Obama’s speechwriter: don’t mention the war!

Cleese and Obama

The British press reports that John (Monty Python) Cleese has offered his services as a speechwriter to Barrack Obama if he wins the Democratic nomination to become US president.

Cleese, famous both Monty Python and his portrait of Basil Fawlty, proprietor of the Fawlty Towers guest house, calls Obama “a brilliant man”. One assumes his speechwriting would have the same sensitivity and wit as his well-known comedy scenes from Fawlty Towers, such as this one where he is welcoming some German guests to the hotel:

Basil: Right, right, here’s the plan. I’ll stand there and ask them if they want something to drink before the war … before their lunch … don’t mention the war!
2nd German: Can we help you?
Basil: Ah … you speak English.
2nd German: Of course.
Basil: Ah wonderful. Wounderbar! Ah – please allow me to introduce myself – I am the owner of Fawlty Towers, and may I welcome your war, your wall, you wall, you all . . . and I hope that your stay will be a happy one. Now would you like to eat first, or would you like a drink before the war . . . ning that, er, trespassers will be – er, er – tied up with piano wire . . . Sorry! Sorry! Bit of trouble with the old leg . . . got a touch of shrapnel in the war . . . Korean, Korean war, sorry, Korean.

This would go down a treat in the current political climate in the USA. The Clinton camp will be laughing long and hard if he gets the job.

3 Comments so far
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Ian, this is really funny! Great post.

Forget John Cleese as speechwriter — John Cleese for PRESIDENT! Oh yeah, he’s a Brit. Darn.

Lisa
How about a cabinet minister – you make up the title. Cleese spoke a few years ago at a conference where I also spoke. One thing he said that sticks in my mind…
something like the downfall of America will be the growing lack of curiosity among the young.. . and the not-so-young



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