John Cleese's appearance on The One Show took an awkward turn on Tuesday evening when the Monty Python legend asked hosts Roman Kemp and Lauren Laverne their names, and name-checked controversial director Roman Polanski. The moment, captured on video and shared on X, has been viewed 500,000 times at the time of publication, with many viewers questioning the 84-year-old's state of mind.
Clapping and Name Questions
During the opening moments of the BBC One show, Cleese kept clapping when everyone else in the studio had stopped. He then turned to Kemp, the son of Spandau Ballet's Martin Kemp, and asked, 'I like this show, what's your name?' When Kemp replied 'Roman,' Cleese responded, 'I've only known one Roman, Roman Polanski.'
The reference to Polanski, who pleaded guilty to unlawful sex with a minor and fled the US, fell flat in the studio. Kemp struggled to maintain his smile, replying, 'He's another famous Roman, indeed.' Cleese then pointed to Laverne and asked, 'And your friend, what's her name?'
Lauren Laverne's Name Repeated
Laverne, a radio presenter, stated her name was Lauren, but had to repeat it because Cleese didn't catch it the first time. 'That's a nice name too,' said Cleese, turning to his nonplussed-looking fellow sofa-sitters. 'Very good. Well I'm very happy to be on the show,' he added. Kemp replied, 'We're very grateful to have you,' and the conversation swiftly moved on to Monty Python.
The video was shared on X with the label 'awkward chatter,' and many users commented on Cleese's recent social media activity. Cleese has used his X account to post misleading and sometimes fabricated claims, including AI-generated content, expressing concerns over free speech and political correctness.
Online Reactions and Support
In recent weeks, Cleese has backed Restore leader Rupert Lowe, who was suspended from Reform over bullying accusations. Replying to The One Show clip on X, @thechildoftime wrote: 'This certainly explains his posts on here… If his family cared, they would delete his social media accounts.' @Michael_LFC78 echoed that sentiment, describing it as 'worrying,' adding: 'Should he be on TV in this state of mind!?'
However, others online believed Cleese was doing a bit in pretending not to know the names of the hosts. The One Show airs on BBC One weekdays at 7pm.
