UTAH JAZZ

Jazz Biggest Fan Might Be Monty Python Legend John Cleese

Feb 15, 2021, 2:04 PM
Comedic Genius John Cleese (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)...
Comedic Genius John Cleese (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
(Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The separate industries of sports and entertainment regularly cross over one another — athletes often appear in movies and TV shows while actors and musicians are commonly found sitting courtside at sporting events. But even in a world where the two industries regularly cross paths, the Utah Jazz finding one of their biggest fans in former Monty Python star John Cleese feels oddly unique.

Over the weekend, the Engish star of Monty Python and Fawlty Towers had a series of exchanges with the Jazz Twitter page where he expressed his support for the team.

Cleese, who has over 5.7 million followers on the site began the interaction by proclaiming his love for the team in his typical absurdist fashion.

After criticizing the United States political system and impeachment trial against former president Donald Trump, Cleese acknowledged his love for the Jazz.

The tweet received over 300 retweets and 3000 likes before Cleese doubled-down his adoration for the team in later posts.

Allan Broce, a former executive at ESPN tweeted at Cleese, pointing out the Jazz team-first approach to basketball.

The BAFTA Award winner proved his above-average knowledge of the team by mentioning the Jazz recent win over the Milwaukee Bucks when four players on the roster scored at least 25 points in the game.

The interactions eventually found their way to the Jazz official Twitter account which reached out to Cleese during his celebration of the franchise.

In honor of the holiday weekend, the account asked Cleese if he’d consider being their valentine, an invitation he gladly accepted.

“Yes!” Cleese tweeted. “I love you all to Venus and back.”

Though the team regularly celebrates having celebrities in attendance at games, including recently hosting actor Michael Peña and local PGA tour member Tony Finau, even the team’s employees recognized the unique opportunity to talk to the comedy legend.

“Tweeting back and forth with John Cleese is a 10/10 life experience,” Jazz social media manager Angie Treasure said. “Would recommend.”

Cleese Has Long Been A Jazz Fan

It’s fitting that Cleese’s love for the Jazz has once again taken center stage as the team owns the best record in the NBA.

The legendary actor first found his fondness for the Jazz the last time they held one of the league’s best rosters. With Cleese’s daughter living in Chicago in the late 1990s, Cleese began to root for the Jazz in their Finals matchups against the Chicago Bulls to take a contrarian stance against his daughter.

Cleese revealed the origin story of his interest in the team to the Salt Lake Tribune’s Sean Means in 2017.

“We used to watch together that great series when the [Bulls] beat the Jazz,” Cleese told Means. “She was supporting the Bulls, and I thought I’d support the Jazz to make it more interesting.”

While appearing at FanX at the Salt Palace Convention center in 2019, the actor said he’s also a fan of the team’s Monty Pythonesque name.

“I love silly names,” Cleese told fans. “And there has never, ever been a sillier name than the Utah Jazz.”

Regardless of Cleese’s sardonic approach to his fanship, the team appeared to appreciate his support.

After accepting their Valentine’s Day invitation, the Jazz responded to the star with a puppy dog eyed emoji, showing their adoration for the comedy genius.

  • Utah Jazz Scoreboard

  • Utah Jazz Team Leaders

  • Utah Jazz Standings

Utah Jazz

Utah Jazz guard Kris Dunn (11) high fives a teammate during an NBA game...
Ben Anderson

Markkanen, Dunn Share New Outlook On Careers In Utah

Lauri Markkanen and Kris Dunn have found new perspectives and success in their careers as members of the Utah Jazz.
2 days ago
Utah Jazz guard Ochai Agbaji (30) reacts during an NBA game against the Sacramento Kings...
Ben Anderson

Agbaji Career-High Lifts Jazz Over Kings

Ochai Agbaji scored a career-high 27 points as the Utah Jazz outlasted the Sacramento Kings 128-120 at home.
3 days ago
Utah Jazz center Kelly Olynyk...
Ben Anderson

Agbaji, Olynyk Carry Jazz Past Kings

The Utah Jazz blew a 25 point first half lead, but still held on to beat the Sacramento Kings 128-120 at home.
3 days ago
Utah Jazz center Udoka Azbuike dunks (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)...
Brian Preece

Udoka Azubuike Having Big Night, Utah Jazz Fighting Sacramento Late

Utah Jazz center Udoka Azubuike is taking advantage of his opportunity, scoring a career-high 13 points as the Jazz battled Sacramento.
3 days ago
Rudy Gay #22 of the Utah Jazz reacts to a call while taking on the Dallas Mavericks...
Brian Preece

Rudy Gay Turns Back The Clock With Dunk As Jazz Hang On Against Kings

36-year-old Rudy Gay looked ten years younger as he drove past the Sacramento Kings defense for a third-quarter dunk.
3 days ago
Kris-Dunn-Utah-Jazz-NBA...
Brian Preece

Utah Jazz Guard Kris Dunn Throws Down Dunk Against Sacramento

The Jazz took advantage of Sacramento's porous defense all half long, with Kris Dunn benefitting with a second-quarter slam.
3 days ago

Sponsored Articles

High angle view of the beautiful Rose Bowl Stadium...
KSL Digital Sales

How to Prepare for the 2023 Rose Bowl

Everything you need to know to plan your 2023 Rose Bowl trip in Pasadena, California. This year, the Utes will face Penn State.
Jordan-Clarkson-Utah-Jazz...
KSL Digital Sales

Notable Moments From The Utah Jazz Season… So Far

At the beginning of the season, the Utah Jazz were second to last. Now they rank in the top 10 teams in the Western Conference.
Football soccer ball on grass field on stadium...
KSL Digital Sales

Everything You Need to Know to Watch the 2022 World Cup

Find out where and when to watch the upcoming games and final match for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, including where to find live updates.
ksl sports logos...
KSL Sports

KSL Sports Newsletter: Sign Up Now

Sign up today for the KSL Sports newsletter. Get the latest Utah sports news delivered to your inbox.
jimmy-buffett-tour-art...
KSL Sports

Win Tickets Wednesday: Jimmy Buffett

Get your Hawaiian shirts ready.
Iron Maiden tour...
KSL Sports

Win Tickets Wednesday: Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden returns to Utah in 2022 with The Legacy of the Beast tour.
Jazz Biggest Fan Might Be Monty Python Legend John Cleese