Whatever You Do, Don't Offer John Cleese A Reality Show - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 01-18-2011, 12:07 AM

Veteran funnyman JOHN CLEESE turned down a $300,000 (£200,000) offer to appear on a British reality show - because he didn't want to be involved in such "bad" TV.

The Monty Python star hints he was approached to appear on jungle survival series I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, but snubbed the invitation despite the hefty pay cheque.

He tells the Sunday Mercury, "I was asked to do a reality show a few months ago. I forget which, it might have been the jungle one or perhaps Celebrity Root Canal!

"I just laughed, then asked how much they were offering out of curiosity. It was £200,000 but I would never agree to one of those shows. That would mean the collapse of western civilisation."

And Cleese is not a fan of any modern shows, insisting he'd rather read a book than watch TV.

He adds, "When I was growing up, we had the best television in the world. Now it's as bad as it is everywhere else, and I don't particularly want to participate in that. I don't really watch TV these days, except live sport. There's nothing much that appeals to me. I would rather read a book."

http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf...y-show_1195537

Marvo301 · 01-18-2011, 12:51 AM

I commend John Cleese for recognizing what trash reality television is and refusing to participate in it. Once again Mr. Cleese has proved what a class act he is.

80sTrivia · 01-18-2011, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

I commend John Cleese for recognizing what trash reality television is and refusing to participate in it. Once again Mr. Cleese has proved what a class act he is.

My sentiments, exactly!

TV Knowledge Fan · 01-22-2011, 01:15 AM

...as far back as the late '70s. Case in point: Edward J. Montagne {best known as executive producer of "McHALE'S NAVY"} and Universal Television wanted to sell ABC a sitcom for the fall of '79 about a bumbling British detective on loan to the San Francisco Police Department. Cleese was originally offered the role of "Inspector Roger Hart". He turned down the offer because he didn't want to appear in a mediocre American sitcom. So, Ron Moody got the part, and "HART IN SAN FRANCISCO" was pencilled in for ABC's fall schedule. However, the network pulled it at virtually the last minute; perhaps they knew they had a "lemon" on their hands. Thirteen episodes were produced, though, and ABC burned them off in the summer of 1980, right after "BARNEY MILLER" on Thursday nights, as "NOBODY'S PERFECT". I'm one of the few people who remembers it...and John Cleese was absolutely correct in passing the series up.

01-18-2011, 12:07 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Whatever You Do, Don't Offer John Cleese A Reality Show Veteran funnyman JOHN CLEESE turned down a $300,000 (£200,000) offer to appear on a British reality show - because he didn't want to be involved in such "bad" TV. The Monty Python star hints he was approached to appear on jungle survival series I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, but snubbed the invitation despite the hefty pay cheque. He tells the Sunday Mercury, "I was asked to do a reality show a few months ago. I forget which, it might have been the jungle one or perhaps Celebrity Root Canal! "I just laughed, then asked how much they were offering out of curiosity. It was £200,000 but I would never agree to one of those shows. That would mean the collapse of western civilisation." And Cleese is not a fan of any modern shows, insisting he'd rather read a book than watch TV. He adds, "When I was growing up, we had the best television in the world. Now it's as bad as it is everywhere else, and I don't particularly want to participate in that. I don't really watch TV these days, except live sport. There's nothing much that appeals to me. I would rather read a book." http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf...y-show_1195537
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

01-18-2011, 12:51 AM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	I commend John Cleese for recognizing what trash reality television is and refusing to participate in it. Once again Mr. Cleese has proved what a class act he is.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

01-22-2011, 01:15 AM	#4
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	John was turning down "commercial" TV projects... ...as far back as the late '70s. Case in point: Edward J. Montagne {best known as executive producer of "McHALE'S NAVY"} and Universal Television wanted to sell ABC a sitcom for the fall of '79 about a bumbling British detective on loan to the San Francisco Police Department. Cleese was originally offered the role of "Inspector Roger Hart". He turned down the offer because he didn't want to appear in a mediocre American sitcom. So, Ron Moody got the part, and "HART IN SAN FRANCISCO" was pencilled in for ABC's fall schedule. However, the network pulled it at virtually the last minute; perhaps they knew they had a "lemon" on their hands. Thirteen episodes were produced, though, and ABC burned them off in the summer of 1980, right after "BARNEY MILLER" on Thursday nights, as "NOBODY'S PERFECT". I'm one of the few people who remembers it...and John Cleese was absolutely correct in passing the series up.