Monty Python marks 50 years of laughter
Classic British sketch comedy show celebrates its 50th anniversary
Monty Python’s Flying Circus first burst onto British TV screens 50 years ago — on Oct. 5, 1969 (and on the CBC a season later, in September 1970), making famous such absurdities as dead parrots, Spam, lumberjacks and the Ministry of Silly Walks. Since then, there have been five seasons of the BBC TV show, five movies, 10 records, four stage shows and countless laughs.
Terry Jones and Michael Palin met while performing in the Oxford Revue comedy group at Oxford University, while Graham Chapman, John Cleese and Eric Idle met at Cambridge. Terry Gilliam, U.s.-born and the only non-brit, was introduced to them in New York City.
After the final Python movie, The Meaning of Life, in 1983, the troupe did gather for a number of reunion shows on stage. After Chapman died in 1989, the final live performances of the surviving members were 10 shows at London’s O2 Arena in 2014. They originally wanted to do only one show, but the 20,000 tickets sold out in 43 seconds.
It’s impossible to pick the five best Python sketches, but these made us fall over laughing:
THE DEAD PARROT
It should be pretty easy to tell if a parrot has passed on, but for pet shop owner Palin and customer Cleese there is a bit of disagreement about what “dead” means. Attempts to wake the colourful bird because he’s sleeping, stunned or “pining for the fjords” are met with retorts that he was nailed to the perch, has passed on, has ceased to be and is an ex-parrot.
MR. CREOSOTE /WAFER-THIN MINT
The enormous Mr. Creosote, played by Jones, appears at the end of The Meaning of Life. As he enters a fancy French restaurant to take his seat, we are led to believe he is a regular customer as he says he’s doing “better … better get me a bucket, I’m going to throw up.” He really couldn’t eat one more bite when he is offered a “wayffa-thin mint,” causing him to explode. Quentin Tarantino says this is the only time he has been disturbed by a graphic film sequence.
THE LUMBERJACK SONG
Palin always wanted to be a lumberjack. Leaping from tree to tree as they float down the mighty rivers of British Columbia. He gets his wish and is joined by a troupe of Mounties as backup singers.
We learn he simply wants to cut down trees, eat his lunch and go to the lavatory. At least that’s how it seems before he mentions wearing high heels, skipping, jumping, pressing wild flowers, putting on women’s clothing and hanging around in bars. But he’s a lumberjack and he’s OK. He sleeps all night and he works all day.
THE SPANISH INQUISITION
Nobody expected this to be on the list.
This recurring sketch from the show is always preceded by someone saying “I didn’t expect the Spanish Inquisition,” followed by some of the Pythons bursting through the nearest door, covered head to toe in red robes.
They accuse whoever is in the scene of crimes against the Spanish church, laughing at their misfortune as the subtitles read “DIABOLICAL LAUGHTER” and “DIABOLICAL ACTING.”
THE UPPER-CLASS TWIT OF THE YEAR
In a contest to find the absolute worst members of high society, an obstacle course is built to put some of the most dim-witted members of the upper class to the test.
The challenging events include walking in a straight line, reversing a car into an old lady, ducking under a five-foottall bar and shooting themselves.
It’s really a closer race than you’d think.