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Monty Python Turns 30 123

sumana writes "Today in history: On this day in 1969, "Monty Python's Flying Circus" made its debut on BBC Television. (according to the New York Times's online "Learning" section, free registration required, yada yada spam spam spam) " As Eric Idle says: "And to celebrate, we're doing nothing!"
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Monty Python Turns 30

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  • Just wanted to push my belief that we need to see another python movie and this is the perfect opportunity. Once I was satiated by Terry Gilliam's movies, Baron Munchausen, Brazil, etc., but now his movies are much more serious and don't have that comic edge they used to. Now Idle being on a sitcom with Brooke Shields (?), I just don't know what we are going to do.

    Happy anniversary boys. Your movies are still funnier than the Naked Gun movies.

    -- Moondog
  • And Now...

    It's been thirty years. I'd raise a pint if I drank, but heres to the boys anyway. So here is my tribute:

    Romane ite Domum.
    (Write this 100 times or I will cut your balls off.)
  • Yeah, 'cause the US sense of humor is tired and simple. Go Python! I always hate to see fellow Americans that can't appreciate British humor. It's really sad.
  • Stop it! All right this thread has gone on long enough. It started out ok but now its just too silly.

    No-one enjoys a good laugh more than i do, well except for my wife, and oh yes Captain Johnson. Well come to think of it mos people enjoy a good laugh more than I do!
  • by layne ( 15501 )
    I knew they were filmed in large part before an audience (when the form/content could be shot on a sound stage) but had assumed, as with sitcoms today, that the laughs were dubbed in and not that the audience was picked up with directional mics.

    Thanks for the backround!
  • Maybe it's just another joke. :)
  • Now playing on WSMF shoutcast stream, 60 hours of Goon shows, played in order of thier broadcast avialable for the next 4 or 5 days at least.

    Listen to the folks Monty Python cite as being one of thier inspirations.

    Web to www.live365.com and head over to the Talk section. or tune in with your shout/ice cast capable listener to 216.32.166.89:32024
    Theres roomfor 100 listeners, so fill up the slots.

    To capture these streams for your very own use Winamp 2.09 or earlier and set up the Save Stream option.
    Other methods can apply, your milage may vary.
  • Well, Idle did say they're going to "do nothing". Maybe that includes serving web pages.

    Guess I'll just go get a fish licence for my pet fish, Eric. He is an 'alibut.

    - Bob
  • The rise and fall of Reginald Perrin


    The Good Life


    and I am one of many people who used to hide behind the couch when the daleks came on.

  • Python is just downright funny and clever too, so im not surprised its popular in the US, although looking at most US-produced TV you would have thought that clever was the kiss of death.

    Hey, it's not our fault that Europeans prefer Baywatch over, say, Law and Order or Frasier... :)

    Some of the python humor is very much british and Im surprised that americans get it. For instance the Romans Go Home bit in Life of Brian... when i was about 10 I had latin at school, the teaching method was pretty much the same as in that skit except that the latin master wasn't allowed a sword.

    As a matter of fact, I had Latin in high school, and my instructor did bring a sword into class. Nothing like a gladius to make damn sure you remember how to conjugate in the subjunctive. (Oh yeah, anyone who has the chance, say hi to Frank Raispis for me.)

    I think that much of British humor (I'm excepting Benny Hill here, no offense) catches on well with Geeks, especially American Geeks, because it doesn't insult our intelligence. Considering that much of American pop culture plays down to the lowest common demoninator, it's always a delight to see intelligent television, music, and fiction. All y'all on the other side of the pond might be surprised to know that Doctor Who and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy are also phenomenally popular amoungst American Geeks. Not to mention my favorite export from the UK, Warhammer 40,000 AD.

  • Yeah I watched the vicar of dibley on Sunday as well...
  • <python pastiche>

    Hair too long??!! What are you insinuating? Some of my best friends are vicars, and only a few of them are tranvestites! (Er, excuse me, this is irrelevant, isn't it? yeah, well, it's not easy to pad these slashdot threads out, you know).

    (Signed)

    Brigadier Sir Charles Armstrong (Mrs)

    P.S.
    I have never kissed the editor of the radio times </python pastiche>

    Oh God! I've just become as one with those people who do the Parrot sketch at parties! Kiss me, Hardy! Urgghhhhh....

  • Hmmm. First popular media "intellectual comedy." Using the word "popular" may have saved you, here. Certainly "Beyond the Fringe" qualifies, don't you think, as intellectual humor? 1) They predate MP. 2) They are credited with inspiring the rise of satirical humor. 3) They use G.E. Moore as a character in one of their skits; certainly that qualifies as intelluctual for you? Too bad they had too settle for a Broadway show instead of a TV show. Of course, I'm sure it's not like you were expecting a kind of Spanish Inquisition....
  • When I say "has often been credited" I mean by that poor sort of self-appointed 'cultural commentator'---the reminiscing critic. I was thinking of mass media and not the stage. I wouldn't have thought of "Beyond the Fringe" anyway.

    Qualifies? I earnestly wish I could say. I've heard of the run only in reference to Dudley Moore's 'early years' unfortunately. I've never seen any of the material staged or read the scripts. If you can point me in the right direction . . .

    I've read that Peter Cook was offered a television series based on the plays by Ed Sullivan which fell apart due to, according to Cook, the medium's "restrictive nature".

    Intellectual as allusive to literature, art, philosophy, etc. is surprising in comedy on the television. MP wouldn't be so enduring if it had become common practice.


  • Ahhh, Monty Python. I first saw it on the local PBS station that then showed the Marty Feldman Show(you know, Igor from Young Frankenstein). Later, the PBS station showed Ernie Kovacks (sp?) instead of Feldman. A good hour of fun.

    I wouldn't run away from a bunch of naked ladies. (Meaning and Purpuse of Life).

    Spam was great, the parrot was great, but the world's most deadliest joke was a killer.

    Speaking of jokes (I know, a lame excuse for a Off-topic comment). The US Office of Personnel Management just announced that Federal employees in the the District of Columbia will not be celebrating Halloween and Thanksgiving next year. OPM said that the reason was that the witch will be moving to New York and is taking the turkey with her.

  • "DOH" is spelled D'oh.
  • Python is just downright funny and clever too, so im not surprised its popular in the US, although looking at most US-produced TV you would have thought that clever was the kiss of death.

    Some of the python humor is very much british and Im surprised that americans get it. For instance the Romans Go Home bit in Life of Brian... when i was about 10 I had latin at school, the teaching method was pretty much the same as in that skit except that the latin master wasn't allowed a sword. I kinda doubt that latin was taught that way in US schools (could be wrong of course) Even though the skit is funny at face value its even funnier to me as a parody of teaching methods.
  • We are now the knights who say "icky icky icky, p'tang p'tang arruut boing!"...

    There now you've all seen a geek type it...well, part of it anyway.
  • that's right.. "And Now For Something Completely Different".. :-)

    Probably had to cut the installation short
    to go cut down the largest tree in the forest
    wiiiiiith a HERRING!!!!! {CUE DRAMATIC MUSIC}

    happy birthday Monty Python..

  • Romane ite Domum.
    (Write this 100 times or I will cut your balls off.)


    It's interesting, I never fully appreciated that bit until I started dating a Clasics Major. Kinda gives it a new perspective when you can actually understand what they are talking about. Before it was funny in a sort of abstract way, as a whole I guess. Now I can get into the specifics of why each part is funny.
  • I took Latin my last year in college, and only then could I truly understand and appreciate that scene in Life of Brian. One of my professors taught almost exactly like that, forcing you to go through those stupid charts in your head until you spit out the right ending to the word.

    Thankfully, the second semester I had a much more lenient (British) professor, who himself could have probably been a member of Monty Python, he was hilarious, and didn't really care if we memorized pages of charts, as long as we could translate a story with relative clarity.
  • Sirs,

    It has been brought to my attention that the preceding posts were exceedingly silly. This must stop at once, or I shall be forced to employ umbrella-wielding ninjas on this thread. As none of these ninjas is qualified to operate heavy machinery, this could be quite dangerous.

    Oh, and another thing. My Aunt Petunia takes great umbrage at the use of her name in one of the preceding posts. She would henceforth prefer to be referred to as Ducky or Mousebreath. Please see to it that the proper corrections are made.

    Sincerely yours,

    Subaltern Missy Montgomery-Smythe-Higginsbottom
    Gothic Insane Asylum and Pottery Barn
    Brighton-on-the-shingle


  • Hmm..I got curious, and looked for a script online. According to one page I found, its, "We are now the Knights who say "Ekky-ekky-ekky-ekky-z'Bang, zoom-Boing, z'nourrrwringmm". The world may never know. :) I'm going to have to watch it tonight.
  • They have the original shows on cable in the US. Bravo I think, it could be A&E. Saturdays at 9(in California, at least)
  • Sirs,

    The preceding post is quite incorrect. I have kept a pet Python for the last thirty years in my barn. This Python, while quite object-oriented, is decidedly un-molelike, indeed preferring the odd mole or two at teatime, and has never been found in the company of radioactive cats, with the exception of that unfortunate incident reported in one of the London papers we shall not mention.

    Also, while attempting to contact Monsieur Fercotti, the number given turned out to be that of a Swiss cheese shop in Brighton. They did have some delicious cheeses, but were totally lacking in either object-orientation or garters.

    Sincerely,


    Melissa Higgensbreath-Nichols
    Upsmith-on-the-Thames


  • Do our friends from the UK realize ...that reruns of Monty Python are one of the main sources of information that many of us Yanks have about British culture? But if I were a Brit I would worry about people who don't realize how completely over the top it all was.

    You seem to be labouring under the misaprehension that Brits care what Americans think of them.
    HTH. HAND.

    ai731

    --

  • Sirs,

    I take great umbrage at the insinuation that I enjoy a good laugh as the prior poster stated. I have it on good authority that, while I may be funny in my method of locomotion (a perambulator), I am indeed neither humorous nor humerous.

    And I have not seen his wife since the last time we were discovered by the milkman in flagrante delicatessen.


    Unfunnily yours,

    Captain Johnson
    Her Majesty's Welsh Brigade and Royal Button Cleaners
    Sudbury, but a bit over to the left



  • Don't get all too rosy about these Pythonian guys.

    They invented spam, remember ?

  • ... that reruns of Monty Python are one of the main sources of information that many of us Yanks have about British culture? I was a bit shocked once when I realized that when I think about British accents, humor, mannerisms and interests, I am constantly imagining John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle and all the rest.

    Now that may not be quite so bad. Python was often satire, and satire is at its best when it has something truthful at its core. The Brits could probably do much worse than have Monty Python as the peephole into their world.

    But if I were a Brit I would worry about people who don't realize how completely over the top it all was. Would you like an image of your countrymen as constantly shrieking, dirty-minded and daft? Think of the accents, for example. It wasn't until I visited England myself when I realized that the Pythons were often absurdly exaggerating regional accents from around the country, like a northerner in the US who imitates a southerner by talking like Gomer Pyle. How many of us Yanks believe that Brits really talk like that, all the time?

    I live in Germany now, and am occasionally irritated at people who get their ideas about Americans from movies and television series. Do any of you Brits ever tired of foreigners who want to impress you by reciting the spam sketch and showing off their silly walk?

    "That's not an argument, it's contradiction!" "No it isn't!" "Yes it is!" "No it
    isn't!" "Yes it is!"
  • Your right. Gramatically it probably should be "they go the house", but I am only a native French speaker and not Latin. All my Latin is from Catholic Church and studying the origin of words. But direct translation never works (Try babelfish sometime), you have to account for context. So "they go the house" or "they go the outs" (leave the house) can mean the same thing.

    Thank you. It is always good to learn something new, even something as unimportant as this. It's funny what your mind will let you think that you heard. I'm English and I should have heard "'ouse".
  • > Fawlty Towers


    Actually I was in Barcelona recently, and I got talking to some locals there who said that when it was showed over there the waiter Munwell(sp?) had changed nationality.


    In Spain he came from Mexico..


    Steve

  • Squad ... camp it uuuup!

  • Spaniards have no sense of humor...
  • Hmmm... I seem to remember it was indeed "The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin".

  • And 30 years later...
    National Techies Day was born.

    Kind of fitting, if you ask me. Although you probably won't.
  • Sadly, pythonline [pythonline.com] seems to be serving up the default "you installed Apache" web page today. Where'd the site go today of all days?!
  • ...or in the BBC's case 'to celebrate, we are broadcasting a night of Python programmes on BBC2 with some extra new material starring honorary Pythons Eddie Izzard and Peter Sissons!'
  • Give it time - you'll catch up. Or you won't.
  • Here [stone-dead.asn.au]'s a lot of MP stuff.

    http://www.stone-dead.asn.au/mainpage.htm [stone-dead.asn.au]
  • And now for something completely different [bbc.co.uk].

    And Python Night is on BBC2 on Saturday (9th October) [bbc.co.uk]. I'm particularly looking forward to Nun Boiling in Bristol.

    --

  • Who'd a thunk that the show would eventually have a computer language [python.org] named after it?
    --
  • I remember celebrating twenty years of Python. I also remember celebrating twenty-one years of Python. I also remember celebrating twenty-five years of Python. I also remember celebrating thirty years of Python. I also remember... no, hang on.
    Ah, who cares? Three great series, three great films, six shite episodes, and the inspiration for Microsoft's attitude to competition.
    "Amongst our weapons are such diverse elements as fear, uncertainty, doubt and an almost fanatical devotion to Bill Gates."
  • I didn't expect a kind of spammish repetittion...
  • Note: the Flying Circus DVDs are now shipping. I received the first thirteen episodes last week. You can get them at pythonline [pythonline.com](now showing the 'It Worked! The Apache Web Server is Now Installed on this Web Site!' message. Patience and good for them!) or DVD Express [dvdexpress.com].
    I was hoping for the ability to disable the laugh track (exept when part of the sketch). Small disappointment though.
  • I just hope that I can be the same age of Python someday...
  • by aleksey ( 1519 ) on Tuesday October 05, 1999 @07:11AM (#1637478) Homepage Journal
    The BBC is running a special report here [bbc.co.uk]
  • To celebrate: Cans of SPAM [detritus.org] for all techies!
  • and a day off. Go to your local video store (if in the US, UK, or Australia). You now have a reason to look forward ;)
  • ... of Graham Chapman's death. b. Jan 8, 1941 d. Oct 4, 1989
    He would've been be 58 this year.
    ---
  • Actually, the living Pythons are going to do a reunion special on BBC Oct. 16 - the story [mc.net] is from May, but I just saw a one-paragraph reiteration in my local newspaper this weekend. I think they're writing some new skits for it.

  • > Need I say more?

    Know what you mean, gov! ;-)

    Sporting girl is she?

    I think most British humor is really based on the premise that we're all loonies, and sexually repressed and/or obsessed...

    P.S. How about Blackadder for another classic?!


  • Hey! I'm from Bristol!
    Should that be 'Fraaaaahm Bristle?'
    Anyway, we have a proud and historic tradition of Nun Boiling in Bristol, and you should not mock it, lest you wish to be boiled alive in the kettle of Justice.
    Yours in anticipation,
    --Nick
  • Ten years ago plus one day (missed the twentieth anniversary by one day). It was the only time in his life [er, umm, yeah, life] his timing wasn't exquisite. Stupid cancer...
  • Dunno if I'm typical, but I know I've enjoyed a lot of British shows from The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (spelling?) to Good Neighbors, 'Ello 'Ello, Red Dwarf, Black Adder, and Dr. Who (particularly John Pertwee and T Baker). Well, maybe the last isn't a comedy, but how can one take a Dalek seriously? :-) Most of what I've seen is older, though.
    --
    -Rich (OS/2, Linux, BeOS, Mac, NT, Win95, Solaris, FreeBSD, and OS2200 user in Bloomington MN)
  • Izzard kicks ASSS!!!!

    I saw Dressed to Kill on HBO like a dozen time
    and just laughed HARDER every time i
    saw it....


    I want to get that on video.. anyone know if
    it's available?

    -"Helga,Helga wake up!!"
    -"What is it Dr. Heimlich?"
    -"Helga, I'm your HUSBAND, stop being so
    bloody *Prussian*"
    -"Right, well what is it?"
    -"I.. have invented a maneuver.."
    -"What are you a bloody TANK COMMANDER now?"

    awesome.. (and I love the bit about star wars
    he does)



  • by layne ( 15501 ) on Tuesday October 05, 1999 @08:33AM (#1637489)
    I think its funny. "Why" is a philosophical question. (I've often thought there deserved a fourth 'division' of philosophy---epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, and comedy/drollery.) I answer with this: I can hardly remember truly laughing in response to comedic writing for a sitcom, serial troop, stand-up act, or for many film comedies. I've laughed so enthusiastically at the work of Monty Python that it's bordered on vomiting.

    Monty Python has often been credited as the first popular media 'intellectual comedy'. They dared to be actually critical in uncompromising satire that might matter to an audience television programming at the time would not risk flattering. Some of their work in the Flying Circus, such as the "Epilogue: A Question of Belief" where a humanist theological philosopher (atheist) and a Catholic bishop elect to take the evenings debate into the wrestling ring, have been routinely censored in re-broadcast in the United States. (Ironic: the humanist body slams the hellfire out of the vicar immediately and without pause. The show is quickly cut out ie. censored in the skit itself. The announcer later lies about the outcome in a voice-over during the credits.)

    I don't believe in rights-of-passage or geekdom. I noticed only recently my father, an old attorney, has the complete video library bootlegged when not commercially available, and the two script compendiums. He doesn't own even a CD player. My job in the computer industry is incidental.
  • "It's a cure for not being an axe-wielding homocidal maniac. Think of the potential market!"

    Great stuff, but I've never seen it outside an old roommate's video collection. Maybe a bit too far out for most public TV stations (source of things BBCish for most USAmericans), though Maryland Public TV is currently running both "Black Adder" and "Red Dwarf" on Saturday nights, bless their hearts. I may just send them a check next time, for that.

  • by layne ( 15501 )
    A good fraction of the FC shows could not have been filmed in studio. Did they project these segments during the performance? I can't think that would work for some scripts I remember.
  • No, no, the name is spelled "Graham Chapman", but it's pronounced "Throat-Warbler Mangrove." Or was that "Bounder of Adventure?" ... there's just too much of GC's work that was good to pack it all into one tribute post.

    and the scary thing is, I'm a few days older than Python ... at least that accounts for their impact on my sense of humour.

    Sigh ... thanks for all the great comedy (yah like the Pythons read /.!)

  • I would like to apologize on behalf of the Armenian Rite of Passage Brotherhood for the use of italics in the preceding post. This was not only unintentional, but may have been regarded as funny by those of a less educated nature than we.

    We wish to reiterate our stated belief that neither we nor John Cleese are funny. And we are getting a small bit tired of having to hold up all of geekdom. Some assistance in this matter would be gratefully appreciated.

    Sincerely yours,



    Analzeman Brizzani
    Armenian Rite of Passage Brotherhood
    London
    unless it's foggy, of course, in which case we may be found in one of the Dutch ports or Italian chiantis



  • I think, therefore I am a nice dip for your pita bread.

    I took two years of Latin by correspondance, and they had to ask a retired Latin teacher to correct my papers. This in the wilds of British Columbia.


  • The only place I've seen The Young Ones was on MTV many years ago when MTV was good. :) I taped 'em all but those tapes are all falling apart from continuous watchings. They do rent them at my local Blockbuster.

    My favorite British TV comedies over here:
    Monty Python
    Fawlty Towers
    Blackadder
    The Young Ones
    Red Dwarf
    Are You Being Served?
    French and Saunders
    Chef
    Mr. Bean (I guess this isn't really a series or show...how do they show it out there?)

    I think out of those, Chef (or is it "Chef!" ?)is the most current. What kind of shows do they have their currently?

    Currently only Red Dwarf and Are You Being Served are being played out here on PBS in the Twin Cities, MN.
  • I thought I told you to stop this thread! It started off allright as a parody of a Monty Python skit, buts gotten too Silly. That last post was obviousl fave. And that vicar's hair was too long.

    Now Stop It!

    It's a dog's life in the Modern Army!
  • NY Times has never spammed me.
  • "DOH" is spelled D'oh.

    It's actually spelled '(Annoyed Grunt)', see the guide for Simpsons episode 3G03 [snpp.com]:

    There's grunt and grunt

    One of the most frequent questions from alt.tv.simpsons newcomers is how to spell Homer's renowned expression. Although the generally accepted spelling is "D'oh!", many sources feature different versions, including closed captioning's own "D-oh!"

    But the funniest part is, if you ever looked at a Simpsons script, all you would see are mentions of "annoyed grunts" over and over. When the series started, Matt and the boys let Dan Castellaneta choose an interpretation for the "(Annoyed Grunt)" indicator; since then, Homer's "D'oh!" has always been referred to in that fashion. (Though we know through 3F24 and 3G01 that the writers acknowledge the usual spelling.)

  • In closing to this thread, I can say that I absolutely loved the BBC's 30 Years of MP tribute!

    It contained the first new Python material in years, with the entire cast, except as Cleese said, "the dead one".

    It also included an documentary on MPFC by Eddie Izzard, a tour of MPFC shooting locations by Michael Palin, a viewing of their classic film "Life of Brian", a compilation of their best known songs presented by Meatloaf, and finally an exhaustive ;-) interview by Peter Sissons.

    All I can say, is that I hope this will be aired in the USA someday, you'll especially like the "South Park Tribute To Monty Python". Imagine the parrot sketch with Kenny as the dead parrot ;-)
  • Its not down.. its resting!
  • The evening of MPFC was great, but I would have liked to hear more of the Graham Chapman funeral service, as John Cleese becomes the first person to say F**K at such a event! - I think Terry Jones stands up to say F**K as the second person ever to say the word at a funeral! We are now getting repeats of the series - its about time too! The South Park Kenny/Parrott sketch should have been longer!!!! Hell's Grannies rule!!
  • ...and now for something completely different.
  • Nobody expects the NT 4 SP5!


    --

  • Why? Tell me why it's so funny. Do you really think it's funny or do you feel compelled to watch it as a Rite of Passage to geekdom?

    I like what little of John Cleese I've seen in American movies but I haven't seen Monty Python either. I'm wondering how well it holds up today.
  • ...sorry...couldn't help it. -m
  • I feel so ashamed and left out. I've never seen anything Monty Python.

    Don't give me that, you snotty-faced heap of parrot droppings! Shut your festering gob, you tit! Your type really makes me puke, you vacuous, coffee-nosed, maloderous, pervert!

    Oh I'm sorry, this is abuse. You want to go down the hall...


    ---
  • Monty Python was one of the UK comedies that has been immensley popular in the US although as I've seen many times the US people often have a different sense of humour to us in the UK.
    Some US comedies are immensley popular over here while others are complete failures so I was interested to know what british comedies are popular in other countries (the US in particular) and which ones can nobody stand?

    I've also noticed recently the amount of new decent british comedy seems to be on the decline meaning we have to depend on imports more and more.

    --
  • Here [detritus.org] is a taste of Monty Python. It's the Spam skit in Real Audio. One of their classic skits from Flying Circus. The movies are not to be missed either.
  • Monty Python's Flying Circus was filmed before a live studio audience.
  • Monty Python, Fawlty Towers and Red Dwarf.
    Need I say more?
    American Humor these days seems to be based upon the cultural reality that we are a bunch of lazy fucks.
    The British humor that I have always liked always seems to capitalize on the underlying laugh - the ultimate joke.
    (Well, Ok - Red Dwarf capitalizes on Lister being a lazy fuck =) ).
    Just my $35. -brendan

  • How about anyone who has ever heard a geek recite the "We are the knights who say Ni - Ni, Ni, Ni" speech?

    -
    /. is like a steer's horns, a point here, a point there and a lot of bull in between.
  • Wow, 30 years, congratulations to all involved.

    For those of you just finding out about Python, its an easy to use object oriented programming language that includes built in support for large moles and radioactive cats.

    The underlying object framework is a fat lady with garters, and networking is implemented with a system of cartoon tunnels under the countryside.

    For any more information, please contact Luigi Fercotti at (011) 6524-245, after 6 pm (011) 2152-487.


    Hotnutz.com [hotnutz.com]
  • If you've ever wondered why... :-)

    The Piranha Brothers [stone-dead.asn.au]

  • Monty Python's Flying Circus was flamed before a lithe studious audience.

    No, not quite right. Let's try that again.

    Monty Python's Limey Circuit was blamed before a lovely studious audience.

    My. No, still not quite right. Ah, yes, here we are:

    Monty Python's Fleeing Circus was filmy before the lying studio executive.

    No, that just won't do. Pardon. Won't be a minute.

    [door slams]
    [steps down hallway . clip clop clip clop clip clop THUD . silence . trap door opens . sounds of various bottles being rearranged in a shop window whilst the underground rattles by . thud of door closing . clip clop clip clop clip clop . creak of opening door]

    Ahem.

    Monty Python's Flying Circus was filmed before a live studio audience left in horror.

    [applause]

    [cannonade]


  • So why was this filed under humour? I though tit would have been obvious to put it under spam (spam, spam etc)
  • Hey all, Does anyone know if the Oct. 9th Python stuff will be carried by anybody in the US (save satellite-only stuff)?? I would hate to miss it...

    Thanks
  • We're British, and we insist upon a decent queue and proper registration of all browsers.

    And another thing, why must we call it a browser? I mean, it brings up the question as to whether or not one intends to purchase anything or, instead, one is browsing with the intention of not purchasing. How can we expect anyone to take the Information Superexpressway-and-teashop-on-the-Hudson seriously if we permit ever Tom, Dick, and Harriet Millicent to just browse whenever they feel like it? Not very proper at all.

    Sincerely yours,

    Right Brigadier Major-General Montgomery Busybody, Mrs.
    Sudbury-on-the-left-and-around-the-roundabout-ou t-by-Grimes-Way-but-over-a-small-bit-past- the-first-hedgehog

  • 30 years indeed... I first watched the series at the age of 15 - 20 or so (now being 30 myself) and I still think its brilliant indeed (some local commercial channel is doing a re-run).

    I wonder if other people also noticed but the Python jokes must have been the most copied ones I've ever seen. Which prooves to me that these idiots did far more then just silly things ;-)) Time sure goes quickly. From a killer bunnie near a cave to a killer penguin. Oh well, its time for something completely different again I guess. My best wishes go out to the remaining Python team.

  • Dear Sirs,

    I find the preceding post to be most improper and out of place. I shall cease my paid subscription to your web site and am expecting to receive back all monies previously sent to you. Small unmarked bills from Guinea would be preferred. And a bit of salami, if it's not much trouble.

    Sincerely,

    Subleftenant Captain-General Montgomery Busybody Jr.
    Sudbury-but-take-the-right-road-this-time


  • Dear Sirs,

    Both the preceding posts were utterly incomprehensible. I most strongly urge you to take action and urge the salmon to take a small foreign trawler to the outer banks. Flower sunshine mulligan.

    Petunia,

    Most Highly Improbable Bishop and Teacaddy Montgomery Busybody-Smythe
    Sudbury-but-really-more-like-Reading


  • So I'm one day older than Monty Python? Neat! (My b-day was Oct 4, 1969.)

    Even so, Mom always DID like you better...

    -=-=-=-=-

  • Why? Tell me why it's so funny. Do you really think it's funny or do you feel compelled to watch it as a Rite of Passage to geekdom?

    I like what little of John Cleese I've seen in American movies but I haven't seen Monty Python either. I'm wondering how well it holds up today.


    It REALLY is funny, it's genuinely funny in a way that the craptastic comedians of today can't match. When you watch Monty Python you realize that one can be funny without swearing every third word. Some of the sketches are down right disgusting, some are terrible, but most are hilarious! Try out 'Monty Python's Search for the Holy Grail' first if you ask me. I still think it's the best, with 'And now for something completely different' taking a close second.

    Kintanon
  • The Learning Network is outside of registration. No login is required.
  • The Young Ones is probably the funniest thing I have ever seen on a television.

    other than that nothing is really sticking out in my mind as "Really Funny British Stuff" but I'm sure I'm just temporarily forgetting something.
  • ... is /really/ good. Can't recommend it strongly enough. Medical student, gay, alcoholic, wrote most of those jokes. Can you believe that when he says "... it says 'Romans go home !'" he's drunk a bottle and a half of gin ?

    It's also funny, surreal, touching, historically interesting an d contains entertaining caricatures of Messers. Cleese, Idle, Jones et al c. 1965 : truly has to be seen to be believed.

    Any Kiwi readers may also find the description of an early tour of NZ stirs some fond recollections ...

  • Your type really makes me puke, you vacuous, coffee-nosed, maloderous, pervert!
    Actually, it's toffee-nosed. I don't normally correct people about such things, but it's long been a source of amusement. Back in the good ol' days when Usenet *was* the internet, US python fans would transcribe the scripts with often amusing results.
    Quick quiz: What were these lines supposed to be (from memory)?

    He's backed off! He has! He's scarfed!

    Meaning of life it selfish bastard, I'll kick him in the balls upon the road

    I'm an anarcho-cynicalist communist

    coffee-nosed, malodorous, pervert! (sorry).

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