Professor at Large: The Cornell Years

The book is a compilation of lectures and interviews conducted by “Professor” John Cleese at Cornell University from 1999 to 2017. Cleese is notably remembered for co-founding Monty Python, the comedy troupe responsible for the sketch show Monty Python’s Flying Circus and four Monty Python films. Later he co-starred with Kevin Cline, Jamie Lee Curtis and Python colleague Michael Palin in the film A Fish Called Wanda. In October 2000 Cleese conducted a Cornell seminar on screenwriting with Bill Goldman who won Oscars for his screenplays of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and All the President’s Men. (Bill Goldman passed away on November 16th of this year.) Goldman, who had written both books and screenplays, pointed out the big difference in what happens after each work is finished. When the writer turns in his screenplay, he loses control of it. What happens then is up to the director and the folks who control the money. The final reality is the star of the movie; you’d better write for her or him. There is a chapter detailing a seminar Cleese conducted in April 2001 with Stephen Ceci, Professor of Developmental Psychology. The subject was The Human Face: how we are influenced by the way people look, how we fail to read them, and how we try to see people. Both Cleese and Ceci present a lot of fascinating information with one item in particular called “the golden mean” that was discovered by the ancient Greeks. It’s the ratio 1:1.618 and has been verified by many examples. If a face is found beautiful then the width of the mouth is exactly 1.618 times the width of the nose. (Now where did I leave that tape measure?) In April 2009 Cleese hosted a seminar on group dynamics with Professor Elizabeth Mannix. Cleese shared a bit of humor when he told a joke about universities now using lawyers instead of rats in their experiments. One of the more interesting items they discussed concerned his group on the Monty Python series. Each member of the group contributed in both the writing of and acting in sketches. He remarked that the squabbles and fighting were always about the writing and never the casting. The last chapter is the most recent, a September 2017 interview with Cleese himself. He seems to be a pretty happy fellow and comes up with some very funny comments. He loves the New York Times but thinks all the English newspapers are terrible. He also has some decidedly uncomplimentary views of Donald Trump. He likens his presidency to a wrestling match, an event that is totally phony, and wonders why the American people can’t see that he’s hopeless.

It is not surprising that John Cleese was offered the position of Professor-at-Large for Cornell University. Despite being most famous as part of Monty Python, the silliness of the comedy has never covered up the fact that the members of the group are quite erudite. And, among the six, Cleese has always seemed the most serious (something that seems both good and bad). In any case, his work with the professors and students at Cornell has produced this book which consists mainly of transcripts of talks he has given there.Overall, the transcripts are quite engaging, if they don’t quite capture the feeling of what it must have been like to be there. Cleese’s main interest seems to be psychology and some of a reader’s interest in this book will be determined by how much he or she likes this subject. (I, for one, am rather indifferent to psychology; however, to be fair, there were some fascinating points to be made.)Though there is some discussion of Monty Python and Cleese’ performing career here—the talk on religion and Life of Brian is particularly good—someone wanting insight into the group will have to look elsewhere. That’s not what this book is about. Still, there is enough to attract a fan as well as a casual reader.

I have loved John Cleese for decades, but I never realized what a vast knowledge he has on a wide range of subjects. While humorous throughout, this book is extremely educational and will get you looking at very familiar issues from a new and delightful perspective. Cleese is quite well read and synthesizes many perspectives into "something completely different."I am reading it a second time with a highlighter pen at the ready to mark passages I will revisit again and again. This is not just for, or even primarily for, Python fans. It is for anyone who enjoys a highly intellectual series of articles about a fascinating array of topics.

Everyone loves Python, but much of what made them great is the depth of life knowledge and a humor that looks at everything in a new way. This is how Cleese lectures - slash - entertains, and the students at Cornell got their tuitions worth. Cleese and unique among comedians, however, since not all is for laughs. His life stories, his experiences, shed a unique sort of glow on what makes us tick.Highly recommend even if you never saw The Meaning of Life [you fool].

A self indulgent compilation of talks at Colgate. Book seems to be someone's effort to promote that Cleese was a visiting lecturer over several years at the school, but it fails to have any coherent theme and, worse, sinks into arrogance and occasional ramblings. Cleese fans would be better watching a couple of old Monty Python movies or, for sure, Fawlty Towers reruns.

A fun book by a creative genius. Along with insights into coconuts in the holy grail there are models for settings that promote creativity. A learning experience.

This is a must have book if you are a John Cleese fan. An excellent book to read.

I love John Cleese and his lectures must have been a hit. I wish I was there to hear them, but glad to be able to read what his thoughts were and how they were presented to his students.

There are quite a few stories and nuggets of insights that I haven’t heard before that I found quite enjoyable to read. The sermon he gave is excellent and quotable. It’s an easy read and a book that will belong on my shelves for years to come.

Wurde als Geschenk gekauft. Schnell gelesen und sehr gut angekommen.

It's interesting and engaging and all that but it's nothing new.... at least not if you`ve typed John Cleese in Youtube before. I would wholeheartedly recommend it but not for that price... its just transcripts after all

Purchased for uncle great price