The Greedy Bastard Diary: A Comic Tour of America

by Eric Idle

Book Overview

The man who brought you the anthems "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" and "Sit on My Face and Tell Me That You Love Me" shows his naughty bits -- and so much more

A stunningly witty exploration of the American landscape -- not to mention a brilliant comic's mind -- this diary is chock-full of everything you ever wanted to know about Eric Idle, Monty Python, America, and sleeping on a bus. In these pages the sixth-nicest Python is cheeky,...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060758643
• ISBN13: 9780060758646
• Release Date: February 2005
• Publisher: It Books
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 7.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

I have to love it. I'm in it.

I met Eric Idle when he went on tour. I'd done some of the Street Team promotion for him, and he'd granted us a "Meet and Greet", although nearly everyone who waited around afterwards was allowed to meet him. I'm a very philosophical person, and, at the time, was deeply in love with Eric Idle. I needed to think of something to say to him that he'd remember. I'm also very shy, and had no idea what I was going to do. The day of the concert came and I was so nervous, I was shaking and floating on air the entire day. He was amazing, and afterwards I went up to him, eagerly, and my mind went blank. I stared Eric Idle in the eyes and said, "I'll give you ten dollars if you let me touch your a**." He was so, so nice, let me do it, then gave the money back. I almost died when I saw he'd written about the incident, then died again when I saw it was published in his book. So there you go. This book is amazing, not just because of that, but because it's a delicate glimpse into the psyche of a mindly tortured comedian. I laughed out-loud at parts, and I nearly cried at others. Buy this book if you have any emotion for Idle at all. You will never regret it. (And don't think too badly of me, I really am very shy.)

still Python after all these years

I stumbled across this book at my local library and had bought my own copy before I was halfway through the library's. I don't think I've ever done that before. Those looking for a deep introspective/retrospective look at life post-Python will probably be disappointed. Unquestionably this book is about part of Idle's life that is well post-Python, but he's a Python nevertheless - they all will be - and that seems to be just fine with him, as he tells stories about and on the others. He's not writing for the Pulitzer committee, though - he's just sharing the things that crossed his mind while he was on tour. Those looking for a complete book of unrelenting yokking it up will likewise be disappointed. Idle speaks movingly of his childhood, the deaths of his parents, his friendship with George Harrison, his ongoing love affair with his wife, and more. On one page he may mock himself and his environmental concerns, and a few pages later he'll describe the scenery at this place or that, suggest great places to eat in certain cities where they stopped on tour. (If I had a complaint about the book, it might be that there's a bit too much on about the scenery, but then again this is a tour blog so it shouldn't be that surprising.) Those who will be best pleased by this book are those who accept that Eric Idle was/is a Python and more, having spent the intervening years doing other things including movies, books, a stand-up tour, and of course most recently Broadway. Those who will most enjoy this book are those who want a book liberally laced with hysterical tales and retellings about the Pythons, who would like to get to "know" Idle a little better, and who may have wondered what it would be like to be in his cross-country tour. Those who've known and loved Python(s) from way back will without a doubt get more out of this book than those unfamiliar with them or just becoming fans, especially regarding the many reminiscences about them as an act and as individuals, but anyone who's enjoyed their work at all will probably enjoy "The Greedy Bastard Diary". Speaking just for myself, I laughed out loud on the very first page, and more than once found myself laughing so hard I couldn't read. (The addition of the marginata was a stroke of genius, by the way.) Reading it in public, however, is something you do at your own risk: I took it to work to read at lunch but only once, because my out-loud laughter drew odd looks from others in the cafeteria. Don't say you weren't warned.

An awsome book by an awsome Python

Eric Idle has written this creative book on his tour of north america and has done a great job. He goes into lots of detail about what it was like for him on the road. This is a very interesting book to read and is wonderful if you like a good sence of humor. I recommend going out and buying it now! You'll Laugh, you'll cry, and you'll want to fill the "encore bucket" with several rubber duckys! And heck, the title is funny in itself.

Surprisingly personal

Of the six Monty Python members, Eric Idle has been the most enigmatic. His work is well known, but Idle the human being has been less public. What is surprising, and gratifying, about this book is that Idle opens up and lets us inside his mind a bit. The picture that emerges is of a thoughtful, intelligent, sensitive man . The book is gently funny, but the humor arises out of his natural wit, and not the antic contrivances of a Monty Python skit. Idle also writes about the death of his mother and his close friendship with George Harrison, with an unexpected emotional openness. Recommended highly.

A good mix of humor, travel narrative, and Python history

I really enjoyed this book on a number of levels. Idle has a lot of heart and a lot of humor and he isn't selfish with either. I have the giant Python book, which is essential, but this one was easier to get through and more fun to read. It's personal and entertaining- in equal portions. That's hard to pull off. I missed this tour and felt like a donkey for missing it. However, this book relieved some of my donkey feelings by letting me know what the whole thing was like. By the end of it I wanted to be his bus driver. It was very interesting to hear the stories about his mum, George Harrison, and Bill Clinton. It was also nice he didn't beat up on the South but took it for what it is. I still feel like a donkey for missing the tour the more I think about it.