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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!"
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!
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
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.
And 30 years later...
National Techies Day was born.
Kind of fitting, if you ask me. Although you probably won't.
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And Python Night is on BBC2 on Saturday (9th October). I'm particularly looking forward to Nun Boiling in Bristol.
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Dunx
Converting caffeine into code since 1982
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
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I think its funny. "Why" is a philosophical question. (I've often thought there deserved a fourth 'division' of philosophy---epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, and comedy/drollery.) I answer with this: I can hardly remember truly laughing in response to comedic writing for a sitcom, serial troop, stand-up act, or for many film comedies. I've laughed so enthusiastically at the work of Monty Python that it's bordered on vomiting.
Monty Python has often been credited as the first popular media 'intellectual comedy'. They dared to be actually critical in uncompromising satire that might matter to an audience television programming at the time would not risk flattering. Some of their work in the Flying Circus, such as the "Epilogue: A Question of Belief" where a humanist theological philosopher (atheist) and a Catholic bishop elect to take the evenings debate into the wrestling ring, have been routinely censored in re-broadcast in the United States. (Ironic: the humanist body slams the hellfire out of the vicar immediately and without pause. The show is quickly cut out ie. censored in the skit itself. The announcer later lies about the outcome in a voice-over during the credits.)
I don't believe in rights-of-passage or geekdom. I noticed only recently my father, an old attorney, has the complete video library bootlegged when not commercially available, and the two script compendiums. He doesn't own even a CD player. My job in the computer industry is incidental.
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!
Its not down.. its resting!
...and now for something completely different.
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
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
Even so, Mom always DID like you better...
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My mom's going to kick you in the face!
The Young Ones is probably the funniest thing I have ever seen on a television.
other than that nothing is really sticking out in my mind as "Really Funny British Stuff" but I'm sure I'm just temporarily forgetting something.
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