Monty Python: 40 Years

LoeffelholzLoeffelholz The United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
edited October 2009 in Off Topic Chat
First learned about this on Twitter, as I'm following Cleese there...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2009/oct/16/monty-python-flying-circus-bafta

Of course I'll own the new documentary, Monty Python: Almost The Truth - The Lawyer's Cut....

I first encountered the TV show on public TV in 1975 or so, when I was in seventh grade---and there was no going back. These five Brits and one Yank placed an indelible imprint on my own sense of humour...and my perception of how humour could be presented (once I'd experienced the troupe's take on Sam Peckinpah, via their brilliant send-up of "Salad Days," it was as if I'd put on the ultimate pair of corrective lenses). The show had already come and gone in real-time, but it lived on in reruns at 10:00 PM on Sunday nights for years, and it was for that half-hour each week that I lived.

I bought the record albums on classic vinyl...and now have them all on CD. The films? Of course, including their live concert performances, and the Secret Policeman's Balls. The books? Yup. Of course, as with the Beatles, the seminal nature of the phenomenon, these days, will be lost on some...but I'll always be a shameless fan.

Naturally, MPFC is merely one of a score of brilliant comedy shows to be exported from the UK, but there's something distinctive about the irreverent spirit of these fellows, and it's a shame they have to get old and die---but with the late Graham Chapman making an appearance as a cardboard cutout in military uniform, at least they're keeping things in the proper perspective B-)

"Is this the right room for an argument?"
"I've told you once."
"No you haven't."
"Yes I have."
etc...ad infinitum B-)
Check out my Amazon author page! Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM

Comments

  • AlexAlex The Eastern SeaboardPosts: 2,694MI6 Agent
    Used to watch the reruns on cable television.. This was around early 80s when my dad was stationed in Texas. Was instantly hooked by the opening title artwork and bizarre brand of humor. :007)

    Call me sentimental, tasteless, or simply naive - plenty of warm fuzzy memories flood my soul from probably two of their worst films. The Meaning Of Life, with the Grim Reaper and plenty of topless joggers, (yes) :D, and, wait for it, Yellowbeard, which isn't a MP movie per se but did have many contributers.
  • TonyDPTonyDP Inside the MonolithPosts: 4,307MI6 Agent
    I've been a Monty Python fan since the mid 70s, when I first saw the shows on PBS. This was back in the dark ages (before the internet) so it took me a while just to figure out who was who. Their brand of humor was just so far out there that I got hooked from day one, even if I didn't get all of the jokes right away. The female nudity and saucy sketches (Carol Clevelend :x :x :x) didn't hurt either.

    I can't say I cared much for their movies though. Holy Grail is a masterpiece (though it took some growing up for me to figure that out) and Meaning of Life has its moments (yes Alex, the condemned man being chased by the topless joggers is a brilliant concept) but Life of Brian just never did it for me; even though it's one of their favorite projects it ranks at the bottom for me as the subject matter and some of the sketches just go a little too far, even for a Python production.
  • deliciousdelicious SydneyPosts: 371MI6 Agent
    edited October 2009
    Ni!
  • deliciousdelicious SydneyPosts: 371MI6 Agent
    Ecky ecky f-tang Zu-boing!

    Ni! (shh!)
  • LoeffelholzLoeffelholz The United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
    "There's nothing more dangerous than a wounded mosquito."
    Check out my Amazon author page! Mark Loeffelholz
    "I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
    "Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
  • Dan SameDan Same Victoria, AustraliaPosts: 6,054MI6 Agent
    edited October 2009
    Alex wrote:
    Call me sentimental, tasteless, or simply naive - plenty of warm fuzzy memories flood my soul from probably two of their worst films. The Meaning Of Life, with the Grim Reaper and plenty of topless joggers, (yes) :D
    Great film. :D The sex ed class scene, as well as the hospital scene, are classics. I don't quite remember the topless joggers ;% (I should pay more attention next time I watch the film. :)))


    I love Monty Python, but only in small doses. While I love the films (Meaning of Life was terrific, Holy Grail was a masterpiece and *Life of Brian featured one of cinema's great lines), and while the TV show was often brilliant (the argument room sketch, the silly walk, and the dead parrot sketch which was a work of genius), I can't take them in too large doses. If ever a group was meant for youtube, it's Monty Python. Fantastic, but (especially in the TV show), a bit too self-indulgent for my liking.

    Two other Monty Python-connected projects that I love are Spamalot, one of the best and funniest musicals I've ever seen, and A Fish Called Wanda, probably the single best project that any Monty Python member has ever been involved with, and that's including Faulty Towers and Flying Circus. A Fish Called Wanda was IMO an absolute mastepiece, and it's what I am most thankful for when it comes to Monty Python. :D


    *That line being "He's not the Messiah. He's a very naughty boy!" :))
    "He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
  • Dan SameDan Same Victoria, AustraliaPosts: 6,054MI6 Agent
    TonyDP wrote:
    but Life of Brian just never did it for me; even though it's one of their favorite projects it ranks at the bottom for me as the subject matter and some of the sketches just go a little too far, even for a Python production.
    Interesting that you say that. I was shocked at Meaning of Life, when I first saw it. Even now, there are one or two sketches which are a little too extreme for my tastes.
    "He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
  • AlexAlex The Eastern SeaboardPosts: 2,694MI6 Agent
    I can relate to small doses. Try watching men in drag shrieking and cackling at each other while nursing a hangover.

    It doesn't work, I can tell you from experience. ;)
  • Dan SameDan Same Victoria, AustraliaPosts: 6,054MI6 Agent
    Alex wrote:
    I can relate to small doses. Try watching men in drag shrieking and cackling at each other while nursing a hangover.

    It doesn't work, I can tell you from experience. ;)
    :)) I'll take your word on that. ;)
    "He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
  • hegottheboothegottheboot USAPosts: 327MI6 Agent
    Life of Brian is perfect. Holy Grail is fantastic, but too many people in the States don't know anything else about Python. I didn't really get into Meaning of Life. (The liver donor sketch and sex ed class made me unable to breathe from laughter though!) I enjoy the flying circus in doses.
  • mrbondmrbond Posts: 296MI6 Agent
    'He's not the messhia he's a very naughty boy!'
    Classic!
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 38,106Chief of Staff
    I have two favourite Python sketches-

    1- "Is this the right room for an argument?"

    2- "I'd like to buy some cheese."

    3- The Span...

    Ahem.

    Three favourite Python sketches-

    1- Argument

    2- Cheese Shop

    3- "You're all individuals" "Yes! We're all individuals"

    4- The Spanish....

    Er...

    Four favourite Python sketches-
  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,937Chief of Staff
    Barbel wrote:
    I have two favourite Python sketches-

    1- "Is this the right room for an argument?"

    2- "I'd like to buy some cheese."

    3- The Span...

    Ahem.

    Three favourite Python sketches-

    1- Argument

    2- Cheese Shop

    3- "You're all individuals" "Yes! We're all individuals"

    4- The Spanish....

    Er...

    Four favourite Python sketches-


    :)) Marvelous, Barbel :))

    I do love The Parrot Sketch...well...it is set in Bolton :D
    YNWA 97
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 38,106Chief of Staff
    Sir Miles wrote:
    :)) Marvelous, Barbel :))

    I do love The Parrot Sketch...well...it is set in Bolton :D

    Thanks Sir M, we aim to please- but I wasn't expecting The Parrot Sketch....
  • LoeffelholzLoeffelholz The United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
    NOBODY expects The Parrot Sketch...!
    Check out my Amazon author page! Mark Loeffelholz
    "I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
    "Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 38,106Chief of Staff
    I'll go fetch the comfy chair. :D
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