No he isn't! He's resting...
January 22, 2020 5:36 AM Subscribe
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posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 5:40 AM on January 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 5:40 AM on January 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
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posted by faceplantingcheetah at 5:44 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by faceplantingcheetah at 5:44 AM on January 22, 2020
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posted by doctor_negative at 5:47 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by doctor_negative at 5:47 AM on January 22, 2020
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posted by misteraitch at 5:50 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by misteraitch at 5:50 AM on January 22, 2020
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This one hurts.
Also, eponysterical! :)
posted by Melismata at 5:54 AM on January 22, 2020 [3 favorites]
This one hurts.
Also, eponysterical! :)
posted by Melismata at 5:54 AM on January 22, 2020 [3 favorites]
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posted by Patapsco Mike at 5:57 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by Patapsco Mike at 5:57 AM on January 22, 2020
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Adored all his work, and his musical voice.
posted by Countess Elena at 6:00 AM on January 22, 2020
Adored all his work, and his musical voice.
posted by Countess Elena at 6:00 AM on January 22, 2020
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posted by lazaruslong at 6:06 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by lazaruslong at 6:06 AM on January 22, 2020
Parrot and Novel - Terry Jones -Starship Titanic
(And I really enjoyed his take on Wind in the Willows.)
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posted by dannyboybell at 6:08 AM on January 22, 2020 [3 favorites]
(And I really enjoyed his take on Wind in the Willows.)
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posted by dannyboybell at 6:08 AM on January 22, 2020 [3 favorites]
"Of his many achievements, for me the greatest gift he gave us all was his direction of Life of Brian. Perfection." - John Cleese
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posted by jozifd at 6:15 AM on January 22, 2020 [16 favorites]
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posted by jozifd at 6:15 AM on January 22, 2020 [16 favorites]
He wrote the movie Labyrinth, along with all his Python stuff.
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posted by hippybear at 6:15 AM on January 22, 2020 [32 favorites]
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posted by hippybear at 6:15 AM on January 22, 2020 [32 favorites]
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posted by triage_lazarus at 6:17 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by triage_lazarus at 6:17 AM on January 22, 2020
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I remember him turning up on a set in a cream suit whilst we were making a 700 litre vat of cocoa-mud-slime for some TV show I got myself involved in whilst I was a student.
He was quite annoyed when some of it eventually ended up on his suit. It really shouldn't have come as a surprise to him what was happening, he had the script for the narration in hand, turning up in a white suit was clearly a bad idea.
posted by zeripath at 6:18 AM on January 22, 2020 [9 favorites]
I remember him turning up on a set in a cream suit whilst we were making a 700 litre vat of cocoa-mud-slime for some TV show I got myself involved in whilst I was a student.
He was quite annoyed when some of it eventually ended up on his suit. It really shouldn't have come as a surprise to him what was happening, he had the script for the narration in hand, turning up in a white suit was clearly a bad idea.
posted by zeripath at 6:18 AM on January 22, 2020 [9 favorites]
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posted by cendawanita at 6:27 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by cendawanita at 6:27 AM on January 22, 2020
And of course the first thing I think of is his voice:
"Today, I hear the robins sing..."
"'E's NOT the Messiah! E''s a very naughty boy!"
*PLOP!* ::sigh:: "Oh, get that, would you, Deirdre?"
You'll be deeply missed, Terry.
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posted by droplet at 6:27 AM on January 22, 2020 [7 favorites]
"Today, I hear the robins sing..."
"'E's NOT the Messiah! E''s a very naughty boy!"
*PLOP!* ::sigh:: "Oh, get that, would you, Deirdre?"
You'll be deeply missed, Terry.
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posted by droplet at 6:27 AM on January 22, 2020 [7 favorites]
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posted by kleinsteradikaleminderheit at 6:31 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by kleinsteradikaleminderheit at 6:31 AM on January 22, 2020
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posted by Miss Cellania at 6:31 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by Miss Cellania at 6:31 AM on January 22, 2020
He's joined the Choir Invisible.
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posted by Faint of Butt at 6:32 AM on January 22, 2020 [10 favorites]
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posted by Faint of Butt at 6:32 AM on January 22, 2020 [10 favorites]
No-o-o-o-o!
(not from a sketch, I'm just saying I don't need this news now.)
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 6:34 AM on January 22, 2020
(not from a sketch, I'm just saying I don't need this news now.)
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 6:34 AM on January 22, 2020
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posted by Halloween Jack at 6:35 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by Halloween Jack at 6:35 AM on January 22, 2020
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posted by Frayed Knot at 6:37 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by Frayed Knot at 6:37 AM on January 22, 2020
Among his other work, Jones was librettist and director of several operas. A friend of mine sang in a few of them. One day my friend came out of rehearsal for The Doctor's Tale, *glowing* with pride because Terry Jones had told him his walk was too silly.
posted by Pallas Athena at 6:37 AM on January 22, 2020 [47 favorites]
posted by Pallas Athena at 6:37 AM on January 22, 2020 [47 favorites]
Everyone stay calm! This is not happening!
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posted by Capt. Renault at 6:38 AM on January 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
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posted by Capt. Renault at 6:38 AM on January 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
HE IS AN EX-PYTHON !!
Not really, he will be a Python forever.
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posted by Pendragon at 6:38 AM on January 22, 2020 [5 favorites]
Not really, he will be a Python forever.
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posted by Pendragon at 6:38 AM on January 22, 2020 [5 favorites]
I'd heard that he was in fairly poor health recently, so this wasn't a complete shock. My roommate saw the Python's last tour and said that Terry looked a little frail.
Wishing him an afterlife of unlimited wafer-thin mints.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:38 AM on January 22, 2020 [24 favorites]
Wishing him an afterlife of unlimited wafer-thin mints.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:38 AM on January 22, 2020 [24 favorites]
Fingers crossed nobody else had the salmon mousse for lunch.
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posted by Molesome at 6:41 AM on January 22, 2020 [13 favorites]
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posted by Molesome at 6:41 AM on January 22, 2020 [13 favorites]
this stings just a bit more because the last few weeks, I've been working through all the original Python episodes with my kids. his genius is really fresh in my mind and I'll miss it that much more.
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posted by martin q blank at 6:42 AM on January 22, 2020 [4 favorites]
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posted by martin q blank at 6:42 AM on January 22, 2020 [4 favorites]
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posted by wicked_sassy at 6:43 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by wicked_sassy at 6:43 AM on January 22, 2020
Oh man. I didn't expect...
posted by Mchelly at 6:49 AM on January 22, 2020 [7 favorites]
posted by Mchelly at 6:49 AM on January 22, 2020 [7 favorites]
Fuck dementia in every one of its brutal fucking forms.
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posted by theora55 at 6:52 AM on January 22, 2020 [27 favorites]
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posted by theora55 at 6:52 AM on January 22, 2020 [27 favorites]
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posted by Big Al 8000 at 6:52 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by Big Al 8000 at 6:52 AM on January 22, 2020
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always look on the bright side, Terry.
posted by Justinian at 6:54 AM on January 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
always look on the bright side, Terry.
posted by Justinian at 6:54 AM on January 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
I do very much hope that, if there's a memorial service, that he goes out with the proper disrespect he deserves, just as with Graham Chapman.
RIP, Terry.
posted by tclark at 6:57 AM on January 22, 2020 [16 favorites]
RIP, Terry.
posted by tclark at 6:57 AM on January 22, 2020 [16 favorites]
This hits very hard.
posted by SoberHighland at 6:58 AM on January 22, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by SoberHighland at 6:58 AM on January 22, 2020 [2 favorites]
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posted by robotmachine at 7:00 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by robotmachine at 7:00 AM on January 22, 2020
🦶
posted by suetanvil at 7:00 AM on January 22, 2020 [11 favorites]
posted by suetanvil at 7:00 AM on January 22, 2020 [11 favorites]
In addition to everything else, he was also a great scholar of history with a special interest in medieval England and Thomas Chaucer. He is a co-author of the great Who Murdered Chaucer? as well of the fun and very accessible Medieval Lives (also a series).
Go in peace, Terry. Thank you for sharing yourself with us.
posted by anastasiav at 7:09 AM on January 22, 2020 [38 favorites]
Go in peace, Terry. Thank you for sharing yourself with us.
posted by anastasiav at 7:09 AM on January 22, 2020 [38 favorites]
He also was the narrator and host for a simply great and entertaining doc on market crashes and cycles of deregulation, in line with theories of Hyman Minsky. I kid you not, check out 'Boom Bust Boom!'
posted by Harry Caul at 7:12 AM on January 22, 2020 [12 favorites]
posted by Harry Caul at 7:12 AM on January 22, 2020 [12 favorites]
fuck. he's just pining for the fjords
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posted by lalochezia at 7:15 AM on January 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
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posted by lalochezia at 7:15 AM on January 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
Or, as the Monty Python Facebook page puts it: Two down, four to go.
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posted by _dario at 7:17 AM on January 22, 2020 [15 favorites]
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posted by _dario at 7:17 AM on January 22, 2020 [15 favorites]
Farewell Sir Bedevere, your insight, logic and wit will be sorely missed.
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posted by OHenryPacey at 7:18 AM on January 22, 2020
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posted by OHenryPacey at 7:18 AM on January 22, 2020
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posted by lalochezia at 7:19 AM on January 22, 2020 [90 favorites] .
posted by pseudophile at 7:24 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by pseudophile at 7:24 AM on January 22, 2020
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Pray there's intelligent life somewhere up in space cuz there's bugger all down here on earth.
posted by MorgansAmoebas at 7:30 AM on January 22, 2020 [14 favorites]
Pray there's intelligent life somewhere up in space cuz there's bugger all down here on earth.
posted by MorgansAmoebas at 7:30 AM on January 22, 2020 [14 favorites]
I did NOT know about Labyrinth (that Terry Jones wrote the screenplay, based on a story by Dennis Lee and Jim Henson), but that makes so much sense. "It's so stimulating being your hat!"
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posted by jb at 7:31 AM on January 22, 2020 [8 favorites]
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posted by jb at 7:31 AM on January 22, 2020 [8 favorites]
so way back in the day i found myself acquainted couple of professors who specialized in middle english poetry. one of them was older — in his 70s, i think — and one of them was a freshly minted phd who had just landed an assistant professor position this was so long ago that tenure-track positions in the humanities still existed.
we found ourselves on a couple of occasions discussing terry jones's chaucer's knight: the portrait of a medieval mercenary. jones had done extensive research on the knight as presented in the general prologue, and on the history of the wars of europe, and his thesis was more or less that chaucer's description of this character as "a verray, parfit, gentil knyght" was not a straightforward account of the man's character but instead was viciously ironic. as jones argues, the knight happened to be at pretty much every totally brutal loot-and-pillage campaign waged by mercenary armies, and moreover conveniently dodged any military campaign that remotely resembled a good or patriotic or genuinely religious cause. basically, if there wasn't money or pillage in it, chaucer's knight wasn't there. moreover, jones analyzed the knight's clothing, armor, and other gear, and argued that as described he was definitely not equipped anything like an actual member of the nobility — basically, a knight who showed up to an english campaign kitted out like chaucer's knight would be considered as having failed in his feudal duties.
the older chaucer scholar thought that this was absolute rubbish — that jones was a comedian deliberately misinterpreting the work, that he was taking things literally that weren't ever meant to be taken literally, that he was a hobbyist willfully ignoring centuries of preëxisting scholarship, and that he was basically an outrageous troll. the younger professor was like "yeah, everyone who's not a dinosaur thinks that jones is right," observed that the poem as a whole is much better if you read it jones's way, and added that it's hilarious that so many scholars missed the joke for so long. of course, he didn't say anything like that to the older professor's face.
anyway. i guess this is a story about how paradigms change when the people who held the old paradigms die, and not a second before.
also i guess it's a story about how jones was my favorite python?
posted by Reclusive Novelist Thomas Pynchon at 7:32 AM on January 22, 2020 [118 favorites]
we found ourselves on a couple of occasions discussing terry jones's chaucer's knight: the portrait of a medieval mercenary. jones had done extensive research on the knight as presented in the general prologue, and on the history of the wars of europe, and his thesis was more or less that chaucer's description of this character as "a verray, parfit, gentil knyght" was not a straightforward account of the man's character but instead was viciously ironic. as jones argues, the knight happened to be at pretty much every totally brutal loot-and-pillage campaign waged by mercenary armies, and moreover conveniently dodged any military campaign that remotely resembled a good or patriotic or genuinely religious cause. basically, if there wasn't money or pillage in it, chaucer's knight wasn't there. moreover, jones analyzed the knight's clothing, armor, and other gear, and argued that as described he was definitely not equipped anything like an actual member of the nobility — basically, a knight who showed up to an english campaign kitted out like chaucer's knight would be considered as having failed in his feudal duties.
the older chaucer scholar thought that this was absolute rubbish — that jones was a comedian deliberately misinterpreting the work, that he was taking things literally that weren't ever meant to be taken literally, that he was a hobbyist willfully ignoring centuries of preëxisting scholarship, and that he was basically an outrageous troll. the younger professor was like "yeah, everyone who's not a dinosaur thinks that jones is right," observed that the poem as a whole is much better if you read it jones's way, and added that it's hilarious that so many scholars missed the joke for so long. of course, he didn't say anything like that to the older professor's face.
anyway. i guess this is a story about how paradigms change when the people who held the old paradigms die, and not a second before.
also i guess it's a story about how jones was my favorite python?
posted by Reclusive Novelist Thomas Pynchon at 7:32 AM on January 22, 2020 [118 favorites]
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posted by The Great Big Mulp at 7:34 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 7:34 AM on January 22, 2020
One of the most affecting things I've read about Terry's illness is that Michael Palin, who lives relatively nearby, would often come to his house, and go for walks with him or to the pub, talking to Terry although Terry's illness had robbed him of his speech faculties. I imagine they shared a lot of companionable silence on those visits. It's truly something when, though your illness has stolen all language from a person that all that remains is a companionable silence.
Terry died too soon, but long before, he was brutalized in that cruel way dementia has, and yet he and his family and friends found what they could to support him, even if that meant only a companionable silence.
posted by tclark at 7:35 AM on January 22, 2020 [78 favorites]
Terry died too soon, but long before, he was brutalized in that cruel way dementia has, and yet he and his family and friends found what they could to support him, even if that meant only a companionable silence.
posted by tclark at 7:35 AM on January 22, 2020 [78 favorites]
*raises a double Jeroboam of champagne*
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posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:36 AM on January 22, 2020 [2 favorites]
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posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:36 AM on January 22, 2020 [2 favorites]
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posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 7:40 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 7:40 AM on January 22, 2020
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posted by antiquated at 7:55 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by antiquated at 7:55 AM on January 22, 2020
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posted by Brainstorming Time! at 8:01 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by Brainstorming Time! at 8:01 AM on January 22, 2020
"Of his many achievements, for me the greatest gift he gave us all was his direction of Life of Brian. Perfection." - John Cleese
Jones co-directed Holy Grail with Gilliam, but Jones was the sole director on Life of Brian. I can't help but read this as a swipe at Gilliam, which makes it positively the most Cleeseian tribute.
posted by Etrigan at 8:04 AM on January 22, 2020 [20 favorites]
Jones co-directed Holy Grail with Gilliam, but Jones was the sole director on Life of Brian. I can't help but read this as a swipe at Gilliam, which makes it positively the most Cleeseian tribute.
posted by Etrigan at 8:04 AM on January 22, 2020 [20 favorites]
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posted by bonobothegreat at 8:04 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by bonobothegreat at 8:04 AM on January 22, 2020
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Seconding that his non comedy work was great (unsurprisingly) if you like the topic and can find the footage. Yes, even the economics one. it has puppets!
posted by hearthpig at 8:11 AM on January 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
Seconding that his non comedy work was great (unsurprisingly) if you like the topic and can find the footage. Yes, even the economics one. it has puppets!
posted by hearthpig at 8:11 AM on January 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
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I suppose I should be grieving right now but a random perusal of the contents of Bert Fegg's Nasty Book for Boys + Girls (1974) seems to be imposing mirth.
posted by philip-random at 8:16 AM on January 22, 2020 [8 favorites]
I suppose I should be grieving right now but a random perusal of the contents of Bert Fegg's Nasty Book for Boys + Girls (1974) seems to be imposing mirth.
posted by philip-random at 8:16 AM on January 22, 2020 [8 favorites]
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posted by octothorpe at 8:22 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by octothorpe at 8:22 AM on January 22, 2020
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posted by my-username at 8:26 AM on January 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by my-username at 8:26 AM on January 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
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We are so lucky to have had him and his brilliant wit with us for so long. RIP.
posted by gemmy at 8:27 AM on January 22, 2020 [3 favorites]
We are so lucky to have had him and his brilliant wit with us for so long. RIP.
posted by gemmy at 8:27 AM on January 22, 2020 [3 favorites]
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posted by drivingmenuts at 8:27 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by drivingmenuts at 8:27 AM on January 22, 2020
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Let's not forget Ripping Yarns, which he crated with Michael Palin.
posted by PlusDistance at 8:28 AM on January 22, 2020 [11 favorites]
Let's not forget Ripping Yarns, which he crated with Michael Palin.
posted by PlusDistance at 8:28 AM on January 22, 2020 [11 favorites]
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posted by SonInLawOfSam at 8:28 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by SonInLawOfSam at 8:28 AM on January 22, 2020
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posted by cmfletcher at 8:30 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by cmfletcher at 8:30 AM on January 22, 2020
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posted by Token Meme at 8:31 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by Token Meme at 8:31 AM on January 22, 2020
A few years ago, Mrs. Jabo and I tool a trip to Scotland and I made it abundantly clear that we had to visit Doune Castle were Monty Python and the Holy Grail was filmed. I knew that Terry was suffering a form of dementia that had taken away his speech so it was bittersweet to find that the recorded tour of the castle was voiced by Terry. And while he would mention the movie, he spent far more time on the history.
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posted by jabo at 8:35 AM on January 22, 2020 [14 favorites]
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posted by jabo at 8:35 AM on January 22, 2020 [14 favorites]
Not even two sheds could contain the depths of my grief, or the amount of joy he created.
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posted by ilana at 8:47 AM on January 22, 2020 [10 favorites]
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posted by ilana at 8:47 AM on January 22, 2020 [10 favorites]
. . . Spam . . .
posted by njohnson23 at 8:52 AM on January 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by njohnson23 at 8:52 AM on January 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
"I'd like the spam, spam, spam, spam, Terry Jones, spam, spam, and spam please."
"Terry Jones is off."
Also, fuck dementia.
Also also go watch Jones' historical documentaries like The Crusades as they are delightful.
posted by The Ardship of Cambry at 8:53 AM on January 22, 2020 [8 favorites]
"Terry Jones is off."
Also, fuck dementia.
Also also go watch Jones' historical documentaries like The Crusades as they are delightful.
posted by The Ardship of Cambry at 8:53 AM on January 22, 2020 [8 favorites]
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posted by dragstroke at 9:04 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by dragstroke at 9:04 AM on January 22, 2020
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posted by Gaz Errant at 9:05 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by Gaz Errant at 9:05 AM on January 22, 2020
EmpressCallipygos: My roommate saw the Python's last tour and said that Terry looked a little frail.
I can confirm. But it's still great that we got to see him when he could, just about, still do that stuff. It's one of my favourite memories and I'm so grateful that we got, and took, the opportunity. We knew there would not be another chance and now that's doubly true.
A rare gem of a man just shuffled off this mortal coil, and bereft of life, 'e rests in peace.
posted by Too-Ticky at 9:09 AM on January 22, 2020 [4 favorites]
I can confirm. But it's still great that we got to see him when he could, just about, still do that stuff. It's one of my favourite memories and I'm so grateful that we got, and took, the opportunity. We knew there would not be another chance and now that's doubly true.
A rare gem of a man just shuffled off this mortal coil, and bereft of life, 'e rests in peace.
posted by Too-Ticky at 9:09 AM on January 22, 2020 [4 favorites]
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posted by JoeXIII007 at 9:17 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by JoeXIII007 at 9:17 AM on January 22, 2020
Jones co-directed Holy Grail with Gilliam, but Jones was the sole director on Life of Brian. I can't help but read this as a swipe at Gilliam, which makes it positively the most Cleeseian tribute.
I recall many eons ago listening to the Holy Grail laser disc(!) commentary track featuring most of the Pythons (but notably not Terry Gilliam) and being surprised at how candid Cleese was in taking shots at Gilliam, not only for his acting choices ("making silly mouth shapes") but also for his directorial style, which Cleese felt was stilted and pretentious and not at all suited to comedy. However, he had nothing but praise for Terry Jones's work on both Grail and Life of Brian.
posted by Atom Eyes at 9:28 AM on January 22, 2020 [5 favorites]
I recall many eons ago listening to the Holy Grail laser disc(!) commentary track featuring most of the Pythons (but notably not Terry Gilliam) and being surprised at how candid Cleese was in taking shots at Gilliam, not only for his acting choices ("making silly mouth shapes") but also for his directorial style, which Cleese felt was stilted and pretentious and not at all suited to comedy. However, he had nothing but praise for Terry Jones's work on both Grail and Life of Brian.
posted by Atom Eyes at 9:28 AM on January 22, 2020 [5 favorites]
Excuse me 2020, but I'd like to have an argument!
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posted by BigHeartedGuy at 9:31 AM on January 22, 2020 [13 favorites]
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posted by BigHeartedGuy at 9:31 AM on January 22, 2020 [13 favorites]
"Ladies and gentlemen, on the mouse organ, I give you: The Bells of St. Mary."
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posted by tallmiddleagedgeek at 9:33 AM on January 22, 2020 [10 favorites]
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posted by tallmiddleagedgeek at 9:33 AM on January 22, 2020 [10 favorites]
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posted by Joey Michaels at 9:36 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by Joey Michaels at 9:36 AM on January 22, 2020
Oh! Just remembered his Fairy Tales and Fantastic Stories - such delightful bedtime stories, especially The Corn Dolly who absolutely gets what she deserves. As does the Cake Horse... and the Glass Cupboard thieves... and the Three Raindrops... and... come to think of it, Terry seemed to be firmly of the opinion that we get what we deserve.
posted by Molesome at 9:44 AM on January 22, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by Molesome at 9:44 AM on January 22, 2020 [3 favorites]
I just don't know how the music world will cope with the loss of a giant like Arthur Two Sheds Jackson.
Also: thank you, Dr. Jones, especially for Life of Brian, one of the greatest satires ever made, and one of the truest films about human nature I've ever seen.
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posted by LooseFilter at 9:46 AM on January 22, 2020 [4 favorites]
Also: thank you, Dr. Jones, especially for Life of Brian, one of the greatest satires ever made, and one of the truest films about human nature I've ever seen.
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posted by LooseFilter at 9:46 AM on January 22, 2020 [4 favorites]
Minnie Driver remembers: I was lost, on my way to an audition in 1992. Rather desperately, I stopped a man for directions. He started to explain but then said it would be easier to show me.He walked me there,told some stories,then came in to charm the casting director because I was late. #TerryJonesRIP
posted by Etrigan at 10:02 AM on January 22, 2020 [19 favorites]
posted by Etrigan at 10:02 AM on January 22, 2020 [19 favorites]
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posted by oozy rat in a sanitary zoo at 10:07 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by oozy rat in a sanitary zoo at 10:07 AM on January 22, 2020
My father introduced me to the Pythons many many many years ago, and they were formative for my sense of humor and delight in the absurd. My father had little interest in parenting or doing much with us kids, but we watched a fair amount of TV together and I picked up things from him between shows or in asides, or when asking "wait... I don't get it."
He died yesterday also after a few years of decline due to vascular dementia. It's as cruel in its own way as cancer, sucking the life out of a person slowly and robbing them of dignity before finally killing them.
So thank you, Terry, for all the laughs, and the help in connecting to my father. And fuck dementia.
posted by jzb at 10:07 AM on January 22, 2020 [28 favorites]
He died yesterday also after a few years of decline due to vascular dementia. It's as cruel in its own way as cancer, sucking the life out of a person slowly and robbing them of dignity before finally killing them.
So thank you, Terry, for all the laughs, and the help in connecting to my father. And fuck dementia.
posted by jzb at 10:07 AM on January 22, 2020 [28 favorites]
So much love for this man in all of his many incarnations.
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posted by blurker at 10:09 AM on January 22, 2020
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posted by blurker at 10:09 AM on January 22, 2020
I always loved Terry Jones. He worked with my Dad on a lot of late 1960s TV shows and he and his first wife Alison were family friends. Alison is a scientist, beautiful and absolutely brilliant. Sometimes they'd ask our family over to watch movies on what was probably the first home VCR in London, a giant Philips machine with cassettes the size of chocolate boxes, and it took a few cassette changes to watch a film.
In the late 70s my dad wrote a Marx Brothers stage musical, and he put it on in a tiny fringe theatre in north London. In the middle of the run though, they found themselves without a Harpo for a week and had no understudy.
Rather than see the show close for a week, Terry Jones stepped in and played Harpo for those performances. He had almost no rehearsal, but obviously, he was fantastic. He could have been born to play Harpo. He saved the show and it ended up going to the West End and then Broadway and was the biggest success of my Dad's life. What a great friend.
I don't know if people know the whole story but Terry had a mid-life crisis and left Alison and married a much younger woman in 2012. Then he developed dementia (I think the whole thing may have been the result of early dementia, as nobody in their right mind would leave Alison). The young thing he'd run off with couldn't cope. Alison came back into his life and took care of him, even after the divorce, just out of love. The last time I saw Terry was at my mum's funeral a few years ago, with Alison holding his hand.
posted by w0mbat at 10:15 AM on January 22, 2020 [110 favorites]
In the late 70s my dad wrote a Marx Brothers stage musical, and he put it on in a tiny fringe theatre in north London. In the middle of the run though, they found themselves without a Harpo for a week and had no understudy.
Rather than see the show close for a week, Terry Jones stepped in and played Harpo for those performances. He had almost no rehearsal, but obviously, he was fantastic. He could have been born to play Harpo. He saved the show and it ended up going to the West End and then Broadway and was the biggest success of my Dad's life. What a great friend.
I don't know if people know the whole story but Terry had a mid-life crisis and left Alison and married a much younger woman in 2012. Then he developed dementia (I think the whole thing may have been the result of early dementia, as nobody in their right mind would leave Alison). The young thing he'd run off with couldn't cope. Alison came back into his life and took care of him, even after the divorce, just out of love. The last time I saw Terry was at my mum's funeral a few years ago, with Alison holding his hand.
posted by w0mbat at 10:15 AM on January 22, 2020 [110 favorites]
At least it's not a presidential election year.
posted by kirkaracha at 10:55 AM on January 22, 2020 [4 favorites]
posted by kirkaracha at 10:55 AM on January 22, 2020 [4 favorites]
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posted by BlackLeotardFront at 11:19 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 11:19 AM on January 22, 2020
At least it's not a presidential election year.
cmere i'll bite your leg offf
posted by lalochezia at 11:41 AM on January 22, 2020 [10 favorites]
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posted by GalaxieFiveHundred at 11:53 AM on January 22, 2020
posted by GalaxieFiveHundred at 11:53 AM on January 22, 2020
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A national treasure, for sure. Here's some of his excellent TV documentaries which I highly recommend. A gentleman, and a scholar.
posted by Acey at 11:59 AM on January 22, 2020 [3 favorites]
A national treasure, for sure. Here's some of his excellent TV documentaries which I highly recommend. A gentleman, and a scholar.
posted by Acey at 11:59 AM on January 22, 2020 [3 favorites]
I distinctively remember his book on Chaucer's Knight being brought in during my class on The Canterbury Tales in college, with the idea that it was completely and utterly wrong but that it had earned enough support that it was impossible not to bring up when discussing the poem. I was just amused that he had forced his way into academic discourse despite the many barriers to his entry.
posted by HunterFelt at 12:13 PM on January 22, 2020 [6 favorites]
posted by HunterFelt at 12:13 PM on January 22, 2020 [6 favorites]
Truly the maddest of the madmen.
'Twould be only fitting if they sang "Yah Tee Puckity" at the funeral.
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posted by whuppy at 12:20 PM on January 22, 2020
'Twould be only fitting if they sang "Yah Tee Puckity" at the funeral.
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posted by whuppy at 12:20 PM on January 22, 2020
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posted by I'm always feeling, Blue at 12:44 PM on January 22, 2020
posted by I'm always feeling, Blue at 12:44 PM on January 22, 2020
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posted by pangolin party at 12:59 PM on January 22, 2020
posted by pangolin party at 12:59 PM on January 22, 2020
I learned the proper way to projectile vomit from emulating his Mr. Creosote. And to mimic him, after a fine meal: "I couldn't possibly eat any more."
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posted by Quaversalis at 1:40 PM on January 22, 2020 [2 favorites]
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posted by Quaversalis at 1:40 PM on January 22, 2020 [2 favorites]
We knew it was coming, but damn if it still doesn't hurt anyway. Farewell, Terry Jones.
posted by briank at 1:54 PM on January 22, 2020 [5 favorites]
posted by briank at 1:54 PM on January 22, 2020 [5 favorites]
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I was hoping that 2019 would be the peak year for deaths of GOOD famous people, but the beat goes on, and 2020 looks like it'll be less Monty Pythonesque and more Big Bang Theory.
posted by oneswellfoop at 2:13 PM on January 22, 2020
I was hoping that 2019 would be the peak year for deaths of GOOD famous people, but the beat goes on, and 2020 looks like it'll be less Monty Pythonesque and more Big Bang Theory.
posted by oneswellfoop at 2:13 PM on January 22, 2020
My heart breaks, even though I knew he was not well. The world is so much better for Terry Jones and the rest of the Pythons.
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posted by but no cigar at 3:14 PM on January 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
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posted by but no cigar at 3:14 PM on January 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
RIP, and thanks for the endless laughs at the absurdity of it all.
Especially Life of Brian, one of the greatest comedies and commentaries on the human condition ever. Still watch it every year or so.
posted by Pouteria at 5:28 PM on January 22, 2020 [2 favorites]
Especially Life of Brian, one of the greatest comedies and commentaries on the human condition ever. Still watch it every year or so.
posted by Pouteria at 5:28 PM on January 22, 2020 [2 favorites]
I was hoping that 2019 would be the peak year for deaths of GOOD famous people, but the beat goes on
Life’s a piece of shit, when you look at it
posted by nubs at 6:23 PM on January 22, 2020 [3 favorites]
Life’s a piece of shit, when you look at it
posted by nubs at 6:23 PM on January 22, 2020 [3 favorites]
This little video reminds us of what we lost.
Go gentle and with humor, it’s the best we can hope for. I hope his end was peaceful.
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 6:51 PM on January 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
Go gentle and with humor, it’s the best we can hope for. I hope his end was peaceful.
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 6:51 PM on January 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
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Fuck dementia.
I go tomorrow, as I do most weeks, to visit someone with dementia. He has reached the stage where he doesn’t talk much anymore.
FUCK DEMENTIA!
posted by Gadgetenvy at 8:47 PM on January 22, 2020 [5 favorites]
Fuck dementia.
I go tomorrow, as I do most weeks, to visit someone with dementia. He has reached the stage where he doesn’t talk much anymore.
FUCK DEMENTIA!
posted by Gadgetenvy at 8:47 PM on January 22, 2020 [5 favorites]
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posted by Mister Bijou at 9:28 PM on January 22, 2020
posted by Mister Bijou at 9:28 PM on January 22, 2020
The young thing he'd run off with couldn't cope.
"The young thing", come on. Anna Söderström was at his side when he died, according to the statement from Jones' family.
posted by soundofsuburbia at 12:43 AM on January 23, 2020 [6 favorites]
"The young thing", come on. Anna Söderström was at his side when he died, according to the statement from Jones' family.
posted by soundofsuburbia at 12:43 AM on January 23, 2020 [6 favorites]
🦜
posted by pxe2000 at 7:15 AM on January 23, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by pxe2000 at 7:15 AM on January 23, 2020 [1 favorite]
Molesome: Terry seemed to be firmly of the opinion that we get what we deserve.
On this one point, I can only imagine that he was very, very wrong.
posted by tzikeh at 10:33 AM on January 23, 2020 [3 favorites]
On this one point, I can only imagine that he was very, very wrong.
posted by tzikeh at 10:33 AM on January 23, 2020 [3 favorites]
The trope of "celebrity coming to the Pearl Gates" is a common one for celebrity deaths, but this take on it was quite fun.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:52 PM on January 23, 2020 [11 favorites]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:52 PM on January 23, 2020 [11 favorites]
terry jones's chaucer's knight: the portrait of a medieval mercenary
I did not know about this. This changes everything! Gods, he was such a brilliant, funny man.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 3:39 PM on January 23, 2020 [2 favorites]
I did not know about this. This changes everything! Gods, he was such a brilliant, funny man.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 3:39 PM on January 23, 2020 [2 favorites]
Reclusive Novelist Thomas Pynchon: The Riverside Chaucer (3rd edition) makes a point of referring to Terry Jones’ thesis in the notes as a counter to the "traditional view" of the Knight.
posted by pharm at 1:47 AM on January 24, 2020 [6 favorites]
posted by pharm at 1:47 AM on January 24, 2020 [6 favorites]
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posted by Ignorantsavage at 3:51 AM on January 24, 2020
posted by Ignorantsavage at 3:51 AM on January 24, 2020
> Reclusive Novelist Thomas Pynchon: The Riverside Chaucer (3rd edition) makes a point of referring to Terry Jones’ thesis in the notes as a counter to the "traditional view" of the Knight.
that's how you know you've really made it: you're in a footnote of the riverside chaucer.
posted by Reclusive Novelist Thomas Pynchon at 8:12 AM on January 24, 2020 [7 favorites]
that's how you know you've really made it: you're in a footnote of the riverside chaucer.
posted by Reclusive Novelist Thomas Pynchon at 8:12 AM on January 24, 2020 [7 favorites]
Recent FanFare on Jones's Who Murdered Chaucer?
posted by Chrysostom at 8:33 AM on January 24, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by Chrysostom at 8:33 AM on January 24, 2020 [1 favorite]
i'm guessing i'm not the only one here who gets super nostalgic when thinking about their time spent lugging around the riverside chaucer, right? god that thing was a beast.
posted by Reclusive Novelist Thomas Pynchon at 11:19 AM on January 24, 2020 [4 favorites]
posted by Reclusive Novelist Thomas Pynchon at 11:19 AM on January 24, 2020 [4 favorites]
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posted by Mutant Lobsters from Riverhead at 12:12 PM on January 24, 2020
posted by Mutant Lobsters from Riverhead at 12:12 PM on January 24, 2020
...the bits that remain dearest to my heart are, tbh, the dumbest ones. Things like Jones falsetto-screeching his way through the spam menu, Jones running around as a wise guy action hero bishop in the "The Bishop" sketch, and Jones playing the prince who'd rather - just - sing! :D
Totally agree more. I have to admit when I first heard the news, this was my first thought.
posted by Mchelly at 7:56 AM on January 26, 2020
Totally agree more. I have to admit when I first heard the news, this was my first thought.
posted by Mchelly at 7:56 AM on January 26, 2020
The young thing he'd run off with couldn't cope.
I am surprised at the degree of support here for a comment that describes a woman as a "young thing", as compared to the opposite reaction to this comment (for example) discussing a woman being described as a "young lady".
posted by fairmettle at 3:38 AM on January 27, 2020 [3 favorites]
I am surprised at the degree of support here for a comment that describes a woman as a "young thing", as compared to the opposite reaction to this comment (for example) discussing a woman being described as a "young lady".
posted by fairmettle at 3:38 AM on January 27, 2020 [3 favorites]
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Well, I didn’t expect that. Fuck off, 2020.
posted by Etrigan at 5:39 AM on January 22, 2020 [8 favorites]