Monty Python only became valuable when it was sold to Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in America. They didn't pay much either, but the series has been shown repeatedly, which led to lucrative tapes, CDs and DVDs.

If the studios paid the artists, how would they ever be able to afford the executives?

I liked doing live things, and with the Circus we had a live audience.

John Cleese once told me he'd do anything for money. So I offered him a pound to shut up, and he took it.

When, in 1966, I progressed to The Frost Report, I was paid ten guineas a minute. I was guaranteed three minutes a week, so this was good money.

I didn't want to be big Mr. Ego walking around.

At Cambridge, you have to kiss the vice-chancellor's fingers. But I missed out on that, 'cause I was doing a matinee. I don't want to kiss a strange man's fingers anyway.