Look To The Stars News: Michael Palin

Jon Lovitz Leads Silly Walks For Charity

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:30:00 -0000

October 2009 marked the beginning of the 40th Anniversary year for the classic comedy team Monty Python, and comedian Jon Lovitz is spearheading a charity event to celebrate.

Fans of spam, dead parrots, lumberjacks and the Spanish Inquisition (“Nobody ever expects the Spanish Inquisition!”) will flock to the first ever Silly Walks For Hunger event on November 19, which will give fans and fun-seekers an opportunity to show off their own “silly walks” while participating in a world-class live production—and all for a good cause: hunger relief.

“I have been a Monty Python fan for years,” said Jon Lovitz, who in May opened his own comedy club in the heart of Universal CityWalk, and who will act as the Minister of SillyWalks for the day. “We’ll be doing good by behaving silly… what a great way to honor their work. It’s perfect!”

SillyWalks for Hunger aims to “raise enough awareness, food and money for 1,000,000 meals to be provided to families, children and elderly in L.A. and across the nation this holiday season.” Supporters can text the word “FEED” to 90999 to make a $5 donation – they will be donating the equivalent of approximately 20 meals towards meeting the goal.

The Monty Python team originally featured John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam and Graham Chapman.

Beneficiaries of SillyWalks for Hunger will be Feeding America, the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank, and Global FoodBanking Network.

Registration for the event – which starts at the Universal CityWalk on Thursday – starts at 5:30pm. Bring a bag of non-perishable food to enter. For more info, click here.

Monty Python Stars To Attend Charity Screening Of Banned Movie

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Two Monty Python stars are set to attend the first ever screening of one of their classic films in a town in which it was banned 30 years ago.

Michael Palin and Terry Jones will travel to Aberystwyth, Wales, on March 28 for the town’s first ever screening of The Life Of Brian. Proceeds from the screening will go to the British Heart Foundation and to Truthout, a website for ethical news.

The screening is being made possible by Sue Jones-Davies, who played Brian’s girlfriend in the cult movie and is now mayor of the Welsh town.

“It was actually a journalist who pointed out to me that the film had never been shown in Aberystwyth because of the ban,” Jones-Davies told Wales Online. “We decided that we might as well go on with it and see if we could arrange a screening in Aberystwyth.”

The film was first banned because of its comical portrayal of Jesus and alleged blasphemy. It has since gone on to be voted the greatest comedy film of all time by Channel 4, Total Film magazine, Rotten Tomatoes, The Guardian and many other publications.

“I’m pretty sure the event is already a sell-out. Aberystwyth Arts Centre is a beautiful venue and there are only 120 places,” said Jones-Davies. “It will be a great evening and it is about time the film was shown anyway.”

Michael Palin To Talk In Sheffield

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Ex-Monty Python comedian Michael Palin is to give a talk in aid of the Helen’s Trust in Sheffield on Thursday.

Palin will talk about his most recent book – Michael Palin’s New Europe – and his days as a member of Monty Python’s Flying Circus at Sheffield City Hall on October 30.

Helen’s Trust, which provides care and support for people with incurable diseases, was set up in 2001.

“Helen’s Trust is a tried and tested organization, helping families and individuals at a time of great trauma,” said former British Home Secretary David Blunkett, who is behind the event. “To mark the launch of the charity into Sheffield I was able to twist the arm of Michael Palin and asked him to return to the city to take part in an event.”

Tickets for the talk are available from the Sheffield City Hall box office. For more information phone 07725 656862.

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