Another Complaint Cycle by John Cleese Has Officially Started

Comedy legend John Cleese, famed for Monty Python and Fawlty Towers, has once again directed his sharp words at the BBC. At 86, with a career that has shaped modern comedy, one might expect Cleese to enjoy a quieter life focused on family and reflection. Yet he continues to publicly air his recurring grievances about the network, cultural trends, and even his own Monty Python colleagues.

In a recent interview with Nick Ferrari for the London Broadcasting Company, Cleese criticized the BBCs approach to comedy and its treatment of comedians. He argued, There isnt sufficient executive understanding to cultivate great comedy, which explains the lack of standout shows today. John Birts tenure turned the BBC into a bureaucracy, and committees are rarely funny.

Cleese fondly recalled the BBCs past collection of comedic talent, emphasizing the wealth of skilled actors in the UK and the importance of celebrating them. His criticism of the network is not new. During the early 1970s, BBC executives openly disliked Monty Python's Flying Circus, describing it as disgusting and nihilistic, and often censored content they found inappropriate.

Despite these historical conflicts being over fifty years old, Cleese continues to voice similar criticisms. He has previously claimed that the BBC hasnt aired Monty Python material in decades, even though the network recently devoted an entire evening to the series, shortly before Cleese and his collaborators sold their catalogue to Netflix.

While Cleeses influence on British comedy is undeniable, his repeated complaints about the BBC, cultural issues, and his former colleagues have become a predictable cycle. The BBC remains a major force in comedy, hosting eight of the UKs top ten scripted comedies in 2024 and investing an additional 500,000 in new comedy projects this year. Nonetheless, it seems likely that Cleese will resume his public criticisms again soon.

Author: Sophia Brooks