Eric’s Greedy Bastard tour is nearing it’s ½ mark as he continues to travel from city to city in his big green tour bus to entertain thousands of people with comedy of new and old, silver and gold.
The VIP passes have been deleted, and in it’s place has come the "Street Team", volunteers who are willing to hand out fliers and advertise for the tour when it comes to their area. Street Teamers will receive free tickets to the show for them and five of their friends.
If you don’t know the show dates and venues, here is the list once again of places yet to hit:
Sunday, November 9
Buffalo, NY
University at Buffalo Center for the Arts
Monday, November 10
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan Theater
[tickets go on sale September 20]
Tuesday, November 11
Pittsburgh, PA
Byham Theatre
[tickets go on sale October 3]
Wednesday, November 12
Columbus, OH
Southern Theatre
[tickets go on sale September 12]
Friday, November 14
Kalamazoo, MI
Kalamazoo State Theatre
[tickets go on sale October 3]
Saturday, November 15
Milwaukee, WI
The Milwaukee Theater
[tickets go on sale September 17]
Tuesday, November 18
Madison, WI
Barrymore Theater
[tickets go on sale October 12]
Wednesday, November 19
Minneapolis, MN
Pantages Theater
[tickets go on sale October 12]
Friday, November 21
Chicago, IL
Vic Theatre
Saturday, November 22
Chicago, IL
Vic Theatre
Friday, November 28
Edmonton, ALB
Francis Winspear Centre
Saturday, November 29
Calgary, ALB
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
[tickets go on sale October 4]
Tuesday, December 2
Vancouver, BC
Orpheum Theatre
[tickets go on sale October 4]
Thursday, December 4
Seattle, WA
Moore Theatre
[tickets go on sale October 24]
Friday, Decenber 5
Eugene, OR
Hult Center
Saturday, December 6
Boise, ID
Egyptian Theatre
Sunday, December 7
Spokane, WA
Met Theatre
Monday, December 8
Portland, OR
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
Wednesday, December 10
San Francisco, CA
Warfield Theatre
[tickets go on sale October 19]
Thursday, December 11
San Francisco, CA
Warfield Theatre
[tickets go on sale October 19]
Friday, December 12
San Jose, CA
Flint Center
[tickets go on sale October 20]
Sunday, December 14
Las Vegas, NV
House of Blues - Mandalay Bay
[tickets go on sale October 4]
Tuesday, December 16
San Luis Obispo, CA
Performing Arts Center
[tickets go on sale September 22]
Thursday, December 18
Tempe, AZ
Marquee Theatre
Friday, December 19
Los Angeles, CA
Royce Hall
[tickets go on sale October 18]
Also, if you haven’t read it already, please check out Eric’s tour journal. It and other information can be found on Idleized Heaven and http://www.pythonline.com/eric_idle.html.
Give A Great Non-Greedy Guy A Gift
It seems to be that most of the SPAM members thought that the giftbasket was a great idea. So, here’s what I’m going to do:
On December 16th, after the San Luis Obispo show, I will be presenting Mr. Idle with a giftbasket from all of the SPAM club members. I’m calling it (for lack of a better name) "Give A Great Non-Greedy Guy A Gift." The giftbasket will include small presents (SMALL) and letters from SPAM members everywhere.
If you are interested in participating in the giftbasket (please, people, do- it’ll be great! Eric will love you forever- LOL) then please get your things together ASAP. Here are a few notations though:
- Please do not send food. Food can smell, go bad, break, crumble, etc.
- It is best not to send any artwork or tapes or CDs that you have done yourself.
- Whatever you send, please let it be appropriate.
- If you send a gift, please make it small and have it wrapped and labeled yourself. The giftbasket will be big, but keep in mind, I gotta fly on an airplane with this thing!
Please have your stuff together ASAP. I want to have everything together and all collected NO LATER THAN THE END OF NOVEMBMER!!! Once you have your stuff, send me an e-mail and I will give you my home address so you can ship it to me.
PS- If you just wish to send your letter by e-mail instead of postal service, that's fine. Just remember to please write the e-mail professionally and include your address at the top and such if you are asking for a reply or anything. You know what to do. :)
Thanks everyone- please participate in this! :)
The Eric Idle Experience
In Poughkeepsie, NY
By Chris Cardi
October 17, 2003:
4:45 P.M. My mother, youngest sister Michelle, and I set off on what would be the best concert I will have ever seen in my life. My mother got directions from a coworker on how to get to Poughkeepsie, but failed to mention in which direction we should be going as far as 84/684 is concerned. I told her to stay on 84, and soon enough we were at Exit 13 to Poughkeepsie, NY. Getting onto rt. 9, we had all intentions on going to the Galleria Mall which is located within the heart of Poughkeepsie, however, we had much difficulty in finding it. Once we did find it, however, we decided not to go and that we would find a place around the venue to eat. Besides, my anticipation was poking at me. The show was only in a few more hours.
After driving for 20 minutes and finally figuring out the directions we were given, my heart stopped, as we turned the corner and I saw the glowing theatre marquee. I had so much adrenaline, I didn't know what to do with myself. My mother tried to calm me and my sister down and found a parking lot just adjacent to the building itself. "Four dollars to park? Can't beat that!" my mother chimed happily.
We pulled into our parking spot and I got out of the car. Knowing that this was almost the back of the building, I couldn't resist turning around and exploring the area. My sister and I turned the corner, and literally had to catch our breaths. It was here. Very real. Right in front of us within walking distance. Behold, the tour bus!
We noticed the window was opened, and the engine was semi-running (it was a sound that could and couldn't have been) -- and both of us boldly walked over. We were both kind of afraid to approach the door, nor did we want to be chased away for being "nosy", so my sister and I just gawked at the 2 vehicles. I finally mustered the courage to call his name, half-heartedly expecting a response. I was right. He probably wasn't in there anyway and was rehearsing in the building. It was only just around 6-ish. So just in case he was within one of those buses, I gave a little cheer, as did my sister. I honestly think I would've fainted if he came out to say hello, just because of the fact that my heart was racing. I was only several feet away from a living legend and the excitement officially kicked into full gear.
Michelle and I were blasted back into reality when my mother came to round us up. Apparently we had spent 10 minutes just standing there inbetween the two buses, staring and talking about how cool it would be if he came out, or if we were invited in. Mom said we had better grab something to eat because we obviously weren't going to have enough time if we hung around any longer. So we walked away from the buses, knowing that our night adventure had just begun.
Unfortunately, no one told us that this section of Poughkeepsie was a business district, and EVERYTHING was closed. Really. It was a ghost town for the most part, as my mother dragged us up and down the same block 5 times making sure that everything was closed. We spotted a bodega-type store, and I said, "Let's just get sandwiches. We can then walk back and eat walking down the street like real Brooklynites do." It seemed like a good idea, but mom didn't like the look of the guys hanging out in front of the store, so we turned around once more. We bumped into the first sign of life on the street, and she told us there was a GREAT Chinese food place around the corner, and "They make a mean steamed vegetable dumplings." She was very nice and we were very grateful for that little piece of information, since it looked like every business owner in the area had DIED.
Walking around the corner, my mother says to us, "Oh look! Let's see if the pizza place is open!" Well, let me point out that this "Brother's Pizza" is actually part of a huge painted mural on the sides of the building. Gotta love Mom.
We ate our Chinese food, finally and happily, and managed to finish our dinner in 15 minutes (we've had extensive training). Rushing back to the venue, we hung out until the doors opened. Michelle and I immediately walked up to the table full of merch, and I bought 2 T-shirts, the Rutland Isles CD, and 2 programs -- all for 75 bucks. Not bad, I say! It was a lot cheaper buying from his own tour table than if I would've gone online to purchase these very same items (not that I would have an easy time locating it in the first place). Michelle bought a shirt, a program and a calendar (Why don't you make HATS??!? I'd SOOOO sport an Eric Idle hat 24/7!). Finally we walked in to our seats and waited for the show to begin.
Michelle and I had a ball singing to the songs they had playing, such as Bohemian Rhapsody, 5000 miles, and Crocodile Rock. The people in front of us didn't like it, but we didn't care. I think they just encouraged us to sing louder in the end.
Since they days of yore, I was always cursed to have a really good seat, and then some 6 foot tall bugger sits in front of me. Now, I'm five foot three. HOW THE HELL AM I GONNA SEE OVER YOUR BADLY COMB-OVERED HEAD, PAL??!??! They should make rules that if you're really tall, you should either stand or sit in the back behind us short and stout people. I'm tired of this, and I'm sure people in my position are too.
Finally the house lights dim, and we're greeted by the venue's manager, telling us all about the great things happening in the upcoming weeks and yada yada yada. Bugger off, I want to see Eric. He finally goes off and music is played at full blast with no one on stage. As to not ruin any surprises, I won't disclose any sort of information about specifics of the tour, as it's not fair to Eric and all his crew members who work hard to provide this wonderfully brilliant show. I almost died when I saw him offstage behind the curtains dancing to the music (I sat all the way on the left side). He walked out and we all went CRAZY (erm, at least I did. I was screaming so much I didn't take into account anyone's hearing ability around me being in danger). He was absolutely GREAT! Jokes were made, songs were sung, and sing-along opportunities were also available. There was a FANTASTIC rant that Peter makes about foliage -- which was my mother's personal favorite. She spent all the next day in short spurts of spontaneous laughter. During intermission, my sister and I wrote little notes to Eric, in which I wrote my website address and invited him over, and my sister is still on a streak about getting Michael Palin to write back to her, so she wrote Eric to tell Mike to respond. My mother gave us this idea, and we jumped at the chance. I'm so happy that I got to share something I adore with a passion with my mother who enjoyed every moment of the show.
After the encore, my sister and I ran out to the lobby, because we knew he was signing autographs. We waited and waited in line, but soon enough, we were inching closer and closer at a very quick pace. My mother grabbed the camera from Michelle and managed a couple of "Paparazzi" shots. So my sister stole the camera back and reprimanded my mother for such shitty pix (but nice try nonetheless). Closer and closer we got to meeting him, and with every step, Michelle took a new picture.
My heart was now racing a mile a minute. I had a whole list of things I wanted to say, but my mind had drawn a blank! I was now literally inches away from Idle, my idol, and my I.Q. diminished to that of a house fly. The people in front of me turned and walked away as he faced me. I put on my best smile, held out my hand to shake his and clearly proclaimed how he is my favorite Python. He smiled and thanked me, as I quickly pulled out my programs for him to sign while orally giving him my website address (stupid stupid stupid... but I did write it and put it into the encore bucket). He asked me my name, which I promptly gave, and he signed it to me. The next program I had him sign Stan a.k.a. Loretta *BIG SMILE*. Then I said to him that I had a friend online named Diane who owns a site dedicated to him and she was going to see him at his show in San Luis Obispo. He smiled and told me to tell her to drop on by and say hello. (Love ya Chris!!! - Di) Before leaving, I asked him if I could take a picture with him, for memories and to put on my website to say:
HELL YEAH!!!
Loved Peter Crabbe's performance, by the way. He was extremely talented.
My sister was up next and she asked him to sign the program to her and if he could ask Mike to write her back. So on her autographed program, it says "Mike, write back". LOL She also got a picture with him before leaving.
I waved and told the guys to have a great tour and they thanked me. I don't know, it seemed right to say at the time. I was still shaking with excitement when I left, and the smile I left with stayed plastered to my face.
After trying several motels to stay at for the night because my mother is petrified of driving in the dark, we decided to stop making stops and just go all the way home. The first place was run by an old Chinese couple who proceeded to talk to me through their locked glass door. "This is definitely not working..." I thought to myself. The next place said they didn't have vacancy. Screw you man. The final place wanted one hundred dollars for the night, and mom was like "Ummm.. no. F*@#$% youse ALL, I'm goin HOME!!" For the first time, I understood how a celebrity on tour must feel. After a great show like that, all you want to do is go home and sleep in a familiar bed in a familiar surrounding. I felt kinda weird with the thought of not driving home (at first), because all I wanted to do was just that, and go home. To my bed. Under my covers accompanied by my cat. I think I can ease up on celebrities now when I get upset they're not touring for a long time or if they're not coming to my area. I really don't blame them now. God bless 'em for having the courage to go on the road.
It was much quicker getting back home, despite the rain. We made the correct turn towards Rt. 202 finally, and the roads became familiar once again. We were going home.
I relived the experience again in my dreams and was upset when I was woken up the next morning to return to my normal life doing my normal job in the same bloody routine. Oh well -- one thing's for sure, though- my life is never dull and routine as long as Monty Python is in my life, and I will never EVER forget that night! Thank you so much, Eric!!!
A Neurotic's Meet With Eric Idle
By Frick
So we arrive at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ at 7:15, the show is at 8:00. We head straight for our seats; we can buy merchandise later. It is now 8:10. "Where is Eric?" I ask myself; but alas, the lights dim and the Village People's 'YMCA' comes on... and is still on... still on. Three minutes and forty-six seconds later, the lights dim even further and Eric comes out. The first half whizzes by so fast that I am amazed that it is time for Intermission already. We rush into the lobby where an amplitude of people are waiting to buy Greedy Bastard merchandise. After 10 minutes of being squished like a sardine, I make my way to the table and buy a T-shirt. I notice signs saying "The Greedy Bastard will only sign purchased Merchandise." Good thing I got the shirt, eh?
We make it back to our seats with seconds to spare before the Second Act begins. Before I know it, the concert is over and the people are calling for an encore. Of course he gives us one. We plow our way back to the lobby. There is a line; 'Autographs'. Woo hoo, he's doing autographs. So, we make it to the back of the line. There are a lot of people in front of us, but I am determined to meet him.
The line starts moving, we're getting closer. We are in front of the merchandise table, so I decide to buy The Road To Mars. I see him. Gaaah he is better looking in person. My friend grabs my arm. "It's him, it's him!" my mind shouts. My friends push me to see him first. I walk up and hand him my book. He gives me a big smile, "Ah, I see you bought my book." A million thoughts are swimming in my head and all I can muster up to reply is a meek, "Yes." My voice is lost, I can't speak. "So, you like science fiction?" he asks as he signs my book. All I can do is nod and give a small "Mmmhmmm." Why am I so nervous? I thought I rehearsed this? He hands me the book back giving me his adorable smile. It is now or never. "Thank you so much. It is an honor to meet you." Is all I can say. He gets that a million times a day, duh! Can't you think of anything creative to say? "Thank you," he replies as he waves his hand at me. I scurry away, feeling elated and like a fool at the same time. My friends got to take a picture of him (since he was behind a table it was kind of hard to take one with him) and get him to sign some stuff. I just stand aside, looking from my book to Eric.
We left the theater at 10:45 and started to walk back to the car when suddenly we see a bus parked outside the theater. It's Eric's bus. I recognize it from the Greedy Bastard website. I get a picture of my two friends in front of it, trying to do the same pose as Eric in the photo. I am giddy the entire ride home. As I lie on my bed staring at my ceiling, I can't help but smile knowing I met one of the most talented people in the world; and although I went comatose when I met him, he still kept me smiling the entire time.
The Return Of Declan Desmond
Just last March Eric did a voice for a character in The Simpsons named Declan Desmond, a documentary director who was featured in the episode "’Scuse Me While I Miss The Sky." Now, again, Eric has been asked to reprise his role and do another voice recording for yet another episode. He will do the recording while in Madison on November 18th.
Spamelot And Camelot
As we all know, in Spring of 2005 Eric Idle’s "Spamelot", a musical version of The Holy Grail, will be featured on Broadway. However, at the same time a certain "Camelot" will also be playing. Mr. Idle received this fax:
Re: Spamelot.
Dear Mr. Idle,
As a fan of Monty Python, I was excited to hear of the Broadway musical of "Monty Python and The Holy Grail." However, as the attorney for the heirs of Alan Jay Lerner, I was disappointed to learn of the possibility that it might be called "Spamelot."
It is anticipated that there will be a Broadway production of Lerner & Loewe's "Camelot" opening in the same season as the anticipated "Spamelot" and the presence of these two shows together, we believe, can lead only to confusion in the minds of the public. This possibility is not constructive for either your production of the production of "Camelot."
Since Lerner & Loewe's "Camelot" has been in existence since 1961, we suggest that you consider changing the title of your musical (which I note from your website is a title in progress in any event.) Please let me know what you think.
I wish you great success with the musical and I eagerly look forward to seeing it (with a different title)
Etc.
Loren H. Plotkin.
Now, I don’t know about you, but that is ridiculous. It’s utter stupidity. People are gits. But I have to say, it is funny. I thought I might share that with you all who already hadn’t read about it elsewhere.
Idleized Heaven Site News
Idleized Heaven has been going through a whole series of changes lately. I am never happy with the layout and how the site basically looks, so I’ve been experimenting with all sorts of different versions to try and find what I like best. I have agreed upon two- a black and white combined version, and a blue and purple mixed version. I really do love Version 2. The site will be under a lot of construction for a couple more weeks and things will be all out of place, broken links, things that aren’t supposed to be there, yada yada. I’m working as fast as I can to get the new versions up and running. I cannot begin to tell you how tickled pink I will be when the site is completely done and all I have to worry about is answering e-mails and doing updates! Lol
Let’s see… I’ve added the Greedy Bastard tour journal and gallery. The journal itself is extremely fascinating, so if you haven’t already read it, you should. I’m always adding a pic here and there to the other galleries as well. I updated everything on the Half A Bee Headquarters pages and completely redid the Idle FAQ. I’ve added about four new SPAM club members and have begun on the Pointed Sticks And Nudges pages. There is so much that I’ve been working on that it’s hard to list them all, so you get the idea. If I have everything done by December it will truly be a miracle.
There you go! Enjoy the DDF everyone! And remember, if you are going to see Eric sometime this November, please send me an article and a pic for the DDF! Have a great day! Now bugger off. ;)
Sincerely,
Diane
Hallo! Welcome to the third monthly issue of The Daily Dirty Fork! I was very pleased with the responses to Issue #2- thank you everyone, it was greatly appreciated! Please continue to send in more "good stuff"!
www.Eric-Idle.com, home of the #1 site for anything and everything Eric Idle. I am your humble webmistress Diane, at your service. Here on IH I have attempted to provide you with your every Eric need, including hundreds upon hundreds of photos, up-to-date news, video and sound clips, articles and interviews, icons and buttons, biographies, polls and trivia, fanfiction and fanart, and much, much more!
Eric’s Greedy Bastard tour is nearing it’s ½ mark as he continues to travel from city to city in his big green tour bus to entertain thousands of people with comedy of new and old, silver and gold.
