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Monty Python To Bid Farewell In a Simulcast Show

Posted by Soulskill on from the soon-to-be-pining-for-the-fjords dept.

dacarr writes "The five remaining members of Monty Python will be performing in the O2 Arena, and their last show as a comedy troupe will be simulcast across hundreds of theaters in the UK, and roughly 1,500 more across the world, according to the Guardian. Michael Palin says this is really going to be the last time before the Pythons cease to be. Well, at least, before Monty Python, as a comedy troupe, runs down the curtain and joins the bleedin' choir invisible."

86 comments

  1. No Graham Chapman? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    The only absent member will be Graham Chapman, who died in 1989 at the age of 48.

    They could dig him up and have him fall out of cupboards, and other visual gags.
    The audition would be a mere formality.

    1. Re:No Graham Chapman? by rubycodez · · Score: 3, Insightful

      1989 really was the end of Monty Python, some partial reunions since then, some interviews....but if more than three or four members performed something together since then I don't recall it. They were already 45 years and older then, and all went on to other things. 20 years for a comedy group is a good run.

    2. Re:No Graham Chapman? by Z00L00K · · Score: 4, Insightful

      The members may perish but Monty Python itself is a remarkable show that has influenced later shows and will therefore live on long after the members playing have perished.

      Not everyone likes their humor, and few likes everything, but they still mark a turning point in the history of humor shows - venturing into the "forbidden" part of humor so far and strong that it becomes absurd and it's no longer possible to take them seriously.

      --
      If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker would destroy civilization.
    3. Re:No Graham Chapman? by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 2

      Put him in a yellow feathered jumper and he could be the dead parrot in the dead parrot sketch...

      --
      Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
    4. Re:No Graham Chapman? by Farmer+Tim · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Though they were in turn inspired by the absurdism of the Goon Show.

      http://www.thegoonshow.net/dow...

      --
      Blank until /. makes another boneheaded UI decision.
    5. Re:No Graham Chapman? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Put him in a yellow feathered jumper and he could be the dead parrot in the dead parrot sketch...

      The BLUE norwegian?

    6. Re:No Graham Chapman? by TheGratefulNet · · Score: 1

      what HAS become of the crispy bacon, we had before the war?

      --

      --
      "It is now safe to switch off your computer."
    7. Re:No Graham Chapman? by jos7237 · · Score: 2

      Norwegian Blue, to be precise.

    8. Re:No Graham Chapman? by Alci12 · · Score: 1

      They've brought his 'urn' with them before.

    9. Re:No Graham Chapman? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      He's already made honorary appearances at some of the Monty Python get togethers since he died.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox9bcx_LZMs

    10. Re:No Graham Chapman? by CodeArtisan · · Score: 1

      Though they were in turn inspired by the absurdism of the Goon Show.

      http://www.thegoonshow.net/dow...

      While somewhat true, they were more inspired by Spike Millgan's "Q" TV series.

    11. Re:No Graham Chapman? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And perhaps a little Ernie Kovacs surrealism?

    12. Re:No Graham Chapman? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Ever since Chapman died, I thought Stephen Fry would make a terrific fill-in for any live performances. Of course, his schedule is probably pretty full...

    13. Re:No Graham Chapman? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Certainly he was cremated? Well, he could still be in the ashtray, the vacuum cleaner ...

    14. Re:No Graham Chapman? by nateb · · Score: 1

      IIRC, there was the Live at Aspen show which had them all retiring (again). I also rather enjoyed Almost the Truth - The Lawyer's Cut.

      --
      -- Nate
    15. Re:No Graham Chapman? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Monty Python is unfunny crap. Only sheltered losers who watch AFV laugh at that kind of stuff

    16. Re:No Graham Chapman? by rubycodez · · Score: 1

      Yes but those not performances. Live as Aspen show was talkshow/interview format with (very hilarious) reminiscing, not a perfermance except for the gag with the urn. Almost the Truth had interviews with them

    17. Re:No Graham Chapman? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, what do you find funny? Wedding Crashers? Adam Sandler? :-P

    18. Re:No Graham Chapman? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Interviewer: Can he still act?
      Carl French: Well.Well, he still has this... this enormous, uh, kind of indefinable... uh, no.

    19. Re:No Graham Chapman? by Farmer+Tim · · Score: 1

      Yes and no.. ..the Monty Python writing style was already visible in At Last The 1948 Show (1967-69), especially in the sketches that were reused, but the way the show was cut owed a lot to Q (69-82). Either way Spike was a major influence, so you say potato.. ..

      --
      Blank until /. makes another boneheaded UI decision.
    20. Re:No Graham Chapman? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So you like Monty Python and Adam Sandler? Your taste is complete shit.

    21. Re:No Graham Chapman? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, dumbass, I'm saying if you like Adam Sandler, you're in no position to judge anyone else's taste in humor.

  2. Bubble Burst! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

    MP is not funny very often.

    1. Re:Bubble Burst! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

      This. It's quite boring. The only people I know that like that type of base humor are Republicans.

    2. Re:Bubble Burst! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

      Often? Try never. I find it amusing that so many childish conservatives love that type of comedy. It is the type of thing that just isn't funny after you turn ten.

    3. Re:Bubble Burst! by rossdee · · Score: 0

      There aren't many Republicans in the UK
      Nor in NZ either.

    4. Re:Bubble Burst! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

      Republican politians are so stupid it makes it seem all very funny.

      As an example that just came to me, Michelle Bachman, a US senator from up north, Wisonsin I think, and other tea partiers, closed down the government for a few weeks last year.

      This included the WWII memorial in D.C. So, she and her cohorts go their for a photo op and she and her ilk get on the case of the poor old soul keeping the memory closed, berating the guy for keeping the visitors out.

      Haha, she was the one that closed it in the first place. This was all on the nightly news for a few days. Hilarious.

      It's polarized: republicans are idiots, or at least do and say the stupidist of things, and the other side, the democrats, can't get anything done because they have to work with idiots who don't want to do anything (it's black president thing, is what it all comes down to -- few will say that, though). Remember Bush? Republican. Nuf said.

    5. Re:Bubble Burst! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      My English teacher used to show Monty Python and the Holy Grail in class. She gave extra credit to the people that could stay away and were also paying attention. No one got the extra credit.

    6. Re:Bubble Burst! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Obama is a Democrat you insensitive clod!

    7. Re:Bubble Burst! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

      Wow! Look at the butthurt Monty Python fans modding down everyone who dares to say they don't like their little show. They are are almost as bad as the bronies!

    8. Re:Bubble Burst! by 1s44c · · Score: 0

      You should win a stupid comment award. How many Republicans do you think there are in the UK? Maybe a few visiting tourists.

      Trying to drag party politics into this is just brain dead.

    9. Re:Bubble Burst! by 1s44c · · Score: 1

      The problem there is context. If you are told by an authoritarian figure that something is funny and forced to watch it against your will you are not going to find it funny.

    10. Re:Bubble Burst! by CodeArtisan · · Score: 1

      This. It's quite boring. The only people I know that like that type of base humor are Republicans.

      You need to broaden your social circle. Having said that, even Michael Palin has said a lot of their TV show was crap. When it does hit the mark, though, it can be very funny.

    11. Re:Bubble Burst! by CodeArtisan · · Score: 1

      My English teacher used to show Monty Python and the Holy Grail in class. She gave extra credit to the people that could stay away and were also paying attention. No one got the extra credit.

      Granted, it's no Gilligan's Island.

    12. Re:Bubble Burst! by ganjadude · · Score: 1

      wait wait wait, you mean the shutdown that was over delaying the implementation of obamacare... which obama delayed as soon as the shutdown was over anyway? and you blame the republicans for this?

      --
      have you seen my sig? there are many others like it but none that are the same
    13. Re:Bubble Burst! by Opportunist · · Score: 1

      MP comes from a different time. Is Spike Jones funny? Are the stooges? The Marx brothers? Personally, I don't "get" either of them. They're just not funny. Stupid, yes, odd, maybe, but funny, no.

      I'm fairly sure in their time they were a riot. MP humor is one of absurdity. And that is of course dependent on a society that puts a lot of emphasis on "normality" and conformity, something that certainly was the case with Britain back in those days.

      Of course that loses its effect today in a far more "permissive" society.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    14. Re:Bubble Burst! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The Three Stooges when high on pot are freaking funny dude! And they're even funnier when you're high.

  3. Their next step by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    John Cleese wants to go back to making physics classroom videos. Eric Idle will be a singer-guitarist in a George Harrison tribute band, etc.

    1. Re:Their next step by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Don't worry, they're only splitting up to get their heads together. They'll reform in a fortnight as Heads Together, then become Dead Together, then Dead Gear, then Dead Donkeys, Lead Donkeys, and the inevitable split up. After another ten days, they'll reform again as Sole Marnier, then Dead Sole, Rock Cod, Turbot, Haddock, White Baith, the Plaices, Fish, Bream, Mackerel, Salmon, Poached Salmon, Poached Salmon In A White Wine Sauce, Salmon Marnier, and Helen Shapiro.

    2. Re:Their next step by dacarr · · Score: 1

      I think Salmon Marnier would only work out if they got Rex Stardust, the lead electric triangle from Toad The Wet Sprocket.

      --
      This sig no verb.
    3. Re:Their next step by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You didn't hear? He had to have his elbow replaced due to a motorcycle accident after their Finland tour.

    4. Re:Their next step by Bing+Tsher+E · · Score: 1

      John Cleese is one of the main voice actors in The Elder Scrolls Online.

  4. Much as I love Monty Python by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 0

    I have no more desire to see this than I do one of the Rolling Stones concerts. If I want to watch a Python Skit, I have the entire series on DVD.

    Let dead parrots lie.

    --
    #DeleteChrome
    1. Re:Much as I love Monty Python by hey! · · Score: 1

      Why not? I kind of get the "old guys can't be rock stars" thing, but I don't understand why you don't think old guys can't be funny.

      --
      Post may contain irony: discontinue use if experiencing mood swings, nausea or elevated blood pressure.
    2. Re:Much as I love Monty Python by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because Cosby. Robin Williams. Jonathan Winters. David Letterman. Elizabeth Warren.

    3. Re:Much as I love Monty Python by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

      old guys can't be funny

      The problem is that except to conservatives, they weren't funny when they were young. Unless they magically got a lot more talented, they're simply not going to be funny now. I always found it amusing how in my pol sci class I teach how often being a fan of such stupid humor correlates to being a religious and unempathetic conservative.

    4. Re:Much as I love Monty Python by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wow that is about the dumbest line of thinking I have ever heard. Pol Sci teacher, so I see the problem

    5. Re:Much as I love Monty Python by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The problem is that except to conservatives, they weren't funny when they were young. Unless they magically got a lot more talented, they're simply not going to be funny now. I always found it amusing how in my pol sci class I teach how often being a fan of such stupid humor correlates to being a religious and unempathetic conservative.

      I see a few problems here.

      First, there's quite a bit of intellect and wit behind that "stupid" humor. I'm sorry you don't recognize it, but that's your limitation, not theirs.

      Second, you have a clear bias against the religious and the conservative, assuming them to lack empathy.

      Third, "unempathetic" isn't a word, according to the UK and US editions of the Oxford English Dictionary (and the little red squiggle).

    6. Re:Much as I love Monty Python by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You're right! What was The Life of Brian but a disgusting attempt to pander to religious conservatives?

    7. Re:Much as I love Monty Python by kevingolding2001 · · Score: 2

      Why not? I kind of get the "old guys can't be rock stars" thing, but I don't understand why you don't think old guys can't be funny.

      Because they won't be doing anything new.

      It will be like those later "Rocky Horror Picture Shows" where the entire audience will be chanting out in unison "It is an ex-parrot" at the appropriate moment. We've seen it all a thousand times and now it's just not that funny anymore. Yes it was at first but there has been nothing new in decades.

    8. Re:Much as I love Monty Python by 1s44c · · Score: 1

      Political Science eh? They really pay you not just to be this stupid but to teach others your stupidity?

    9. Re:Much as I love Monty Python by CodeArtisan · · Score: 1

      Because Cosby. Robin Williams. Jonathan Winters. David Letterman. Elizabeth Warren.

      To be fair, Letterman wasn't funny when he was younger.

    10. Re:Much as I love Monty Python by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because they won't write anything new.

    11. Re:Much as I love Monty Python by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "The profession of shaman has many advantages. It offers high status with a safe livelihood free of work in the dreary, sweaty sense. In most societies it offers legal privileges and immunities not granted to other men. But it is hard to see how a man who has been given a mandate from on High to spread tidings of joy to all mankind can be seriously interested in taking up a collection to pay his salary; it causes one to suspect that the shaman is on the moral level of any other con man. But it's lovely work if you can stomach it." -RAH

    12. Re:Much as I love Monty Python by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      there's quite a bit of intellect and wit

      Why can't you morons admit it is just immature toilet humor? Us normal people wouldn't mind this crap so much if you people wouldn't act like it was something other than what it is. Why can't your kind simply tell the truth? That is why people get so angry at you when you verbally vomit nonsense about that shitty attempt at comedy. Why can't you people understand that?

    13. Re:Much as I love Monty Python by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "He's a king."
      "How do you know that?"
      "Because he isn't covered with this"

      Seriously, if that isn't one of the funniest things you've ever seen in a movie, then nothing can help you.

    14. Re:Much as I love Monty Python by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "Explain again how sheep's bladders may be employed to prevent earthquakes" summarizes Republican scientific beliefs better than anything else I've heard. You are correct. They love MP.

  5. Monty Python Reference by Nova+Express · · Score: 0

    Monty Python Reference
    Monty Python Reference
    Monty Python Reference
    Monty Python Reference
    Monty Python Reference
    Monty Python Reference
    This is an Ex-Monty Python reference!

    Did I miss any? /Trying to save some time...

    --
    Lawrence Person (lawrencepersonh@gmailh.com (remove all "h"s to mail)

    http://www.lawrenceperson.com/

    1. Re:Monty Python Reference by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Your references are out of control.

    2. Re:Monty Python Reference by Hydrated+Wombat · · Score: 1

      Your references are out of control.

      May I suggest BibTex for that?

    3. Re:Monty Python Reference by d'baba · · Score: 1

      Penguin Reference

    4. Re:Monty Python Reference by Wootery · · Score: 1

      I was thinking the C++ standard library should take care of it.

    5. Re:Monty Python Reference by quenda · · Score: 1

      How about a "Not The Nine O'Clock News" reference then?
        "In the words of John Cleese, whenever two or three are gathered together in one place, they shall perform the parrot sketch."

  6. The Spanish Inquisition.. by NormAtHome · · Score: 2

    Nobody expects The Spanish Inquisition, so does that mean we can expect them to put in an appearance?

    1. Re: The Spanish Inquisition.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They only show up once you stop expecting the unexpected or expect a different unexpectation than the one that actually happens. Just expect the expected by not expecting them and maybe you'll unexpect enough so the rest of us can expect them.

    2. Re:The Spanish Inquisition.. by d'baba · · Score: 1

      Considering the age factor I'm betting on multiple Comfy Chairs.

  7. Saw them at the Hollywood Bowl in '80... by Radical+Moderate · · Score: 1

    ...I'll probably catch this for old time's sake. Amazing that they parlayed one season on BBC into...hell, I can't think of a word to describe their status.

    --
    Never let a lack of data get in the way of a good rant.
    1. Re:Saw them at the Hollywood Bowl in '80... by dinfinity · · Score: 1

      There are multiple seasons. Also, the Holy Grail-movie was very important for their status.
      Although The Flying Circus has a lot of comedy gold in it, few people would idolize Monty Python based on it alone. In fact, you can be fairly sure that a lot of people who haven't seen the Holy Grail-movie think Monty Python-stuff is dreadful.

      BTW, a number of the Python-movies have been released on Bluray. Definitely worth a buy/download and subsequent rewatch.

    2. Re:Saw them at the Hollywood Bowl in '80... by Radical+Moderate · · Score: 1

      Dang, you're right. I'm turning in my MP Fanclub card

      --
      Never let a lack of data get in the way of a good rant.
  8. I'm sure he'll be there. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    -hint- he'll be the one in the urn.

    1. Re:I'm sure he'll be there. by d'baba · · Score: 1

      +1

    2. Re:I'm sure he'll be there. by Cryacin · · Score: 1

      Always look on the bright, side of death.

      Whistling.

      --
      Science advances one funeral at a time- Max Planck
  9. Show by puddingebola · · Score: 1

    The show will feature no new material and all the classic sketches you have all already memorized.

    1. Re:Show by Z00L00K · · Score: 1

      Don't be surprised if something new shows up.

      At least they used to work unscripted from time to time, so something may show up in the heat of the moment!

      --
      If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker would destroy civilization.
  10. I've been a fan all my life by the_Bionic_lemming · · Score: 1

    When I'm out riding on my touring bike - Monty Python Is mixed into my cruise music.

    This might be their last "Visit before the chorus Invisible" But their classic and awesome humor will live on far past their "bring out yer dead" bell clanging.

    Thank you from the bottom of my humor warped heart, Monty Python is and was one of the greatest entertainment shows on the planet.

    And if anyone disagrees, It's fishes on the wharf at dawn.

    --
    _ _ _ Go for the eyes Boo! GO FOR THE EYES!
  11. What's the penguin doing on the television set? by Bob_Who · · Score: 0

    Standing
    I can see that but what's it doing there?
    How should I know I'm not Doctor Bloody Bronowski
    "The penguin on your television set will blow up in 5 seconds"
    ***kaaboom***
    Well....how about that!


    My hovercraft is full of eels.....

    1. Re:What's the penguin doing on the television set? by kevingolding2001 · · Score: 2

      How you remember it.
      ================
      Standing
      I can see that but what's it doing there?
      How should I know I'm not Doctor Bloody Bronowski
      "The penguin on your television set will blow up in 5 seconds"
      ***kaaboom***
      Well....how about that!

      How it actually was
      ==============
      Second Pepperpot I can see that!
      First Pepperpot If it lays an egg, it will fall down the back of the television set.
      Second Pepperpot We'll have to watch that. Unless it's a male.
      First Pepperpot Ooh, I never thought of that.
      Second Pepperpot Yes, looks fairly butch.
      First Pepperpot Per'aps it's from next door.
      Second Pepperpot Penguins don't come from next door, they come from the Antarctic.
      First Pepperpot Burma.
      Second Pepperpot Why did say Burma?
      First Pepperpot I panicked.
      Second Pepperpot Oh. Perhaps it's from the zoo.
      First Pepperpot Which zoo?
      Second Pepperpot How should I know which zoo? I'm not Doctor bloody Bernowski.
      First Pepperpot How does Doctor Bernowski know which zoo it came from?
      Second Pepperpot He knows everything.
      First Pepperpot Oooh, I wouldn't like that, that'd take all the mystery out of life. Anyway, if it came from the zoo, it would have 'property of the zoo' stamped on it.
      Second Pepperpot No it wouldn't. They don't stamp animals 'property of the zoo'. You can't stamp a huge lion.
      First Pepperpot They stamp them when they're small.
      Second Pepperpot What happens when they moult?
      First Pepperpot Lions don't moult.
      Second Pepperpot No, but penguins do. There, I've run rings around you logically.
      First Pepperpot Oh, intercourse the penguin.
              On the TV screen there now appears an announcer.
      TV Announcer It's just gone 8 o'clock and time for the penguin on top of your television set to explode.
              The penguin on top of the set now explodes.
      First Pepperpot How did he know that was going to happen?!

    2. Re:What's the penguin doing on the television set? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      TV Announcer: It was an inspired guess.

      (Please tell me you didn't type all that from memory!)

  12. SHOCKER!? by zinsavage123 · · Score: 2

    WOW! like they say though nothing lasts forever.

    --
    My website - http://thomaszinsavage.com/
  13. Logo change - just this once? by Chordonblue · · Score: 2

    This is when I get all nostalgic for the 'old' Slashdot and wish they'd never replaced the Monty's stamping foot for this sort of thing. :/

    --
    "...Well, there's egg and bacon; egg sausage and bacon; egg and spam; egg bacon and spam; egg bacon sausage and spam..."
  14. amazing talents by cascadingstylesheet · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Loved them when I was a kid, and have to watch their stuff from time to time (my wife, of course, finds them mostly unbearable).

    Funny though ... the world that they were spoofing was largely gone (outside of rarefied circles) even in their prime, and now it is really ancient.

    In a turnabout, it is today the hipsters and the snark-meisters who are the establishment at which you must not poke fun.

    1. Re:amazing talents by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I think that's not the point. They were poking fun at the establishment and everyone else, but not because they looked like the old Upper Class Twit of The Year people. That is called hyperbole -- and was used for humorous effect. Still works today -- need to talk to the ACA people about your insurance, please talk to the complaints department or the Ministry of Silly Walks.
          still very funny. much funnier than that stupid big bang theory with it's boring math jokes

    2. Re:amazing talents by Boronx · · Score: 1

      There's still a lot of Python that's ahead of *today*, not to mention the time that they made it.

      Try showing Life of Brian to your Christian buddies.

      That old woman's tirade against the lady of the lake will always serve as a wake up call against mythical reasoning. Basically a quarter of Python highlights the vapidity of public figures and the perception of the figures. That will never get old.

      The summarizing Proust competition will forever perfectly satirize doomed attempts to bring high art to the mass market.

      The U.S. at the moment could use a little bit of mocking of the military, Python style.

      "How do yo know he's a king?" "He hasn't got shit all over him." More relevant now than then.

      --
      Play Command HQ online
    3. Re:amazing talents by bmo · · Score: 1

      >old woman's

      Right-O, Arthur.

      Arthur: Old woman!
      Dennis: MAN!
      Arthur: Man, sorry. What knight lives in that castle over there?
      Dennis: I'm 37.
      Arthur: What?
      Dennis: I'm 37! I'm not old!
      Arthur: Well, I can't just call you "man".
      Dennis: You could say "Dennis".
      Arthur: I didn't know you were called Dennis.
      Dennis: Well you didn't bother to find out, did you?
      Arthur: I did say I'm sorry about the "old woman", but from behind you looked... ...

      Arthur: The Lady of the Lake,... [Angel chorus begins singing in background]
      her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, held aloft Excalibur from the
      bosom of the water signifying by Divine Providence that I, Arthur, was to carry
      Excalibur. [Angel chorus ends]       That is why I am your king!
      Dennis: Listen. Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for
      a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from
      the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.

      --
      BMO

  15. Simulcast theaters? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Where can I find a list of the theaters that will show the show?

    I'm from Brazil... and I had two tickets, but I got a new job and my vacation plans changed... so I gave my tickets to a friend from London.

    I really hope I can find a simulcast transmission around here.

  16. Monty Python, the Goons etc., by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    gosgog:
      They provide what''s lacking in so much of today's shows....IMAGINATION !!!