assigned for review for the web newsletter Shelf Awareness. these really should have been thoroughly edited and vetted before being released; will only appeal to those who think that Dad's Army is somehow too woke.

This book is what the title suggests, a sequence of diary entries spanning the months while the author was putting together the Spamalot musical. So, for readers familiar with Monty Python' Search for the Holy Grail, or who have seen the musical, this book will make more sense. Otherwise some of this narrative will be just tedious name dropping. Still, for fans this is an excellent read, and a fun perspective on the making of a musical that has rather recently returned to Broadway almost 2 decades after it first opened. I enjoyed this book, though I may have a certain song stuck in my head for a few days after reading this.

The Spamalot Diaries is Eric Idle's wonky and often moderately humorous recollections surrounding the writing/staging/&production, bringing Monty Python's Holy Grail to Broadway. Released 8th Oct 2024 by Crown Publishing, it's 208 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is, chiefly, a well-edited transcription of Mr. Idle's diaries from the time when he and the other chief agents were working to get the project off the ground. It's amazing how much serendipity, happenstance, and sweat is involved in bringing any creative project to fruition, if this one is anything to go by.

There are behind-the-scenes stories aplenty as well as his interpretations and "as recollected by" dialogue interspersed between the diary entries.

Four stars. It's an interesting book, not screamingly funny, but definitely worth a look, especially for fans of the author, of Spamalot, and of the original Python troupe. It would be a good choice for public or secondary school library acquisition, as well as for home reading.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

4.5 stars

I had the immense privilege of meeting Eric Idle last year when the Stratford Festival mounted a production of Spamalot for the 2023 season and he came to town to see it. We only chatted for a couple of minutes, but he signed my copy of his sortabiography, "Always Look On the Bright Side of Life" and he was quite a gem. I kind of became obsessed with Spamalot because of it. Then, when I discovered that late last year he had rediscovered his old journals he kept during the writing phase of creating Spamalot for Broadway, I knew I had to get my hands on a copy.

This is a really cool glimpse 'behind the curtain' of bringing a musical to life onstage. It is written in epistolary and diary format - Idle's diary entries are interspersed with emails back and forth between him and his production crew. This is at the stage where the 'book' (a.k.a. libretto) is mainly complete but casting, table reads, and song cuts are forthcoming. Idle is typically quite effusive and generous with praise, but he also has a biting wit that can come out when he's unhappy with something or someone. His characteristic Python humour is on full display throughout; I've always found his writing style a pleasure to read and this is no exception.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Eric Idle, and Crown Publishing for giving me a digital advance readers copy of this book for free to read and review. All opinions are my own and are provided voluntarily.

Such a great insight into the making of Spamalot. As a fan of the show, this was an awesome backstage view. I wasn’t expecting it to be a proper diary - it is! - but it was very cool to read it as such.

I’ve been needing to do a whole-house clear-out for years now. It’s beginning to seem like the only thing that would light a fire under me is an impending move. This book came about because an impending move forced Eric Idle and his wife to clear out their house. In the process, he found the diary he kept 20 years earlier for the year Spamalot was being developed for Broadway. And here it is, with the addition of a few emails and other ephemera here and there.

If you are thinking about reading this, keep in mind that’s what this is; Eric Idle’s diary. You will get only his point of view and, since he was the primary script writer, his focus is heavily on the script. If it seems to you that it’s unnecessary to say this, my response is that I’ve seen some reviewers disappointed that the book doesn’t include backstage details, for example, nor descriptions of rehearsals (other than the Chicago dress rehearsal), choreography, the creation of the set, etc.

I got a real feel for how challenging it is to be the scriptwriter for a Broadway show. I lost count of how many drafts Idle wrote, how many on-the-fly excisions and additions, how many all-day or all-night sessions he went through under severe time pressure. Of course, many of the revisions were his idea, but many came about from the criticisms of the director, Mike Nichols, who wasn’t always too gentle about his issues. I don’t know if I could have handled it very well. In any case, it all worked out, with the show being a huge success and now, 20 years later, starting a revival.

There are times in the book when Idle slides into that endless Hollywood-style love fests with Nichols and other members of the production staff and the cast. I always feel cringe-y about that kind of thing, and definitely if I hear/read it repeatedly. He also name drops a lot, but that didn’t bother me. I was fascinated at the mental picture of Mike Nichols and Diane Sawyer taking Idle to Thanksgiving dinner at the Manhattan condo belonging to Candice Bergen and her husband, Marshall Rose, and the five of them treated to singing by friends Carly Simon and her son, Ben Taylor.

I would recommend this to any Broadway musical lover who has a particular interest in the writing side.

3.5 stars, rounded to 4

The Spamalot Diaries is a collection of diary entries made by Eric Idle of Monty Python fame as he prepares to launch Spamalot, a musical based on Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Disclaimer - I didn't like the movie (I fell asleep in the middle) but I laughed myself silly at the touring production of the musical. It really is as hysterical as Idle proclaims it to be in this book.

This is a terrific, and occasionally vulgar, behind-the-scenes look at making a Broadway show. It's filled with anecdotes about casting, constant scene rewrites, and how to actually choose what to put in and what to leave. The name dropping is ridiculous here, and for some reason, Idle felt the need to toss in some commentary on politics (which automatically drops a star from my rating - it had absolutely nothing to do with the story and reflects a complete blindness on who some of his readers might be).

Not family friendly in any way.

The Spamalot Diaries is a fun behind the scenes look at the creation of the hit musical by Eric Idle. This book was created from his journal entries from that time period along with email communications showing the hard work, disagreements, changes, wins, and love that go into putting together a Broadway musical.

I loved this book. I became a Monty Python fan whe. I was younger, and I try to get my hands on anything they create. It was an enjoyable experience getting into Eric Idle’s mind behind the creation of the songs and putting the musical together from the hit movie. I also really enjoyed hearing about the Monty Python reunion at the show from his perspective and the love they still have for each other. I would definitely recommend this book to any Spamalot or Monty Python fan!

Thank you to the publishers and to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

So, let me start off by saying that I am a huge fan of Monty Python. I used to stay up late on Sunday nights watching Flying Circus on PBS, I can quote all of the movies by heart, I have the albums, and I believe that Fawlty Towers is the funniest thing ever devised by mankind. I was also lucky enough to see the pre-Broadway production of Spamalot when they were trying things out on a snowy December evening in Chicago, like I’ve said, a true fan.

So I was eagerly looking forward to “The Spamalot Diaries” by Eric Idle, hoping to get some backstage chatter, humorous bits, insight from the cast and crew, etc. What I got instead was a series of diary entries (for the most part), some emails, and very little from anyone other than Eric Idle. And what Mr. Idle mostly shared with us in his diaries was about how much he had to rewrite, not exactly the scintillating backstage insights I was hoping for.

This is mostly a chronicle of what goes on when producing a Broadway show. Basically, “we wrote something, it didn’t work, we rewrote it, it kind of worked, some things needed to be taken out of the play, it was all for the better”. What did we learn? It takes a lot of rewrites, some people get their feelings hurt when you take out their parts, even famous people get nervous. What did we already know but it was reconfirmed? The play was a huge success, Mike Nichols was a genius, both the public and the critics loved it.

Very little insight, very little backstage stuff, really just a listing of what Mr. Idle had to go through. Disappointing.

I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from Crown Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!

Rounded up from 3.5

This is pretty much what it says on the tin: Eric Idle's diaries from the conception of "Monty Python's Spamalot" to the Tony Awards where it won several prizes. Unfortunately most of his input was writing the book and lyrics—crucial, of course, but the writing process in and of itself is not all that thrilling for anyone other than the writer. We get some insight into pacing dilemmas and some disagreements between Idle and director Mike Nichols, but overall the production seems to have gone smoothly, which again, doesn't make for especially exciting reading. I'd have liked to have seen more of the rehearsals, the staging, the choreography process, but I guess Idle wasn't privy to all of that, or he was being circumspect given the major talents involved. So while it was a quick, pleasant read, it's not a must read, unless you're a Python completist.

Thank you, NetGalley and Crown Publishing, for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

"From comedy legend Eric Idle, the fascinating inside story of bringing Monty Python and the Holy Grail to Broadway as the unlikely theatrical hit Spamalot.

On March 17, 2005, Spamalot debuted on Broadway to rapturous reviews for its star-studded creative team, including creators Eric Idle and John du Prez, director Mike Nichols, and stars Hank Azaria, David Hyde Pierce, Sara Ramirez, Tim Curry, and more. But long before the show was the toast of Broadway and the winner of three Tony Awards, it was an idea threatening to fizzle out before it could find its way into existence.

Now, in The Spamalot Diaries, Eric Idle shares original journal entries and raw email exchanges - all featuring his whip-smart wit - that reveal the sometimes bumpy, always entertaining path to the show's unforgettable run. In the months leading up to that opening night, financial anxieties were high with a low-ceiling budget and expectations that it would take two years to break even. Collaborative disputes put decades-long friendships to the test. And the endless process of rewriting was a task as passionate as it was painstaking. Still, there's nothing Idle would change about that year. Except for the broken ankle. He could do without the broken ankle.

Chronicling every minor mishap and triumph along the way, as well as the creative tension that drove the show to new heights, The Spamalot Diaries is an unforgettable look behind the curtain of a beloved musical and inside the wickedly entertaining mind of one of our most treasured comic performers."

I am happy to say that I was there in March 2005, trying to help this show on it's two year journey to breaking even.

This is a first hand account from the famed Eric Idle about his experiences bringing Spamalot to life on Broadway. As a librarian, I always enjoy learning when someone has kept a diary during such an interesting or unique time. This is no different. It’s an easy read and you can feel the excitement as the musical is coming together. It is also a poignant look at the past, for people who we have lost or who have experienced drastic change such as Tim Curry. I also appreciated the epilogue and the brief review of the revival, which I was lucky enough to see at the Kennedy Center. A great read for any Python fan, musical fan, diary fan, comedy fan, and more!

Thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for sharing this ARC!

The Spamalot Diaries is an incredible, introspective journey into the creation of arguably one of the most unique pieces of art ever made. Author/Python Eric Idle offers readers a raw and unfiltered glimpse into the creation of the show and insights on the writing process. As a huge musical theater fan and also a lifelong Monty Python fan, I ate this book up. Eric Idle is one of the funniest comedians ever and it was a joy to be able to experience this through his eyes.

As a heads up to other readers, this memoir is presented in diary format; if that is not for you, you should know that going into this book.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Crown Publishing for an advance copy of this diary about the ups and downs in creating a megapopular Broadway play, the strife , spats, squabbles and success of Spamalot.

I have always wondered where people get their ideas from. What spark hits just right in the old brain pan that makes a person go, hmm, there is something here, I should think about this more. I have also wondered how anyone can collaborate on creating art. Especially with more than one person. How can one go, hmm that's ok, hmm that will save us money, hmm, we can't get the cast we want, this person will do, and is also cheaper. I've always wondered how creators handled this. What is it like to be told, your dream is to big, or expensive, or that song ruins the scene. Or slows down the story. Well as Eric Idle writes, not well. Wars are begun, allies sought, and betrayed, money is spent, and not spent, endorsement deals are acquired, and like territory in a war, lost the next day. And yet, even in the maelstrom of chaos, art is given life. Decisions are finalized, scenes are cut, songs are lost, and regained. And Broadway history is made. The Spamalot Diaries by multi-hyphenate writer, singer, comedian, Eric Idle is a behind the scenes look at the creation of the play Spamalot, how it came about, the troubles and travails, and the final triumph.

Eric Idle began a series of diaries detailing the creation of the play Spamalot written with his long time musical collaborator John du Prez, which he than lost track of the same diaries for almost 20 years. Based on the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Idle had been working on the project for awhile before finding a producer who would fund the project, a theater to perform in and a director, Mike Nichols, famed for his movies and stage work. The first table read went fantastic with actors Hank Azaria, David Hyde Pierce and Tim Curry along with many others. However soon reality started rearing its ugly head, like the Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog. The budget started to expand. Scenes were moved, or excised, songs needed to be rewritten, or again cut. Actors were replaced. The tendon in Eric Idle's foot was torn. Sides were starting to be drawn over the material being lost, and things were getting tense for the off-Broadway premiere in Chicago. However at least Idle had a very nice coat for it. Disparate scenes come together, the Lady of the Lake gets a bigger role, Idle's foot feels better. But there are problems even up to opening night.

This is truly a warts and all book about creating art. Idle details all the behind the scenes shenanigans, bad songs, bad readings, bad costumes, Spam sponsors, the near death of John Cleese, and most of all his own mistakes and foibles. One can see that Idle wants the best, but is prepared to fight not only for it, but to keep his play as close to what he sees. Every cut sounds painful, and yet he is honest to say, yup that was a good call. There are a lot of good stories, funny bits, sad bits, family bits, and stories about what goes on behind the scenes. What comes across most is that they already had lightening in a bottle, they just had to figure out how to show it to the people. And win a lot of Tony awards.

A book that appeals to a lot of fans. Monty Python fans will enjoy the jokes, and discussions about the movie and the play. Broadway types will like to read the stories about creating a play, and creative types will learn that one creates by working very, very hard on one's work, fighting when you are sure, and listening to others. That is a hard lesson, but one that come across as the biggest theme to the play's ultimate success.

Thank you NetGalley and Crown Publishing for giving me early access to this book! All opinions are my own.

I’ve been a huge fan of Monty Python since I was little, and have seen Spamalot multiple times. So needless to say I was excited to read this book. Unfortunately I was not a fan of this format. I thought it was going to be more in a storytelling fashion, but the diary format was very difficult to read.

I think if you’re a fan of Monty Python and Spamalot definitely give this a read, but this was just a miss for me.

Eric Idle offers here a delightful account of the development and production of Spamalot. Through his own recollections and personal emails, he provides the ultimate inside account of the hilarious musical. This book is a quick and fun read, perfect for any musical theatre fan.

This was a quick memoir from the writer/creator of the hit musical, Spamalot. It is largely composed of his diary entries from his time creating the musical. Definitely fun to see how much work goes into writing/rewriting/rewriting again a hit. So much showmanship and art is edited behind the scenes multiple times - and many never see all those things - or songs that never made it to opening night.

It was a fun read for someone who has only seen the musical once - and isn't a huge Monty Python fan. For fans, I imagine it will be an instant favorite.

I’m a big fan of Spamalot (traveled by train from rural Missouri to Chicago to see it in previews back in 2004), so needless to say I was excited to read The Spamalot Diaries! It’s a must read for fellow fans but also very insightful for any creative looking to present their work. A fun read and great peek at the behind the scenes process of making a Broadway hit.

Pros: I was lucky to have the opportunity to see this musical on stage and was interested to learn the behind the scenes of how it came to be, as told by Eric Idle himself! Idle's journal entries and emails are hilarious, especially as so many aspects of Spamalot are absurd. I think any lover of musicals will want to read this book and see the process of a musical coming to Broadway, especially to learn the changes that were made between the first reading, to out of town try out, to opening (k)night. It was fascinating to learn about songs and storylines that were cut and how the show was cast--I had no idea Audra McDonald had participated in the first reading as the Lady of the Lake! The timing of this book is perfect as Spamalot has returned to Broadway!

Cons: None that I can think of!

Thank you to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

I have seen Spamalot twice (once in NY and once locally in town), and it’s one of my favorites (right along the same line as The Producers).

This book is written in a diary format, and I truly enjoyed Eric’s insights. Insights to the writing process, the rehearsals, the collaboration amongst the writer, the director (Mike Nichols), the choreographer, and the cast (Tim Curry, Hank Azaria, and David Hyde Pierce), and the constant pressure to bring it.

It really goes to show you how much effort and time it takes to put on a successful Broadway show, and I really enjoyed it.