The Spamalot Diaries

By: Eric Idle

Narrated by: Eric Idle, Alan Tudyk

The inside story of what it took to bring Monty Python and the Holy Grail to Broadway as the unlikely theatrical hit Spamalot, told through actual diary entries from the legendary comic performer, founding member of Monty Python, and New York Times bestselling author

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 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—revealing 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.

Critic reviews

“Striking and moving.”—The Washington Post

“A memoir as entertaining as the Broadway musical smash . . . A ripping read that feels like a ride on a scary showbiz roller coaster and an invitation to a movable feast of the elite in the celebrity fast lane.”—AARP

“Idle provides a rollicking account of the making of his Broadway musical Spamalot. . . . [and] an irresistible and unfiltered ode to the art of live theater. Fans will love this tantalizing glimpse behind the curtain.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“A privileged peek behind the curtain at the creative process [of Spamalot].”—The Saturday Evening Post

“Quite simply wonderful . . . This is so much more than a making-of book; it’s also a portrait of Eric Idle in the kind of detail that a more traditional memoir of Spamalot’s creation might not have provided.”—Booklist

“Spirited and exceedingly witty . . . Idle’s observations are sharp and clever, and his descriptions of his time in New York City are evocative. It’s exciting and very entertaining reading. . . . The backstage story of one of the most successful musicals will appeal to theater buffs and fans of Monty Python.”—Library Journal

“Offers plenty of comedy to delight fans. . . . An amusing behind-the-scenes look at a unique Broadway smash.”—Kirkus Reviews

Humor

Eric Idle and Alan Tudyk are very funny and this book is outstanding. Well worth the time to enjoy

Collaboration with all the rough edges

I never saw Spamalot but enjoyed this book. Collaboration has rough edges and he didn’t sand them down.

thank you, Eric

i thoroughly enjoyed this reading. i listened primarily during breakfast time so it felt like I was having coffee with Eric, as he spoke of his journey with this production. A sheer delight.

As funny as the musical

For those of us who wondered how the sausage was made when developing a musical, this is a great listen. Behind the scenes efforts, dispute resolution, collaboration and more with the author’s extraordinary humor wrapping up everything.

Great ride

A good listen with insight into the work of making musical theater told by a funny, brilliant, tireless guy from Monty Python's Flying Circus.