIT, THERE'S EVEN MORE!!!!
Ok folks, here's the big one, the real whopper, the big bang.
The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch is finally going to be released.
No, don't have a heart attack. I didn't stutter either. After years of waiting, months of it being locked in a Warner Brothers vault, petitions after petitions getting signed, our beloved Rutles sequel is going to be able to see the light of day!
Can you believe it?!? No, I can't really either.
But I'm happy. I'm ecstatic. I'm thrilled! I'm tickled pink, and am giddy and gleeful... right, you get the point.
So when is it hitting the shelves? you might ask. When can I run and scramble and madly dash to pick myself up a copy?
Unfortunately , we must wait a little while longer. The Rutles 2 is set to be released sometime in March of 2005, but the exact date is not yet known. Rest assurred that once I know it though, it'll be here!
Now, if that can't satisfy your Eric news taste, I don't know what could!
5-26-04
Well, this news isn't much, but at least it's something not already on Pythonline or such... lol. Anyspam, I was flipping through the current issue of our TV Guide. (I believe it's only in the states.) Now, I never look at our TV Guide, but this issue said "Top 25 Cult TV Shows Of All Time" so I turned to that section just to check it out. Guess what was #5??? That's right, Monty Python's Flying Circus! I was thrilled. Here is what the (very) tiny article said:
"And now for something completely different was the show's catchphrase. And boy, did it deliver. This sophisticated sublimely silly British sketch comedy became TV's first (and only) surreality show. We'll lay odds that to this day, every college dorm has one Pythonite who can recite the Dead Parroty routine verbatim. Such devotion has spawned an empire of books, records, movies, and- get ready- a possible stage musical, Spamalot, from trooper Eric Idle."
Well, TV Guide, it's not a "guess" it's a for sure thing! :) But still, it immediatly caught my eye.
5-15-04
Well... couple of things...
One, Eric's back in LA now, has been for a little less than two weeks, so hopefully this means that the Spamalot casting is over. If so, I'll try to find out the casting list ASAP.
Another thing... the Life of Brian premiere for LA was held not too long ago (I don't know the exact date) because it was re-released in LA (and some other areas of the US) on April 30th. Apparently he went with his whole family and chatted with other people seeing the show, kindly signing autographs. (Awww... so like Eric... always polite to a fan...)
The best part, however, is that Eric has written a new song, WHEE!!! It is called "The FCC Song" (Federal Communications Commission) and Eric seems to be very... er... ticked off at them (and many others mentioned in the song). It is indeed an Idle masterpiece, not only because it is so funny, but so very truthful. (Warning: This song is not good for those who don't like the "f" word and who get offended easily... course then that'd count just about every Idle song, now, wouldn't it?) He doesn't say a whole lot about EXACTLY what happened between him and the FCC, but apparently he was just talking and said some naughty language and someone got pissed because of it (someone who doesn't seem to know Eric too well!) and one thing lead to another... and then turns into a soapbox/ranting song. It's very good. The lyrics and such should be up soon. If you haven't heard it already, go download it!!!
4-28-04
Well, a bit of a news update right now... apparently Eric is currently over in New York along with John Du Prez. Last Sunday (the 25th) he went to the premiere of "Jumpers." (7 new pics from this have been added to the Eric As Himself Gallery). It took me a little bit to think of why he'd be over in New York, but then it clicked- he must be there for Spamalot! Casting sessions and work on the play itself must be in progress, so thus he and John Du Prez (who helped create the music for Spamalot) are over there having their say in the shindig.
Just thought this was a bit interesting to know. ;) So you NY fans, keep your eyes open, you just might bump into him!
4-24-04
Tsk tsk, shame on me. I haven't written in here at all lately. Well, in my absence, Ella Enchanted has hit theatres. Sadly, it isn't exactly a big box-office hit, but it is still a very enjoyable film. I personally have seen it twice and plan to see it at least once more before they take it out of theatres. What surprised (and highly delighted) me the most was that Eric is actually IN the film! Yes, he is the narrator, but unlike what I previously assumed, he actually does appear in the movie! It's worth going to see it just to see him dressed up. He's in these poofy little medieval type costumes and speaks in his very poetic/narrator voice every time he has a line. Not to mention, the movie itself is very cute and funny, but as different from the book as you can get. So yes... if you haven't seen EE yet, hurry up and go... ;)
Besides EE, all things Eric-wise have been pretty quiet. He went to a couple of premieres back in March, but other than that, relatively nothing has been heard. Makes me miss his diary even more, which, I wonder when they are actually going to publish it...
No more news on Spamalot or Spamelot (I've seen it spelled both ways and Hans still hasn't told me which is the official spelling yet...) sadly. Casting should be being held as we speak as well as casting for a movie about Graham Chapman's life called Gin And Tonic. Supposedly someone is going to be picked to play a young Eric Idle. That will be funny to see, but if whoever plays him totally butches "Eric" THERE WILL BE A PRICE TO PAY!!!
3-29-04
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIC!!!!!!!!!! Today is, indeed, Mr. Idle's 61st b-day! Congrats and everyone here at IH wishes you a very happy birthday (and many more to come)! How about a toast? *clink*
I also want to apologize for the lack of updates lately. I don't know where the time has all gone. But summer is just around the bend and then I'll have so much time on my hands I won't know what to do... lol. So yes, sorry for no constant updates lately (and for lacking writing in here) but I just sent off the DDF Issue #6 and its crammed with goodies so that should keep you lot pleased for a bit, eh?
Just to let you all know, I haven't been too idle, I've been thinking of some cool ways to improve IH. One of them is the SPAM Club. It needs some spice. Let's face it- it looks boring. No wonder we have so few members! So sometime in the near future the entire SPAM Club page is getting a major makeover! lol
Oh yes, and don't forget to go and see Ella Enchanted on April 4th and support Ewic. He's doing the narration. I know, I know, it's not as good as actually seeing him, but hey, you get to hear his voice (over the screaming kids) so at least that's something, right???
Again, Happy Birthday Eric. I love you. We all love you. We send our kisses and hugs and SPAM wrapped in pretty paper.
2-16-04
Sorry for the delay of any news... this section will just be fairly long... :)
First off, for those who have been waiting anxiously for a new Eric movie, Ella Enchanted is almost here! That's right- on April 9th Ella Enchanted will open in theatres everywhere! If you had forgotten, Eric will not actually be appearing in this movie- he is narrating it. The movie itself will be rated PG, and is a fantasy/action-adventure film. The story is an adaption of the original Cinderall fairy tale, taking it further and complicating it with modern day twists and gags. The film is based on a novel by Gail Carson Levine (who also has written part of the screenplay) and will star Anne Hathaway (Princess Diaries) as Ella.
Also, about the Grammies... most everyone knows that, eh, Eric lost. He lost to none other than former President Bill Clinton. Mmm. (*keeps mouth shut as so not to say something terribly rude*) I got one word for everyone- politics. Phht. Oh well. :(
And just as a little note... I know they are long over... but Eric did attend the Golden Globe Awards a few weeks ago, along with friend Robin Williams. Some pics can be found on page 2 of the Eric As Himself Gallery.
The following is just an assumption, but I believe that the Greedy Bastard Tour is over. I don't think that there will be a continuem. If so, there would have been an announcement or notice of some sort by now. What a disappointment! Shall we write letters? :-D
Last, but not least, a company called Hippofilms (whaaat?) will be producing a new Graham Chapman biography movie called Gin And Tonic and will soon be holding worldwide auditions for people to say the six "young" Pythons. My question is- WHO THE HECK ARE THEY GOING TO FIND TO PLAY ERIC?????? In my opinion, there's only ONE Eric, ONE! Mmm... *grumbles* Anyways, I'll post more about this in the DDF#6.
1-18-04
As you may have read in Issue #4, Eric has been nominated for a grammy award for his readings on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The winners will be announced Sunday, February 8th, for the 46th Annual Grammy Awards. However, Eric's category, Best Spoken Word Album For Children, is not usually aired on the television, so you'll probably have to visit the website, www.grammy.com, to see if our dear Eric won. These are all of the nominees:
Charlie And The Chocolate Factory
Eric Idle
Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix
Jim Dale
Prokofiev: Peter And The Wolf/Beintus: Wolf Tracks
Bill Clinton, Mikhail Gorbachev & Sophia Loren (Kent Nagano; Russian National Orch.)
Tell Me A Scary Story
Carl Reiner
Winnie-The-Pooh
Jim Broadbent
Let's keep our fingers crossed!
