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鈥淚 think there's nothing off limits [with comedy] because it's subconscious, it's examining things. I find it quite interesting. And Monty Python was particularly good at not allowing ourselves to be censored, although people tried with 鈥楾he Life Of Brian鈥�... But that鈥檚 what made it a hit.鈥�

John Wilson speaks to English comedian, writer, musician and actor Eric Idle about his life and career.

He鈥檚 best-known for being a founding member of the comedy troupe Monty Python, writing and performing across their four television series and their films, including 鈥楾he Life Of Brian鈥� and 鈥楾he Meaning Of Life鈥�.

Idle is also behind the Tony Award-winning musical 鈥楽pamalot鈥�, based on the film 鈥楳onty Python and The Holy Grail鈥�. It ran twice in London鈥檚 West End and on Broadway, and has also been staged in 14 countries around the world.

Thank you to the This Cultural Life team for their help in making this programme.

The Interview brings you conversations with people shaping our world, from all over the world. The best interviews from the 麻豆社, including episodes with Mexican actor Diego Calva, tennis champion Martina Navratilova, and global music icon Stevie Wonder. You can listen on the 麻豆社 World Service on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 0800 GMT. Or you can listen to The Interview as a podcast, out three times a week on 麻豆社 Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts.

Presenter: John Wilson
Producers: Ben Cooper and Edwina Pitman
Editors: Justine Lang and Damon Rose

Get in touch with us on email TheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the hashtag #TheInterview麻豆社 on social media.

(Image: Eric Idle Credit: Sarah Jeynes/麻豆社)