Q: How is Palin pronounced?

A: It is pronounced pay-lin . No matter what Margaret Thatcher says.

Q: Where was Michael born?

A: Sheffield, Yorkshire.

Q: What parts did Michael play in the old Python shows?

A: AMONGST HIS WEAPONRY ARE SUCH DIVERSE CHARACTERS AS:
The "IT'S" Man / the Gumby on the right (although sometimes, the Gumby toward the middle) / Arthur Pewty, who went to the marriage counselor (not to be confused with a character who looked just like Arthur Pewty, who went to the Argument Clinic) / Ken Shabby, cleaner of public lavoratories / Luigi Vercotti, the recurring gangster / Bicycle Repairman / Mr. Reg Pither, who did a bicycling tour of North Cornwall (no relation to Bicycle Repairman) / Mr. Brian Norris, who, in his Ford Popular, did a tour between Houndslow and Surbiton (no relation to Mr. Reg Pither who did a tour of North Cornwall) / the Pet Shop owner / the Cheese Shop owner (no relation to the Pet Shop Owner) / the Host of "Blackmail" / the Head of the Spanish Inquisition and Queen Victoria!

Less consequentially, he has also played a lumberjack.

Q: What's the lumberjack's name?

A: Bevis. (Bevis?!)

Q: What parts did Michael play in the "Holy Grail?"

A: Among others - Sir Galahad the Chaste (or the Chased, depending on which castle he's visiting), who ultimately decides to abandon his life's calling for hot chicks / Dennis, the Peasant who wouldn't shut up / the King of Swamp Castle / the leader of the Knights Who Say NI! / one-third of the three-headed knight (the really bitchy one on the right)

Q: And what parts in the "Life of Brian?"

A: Among others - Pontius Pilate / Francis of the PFJ / the guy who picked his nose at the Sermon on the Mount / the ex-leper with the terrific bod and great hair / Brian's jail cellmate who wouldn't shut up (no relation to Dennis, the Peasant who wouldn't shut up) / the very kindly crucifixion organizer

Q: Guess what the next question is?

A: Some of Michael's roles in "The Meaning of Life": window washer on the left in the "Crimson Permanent Assurance" / the disturbingly attractive Middle of the Film Lady / the hospital administrator / the Catholic father / the rear end of the tiger / the Colonel who wanted to march up and down the square / the ignorant male American tourist in the restaurant / the ignorant female American tourist in the "Grim Reaper" scene

Q: What other film roles has Michael played? A:

The star-crossed lover in "Time Bandits," with Shelly Duvall. Dir. by Terry Gilliam.

Dennis Cooper, the utterly spineless protagonist in "Jabberwocky." With Deborah Fallender, who is a ringer for Shelly Duvall. Also dir. by Terry Gilliam.

The Rev. Charles Fortescue in "The Missionary," who ultimately abandons his life's calling for a hot chick. Not to be confused with Sir Galahad. With Maggie Smith.

Gilbert Chilvers, the utterly spineless protagonist in "A Private Function," not to be be confused with Dennis Cooper, the utterly spineless protagonist in "Jabberwocky." Also with Maggie Smith.

Jack Lint, a Minister of Information in "Brazil." Also dir. by Terry...oh, never mind.

Ken Pile, the stammering animal lover in "A Fish Called Wanda," with John Cleese, Kevin Kline and Jamie Lee Curtis.

The Rev. Francis Ashby in "American Friends," who ultimately abandons his life's calling for a hot chick. Not to be confused with Francis of the PFJ, or with Sir Galahad, or with the Rev. Charles Fortescue.

"Bugsy" Malone, the zoo entomologist in "Fierce Creatures" who wouldn't shut up, not to be confused with Dennis, the Peasant who wouldn't shut up, or Brian's cellmate who wouldn't shut up, or Michael, who wouldn't shut up for the entire 30-degree meridian, but that's as may be. Also with John Cleese, Kevin Kline and Jamie Lee Curtis. We hope this has cleared up any confusion.

somewhere on the 30-degree meridian

Q: Does Michael smoke? Did he ever?



A: He does NOT smoke. He mentioned in "80 Days," when presented with a hookah at a tea room in Egypt, that he "gave it up years ago."

Q: What did Michael do professionally before Monty Python?

A: Projects included:

• a children's show called "Do Not Adjust Your Set" where he worked with Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam.

• a David Frost-produced John Cleese vehicle called "How to Irritate People," in which Michael acted and contributed writing.

• "The Complete and Utter History of Britain," a comedy written and acted by Michael and Terry Jones, retelling Great British history as if BBC-TV had been there

Q: What did Michael do professionally after Python?

A: By no means a complete list:

• wrote several childrens' books, including "The Mirrorstone," gorgeously illustrated with watercolor and holograms. Damned if you can find it! Other books include Dr Fegg's Nasty Book for Boys and Girls with Terry Jones, the "Cyril" books incl. Cyril in the House of Commons, and Small Harry and the Toothache Pills

• helped organize and participated in "The Secret Policemens' Ball" concerts - a series of music and comedy performances for the benefit of Amnesty International

• hosted four episodes of "Saturday Night Live" - 4/8/78 (musical guest Eugene Record), 1/27/79 (Doobie Brothers), 5/12/79 (James Taylor) which included the famous "Raging Queen" sketch, and 1/21/84 (The Motels). He also appeared with John Cleese on 1/11/97 (hosted by Kevin Spacey) and performed a slow and dumbed-down version of the Parrot Sketch for the American audience (thanks, guys!)

• with Terry Jones, co-created "Ripping Yarns," a critically acclaimed series of one-episode comedies, in which they both starred.  (The videos can be found for sale at many of the links below.)

• performed in the television drama "GBH," playing Jim Nelson, headmaster of a school for disabled children. Apparently, Headmaster Nelson, at times, went nuts and ran naked through the fields, but once again, we Americans didn't get to see that.  (The videos are listed as "deleted" or "retracted" at many of the links below. Damn.)

• was supposed to appear in "You've Got Mail" as a long-time customer of Meg Ryan's bookshop, but his part was cut in the final editing.

• less consequentially, Michael has also hosted a few travelogues.

Q: So are Michael and Terry Jones good friends? A: Well, we wouldn't profess to speak for them...

Q: Do you know where I can find Michael on video (not naughty)?

A: