Pythons’ series returns to TV after 34 years

FOR the first time in more than three decades, Monty Python’s Flying Circus is to make a return to British television screens.

Last seen on the BBC in 1988, the Pythons’ much lauded series will be shown next week on That’s TV, a little known channel which began local television broadcasts.

That’s TV announced yesterday it had secured the rights to show the series which it described as “part of our national heritage”.

The rights to Flying Circus were held by surviving Python members for decades, but no successful approach to return it to television had been made, despite an apparent willingness to do so on behalf of its stars.

That’s TV is to air all 45 episodes in full and “uncut”, a stipulation that was made after a legal battle in 1976 in which the Pythons sued American Broadcasting Companies, which syndicated

Flying Circus in the US, for abridging their work.

Kris Vaiksalu, That’s TV head of programming, welcomed the return of the show to terrestrial television, saying: “For over 50 years, Monty Python’s Flying Circus has had audiences in stitches of laughter.

“The show is widely regarded as one of the greatest comedy series ever made in the world. It is truly timeless, and its influence continues to be seen today.

“The Pythons are part of our national heritage but for too long this iconic show has been left buried in the archives.

“We are proud to have acquired the exclusive free TV rights to every episode and will be showing them all in full and uncut on That’s TV this spring.”

Monty Python’s Flying Circus first aired in 1969 and was not initially well received, but soon grew a cult following, particularly among younger people.

The series ran until 1974, after which the Pythons went on the produce the feature films Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Life of Brian, and The Meaning of Life.

The first episode of Flying Circus will be broadcast on Monday.