It may sound funny, but it's true.

John Cleese, British writer-comedian-actor and former rector of St. Andrews University in Scotland, will make two public appearances as an Andrew D. White Professor-at-Large during his first official visit to the Cornell University campus, Feb. 4-6.

On Friday, Feb. 5, at 7:30 p.m., Cornell Cinema will screen "Monty Python's Parrot Sketch Not Included" in Willard Straight Hall Theater. Cleese will be available after the screening for questions from the audience. Tickets can be purchased beginning Monday, Feb. 1, at the Willard Straight Hall Ticket Office starting at 10 a.m.; $4 for students and $4.50 for others.

Cleese also will give a public lecture to accompany his award-winning film, "A Fish Called Wanda," in Bailey Hall, Saturday, Feb. 6. The program begins at 1 p.m. with an introduction by Cleese. Following the film, he will return for comments and questions from the audience. Tickets will be available, free of charge, starting at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 29, at the Willard Straight Hall Ticket Office. There is a limit of two tickets per person.

The more academic side of Cleese's initial visit will include a talk, titled "Hare-Brain-Tortoise Mind," to graduate and undergraduate students in business and psychology. In addition, Cleese will give a master's class for acting majors in the Department of Theatre, Film and Dance, and he also will meet with film majors for a discussion of process and group dynamics, based on "A Fish Called Wanda."

Cleese was on campus last fall to plan for his February visit. He said he intends to visit Cornell frequently during his appointment, which extends to June 30, 2004.

Cornell's Andrew D. White Professors-at-Large program was started in 1965 in honor of the university's first president. Participants are chosen for their prominence in diverse disciplines and are appointed for six-year terms. At any one time, up to 18 outstanding intellectuals from across the globe hold the title of Andrew D. White Professor-at-Large and are considered full members of the Cornell faculty.