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MNHQ

Come and chat to Michael Palin, Thursday 11 September, midday - 1pm.

113 replies

RachelMumsnet · 08/09/2014 15:41

We're just a bit excited that the comedic legend that is Michael Palin will be joining us at Mumsnet Towers on Thursday (11 September) between midday and 1pm when he will be telling us about his latest book and answering YOUR questions. Furthermore, all those who join the webchat will be entered into a draw to win a SIGNED Copy of Travelling To Work and 2 tickets to his first ever one man show.

"I'm drawn to risk like a moth to a flame" writes MP and the latest volume of his diaries are proof of this, charting his life and work from 88 - 98, a period when he was seriously in demand as a presenter, actor and author. His work took him across the world (Around the World in 80 Days), saw him tackle his toughest role yet (in Alan Bleasdales' award winning drama series GBH) and pen his first novel, Hemingway's Chair'. He writes of the diaries: 'The great journeys which underpin these diaries made me realise, more clearly than ever before, that I don't like to be confined to the main road ahead, that I'm drawn to the backstreets and the side alleys, to the quirky ordinariness of everyday life, to the unexpected and the unexplored.'

Michael has just launched his first ever one-man show 'Travelling to Work' which is touring the UK over the next few weeks. Find out details of tour dates on Michael's website.

Come and chat to Michael on Thursday at midday and if you're unable to join us at that time, put your question to him in advance by posting it up on this thread.

Come and chat to Michael Palin, Thursday 11 September, midday - 1pm.
OP posts:
SixImpossible · 09/09/2014 15:07

Oh bother posting on a phone! My greeting fell off - I did not mean to be rude. There was definitely a "Hello, Michael," there.

HermioneWeasley · 09/09/2014 20:37

Hello Michael! I was lucky enough to see the MP live shows and loved it, utter joy. If you could have included one more sketch or song in the live show, what would you have chosen?

enriquetheringbearinglizard · 09/09/2014 20:54

Quite aside from the fact that you might possibly be a secret crush Blush ... if you had to choose a Clanger name for yourself as a Clanger character, what would it be? (keep it clean, or DM me Wink)

NumTumDeDum · 10/09/2014 04:17

Hello, I'm looking forward to your tour and I'd like to ask about your collaboration with independent bookshops - who are being invited to sell your books in the foyer of the tour venues - is this something you're passionate about, supporting local independent sellers? Have you heard of the new (ish) website MyIndependentBookshop?

HopeAndStories · 10/09/2014 18:51

Hello Michael!

What in your opinion is the hidden gem in the Monty Python series?

PS. I adored seeing you all at the O2 in July. It was a dream come true and we feel honoured to have experienced it, it was truly amazing! I don't think I've ever laughed so much!

weeredcar · 11/09/2014 08:47

Hello Michael,

I'm coming to see you in Aberdeen this Saturday (can't wait) and was at the O2 in July to see Monty Python (had such fun!).

My question is: where are you going on holiday next?

P.S Any chance of meeting you on Sat? Thankyousomuch

nettie · 11/09/2014 09:24

Hi Michael

As someone who came to sheffield over twenty years ago and cannot imagine living anywhere else, I would like to know what you love best about sheffield?

My 12year old ds also loves Mp and the Holy Grail, though he insists it is not rude in anyway!

Thanks

HenriettaTurkey · 11/09/2014 10:40

Good morning, Michael!

Everyone knows that you are clearly really really nice. So...my question is:

'What's the meanest thing you've ever done?' Grin

OhYouBadBadKitten · 11/09/2014 11:20

oh, its soon yay :)

Amelia92 · 11/09/2014 11:33

Hello Michael, welcome to the webchat.

What's the most valuable lesson you've learned whilst travelling? I imagine you must have accrued plenty of knowledge and wisdom along the way. Perhaps one piece of advice from a particular individual or memory stands out?

Thanks so much!

1567444 · 11/09/2014 11:52

Hello Michael, very excited about the diaries and going to attend several dates on your tour. Will you sign books after the shows? (you usually do) Thank you!
Joanna

MNHQ
RachelMumsnet · 11/09/2014 11:57

Michael Palin is in the building! He's going to be answering as many Qs as poss during the next hour. Welcome to Mumsnet Michael Palin...

OP posts:
MichaelPalin · 11/09/2014 11:58

Hello everyone on Mumsnet

I'm not a politician, I'm not in Scotland, I'm north London waiting for your messages of hopefully a non-political, non-Scottish nature!

Thneale73 · 11/09/2014 12:00

What would your ideal day look like?

MichaelPalin · 11/09/2014 12:01

@SmileAndNod

Ooh I do like Michael's travel programmes.

I have a question if I may as I'll be collecting DD from her first day at school on Thursday. I don't get to travel much at all now I have children but where should I plan to visit before I'm too old? What in the world should not be missed?

Difficult to pin down a single place, the whole world shouldn't be missed. But for sheer, gasping wonder value you could try worse than the Grand Canyon, Machu Picchu in Peru and my favourite of all the stunning Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. These will all take your breath away. But best of all is a place where you can sit and talk about it all to a friend.

weeredcar · 11/09/2014 12:04

I've gone and gotten lunch early so I can sit and watch the chat live!

MichaelPalin · 11/09/2014 12:04

@LineRunner

Hope you don't mind me asking a Monty Python question, but it is about your use of real women playing characters.

Carol Cleveland was just a pair of knockers, really. Underwritten, objectified, ephemerised.

It was a shame because because you all had brains.

Thanks for your question, I think Carol Celveland was really happy playing the part she did in Python and I don't think she'd agree with your description of the part she played. What she understood was that Python didn't play by the normal rules and many of our characters were cartoon like characters anyway. I'm not sure we all had brains but Carol certainly did.

MichaelPalin · 11/09/2014 12:05

@OhYouBadBadKitten

How exciting! I was listening to him on radio 4 yesterday. I have a few of his books. I'm going to try and think of a question......

Ooh I have a weather one Grin what is the worst weather he has ever been in and what was it like?

Hi - you've jogged my memory. The worst weather was actually not rain or storm or wind or hail, it was a sandstorm in Kharthoum in Sudan. One moment, the sky was clear blue then this huge cloud stretching from the ground way up into the air sped towards us. And within a couple of minutes, you couldn't see your hand in front of your face for blowing sand scratching the face, obscuring all light, people just had to sit still until it had blown over. Terrifying and we were on the ground!

MichaelPalin · 11/09/2014 12:08

@Thneale73

What would your ideal day look like?

Get up quite early, catch the dawn, get on a train to Paris, get the train from there to some wonderful vineyard (possibly Alsace), meet up with friends for a long rambling delicious lunch and if there is any of the day left, be gently air lifted to a massage parlour. Legit of course.

MichaelPalin · 11/09/2014 12:10

@NumTumDeDum

Hello, I'm looking forward to your tour and I'd like to ask about your collaboration with independent bookshops - who are being invited to sell your books in the foyer of the tour venues - is this something you're passionate about, supporting local independent sellers? Have you heard of the new (ish) website MyIndependentBookshop?

I think that local independent bookshops are very important part of the community. It's not just about selling books, it's about getting people interested in writing and in ideas and doing it with a personal touch, which is often absent from the bigger outlets, and certainly can't be reproduced online. So more power to independent bookshops! Like The Owl, my local in Kentish Town.

Mitchell50 · 11/09/2014 12:11

Hi Michael, thanks so much for coming on. I am getting married in a couple of weeks and I was wondering what your ultimate honeymoon would be?

DeathStar · 11/09/2014 12:12

Hi Michael,

I loved your 20-year (25-year?) reunion with the boatmen in India/Asia. Have you managed to trace or kept in touch with anyone else from your earlier travels? There must be a whole series in that :)

MichaelPalin · 11/09/2014 12:12

@GiantGraspingCeramicFist

Among many other wonderful, admirable moments in your career, I have always found your character in Brazil utterly chilling. Was there a collaborative process with Terry Gilliam there, or was everything scripted out beforehand?

Glad that you picked up on my performance in Brazil. When Terry and I discussed my part in the film, Terry was very keen to make me the villain because he wanted the villain to look a good, normal, nice, friendly father figure who could end up doing awful things to people. We both thought that that was nearer the truth than just making baddies people with scars. Jack Lint, the part I played, was the one that Robert De Niro chose as well. Terry had to tell him it was already taken! Isn't that what friends are for.

SamCollins · 11/09/2014 12:12

Hi Michael,

You do a lot of work with / for a local primary school - Gospel Oak. I was wondering what is it that drives you to support / work with children of this age, particularly in what is a typical inner city primary school with the challenges / joys that they have?

Thank you!

Sam

P.S Also, would you come into my daughters school, neighbouring Fleet School - i'm very jealous that G.O has all your love smile

MichaelPalin · 11/09/2014 12:13

@NecesitoDormir

What traits makes a great travelling companion?

A good head and a good stomach, and a good sense of humour.