If life were fair, Dan Quayle would be making a living asking ‘Do you want fries with that?’
John Cleese

Few people remember Dan Quayle today. At the age of 41, in 1989, Quayle became the third-youngest vice president in U.S. history after Richard Nixon and John C. Breckinridge, a rank that was beaten by 40-year-old JD Vance this year, in 2025. Hey, there are some connections to the present time.

John Cleese was a guest of Brendan O’Connor’s Saturday radio show yesterday which is well worth listening back to. John talked to Brendan about Monty Python, Fawlty Towers, the power of laughter, and his reflections on what happens after death. His favourite work is The Life of Brian, says John.

He talked about the power and the effect of humour and laughter: Laughter is a force for democracy. It’s almost impossible to maintain any kind of distance or any sense of social hierarchy when you’re just howling with laughter.

Pádraig has maintained his sense of humour. He smiles about the same things, he winds us up in the same way, and he enjoys the same fun things he enjoyed prior to his accident.

He is also very generous and doesn’t get annoyed too much about “dad jokes”, even German ones – although he told me to try and keep them to a minimum.

He has been working hard to find his voice to allow him to get involved more easily in the banter and chat that he has always enjoyed so much.

There have been signs over the past years that this is happening. A good indication is that he is getting much better in controlling his breath.

Not yet producing voice or speech reliably but playing the Feadóg – with a little help from his friends.

He is also getting better controlling other parts of his body and while his playing the Bodhrán is not perfect, it’s a great start.

The increased control of his hands and arms is not just useful for entertainment but also for more essential things, like eating and drinking.

Writing people off. Saying we can’t do anymore for you. Telling them it would have been better had they died. Suggesting that they could have increased the quality of life of others by donating their organs, instead of struggling with their intolerable life. This is not just wrong. It’s utterly stupid. Nonetheless, utterly real. Word by word.

Which brings another of John Cleese’s thoughts to mind –

I think the problem with people like this is that they are so stupid that they have no idea how stupid they are.

Howl with laughter.