Monty Python
I have been watching the series on PBS the last few weeks “Monty Python’s Personal best” . The surviving members of Python are starring in different episodes playing their personal favorite skits.
My Question, What is your favorite Python, Skit, Album, Movie, Member. Also do you think they are as funny and relevent as they were when they in their prime?
Signed
Brigidier Sir Charles Arthur Strong (Mrs.)
April 2nd, 2006 at 1:58 am
I really enjoyed MP’sFC. I don’t think they were as consistently good as Firesign, but we’re talking
about two different kinds of humor. TFC did a couple of films which weren’t nearly as good as the
Monty Python films. Topical relevancy wasn’t as important to the Pythons as it was / is to Firesign.
Python humor is more slapstick, and therefore, probably more timeless than that of TFC.
One of my many favorite bits is the one in The Meaning Of Life where the Grim Reaper pays a visit to
a british couple entertaining their american friends. Also, in the same film, a large contingent of
catholic school children singing;
Ev’ry sperm is sacred
Ev’ry sperm is good
Ev’ry sperm is needed
In your neighborhood
I guess John Cleese is my favorite, probably because he has a larger resume outside the Pythons. He
was great as Basil in Fawlty Towers, Fatty Owls, Farty Towels, etc. He and Eric Idle were also quite
good in A Fish Called Wanda.
April 2nd, 2006 at 7:19 am
Wasn’t Eric Idle in “The Rutles”? Or am I thinking of someone else?
April 2nd, 2006 at 9:41 am
You’re right Sunn: Eric Idle was in The Rutles along with long time Python contributor and musician, Neil Innes. Eric Idle was not in A Fish Called Wanda; that was Michael Palin.
Ug JJ, tough question. I like so much of the Python stuff: (off the top of my head) the parrot and his plumage, the cheese shop, the Spanish Inquisition, Spam (Spam, Spam, Spam, Wonderful Spam, Wonderful Spam), Crunchy Frog, and so on. I can’t speak to the relevance of the time, since I was so young then. My favorite Python member is Terry Jones–not based on material, mostly ‘cuz I think he’d be the best one to have a beer with.
April 2nd, 2006 at 4:16 pm
Randalf(There I spelled it right) Brings up another great comedy classic, Firesign was probably the best American comedy troupe. I mean, “Don’t crush that Dwarf, Hand me the Pliers” Say no more, I put them above SCTV and National Lampoon, and to go all over the place Canada. The Frantics.
Who can honestly say they haven’t gotten or gave a “Boot to the Head”. BTW, speakin’ of American comedy, Is “The First Family, Starring Vaughn Meador” Circa 1962-3 available on CD? anyone know/have.?
My Favorite Python, John Cleese, Because of Silly Walks. Skit, The Killer Joke. Movie, Holy Grail. Album, Hollywood Bowl.Putting them in context politically today as opposed to the 60’s 70’s I think they are as relevant still The premise being to poke fun at the establishment regardless of the time. I do agree with Jek, I would like to have a pint with Terry Jones, Nudge Nudge, Say no More
April 3rd, 2006 at 1:57 am
I stand corrected. It was Michael Palin in A Fish Called Wanda. NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition.
April 3rd, 2006 at 10:39 am
I have fond memories of Firesign Theater. We’re all Bozos on this Bus, Waiting for the Electrician or Someone Like Him, Nick Danger, etc. I had a buddy who had one of the old quadraphonic stereo systems. At parties, he used to turn out all the lights (except the black lights) & play Firesign in Quad. Now that was cool. Going way back, in the innocent age, I liked the Bill Cosby records.
April 7th, 2006 at 1:32 pm
My favorite skit is the one where they are all sitting around in chairs discussing how the younger generation has it made and how hard it was when they were growing up…. Each one of them has to top the story of the person just before them which evolves into an impossible story of “getting up hours before they went to bed – living in a rolled-up newspaper – their father slicing them up in small pieces, etc….. I’m going to have to dig out my DVD of that skit and watch it again…. It makes me laugh just thinking about it…..
April 9th, 2006 at 3:51 am
I had forgotten about that one, MR. I agree, that was one or the best.