John Cleese to put laughs in classroom

In a rare interview with "The Times," comic-legend and Monty Python star John Cleese, 66, revealed he's ready to show young comedic Hollywood a thing or two.

"When the target audience is American teenage kids, you can have problems," he is quoted as saying. "Sometimes you have to go back to the basic principles which underpin great visual comedy."

Cleese feels holding masterclasses with students and bestowing upon them the knowledge he's gained from his experience will give modern comedians a badly needed edge.

"Now I very much want to teach young talent some rules of the game," said Cleese. "It is very rare today to see someone with the grasp of old-fashioned comedy."

Cleese gave this interview during a visit to London, although he currently lives in Santa Barbara. The Monty Python Star has been very low profile for years; the most recent screen work he has done includes voice overs for computer games and the "Shrek" films.