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Monty Python Turns 30
sumana writes "Today in history: On this day in 1969, "Monty Python's Flying Circus" made its debut on BBC Television. (according to the New York Times's online "Learning" section, free registration required, yada yada spam spam spam) " As Eric Idle says: "And to celebrate, we're doing nothing!"
Just wanted to push my belief that we need to see another python movie and this is the perfect opportunity. Once I was satiated by Terry Gilliam's movies, Baron Munchausen, Brazil, etc., but now his movies are much more serious and don't have that comic edge they used to. Now Idle being on a sitcom with Brooke Shields (?), I just don't know what we are going to do.
Happy anniversary boys. Your movies are still funnier than the Naked Gun movies.
-- Moondog
And Now...
It's been thirty years. I'd raise a pint if I drank, but heres to the boys anyway. So here is my tribute:
Romane ite Domum.
(Write this 100 times or I will cut your balls off.)
Romanes eunt domus? People called Romanes, they go the 'ouse? It says Romans go home. No it doesn't. What's Latin fo
Yeah, 'cause the US sense of humor is tired and simple. Go Python! I always hate to see fellow Americans that can't appreciate British humor. It's really sad.
Stop it! All right this thread has gone on long enough. It started out ok but now its just too silly.
No-one enjoys a good laugh more than i do, well except for my wife, and oh yes Captain Johnson. Well come to think of it mos people enjoy a good laugh more than I do!
I knew they were filmed in large part before an audience (when the form/content could be shot on a sound stage) but had assumed, as with sitcoms today, that the laughs were dubbed in and not that the audience was picked up with directional mics.
Thanks for the backround!
Maybe it's just another joke. :)
file descriptors you got there squire?
It'd be a shame if somebody were to set fire to _them_.
and of course Fawlty Towers
Now playing on WSMF shoutcast stream, 60 hours of Goon shows, played in order of thier broadcast avialable for the next 4 or 5 days at least.
Listen to the folks Monty Python cite as being one of thier inspirations.
Web to www.live365.com and head over to the Talk section. or tune in with your shout/ice cast capable listener to 216.32.166.89:32024
Theres roomfor 100 listeners, so fill up the slots.
To capture these streams for your very own use Winamp 2.09 or earlier and set up the Save Stream option.
Other methods can apply, your milage may vary.
Poor little clams! Snap! Snap! Snap! Poor little clams! Snap! Snap! Snap! Poor little clams! Snap! Snap! Snap!
Hey bruce. gooddaybruce, how 'r yah bruce?
bruce, did you notice that these puftas (sp?) use our large-all-smiting-foot for anything funny?
yeah i noticed that bruce.
-Bruce
Well, Idle did say they're going to "do nothing". Maybe that includes serving web pages.
Guess I'll just go get a fish licence for my pet fish, Eric. He is an 'alibut.
- Bob
The correct expression is "Romani, ite domum!" albeit nobody would have used it with that meaning in the 1st century. "Romani" is a vocative, and the word "domus" has a special construction with locative (domi, at home) and with the accusative cases (domum, used also for denoting movement to, you would never say "ad domum" or -even worse "in domum") Hence albeit the verb "eo" is not transitive, it can support in this case the accusative and GRAMMATICALLY the construction is correct... but utterly meaningless since it is a litteral translation from english :) lg
actually, I believe it goes like this: Icky Icky Icky p'tang nnneeEEEEEEwom zzoOOOOo (mumble mumble) and then in the background, someone says "Ni!" but is shushed.
It's amazing that something so juvenile could be 30 years-old. In that time, Monty Python should have grown-up, had kids and a mortgage. Rather, the comedy is still the same crap over and over again. I find it humorous that Pythonettes cling this long to a few seconds of comedy. It's like the Americans clinging to a few good hours of Saturday Night Live aired almost 20 years ago. The world must move on. OK, so there's not much funny out there now, but please try looking. If you do, then you might find something immensely better than Python like, for example, The Vicar of Dibley or actresses like Emma Chambers and Dawn French. "No, No, No, No, look for better comedy."
Sorry madam, but I can truthfully assure you that that number is NOT Brighton (UK)
The Good Life
and I am one of many people who used to hide behind the couch when the daleks came on.
Python is just downright funny and clever too, so im not surprised its popular in the US, although looking at most US-produced TV you would have thought that clever was the kiss of death.
:)
Hey, it's not our fault that Europeans prefer Baywatch over, say, Law and Order or Frasier...
Some of the python humor is very much british and Im surprised that americans get it. For instance the Romans Go Home bit in Life of Brian... when i was about 10 I had latin at school, the teaching method was pretty much the same as in that skit except that the latin master wasn't allowed a sword.
As a matter of fact, I had Latin in high school, and my instructor did bring a sword into class. Nothing like a gladius to make damn sure you remember how to conjugate in the subjunctive. (Oh yeah, anyone who has the chance, say hi to Frank Raispis for me.)
I think that much of British humor (I'm excepting Benny Hill here, no offense) catches on well with Geeks, especially American Geeks, because it doesn't insult our intelligence. Considering that much of American pop culture plays down to the lowest common demoninator, it's always a delight to see intelligent television, music, and fiction. All y'all on the other side of the pond might be surprised to know that Doctor Who and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy are also phenomenally popular amoungst American Geeks. Not to mention my favorite export from the UK, Warhammer 40,000 AD.
Finding God in a Dog
Hair too long??!! What are you insinuating? Some of my best friends are vicars, and only a few of them are tranvestites! (Er, excuse me, this is irrelevant, isn't it? yeah, well, it's not easy to pad these slashdot threads out, you know).
(Signed)
Brigadier Sir Charles Armstrong (Mrs)
P.S.
I have never kissed the editor of the radio times </python pastiche>
Oh God! I've just become as one with those people who do the Parrot sketch at parties! Kiss me, Hardy! Urgghhhhh....
Hmmm. First popular media "intellectual comedy." Using the word "popular" may have saved you, here. Certainly "Beyond the Fringe" qualifies, don't you think, as intellectual humor? 1) They predate MP. 2) They are credited with inspiring the rise of satirical humor. 3) They use G.E. Moore as a character in one of their skits; certainly that qualifies as intelluctual for you? Too bad they had too settle for a Broadway show instead of a TV show. Of course, I'm sure it's not like you were expecting a kind of Spanish Inquisition....
The Norton Anthology of English Literature, 4th Ed., Vol 2
I thought I'd mention Australia...I guess we're a lot closer to the British style of humour, so all your major comedies have been shown on major networks. Python, BlackAdder, The Young Ones, Comic Strip, AbFab,Reeves & Mortimer (on cable),French & Saunders,Bottom.I also saw this year a show called Big Train, which I thought was brilliant-very Pythonesque...is this still going?The list goes on. Although we did also get the execrable Hale & Pace, but I guess you owe us that for Neighbours and Home & Away
When I say "has often been credited" I mean by that poor sort of self-appointed 'cultural commentator'---the reminiscing critic. I was thinking of mass media and not the stage. I wouldn't have thought of "Beyond the Fringe" anyway.
Qualifies? I earnestly wish I could say. I've heard of the run only in reference to Dudley Moore's 'early years' unfortunately. I've never seen any of the material staged or read the scripts. If you can point me in the right direction . . .
I've read that Peter Cook was offered a television series based on the plays by Ed Sullivan which fell apart due to, according to Cook, the medium's "restrictive nature".
Intellectual as allusive to literature, art, philosophy, etc. is surprising in comedy on the television. MP wouldn't be so enduring if it had become common practice.
I wouldn't run away from a bunch of naked ladies. (Meaning and Purpuse of Life).
Spam was great, the parrot was great, but the world's most deadliest joke was a killer.
Speaking of jokes (I know, a lame excuse for a Off-topic comment). The US Office of Personnel Management just announced that Federal employees in the the District of Columbia will not be celebrating Halloween and Thanksgiving next year. OPM said that the reason was that the witch will be moving to New York and is taking the turkey with her.
"DOH" is spelled D'oh.
eddie is the man! www.izzard.com
Large print giveth, and the small print taketh away
Python is just downright funny and clever too, so im not surprised its popular in the US, although looking at most US-produced TV you would have thought that clever was the kiss of death.
Some of the python humor is very much british and Im surprised that americans get it. For instance the Romans Go Home bit in Life of Brian... when i was about 10 I had latin at school, the teaching method was pretty much the same as in that skit except that the latin master wasn't allowed a sword. I kinda doubt that latin was taught that way in US schools (could be wrong of course) Even though the skit is funny at face value its even funnier to me as a parody of teaching methods.
We are now the knights who say "icky icky icky, p'tang p'tang arruut boing!"...
There now you've all seen a geek type it...well, part of it anyway.
that's right.. "And Now For Something Completely Different".. :-)
Probably had to cut the installation short
to go cut down the largest tree in the forest
wiiiiiith a HERRING!!!!! {CUE DRAMATIC MUSIC}
happy birthday Monty Python..
-- "This is my sig... there are many like it but this one is mine"
What kinda idiots are those mediators?!?!? DON'T MEDIATE IF YOU'RE IN OVER YOUR HEAD!
What kinda idiots are those moderators?!?!? DON'T MODERATE IF YOU'RE IN OVER YOUR HEAD!
MP, The Young Ones, Benny Hill, Dave Allen, Fawlty Towers, Black Adder/Mr Bean, Absolutely Fabulous, even Are You being Served for crissakes! What more can you ask for??
I took Latin my last year in college, and only then could I truly understand and appreciate that scene in Life of Brian. One of my professors taught almost exactly like that, forcing you to go through those stupid charts in your head until you spit out the right ending to the word.
Thankfully, the second semester I had a much more lenient (British) professor, who himself could have probably been a member of Monty Python, he was hilarious, and didn't really care if we memorized pages of charts, as long as we could translate a story with relative clarity.
When in danger or in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout. --Robert A. Heinlein
JC: Old woman
EI: man
JC: Man, sorry
EI: What knight lives in that castle over there?
JC: We've turned 30
EI: What?
JC: We're 30, we're not _old_
Sirs,
It has been brought to my attention that the preceding posts were exceedingly silly. This must stop at once, or I shall be forced to employ umbrella-wielding ninjas on this thread. As none of these ninjas is qualified to operate heavy machinery, this could be quite dangerous.
Oh, and another thing. My Aunt Petunia takes great umbrage at the use of her name in one of the preceding posts. She would henceforth prefer to be referred to as Ducky or Mousebreath. Please see to it that the proper corrections are made.
Sincerely yours,
Subaltern Missy Montgomery-Smythe-Higginsbottom
Gothic Insane Asylum and Pottery Barn
Brighton-on-the-shingle
Will in Seattle
They have the original shows on cable in the US. Bravo I think, it could be A&E. Saturdays at 9(in California, at least)
_________
Sometimes, when I'm feelin' bored, I like to take a necrotic equine and assault it physically.
Not to mention the picture it gave of the inhabitants of other Dominions of the Empire: The Bruce Sketch for Australians and The Lumberjack Song for Canadians. I gather these sketches perversely made them heroes in both countries (certainly did here in Oz when the former first showed when I was in high school!)
Sirs,
The preceding post is quite incorrect. I have kept a pet Python for the last thirty years in my barn. This Python, while quite object-oriented, is decidedly un-molelike, indeed preferring the odd mole or two at teatime, and has never been found in the company of radioactive cats, with the exception of that unfortunate incident reported in one of the London papers we shall not mention.
Also, while attempting to contact Monsieur Fercotti, the number given turned out to be that of a Swiss cheese shop in Brighton. They did have some delicious cheeses, but were totally lacking in either object-orientation or garters.
Sincerely,
Melissa Higgensbreath-Nichols
Upsmith-on-the-Thames
Will in Seattle
You seem to be labouring under the misaprehension that Brits care what Americans think of them.
HTH. HAND.
ai731
--
"I use the words you taught me. If they don't mean anything any more, teach me others. Or let me be silent"
Sirs,
I take great umbrage at the insinuation that I enjoy a good laugh as the prior poster stated. I have it on good authority that, while I may be funny in my method of locomotion (a perambulator), I am indeed neither humorous nor humerous.
And I have not seen his wife since the last time we were discovered by the milkman in flagrante delicatessen.
Unfunnily yours,
Captain Johnson
Her Majesty's Welsh Brigade and Royal Button Cleaners
Sudbury, but a bit over to the left
Will in Seattle
They invented spam, remember ?
Now that may not be quite so bad. Python was often satire, and satire is at its best when it has something truthful at its core. The Brits could probably do much worse than have Monty Python as the peephole into their world.
But if I were a Brit I would worry about people who don't realize how completely over the top it all was. Would you like an image of your countrymen as constantly shrieking, dirty-minded and daft? Think of the accents, for example. It wasn't until I visited England myself when I realized that the Pythons were often absurdly exaggerating regional accents from around the country, like a northerner in the US who imitates a southerner by talking like Gomer Pyle. How many of us Yanks believe that Brits really talk like that, all the time?
I live in Germany now, and am occasionally irritated at people who get their ideas about Americans from movies and television series. Do any of you Brits ever tired of foreigners who want to impress you by reciting the spam sketch and showing off their silly walk?
Always keep a sapphire in your mind
Actually I was in Barcelona recently, and I got talking to some locals there who said that when it was showed over there the waiter Munwell(sp?) had changed nationality.
In Spain he came from Mexico..
Steve
Wow ! Last !
Spaniards have no sense of humor...
"Be nice, veer left, and never stop thinking" Iain Banks - Walking On Glass
Hmmm... I seem to remember it was indeed "The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin".
"Be nice, veer left, and never stop thinking" Iain Banks - Walking On Glass
And 30 years later...
National Techies Day was born.
Kind of fitting, if you ask me. Although you probably won't.
-=Best Viewed Using [INLINE]=-
Wow! Congrats to Eric and the boys.
Sadly, pythonline seems to be serving up the default "you installed Apache" web page today. Where'd the site go today of all days?!
...or in the BBC's case 'to celebrate, we are broadcasting a night of Python programmes on BBC2 with some extra new material starring honorary Pythons Eddie Izzard and Peter Sissons!'
Here's a lot of MP stuff.
http://www.stone-dead.asn.au/mainpage.htm
I feel so ashamed and left out. I've never seen anything Monty Python.
And Python Night is on BBC2 on Saturday (9th October). I'm particularly looking forward to Nun Boiling in Bristol.
--
Dunx
Converting caffeine into code since 1982
Who'd a thunk that the show would eventually have a computer language named after it?
--
The real Webmaven is user ID 27463. I don't rate an imposter, because my ID is such a lame-ass high number.
I remember celebrating twenty years of Python. I also remember celebrating twenty-one years of Python. I also remember celebrating twenty-five years of Python. I also remember celebrating thirty years of Python. I also remember... no, hang on.
Ah, who cares? Three great series, three great films, six shite episodes, and the inspiration for Microsoft's attitude to competition.
"Amongst our weapons are such diverse elements as fear, uncertainty, doubt and an almost fanatical devotion to Bill Gates."
I didn't expect a kind of spammish repetittion...
Erlang Developer and podcaster
Note: the Flying Circus DVDs are now shipping. I received the first thirteen episodes last week. You can get them at pythonline (now showing the 'It Worked! The Apache Web Server is Now Installed on this Web Site!' message. Patience and good for them!) or DVD Express.
I was hoping for the ability to disable the laugh track (exept when part of the sketch). Small disappointment though.
The BBC is running a special report here
--
and a day off. Go to your local video store (if in the US, UK, or Australia). You now have a reason to look forward ;)
... of Graham Chapman's death. b. Jan 8, 1941 d. Oct 4, 1989
He would've been be 58 this year.
---
Actually, the living Pythons are going to do a reunion special on BBC Oct. 16 - the story is from May, but I just saw a one-paragraph reiteration in my local newspaper this weekend. I think they're writing some new skits for it.
_________________
Oh, INTERCOURSE the penguin! (Python tribute, not Linux knock)
> Need I say more?
;-)
Know what you mean, gov!
Sporting girl is she?
I think most British humor is really based on the premise that we're all loonies, and sexually repressed and/or obsessed...
P.S. How about Blackadder for another classic?!
Ten years ago plus one day (missed the twentieth anniversary by one day). It was the only time in his life [er, umm, yeah, life] his timing wasn't exquisite. Stupid cancer...
"If one is really a superior person, the fact is likely to leak out without too much assistance" -- John Andrew Holmes
Dunno if I'm typical, but I know I've enjoyed a lot of British shows from The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (spelling?) to Good Neighbors, 'Ello 'Ello, Red Dwarf, Black Adder, and Dr. Who (particularly John Pertwee and T Baker). Well, maybe the last isn't a comedy, but how can one take a Dalek seriously? :-) Most of what I've seen is older, though.
--
-Rich (OS/2, Linux, BeOS, Mac, NT, Win95, Solaris, FreeBSD, and OS2200 user in Bloomington MN)
Mainframe/UNIX Bit Twiddler and long time Windows/Linux Hobbyist.
The Theorem Theorem: If If, Then Then.
Great stuff, but I've never seen it outside an old roommate's video collection. Maybe a bit too far out for most public TV stations (source of things BBCish for most USAmericans), though Maryland Public TV is currently running both "Black Adder" and "Red Dwarf" on Saturday nights, bless their hearts. I may just send them a check next time, for that.
Tom Swiss | the infamous tms | my blog
You cannot wash away blood with blood
A good fraction of the FC shows could not have been filmed in studio. Did they project these segments during the performance? I can't think that would work for some scripts I remember.
I would like to apologize on behalf of the Armenian Rite of Passage Brotherhood for the use of italics in the preceding post. This was not only unintentional, but may have been regarded as funny by those of a less educated nature than we.
We wish to reiterate our stated belief that neither we nor John Cleese are funny. And we are getting a small bit tired of having to hold up all of geekdom. Some assistance in this matter would be gratefully appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
Analzeman Brizzani
Armenian Rite of Passage Brotherhood
London
unless it's foggy, of course, in which case we may be found in one of the Dutch ports or Italian chiantis
Will in Seattle
I think, therefore I am a nice dip for your pita bread.
I took two years of Latin by correspondance, and they had to ask a retired Latin teacher to correct my papers. This in the wilds of British Columbia.
Will in Seattle
I thought I told you to stop this thread! It started off allright as a parody of a Monty Python skit, buts gotten too Silly. That last post was obviousl fave. And that vicar's hair was too long.
Now Stop It!
It's a dog's life in the Modern Army!
http://bau2.uibk.ac.at/sg /python/Scripts/ThePenguinSketch DINSDALE!
NY Times has never spammed me.
Liar, liar pants on fire. WTF do you think they require your e-mail address? To write it on a bathroom wall? No, it's so they can SPAM the **** out of you. Use some logic, please.
In closing to this thread, I can say that I absolutely loved the BBC's 30 Years of MP tribute!
;-) interview by Peter Sissons.
;-)
It contained the first new Python material in years, with the entire cast, except as Cleese said, "the dead one".
It also included an documentary on MPFC by Eddie Izzard, a tour of MPFC shooting locations by Michael Palin, a viewing of their classic film "Life of Brian", a compilation of their best known songs presented by Meatloaf, and finally an exhaustive
All I can say, is that I hope this will be aired in the USA someday, you'll especially like the "South Park Tribute To Monty Python". Imagine the parrot sketch with Kenny as the dead parrot
Its not down.. its resting!
The evening of MPFC was great, but I would have liked to hear more of the Graham Chapman funeral service, as John Cleese becomes the first person to say F**K at such a event! - I think Terry Jones stands up to say F**K as the second person ever to say the word at a funeral! We are now getting repeats of the series - its about time too! The South Park Kenny/Parrott sketch should have been longer!!!! Hell's Grannies rule!!
You are all beneath my contempt..., unless you bribe well
...and now for something completely different.
...sorry...couldn't help it. -m
Don't give me that, you snotty-faced heap of parrot droppings! Shut your festering gob, you tit! Your type really makes me puke, you vacuous, coffee-nosed, maloderous, pervert!
Oh I'm sorry, this is abuse. You want to go down the hall...
---
As copyright owner of this comment, I authorize everyone to defeat any technological measure which limits access to it.
Monty Python was one of the UK comedies that has been immensley popular in the US although as I've seen many times the US people often have a different sense of humour to us in the UK.
Some US comedies are immensley popular over here while others are complete failures so I was interested to know what british comedies are popular in other countries (the US in particular) and which ones can nobody stand?
I've also noticed recently the amount of new decent british comedy seems to be on the decline meaning we have to depend on imports more and more.
--
Monty Python's Flying Circus was filmed before a live studio audience.
Wow, 30 years, congratulations to all involved.
For those of you just finding out about Python, its an easy to use object oriented programming language that includes built in support for large moles and radioactive cats.
The underlying object framework is a fat lady with garters, and networking is implemented with a system of cartoon tunnels under the countryside.
For any more information, please contact Luigi Fercotti at (011) 6524-245, after 6 pm (011) 2152-487.
Hotnutz.com
If you've ever wondered why... :-)
The Piranha Brothers
Monty Python's Flying Circus was flamed before a lithe studious audience.
No, not quite right. Let's try that again.
Monty Python's Limey Circuit was blamed before a lovely studious audience.
My. No, still not quite right. Ah, yes, here we are:
Monty Python's Fleeing Circus was filmy before the lying studio executive.
No, that just won't do. Pardon. Won't be a minute.
[door slams]
[steps down hallway . clip clop clip clop clip clop THUD . silence . trap door opens . sounds of various bottles being rearranged in a shop window whilst the underground rattles by . thud of door closing . clip clop clip clop clip clop . creak of opening door]
Ahem.
Monty Python's Flying Circus was filmed before a live studio audience left in horror.
[applause]
[cannonade]
Will in Seattle
So why was this filed under humour? I though tit would have been obvious to put it under spam (spam, spam etc)
callum
Hey all, Does anyone know if the Oct. 9th Python stuff will be carried by anybody in the US (save satellite-only stuff)?? I would hate to miss it...
Thanks
The "Top 10" Reasons to procrastinate:
10.
We're British, and we insist upon a decent queue and proper registration of all browsers.
u t-by-Grimes-Way-but-over-a-small-bit-past- the-first-hedgehog
And another thing, why must we call it a browser? I mean, it brings up the question as to whether or not one intends to purchase anything or, instead, one is browsing with the intention of not purchasing. How can we expect anyone to take the Information Superexpressway-and-teashop-on-the-Hudson seriously if we permit ever Tom, Dick, and Harriet Millicent to just browse whenever they feel like it? Not very proper at all.
Sincerely yours,
Right Brigadier Major-General Montgomery Busybody, Mrs.
Sudbury-on-the-left-and-around-the-roundabout-o
Will in Seattle
I wonder if other people also noticed but the Python jokes must have been the most copied ones I've ever seen. Which prooves to me that these idiots did far more then just silly things ;-)) Time sure goes quickly. From a killer bunnie near a cave to a killer penguin. Oh well, its time for something completely different again I guess. My best wishes go out to the remaining Python team.
Dear Sirs,
I find the preceding post to be most improper and out of place. I shall cease my paid subscription to your web site and am expecting to receive back all monies previously sent to you. Small unmarked bills from Guinea would be preferred. And a bit of salami, if it's not much trouble.
Sincerely,
Subleftenant Captain-General Montgomery Busybody Jr.
Sudbury-but-take-the-right-road-this-time
Will in Seattle
Dear Sirs,
Both the preceding posts were utterly incomprehensible. I most strongly urge you to take action and urge the salmon to take a small foreign trawler to the outer banks. Flower sunshine mulligan.
Petunia,
Most Highly Improbable Bishop and Teacaddy Montgomery Busybody-Smythe
Sudbury-but-really-more-like-Reading
Will in Seattle
Even so, Mom always DID like you better...
-=-=-=-=-
-=-=-=-=-
My mom's going to kick you in the face!
Today is Bil Keane's 77th birthday! DFC Rules! Stefan Jones
The Learning Network is outside of registration. No login is required.
It's also funny, surreal, touching, historically interesting an d contains entertaining caricatures of Messers. Cleese, Idle, Jones et al c. 1965 : truly has to be seen to be believed.
Any Kiwi readers may also find the description of an early tour of NZ stirs some fond recollections ...
"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." -- Goethe