12-06-2006 14:50
John Cleese is retiring from stage and screen to write a history of comedy.
The 'Monty Python' star has revealed at 66-years-old he is too old to write and perform new material and now wants to educate the youth of today about comic greats from "silent cinema to Ricky Gervais".
He told Britain's The Times newspaper: "I can never do better than 'Fawlty Towers' whatever I do. Now I very much want to teach young talent some rules of the game."
The comedy genius - who played hotel owner Basil Fawlty in his cult series set in a run-down Torquay inn - also revealed he is becoming a "comedy professor" and his book will feature as a set text for his "master classes".
The actor - who lives in Santa Barbara, California - decided to pen the educational textbook in reaction to the poor quality of today's TV comedy.
He said: "It is very rare today to see someone with that grasp of old-fashioned comedy. The last truly excellent live performance I saw was Eddie Izzard. But Ricky Gervais is also a match for great American sitcoms."
John Cleese
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