Why no Python on BBC? Because today’s comedy pales by comparison, says Cleese

♦ The BBC stopped showing Monty Python episodes because they were “too funny” and would show up the rest of the corporation’s comedy output, John Cleese has claimed.

Cleese singled out Men Behaving Badly, the hit Nineties series, as an example of a comedy that paled by comparison.

Asked about the absence of Monty Python’s Flying Circus from the BBC schedules, where it first aired in 1969, Cleese said: “It’s not been shown for 17 years. Maybe it’s too funny. It might not contrast well with some of the John Cleese suggested a reason the BBC has not shown Monty Python for 17 years because it it is ‘too funny’ comedy they’re doing now, that’s the only explanation I’ve got. People might not laugh at modern comedy.”

The BBC no longer has the broadcast rights to Monty Python. The shows are available on Netflix.