Together with the members of famed comedy troupe Monty Python, of which he is a founding member, John Cleese has used comedy to challenge the notion of authority, bureaucracy, and organized religion in a subversive and often-times absurd manner. Now, over 40 years since Monty Python’s “Flying Circus” debuted on the BBC, Cleese finds himself tackling many of the same subjects. On Thursday, the actor and comedy legend began his “Why There is No Hope” tour at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ, marking his return to live performance following widespread event cancellations related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Upon my arrival at the theater, there was a clear sense of excitement in the air, despite the lower than usual attendance that appears to be a trend at live events in a post-pandemic world. Cleese took the stage at 07:30 sharp (he is 81 after all!) and looked as tall as ever, a point his announcer did not fail to make. Cleese’s show was described to the Free Press as his “cynical and funny look at the dysfunctional world we live in” by his representatives, and that’s precisely what he delivered.
Cleese appeared at the podium and began to share his wisdom with the audience. “Nobody knows anything” is a point he often stressed throughout the night. He recalled a conversation with the famed psychiatrist and purported master of his field, Robin Skinner, in which Cleese asked him how many people in his industry really know what they’re doing, to which he replied “10-15 percent.” This drew a lot of laughs because it feels true. How many times have you or I suffered at the hands of a “professional?” Cleese brings about an interesting statistic, the top 3 causes of death, according to Cleese, and you know, whoever documents and decides these things, are heart disease (obviously), cancer, and medical accidents at the hands of incompetent doctors.
Cleese brought up other points regarding our proverbial hopelessness, also. He reminded the audience that everyone wants to be right. It isn’t stupidity that’s dangerous; it’s our egos. “They said there was nothing new to be discovered in physics,” before Albert Einstein went on to make incredible discoveries in the field, Cleese told us. He cites the Dunning-Kruger effect, a theory that states that those with high proficiency in their respective abilities will underestimate them, and conversely, those with low proficiency will overestimate them, a paradox that often puts the wrong people in powerful positions.
Those that seek to attain and maintain power and wealth are often the worst people for the position. “Greedy people are never satisfied,” he said. The rich are rich because they are greedy, but because they are greedy, they are never satisfied. This, in Cleese’s eyes, can be considered some form of solace regarding the ongoing battle for economic balance.
Still, Cleese admitted that he knows nothing and is still figuring things out, even in his old age. Halfway through the show, comedian and Cleese’s daughter, Camilla, entered the stage to field questions geared at the famed comedian. Reflecting on his time with Pythons, he took playful jabs at his former mates, also stating his admiration for the likes of the late Graham Chapman and Terry Jones.
After 90 minutes of laughter, the curtain dropped to roaring applause.
I was afforded the opportunity to briefly chat with Mr. Cleese after the show.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. Cheese,” I said, hoping he would catch my attempt at humor by purposefully misstating his name. He was a warm and welcoming fellow; he laughed a little uncomfortably and told me he liked my outfit. It seemed genuine…I bet he says that to all the blokes!
“Are you having a good time in Red Bank, Mr. Creese?”
“Well, I haven’t been here too long,” he laughed again.
The jig was up, he didn’t get my joke, but it was all smiles. Maybe he thought I didn’t know who he was! I introduced him to my pops, we had a couple of laughs, and I was on my way. John Cleese brought up some alarming points tonight, but all we could do was laugh.
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