Monty Python’s Eric Idle to debut new book, ‘The Spamalot Diaries,’ with conversation at Symphony Space on Oct. 8

Eric Idle, best known for his work with legendary comedy troupe Monty Python, Spamalot, “The Rutles,” and more, is set to debut his latest book, The Spamalot Diaries, on October 8th. To commemorate the occasion, Idle will be joined in conversation at Symphony Space on the Upper West Side by Alan Zweibel, an original Saturday Night Live writer who has also worked on Curb Your Enthusiasm.  The pair will take to the stage for a “wickedly entertaining night of conversation, comedy, and maybe even an optimism-inspiring song,” according to the Symphony Space website.

Idle has graced screens and stages with a unique body of work for nearly six decades, blending irreverent comedy and catchy songwriting seamlessly — leaving audiences humming the same tune they were just laughing along to. Idle is an original member of Monty Python. This highly influential comedy troupe gifted the world gems like TV’s Flying Circus, which helped pioneer a unique brand of subversive sketch comedy and films that include Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), and Life of Brian (1979). The movies were infamously funded by a group of fans that included rockstars like George Harrison of the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd. Harrison and other musicians like Mick Jagger and Paul Simon would appear alongside Idle in the film All You Need is Cash, which features “The Rutles,” a parody of the Beatles and their story — solidifying the relationship between Idle’s comedic and musical work. 

Idle would continue to find adjacent success in music, penning the hit song “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” for Life of Brian, and developing an entire musical stage show based on The Holy Grail. Spamalot debuted on Broadway in 2005 and was revived for a limited run in 2024. His new book chronicles the production of the show, including journal entries and candid emails that will give fans a behind-the-scenes look at developing the laugh-out-loud, Tony Award-winning musical. 
All full-price tickets for the discussion at Symphony Space include a copy of the new book. A limited number of discounted tickets are available for patrons under 30. More information can be found at the Symphony Space website.