eric idle was a founding python.has been clapping his coconuts for five decades, reminding us to always look on the bright side of life. in his new "sortabiography," eric finds his voice in the '60s cultural revolution and recounts the famous faces and the knights of ni that he met along the way. eric idle took our hari sreenivasan on a laugh down memory lane. >> you've decided on a memoir. why? >> well, our 50th anniversary of monty python is coming up next year, and i thought, "we're going to have to answer questions, so let me see what i can remember and write it down before i forget." >> someone else is gonna write it if you don't. >> oh, that's the other thing, yes. and, i mean, that was -- winston churchill said, "history will be kind to me because i intend to write it." >> [ laughs ] why do you think monty python's lasted 50 years, or, at least, that it's still funny? >> that is, to me, a kind of wonderful mystery. and i think partly it's to do with the fact that it's not rooted in time. the comedy is generic.

"monty python" fans will enjoy eric idle's sorta biography, "always look on the bright side of life."dway smash hit "spamalot" wilkerson founded the trade paper the "hollywood reporter" but his true claim to fame was introducing organized crime to la la land. in hollywood godfather "the life and crimes of billy wilkerson". his son tells how his father orchestrated mob shakedowns of major studios. a really dark but fascinating story. and finally, gary shandling once complimented nel by saying, hey, you write like a guy. welcome to just the funny parts. after an unhappy few months writing on "late night" with david letterman, she went on to create the hit sitcom "sabrina the teenage witch" for abc. my favorite part of the book, she wrote a script for "the simpsons" which she deconstructs for us here in minute detail. her personal motto, that which doesn't kill me allows me to regroup and retaliate. i'm barry mitchell and i'm an insomniac who reads in bed. >> how about that? >> an insomniac that reads in bed. >> barry also wrote this book, "you're not wearing any pants: my crazy nights w