And Now for Something Completely Different
Before I jump into today’s zaniness, I want to let you know that my issue with COVID is over. Today, I tested negative. My doctor finally prescribed a Z-Pack for me last Wednesday. I took that final dose last night, and now I am free. Perhaps this happy occurrence led me to today’s topic, which in you haven’t guessed already is:
Monty Python’s Flying Circus
If you are familiar with this crazy comedy group from the UK (and one American) first aired in the US in 1974. I was a sophomore at the University of Iowa then. College was also intense. I believe I took a calculus class that year. The professor was very intelligent and yet I struggled to understand his accent. My father was still stationed in Africa and about to move to the Philippines for his next assignment. My brother was in college in Texas, so I was alone. Of course, I loved to party with the guys though, so please do not feel badly for me.
I cannot remember which episodes aired first but I was instantly hooked. They were so irreverent! They made fun of the British government. They made fun of everyone. I do not think Americans had ever seen anything so audacious in their lives. As an Air Force brat, I certainly had not. At that time, the performers were not much older than I.
Every episode was so different and “foreign”. Flashes of nudity seemed unbelievable to me, considering the stodgy censors then monitoring US television. I was amazed how the performers could be so deadpan when discussing the silliest things. A few examples:
The Cheese Sketch– This one was one of my favorites. John Cleese trying to buy cheese from store-owner Eric Idle. At the end, the cheese shop had no cheese, so Cleese shoots Idle, ending the segment with the words, “Such a senseless waste of human life.”
The Dead Parrot Sketch– Cleese enters a pet shop with a birdcage and a dead parrot. The shopkeeper, Michael Palin, welcomes him. Cleese explains that the bird he just bought is dead. Palin says the bird is just sleeping. Then it gets crazy with Cleese screaming into the parrot’s ear and thumping the dead bird on the counter.
The Spanish Inquisition Sketch– There were a few of these. Three robed inquisition cardinals have captured an older women, who is supposed to confess her sins. She won’t, so they bring in the “soft cushions” and begin touching her with them. Palin, the lead cardinal, says, “Obviously, she is made of sterner stuff.” Then they drag in the “Comfy Chair.” She is forced to sit on the chair, which pleases her. It is comfy after all.
There are so many great sketches, like the Spam Sketch and the Montgolfier Sketch to name a couple. By the end of the run, it was time to watch reruns, until:
The movies came out. The Holy Grail, Life of Brian, and the Meaning of Life. At the time, Life of Brian infuriated American clergy as anti-Christian. To be clear, Brian wasn’t Jesus. To this day, I still treasure those programs and watch them again any time I can.
If you were wondering where my sense of humor comes from, well, now you know.
We enjoyed watching the show and were stunned by what they were allowed to get away with on the air vs. us here in the US. Loved their mob scene sketches.
John, as I noted, I was about 19 when it appeared on American television. I was surprised by the difference with typical US programming. Still, I was sucked in and will never forget it.
I remember Monty Python! 😂
Karen, I don’t think anyone who ever watched that show can forget it.
Oh my gosh, Karl, I loved that silly show. My father loved it too, and we would all watch it together sometimes. The parrot sketch was great, and remember The Argument? (“This isn’t an argument!” “Yes it is!” “No it isn’t!”) Sometimes, when my husband and I are bickering over something stupid, one of us will come out with that and break the tension. They were unique!
The Argument sketch was another favorite of mine. The five minute timer added to the hilarity.
I seem to be the minority, but I have never watched Monty Python. I know the words “Monty Python,” but I have never seen anything connected to it (that I can recall). My ability to watch TV (or even go to the movies) as a child was closely monitored, so it if wasn’t PG, I wasn’t allowed to see it. And this definitely sounds like something my parents would not have let me see during those times. Lol! Maybe one day I’ll look it up and check it out.
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Yvette, I am certain my own parents would not have approved of the Pythons. Being away at college, there was no one to tell me what to watch. That group upended by entire sense of comedy. I believe their style carried on with Robin Williams, Benny Hill, and others. The Pythons set the stage for those who followed.
I’ve heard of Monty Python but never watched it. I smile while reading your experiences with the show and how much you enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing it with us. You made me smile.
I’m glad I made you smile, Shirley. The Pythons were definitely irreverent, silly, and often insane. As a 19 year-old, it was just what I was looking for. A whole generation of English and Americans loved and followed them for years.
Monty Python mocked everything, Karl, and I loved it, too. No wonder you have a healthy sense of humor!
Hello, Karl,
I was not a Monty Python fan. I could never get into his hummer. I am glad you liked it and still do.
All the best and have a lovely day.
Shalom Aleichem
Pat, I understand. Python came to me when I was young and looking for something different. Their humor struck a chord with me. I watch comedy shows on Netflix sometimes. I end up watching about one in five. Too often, I get bored or insulted by their humor and turn it off. We are a tough audience…
Hi Karl, I’m glad you’re feeling better! Z-Pac works wonders, doesn’t it? As for Monty Python, that show was slightly before my time, although I’ve seen snippets here and there – good stuff! : )
Best wishes,
Donna M Atwood
D M Atwood
https://www.dmatwood.com
Yes, I was lucky that the Pythons hit American television at the perfect time for me. Their comedy is still a big part of my life. After all, “Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!”
And the Z-Pack was fabulous. Five days and COVID was gone. Yay!