Monty Python

It’s! A lot of silly gits making ridiculous noises for no discernable reason

It’s! Ralph the Wonder Llama!

It’s! Six men from several countries, but mostly England who have been saying and doing bizarre things for 30 years and surprisingly enough have not been arrested yet

If you picked number 3, then you are correct. Please pick up your prize from the dead parrot at the door.

The six men are collectively called Monty Python. The origin of the name is buried in time unless you have the password. They have created a world of strange characters that do even stranger things. Grown men run about pretending that coconuts are horses. They flee killer rabbits. They explain the meaning of life as they sing about sperm and spam. They have plumage, and sing songs about lumberjacks wearing dresses. They have made us laugh when we're not quite sure what it is we're laughing at. Quite a trick when you think about it.

Monty Python consists of Terry Gilliam, John Cleese, Terry Jones, Eric Idle, Michael Palin and Graham Chapman who died in 1989. Their three decade on-again, off-again collaboration has spawned 16 comedy albums/CDs, 14 books, a half dozen television shows, and five movies. This doesn't count the work they've gone off and done separately.

They are most famous (or infamous) for the television show, Monty Python's Flying Circus, an insanely funny series of sketches with recurring characters. A true education in Pythonism begins with the Flying Circus, but it’s not always easy to find it on TV. The films are much easier to find and, as an added bonus, you get long-term Python exposure.

The best known film is Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Our six intrepid boys did some twisted things to the beloved Arthurian legend and I for one am forever grateful. What would the world be like without the Knights who say NI!, Tim the Enchanter or Zoot the nymphomaniac virgin. (Is that an oxymoron?) There are legions of Python fans who have the script memorized and still laugh hysterically when they watch the film for the 17 thousandth time. This either means that Holy Grail is an amazing film or these people have no life. As a fan who has done this, I will say it is both-at least in my own case.

The Life of Brian is another story entirely. That's a relief isn't it? <G> It is also the only movie I know of that decided to become a musical in the last half-hour of the film. Life of Brian is the story of a man who had the misfortune to be born in the manger next to Jesus and spends his life being mistaken for him. A lot of people had a problem with that aspect of the film as you might imagine. If you don’t, then see the movie. IMHO, it’s worth it just to see Eric Idle as Harry the Haggler.

It was a relief for many of us to have the meaning of life explained , I'm sure I wasn't the only one who was surprised to find fish emceeing the momentous occasion. From birth through death via live organ transplants and religious debate with a little piracy thrown in for good measure, the Python crew find some very interesting reasons why...

“The universe itself keeps on expanding and expanding In all of the directions it can whiz As fast as it can go, at the speed of light, you know Twelve million miles a minute and that's the fastest speed there is So remember when you're feeling very small and insecure How amazingly unlikely is your birth And pray that there's intelligent life somewhere up in space 'Cause there's bugger all down here on Earth"

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The remaining Python films are basically a return to the sketches of Flying Circus and if you still can't find the show on TV, then these are for you. You can also see many movies with one or more of the original comedy troupe that aren't exactly Python films, however they benefit greatly from having a dollop of Python in them. Since it isn't known if Monty Python will get together and do another film, (unlikely-but if you know differently, write me so I can run around the room screaming with joy) I recommend seeing everything you can.

There is not enough silliness in the world. The members of Monty Python have done their best to correct that deficiency. Watching their antics was my introduction into British humor, a very dry, yet slapstick brand of fun I hadn't been exposed to. I've never been sorry to be initiated-or is that inoculated?

In an attempt to further acquaint newbies to the joys of Monty Python while allowing those of us who have nothing better to do than memorize this sort of thing, we offer Trivia. You could possibly win a shrubbery.

Name that Tune!

1. "He was not in the least bit scared to be mashed into a pulp. Or to have his eyes gouged out and his elbows broken. To have his kneecaps split and his body burned away. And his limbs all hacked and mangled"

2. “And always look on the bright side of life (whistles) Come on! ...Always look on the right side of life (whistles). For life is quite absurd. And death's the final word. You must always face the curtain with a bow. Forget about your sin. Give the audience a grin. Enjoy it-- It's your last chance anyhow! “

3. “Is life just a game where we make up the rules. While we're searching for something to say. Or are we just simply spiralling coils Of self-replicating DNA?”

- Tam

Do you agree or disagree with Tam's obsession with all things Python? Could you win that shubbery? Which scenes, and lines, from their movies are guaranteed to get you laughing?

Found any good Python-related websites?

Then we'd love to hear from you!

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