Monty Python

[Maister]

Reading some Python references on another thread got me to thinking...the show was done over 30 years ago: the Python troupe made a few movies afterwards - Holy Grail ('75), Life of Brian ('79), and Meaning of Life ('83) and there were also a few movies of live performances too. The thing is - that over 20 years has passed and and people are STILL bandying quotes from Pythondom. It's almost a right of passage that if you attend college at an American University you WILL recieve exposure to MP to some degree. "Quoting" Python in a responsorial way (ala 'knock knock' joke) appears to be way of demonstrating membership to the club, much as one might produce an ID card elsewhere (and oddly it seems most people feel compelled to recite their Python with an English accent too).

My two question for the Throbbing Brain - who among us quotes or has quoted Python and why is that it still remains a phenomenon after all these years?

 

[biscuit]

Strange timing for this tread. Not 5 minutes ago I was singing "I'm a Lumberjack" in response to a co-workers off color remark.

I suppose people still quote Monty Python because it's just timelessly weird and brilliantly funny.

 

[boiker]

Well Brian, I'm opening up a boutique and I never, ever, ever quote Monty Python.

 

[SlaveToTheGrind]

"No sir, you don't stop that sort of terror with a munchy bit of lettuce."

Had the desk calendar for last year. Very clever and creative in their comedy about things one would never think could be made funny. That type of genius does not come along very often.

 

[Budgie]

I find a lot a parrallels between off beat british comedy, SNL, music lyrics and events in my life. There have been times in the middle of my day and something will happen that makes me blurt out a quote from "The Young Ones" or "Mr. Robinsons Neighborhood" or "Black Adder" or some Led Zepplin tune. I can carry on an entire conversation with these types fo references. When it happens, it's kinda like de-ja-vu all over again (See there's Yogi).

My son "D" (11 next week) is more of a MP addict than I am.

 

[mendelman]

My nipples explode with delight at the sight of this thread :-D

MPFC (Monty Python's Flying Circus) is timeless. The various interviews I've seen with the guys was that they made a concerted effort to not be too time specific with the comedy. Although there are some skectches and songs one needs a historical view to understand and "get", there are way more that are just instrinsically(sp?) humorous.

I pretty much have the complete MPFC collection - movies, documentaries, and my ever-so-coveted complete collection of Flying Circus episodes o

3 favorite sketches that I can think of at the moment:
Cheese Shop - ...infiltrated your place of purveyance to negotiate the vending of some cheesy comestibles!
Architects - Oh sod the abattoir, that's not important.
Election Night Special - Kevin Philips Booonnnng: Slightly Silly Candidate

Most experimental stream of consiousness episode:
The Cycling Tour - August 23rd. Fell off near Budleigh Salterton.

 

[Tranplanner]

"North Minehead by-election" is probably about my favourite sketch...

"Taunton ist a part of North Minehead already"!

My two question for the Throbbing Brain - who among us quotes or has quoted Python and why is that it still remains a phenomenon after all these years?

Wait a minute...is this just a sneaky attempt by michaelskis to slip in one last noon-time question?

I didn't have choice - Python was almost a religion in my household.

 

[Duke Of Dystopia]

My two question for the Throbbing Brain - who among us quotes or has quoted Python and why is that it still remains a phenomenon after all these years?

Better question might be who doesn't?

Its funny because it is Absurd AND slapstick. Can't forget wierd, and subversive. They did a great job of poking religion in every body part that could hurt! Not to mention they made fun of the french, a lot.

Can't forget "Erik the Viking" was done by the majority of the crew.

Some of the quotes fit all of the above and will live for many more decades!

"Its just a flesh wound"

"Come back here and fight me, I'll bite your legs off!"

 

[Tom R]

Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!

 

[boiker]

I think my all time favorite skit is "Interesting People".

...and what makes you interesting?

Well, I hypnotize rocks into falling asleep.

 

[Dragon]

I quote Monty Python occasionally, especially the “Meaning of Life” and “Holy Grail” movies. They are just great pieced of comedy.

“Come on, let me face a little peril!”

 

[Maister]

michaelskis[/b] to slip in one last noon-time question?

Nope. I'm a rabid Python fan myself but I'll lay even odds Michaelskis has never been into Python (although oddly he did seem to like Badgerbadgerbadger).

 

[Maister]

I find a lot a parrallels between off beat british comedy, SNL, music lyrics and events in my life.

I recall hearing the producers of SNL citing Monty Python as a seminal influene on early SNL. You think about it, Python came up with some genuinely original bits (naughty and otherwise) such as bleeding one skit into another (you know like when Graham would come crashing into the end of a skit dressed as the hunorless military officer in an earlier skit yelling "stop this. It's just plain silly")

 

[freewaytincan]

Nope. I'm a rabid Python fan myself but I'll lay even odds Michaelskis has never been into Python (although oddly he did seem to like Badgerbadgerbadger).

How sad. How horrible. What a loser.

 

[mendelman]

I recall hearing the producers of SNL citing Monty Python as a seminal influene on early SNL. You think about it, Python came up with some genuinely original bits (naughty and otherwise) such as bleeding one skit into another (you know like when Graham would come crashing into the end of a skit dressed as the hunorless military officer in an earlier skit yelling "stop this. It's just plain silly")

Don't forget the direct decendency of The Kids in the Hall as the further crystallization of the MP sketch comedy method.

quoted from Slave to the Grind - That type of genius does not come along very often.

Yes, this level of quality sketch comedy doesn't come around often, but I think I probably comes around every 10-15yrs - MPFC preceded Kids in hall by about 15 yrs.

Luckily, we have the Second City theater here in Chicago, and this is the place to come for high-order comedy training.

Plus, if you're Canadian or British you're genetically predisposed to great comedy - Both purposely and accidentally ;-) :-D

 

[Tom R]

mp

I remember turning on the tv late at night in the 70s and there would be some very strange show on selling widgets or something, and saying to myself "Is this for real or a Monty Python skit?"

SOT - and of course these the "spinoff"- Fawlty Towers. I almost broke a rib laughing at Manual chasing his pet rat "Basil."

 

[michaelskis]

Nope. I'm a rabid Python fan myself but I'll lay even odds Michaelskis has never been into Python (although oddly he did seem to like Badgerbadgerbadger).

The rabbit will come after me if I quote MP any more... therefor all references to shrubbery can be assumed to be non MP

 

[JNA]

According to CNN:
How Monty Python changed the world

http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/TV/12/10/monty.python/

"Python has the ability to transcend generations. They never had the widest audience, but they had the hippest audience."

You of course counted me as fan considering previous references in my postings.

We all like taking funny quizzes, here is one for you all
Which Monty Python And The Holy Grail Character Are You?
http://www.angelfire.com/ny5/mpholygrail/grailtest.html

 

[Duke Of Dystopia]

Nope. I'm a rabid Python fan myself but I'll lay even odds Michaelskis has never been into Python (although oddly he did seem to like Badgerbadgerbadger).

Did you go back and see Badgerbadgerbadger II?

It is one of the badgers having a bad mushroom pic! A must see!

 

[Miles Ignatius]

I'd Rather Quote Python Instead of Fondling Your Buttocks!

Count me in as a regular user (or, abuser) of Python material. From describing a wine as "having a bouquet like an Aborigine's armpit" or asking, "Do you want to come upstairs? No, I'm here for the abuse...." they're all part of my arsenal when I encounter pompous self serving loathesome spotty behinds in my daily surreal pursuits. The stuff endures as it has no equal.

Bless them & great thread, too.

 

[Budgie]

I encounter pompous self serving loathesome spotty behinds in my daily surreal pursuits.

"One things for sure, when Lenin lead the revolution in Russia, no way did he do it with a spotless bottom". - Rick

"Yeah, I like my bottom spotty"!!!! - Vyvan

**********
Sorry, I'm a "Young Ones" fanatic.

 

[Plannerbabs]

One of the funniest things I've ever seen was very late at night, in studio. Two landscape architecture students were having the "shrubbery" conversation while assembling their models.
"A Shrubbery!!"
"One that looks nice."
"Of course."
"And not too expensive, with a little white fence around it."
Of course the room erupted with a chorus of "Ni!s", and no one got work done for a while, we were laughing too hard.

 

[Dan]

Good Lord ... Python quoting. Next thing I know, you'll be playing Magic, comparing Linux distribtions, posting reviews of anime, requesting name changes to things like "K'Tar G'khan'klaH," showing off photos of your RenFest and furry costumes, and discussing the most recent rule changes regarding character creation in Dungeons and Dragons.

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition! Get the original poster ...











The comfy chair!

 

[Chet]

"It's 6:00, and now its time for the penguin on your telly to explode..."


and of course,

"BURMA!"

"Any do you keep saying Burma?"

 

[otterpop]

Given my avatar, I am sure I am accused of peppering my remarks with Pythonesque references. I've gotten odd looks from people when I am said "I wish to register a complaint!" Or "I didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition."

I am particularly fond of the Bruce sketch and the Philosopher Song. "Immanuel Kant was a real pissant. Who was very rarely stable. . ."

Love those silly Brits and American.

 

[otterpop]

Right after sending my last comment, I recalled that there was a small article in Smithsonian on Monty Python in last month's issue, sort of a sidebar for an article on the BBC. Interesting stuff.

 

[Maister]

"It's 6:00, and now its time for the penguin on your telly to explode..."

My god, I'd completely forgot about that one. The first time I saw that I nearly died from not being able to breathe. 'Absurdist' humo(u)r might be an appropriate label to attach to MP. What does an exploding penguin have to do with anything? Nothing. Exactly why it's funny.

 

[JNA]

. What does an exploding penguin have to do with anything?

Don't you know / remember it lead to the Penguin Whacking thread. ;-)

 

[JNL]

I love Monty Python! Didn't realise you 'Mericans would be so appreciative of a British production :-D

 

[Cardinal]

Monty Python was the most important thing in my life during the 80's, when it was a staple of public television. The Bicycle Tour through North Cornwall was my favorite episode, although I will still break out into songs like...

spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam....

 

[Habanero]

Monty Python was the most important thing in my life during the 80's, when it was a staple of public television. The Bicycle Tour through North Cornwall was my favorite episode, although I will still break out into songs like...

spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam....

"It's not a question of where he grips it! It's a simple question of weight ratios! A five ounce bird could not carry a one pound coconut."

It's on BBC again at night. For some reason some have even said my s.o looks a bit like John Cleese. *swoon*

 

[Maister]

I love Monty Python! Didn't realise you 'Mericans would be so appreciative of a British production :-D

Most intelligent english speakers seem to appreciate Python. The one exception is Scots. For some mysterious reason they seem less enamoured of their antics...well, I'm off to go watch Wimbledon.

 

[Tranplanner]

Most intelligent english speakers seem to appreciate Python. The one exception is Scots. For some mysterious reason they seem less enamoured of their antics...

Could it have had something to do with Kamikaze Highlanders?

 

[DecaturHawk]

Most intelligent english speakers seem to appreciate Python. The one exception is Scots. For some mysterious reason they seem less enamoured of their antics...well, I'm off to go watch Wimbledon.

Watch out for the blancmange!

 

[Bear Up North]

The fish dance.....the "Lumberjack Song".....spam spam spam.....naughty bits.....
Merely a flesh wound.....fish license.....dead parrot (he's expired, mate).....

So many bits, some hilarious EVERY time you watch them. Trying to remember, help my out Throbbing "Brian" of Cyburbia:

Was there a bit that a van pulls up in front of a house, something about cats exploding?

And a bit where a hallway has all these offices, marked "Abuse", "Arguments", etc? I remember the argument segment.....

"Excuse me, is this the room for arguments?"
"No it's not."
"But your sign says it is."
"No it doesn't."
ETC.

Last week at work we were just discussing some of these bits.

Bear Not In The Flying Circus

 

[SlaveToTheGrind]

We all like taking funny quizzes, here is one for you all
Which Monty Python And The Holy Grail Character Are You?
http://www.angelfire.com/ny5/mpholygrail/grailtest.html

 

[Plannerbabs]

<a href="http://www.angelfire.com/ny5/mpholygrail/grailtest.html"><img src="http://www.angelfire.com/ny5/mpholygrail/imdennis.txt" border=0></a><br>Take the <a href="http://www.angelfire.com/ny5/mpholygrail/grailtest.html" target="_new">Which Monty Python & The Holy Grail character are you?</a> Test @ <a href="http://www.angelfire.com/ny5/mpholygrail" target="_new">The Monty Python & The Holy Grail Unofficial Fan Site</a>

How do I turn that into a pretty picture?? |-)

Mod Edit (NHPlanner): Click on edit to see the source of what I added.

 

[NHPlanner]

Here's what I ended up with.

 

[Plannerbabs]

Brilliant! Thank you, Sir Lancelot/NHPlanner!

 

[NHPlanner]

Anyone pick up the 2 disc special edition Holy Grail DVD? I haven't had a chance to watch the second disc yet....but the special features are in a word, brilliant!

• Commentary by Terry Gilliam & Terry Jones, plus general complaints and back-biting by John Cleese, Eric Idle & Michael Palin
  
• Theatrical trailer(s)
  
• High definition widescreen presentation with pink frilly edges
  
• Subtitles for People Who Don't Like the Film (taken from Shakespeare's Henry IV, part II) On-Screen Screenplay: read the screenplay while you watch the film
  
• Exciting "Follow The Killer Rabbit" Feature!
  
• A special version for the Hard of Hearing
  
• A glorious extra 24 seconds absolutely free
  
• Three Mindless Sing-Alongs
  
• Join Michael Palin and Terry Jones in their special documentary: The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations
  
• How To Use Your Coconuts (an educational film)
  
• Monty Python and the Holy Grail In Lego
  
• "On Location with The Pythons". Genuine 18 min. location report made in 1974 by BBC Film Night. (broadcast December 19, 1974)
  
• An Interactive Cast Directory - discover just how many roles Michael Palin plays
  
• Tons of Terry Gilliam's original sketches plus posters
  
• Behind-the-Scenes Photos - hitherto unseen by human eyes
  
• A Load of Old Rubbish - a surprise package of mystery items specially included for the mentally challenged
  
• How the directors' recce used up the budget
  
• Widescreen anamorphic format