Despite the fact that Monty Python star Eric Idle introduced him as the Grim Reaper of TV, blaming him for single-handedly killing off three top shows, John O'Hurley will still play King Arthur when the 'Spamalot' musical opens at the Wynn next month. He's a good friend, a great guy, and we've shared some fine wines over the years!

Luxe Life concludes its four-part salute to 'Spamalot' in a casual conversation with the actor who will be commuting between Vegas and Hollywood.

Robin Leach: What was your reaction when you got the call saying "we want you to play the King in the Monty Python musical?"

John O'Hurley: Well, it was a toss up because I was really wanting to go back to Broadway this year. It was such a wonderful experience in the Chicago musical that I was going to go back and do it again this year. But I also said to my agent, see what s going on over at 'Spamalot' and see when the king pops open because I would love to have that. I wasn't thinking about Vegas. And lo and behold they said we are opening up in Vegas and they asked if I would be in it. I thought what a dream. When my wife and I were in New York I went to see every other show because I really wanted to see what else was out there. I circled two roles and I said to my wife 'I have got to do these roles.' One was the lead in 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,' which closed before I got a hold of it, and the other was the king in 'Spamalot.' I thought it was an extraordinary show and I thought it was so funny. I had not laughed as hard at a Broadway musical since the first time I saw 'Noises Off' back in the 80's. I described 'Spamalot' as the show that if you laugh too long, you miss the next joke. It just doesn't stop and that is why I wanted to do it.

It is so perfect now that we have the birth of our first-born seven weeks ago. I am a good daddy by the way and we'll even set up a nursery in my dressing room backstage to be there every performance. So it is easy to hop over to the executive airport and go home in 45 minutes. This has been an extraordinary thing and I am going to be here for a long time. It'll be full time through the summer here in Vegas but then I go back in September and film. We are shooting Family Feud again. I'll also be doing a new NBC show and believe it or not there's even a new one too but I can't talk about that one yet. So in some cases I will be leaving Vegas at midnight flying back to shoot the next day and then flying back here to do the 'Spamalot' show again that same night.

RL: How is your health and stamina for that grueling schedule?

JO: These are the gravy years, this is the time you do the things to give you greater freedom later in life so while the opportunities are there I am going to embrace them.


RL: You are stepping into some pretty powerful armor and kingly boots and you bring a completely different thing to it than Tim Curry did.

JO: Yes. And how strange that Tim and I did a sitcom together on TV and it is very funny that here we are exchanging roles. I have a different take on the character. To me he is like the pirate king in the 'Pirates of Penzance.' It doesn't matter who is the best qualified, he just happened to look best in the outfit. But they just told me to do what I wanted to and play it the way I wanted to, so here goes!

RL: What do you love about Vegas when you come here?

JO: When I land at the airport it is always like you are coming to a great party. I think that is what it feels like. It is a city of infinite possibilities. I think that is what makes anything in life interesting.

RL: So if you get a house here, you will be our newest showbiz resident. Will you build another wine cellar?

JO: Yes. We brought all of the good wines out so we will have to imbibe some night.

Related Pop-ular Stories:
- Luxe Life: Part I: Eric Idle, John O'Hurley and Steve Wynn Answer 'Why Vegas?'
- Luxe Life: Part II: Eric 'American' Idle On Why Monty Python is Popular in the U.S.
- Luxe Life: Part III: Steve Wynn On the State of Vegas
- Luxe Life: Part IV: John O'Hurley Goes From the Grim Reaper to King Arthur

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