Monty Python's Flying Circus - Revision history

Kurt: /* Recurring characters */

2023-02-12T01:10:23Z

Recurring characters

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	* A somewhat disreputable shopkeeper, played by Palin, is a staple of many a two-person sketch (notably "Dead Parrot Sketch" and "Cheese Shop"). He often speaks with a strong Cockney accent, and has no consistent name.		* A somewhat disreputable shopkeeper, played by Palin, is a staple of many a two-person sketch (notably "Dead Parrot Sketch" and "Cheese Shop"). He often speaks with a strong Cockney accent, and has no consistent name.
	* Mr. Badger (Idle), a Scotsman whose specialty was interrupting sketches ('I won't ruin your sketch, for a pound'). He was once interviewed, in a sketch opposite Cleese, regarding his interpretation of the [[Magna Carta]], which Badger believes was actually a piece of chewing gum on a bedspread in [[Dorset]]. He has also been seen as an [[Aircraft hijacking\|aeroplane hijacker]] whose demands grow increasingly strange.		* Mr. Badger (Idle), a Scotsman whose specialty was interrupting sketches ('I won't ruin your sketch, for a pound'). He was once interviewed, in a sketch opposite Cleese, regarding his interpretation of the [[Magna Carta]], which Badger believes was actually a piece of chewing gum on a bedspread in [[Dorset]]. He has also been seen as an [[Aircraft hijacking\|aeroplane hijacker]] whose demands grow increasingly strange.
	* [[Mr. Praline\|Mr. Eric Praline]], a disgruntled man, played by Cleese and who often wears a [[Cagoule (raincoat)#The roll-up-able cagoule\|Pac-a-Mac]]. His most famous appearance is in the "[[Dead Parrot sketch]]". His name is only mentioned once on-screen, during the "[[Fish Licence]]" sketch, but his attire (together with Cleese's distinctive, nasal performance) distinguishes him as a recognisable character who makes multiple appearances throughout the first two series. An audio re-recording of "Fish Licence" also reveals that he has multiple pets of wildly differing species, all of them named "[[Eric the Half-a-Bee\|Eric]]".		* [[Mr Praline\|Mr. Eric Praline]], a disgruntled man, played by Cleese and who often wears a [[Cagoule (raincoat)#The roll-up-able cagoule\|Pac-a-Mac]]. His most famous appearance is in the "[[Dead Parrot sketch]]". His name is only mentioned once on-screen, during the "[[Fish Licence]]" sketch, but his attire (together with Cleese's distinctive, nasal performance) distinguishes him as a recognisable character who makes multiple appearances throughout the first two series. An audio re-recording of "Fish Licence" also reveals that he has multiple pets of wildly differing species, all of them named "[[Eric the Half-a-Bee\|Eric]]".
	* Arthur Nudge, a well-dressed mustachioed man, referred to in the published scripts as "Mr. Nudge" (Idle), who pointedly annoys uptight characters (usually Jones). He is characterised by his constant nudging gestures and cheeky innuendo. His most famous appearance is in his initial sketch, "[[Nudge Nudge]]", though he appears in several later sketches too, including "The Visitors", where he claimed his name was Arthur Name.		* Arthur Nudge, a well-dressed mustachioed man, referred to in the published scripts as "Mr. Nudge" (Idle), who pointedly annoys uptight characters (usually Jones). He is characterised by his constant nudging gestures and cheeky innuendo. His most famous appearance is in his initial sketch, "[[Nudge Nudge]]", though he appears in several later sketches too, including "The Visitors", where he claimed his name was Arthur Name.
	* [[Biggles]] (Chapman, and [[The Spanish Inquisition (Monty Python)\|in one instance]] Jones), a World War I pilot. Derived from the famous series of fiction stories by [[W. E. Johns]].		* [[Biggles]] (Chapman, and [[The Spanish Inquisition (Monty Python)\|in one instance]] Jones), a World War I pilot. Derived from the famous series of fiction stories by [[W. E. Johns]].

Kurt: /* Recurring characters */

2023-02-12T01:05:34Z

Recurring characters

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	* "[[The Colonel (Monty Python)\|The Colonel]]" (Chapman), a British Army officer who interrupts sketches that are "too silly" or that contain material he finds offensive. The Colonel also appears when non-BBC broadcast repeats need to be cut off for time constraints in [[broadcast syndication\|syndication]].		* "[[The Colonel (Monty Python)\|The Colonel]]" (Chapman), a British Army officer who interrupts sketches that are "too silly" or that contain material he finds offensive. The Colonel also appears when non-BBC broadcast repeats need to be cut off for time constraints in [[broadcast syndication\|syndication]].
	* Arthur Pewtey (Palin), a socially inept, extremely dull man who appears most notably in the "[[Marriage Guidance Counsellor]]" and "[[Ministry of Silly Walks]]" sketches. His sketches all take the form of an office appointment with an authority figure (usually played by Cleese), which are used to parody the officious side of the British establishment by having the professional employed in the most bizarre field of expertise. The spelling of Pewtey's surname is changed, sometimes being spelled "Putey".		* Arthur Pewtey (Palin), a socially inept, extremely dull man who appears most notably in the "[[Marriage Guidance Counsellor]]" and "[[Ministry of Silly Walks]]" sketches. His sketches all take the form of an office appointment with an authority figure (usually played by Cleese), which are used to parody the officious side of the British establishment by having the professional employed in the most bizarre field of expertise. The spelling of Pewtey's surname is changed, sometimes being spelled "Putey".
	* The Reverend Arthur Belling is the [[vicar]] of St Loony-Up-The-Cream-Bun-and-Jam, known for his deranged behaviour. In one sketch (within Series 2, played by Chapman), he makes an appeal to the insane people of the world to drive sane people insane. In another sketch (within Series 3, played by Palin), which is among the pantheon of fan favourites~~{{citation needed\|date=January 2019}}~~, the vicar politely joins a honeymooning couple at an outdoor café, repeatedly insisting he does not wish to disturb them; he then sits down, opens a suitcase full of props, and calmly proceeds to smash plates on the table, shake a baby doll in their faces, bounce a rubber crab from a ping-pong paddle, and spray shaving cream all over his face, all whilst loudly chanting nonsense syllables. Rev. Belling's odd version of 'not being disturbing' serves to convert the couple to his bizarre sect of Christianity.		* The Reverend Arthur Belling is the [[vicar]] of St Loony-Up-The-Cream-Bun-and-Jam, known for his deranged behaviour. In one sketch (within Series 2, played by Chapman), he makes an appeal to the insane people of the world to drive sane people insane. In another sketch (within Series 3, played by Palin), which is among the pantheon of fan favourites, the vicar politely joins a honeymooning couple at an outdoor café, repeatedly insisting he does not wish to disturb them; he then sits down, opens a suitcase full of props, and calmly proceeds to smash plates on the table, shake a baby doll in their faces, bounce a rubber crab from a ping-pong paddle, and spray shaving cream all over his face, all whilst loudly chanting nonsense syllables. Rev. Belling's odd version of 'not being disturbing' serves to convert the couple to his bizarre sect of Christianity.
	* A somewhat disreputable shopkeeper, played by Palin, is a staple of many a two-person sketch (notably "Dead Parrot Sketch" and "Cheese Shop"). He often speaks with a strong Cockney accent, and has no consistent name.		* A somewhat disreputable shopkeeper, played by Palin, is a staple of many a two-person sketch (notably "Dead Parrot Sketch" and "Cheese Shop"). He often speaks with a strong Cockney accent, and has no consistent name.
	* Mr. Badger (Idle), a Scotsman whose specialty was interrupting sketches ('I won't ruin your sketch, for a pound'). He was once interviewed, in a sketch opposite Cleese, regarding his interpretation of the [[Magna Carta]], which Badger believes was actually a piece of chewing gum on a bedspread in [[Dorset]]. He has also been seen as an [[Aircraft hijacking\|aeroplane hijacker]] whose demands grow increasingly strange.		* Mr. Badger (Idle), a Scotsman whose specialty was interrupting sketches ('I won't ruin your sketch, for a pound'). He was once interviewed, in a sketch opposite Cleese, regarding his interpretation of the [[Magna Carta]], which Badger believes was actually a piece of chewing gum on a bedspread in [[Dorset]]. He has also been seen as an [[Aircraft hijacking\|aeroplane hijacker]] whose demands grow increasingly strange.
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	Other returning characters include a married couple, often mentioned but never seen, [[Ann Haydon-Jones]] and her husband Pip. In "[[Election Night Special]]", Pip has lost a political seat to [[Engelbert Humperdinck (singer)\|Engelbert Humperdinck]]. Several recurring characters are played by different Pythons. Both Palin and Chapman played the insanely violent Police Constable [[Pan American World Airways\|Pan Am]]. Both Jones and Palin portrayed police sergeant Harry 'Snapper' Organs of Q division. Various historical figures were played by a different cast member in each appearance, such as [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart\|Mozart]] (Cleese, then Palin), or [[Queen Victoria]] (Jones, then Palin, then all five Pythons in Series 4).		Other returning characters include a married couple, often mentioned but never seen, [[Ann Haydon-Jones]] and her husband Pip. In "[[Election Night Special]]", Pip has lost a political seat to [[Engelbert Humperdinck (singer)\|Engelbert Humperdinck]]. Several recurring characters are played by different Pythons. Both Palin and Chapman played the insanely violent Police Constable [[Pan American World Airways\|Pan Am]]. Both Jones and Palin portrayed police sergeant Harry 'Snapper' Organs of Q division. Various historical figures were played by a different cast member in each appearance, such as [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart\|Mozart]] (Cleese, then Palin), or [[Queen Victoria]] (Jones, then Palin, then all five Pythons in Series 4).

	Some of the Pythons' real-life targets recurred more frequently than others. [[Reginald Maudling]], a contemporary [[Conservative Party (UK)\|Conservative]] politician, was singled out for perhaps the most consistent ridicule.{{sfn\|Larsen\|2008\|p=288}} Then-[[Secretary of State for Education and Science]], and (well after the programme had ended) Prime Minister [[Margaret Thatcher]], was occasionally mentioned, in particular referring to Thatcher's brain as being in her shin received a hearty laugh from the studio audience~~{{citation needed\|date=January 2019}}~~. Then-US President [[Richard Nixon]] was also frequently mocked, as was Conservative party leader [[Edward Heath]], prime minister for much of the series' run. The [[Law enforcement in the United Kingdom\|British police]] were also a favourite target, often acting bizarrely, stupidly, or abusing their authority, frequently in drag.		Some of the Pythons' real-life targets recurred more frequently than others. [[Reginald Maudling]], a contemporary [[Conservative Party (UK)\|Conservative]] politician, was singled out for perhaps the most consistent ridicule.{{sfn\|Larsen\|2008\|p=288}} Then-[[Secretary of State for Education and Science]], and (well after the programme had ended) Prime Minister [[Margaret Thatcher]], was occasionally mentioned, in particular referring to Thatcher's brain as being in her shin received a hearty laugh from the studio audience. Then-US President [[Richard Nixon]] was also frequently mocked, as was Conservative party leader [[Edward Heath]], prime minister for much of the series' run. The [[Law enforcement in the United Kingdom\|British police]] were also a favourite target, often acting bizarrely, stupidly, or abusing their authority, frequently in drag.

	== Series overview ==		== Series overview ==

Kurt: /* Recurring characters */

2023-02-12T00:57:56Z

Recurring characters

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	* '''The "It's" Man''' (Palin), a [[Robinson Crusoe]]-type castaway with torn clothes and a long, unkempt beard who would appear at the beginning of the programme. Often he is seen performing a long or dangerous task, such as falling off a tall, jagged cliff or running through a mine field a long distance towards the camera before introducing the show by just saying, "It's..." before being abruptly cut off by the opening titles and Terry Gilliam's animation sprouting the words 'Monty Python’s Flying Circus'. ''It's'' was an early candidate for the title of the series.		* '''The "It's" Man''' (Palin), a [[Robinson Crusoe]]-type castaway with torn clothes and a long, unkempt beard who would appear at the beginning of the programme. Often he is seen performing a long or dangerous task, such as falling off a tall, jagged cliff or running through a mine field a long distance towards the camera before introducing the show by just saying, "It's..." before being abruptly cut off by the opening titles and Terry Gilliam's animation sprouting the words 'Monty Python’s Flying Circus'. ''It's'' was an early candidate for the title of the series.
	* '''A BBC [[continuity announcer]] in a [[dinner jacket]]''' (Cleese), seated at a desk, often in highly incongruous locations, such as a forest or a beach. His line, "[[And Now for Something Completely Different\|And now for something completely different]]", was used variously as a lead-in to the opening titles and a simple way to link sketches. Though Cleese is best known for it, Idle first introduced the phrase in Episode 2, where he introduced a man with three buttocks. It eventually became the show’s [[catchphrase]] and served as the title for the troupe’s first movie. In Series 3 the line was shortened to simply: "And now..." and was often combined with the "It's" man in introducing the episodes.		* '''A BBC [[continuity announcer]] in a [[dinner jacket]]''' (Cleese), seated at a desk, often in highly incongruous locations, such as a forest or a beach. His line, "[[And Now for Something Completely Different\|And now for something completely different]]", was used variously as a lead-in to the opening titles and a simple way to link sketches. Though Cleese is best known for it, Idle first introduced the phrase in Episode 2, where he introduced a man with three buttocks. It eventually became the show’s [[catchphrase]] and served as the title for the troupe’s first movie. In Series 3 the line was shortened to simply: "And now..." and was often combined with the "It's" man in introducing the episodes.
	[[File:~~Gumbys-present-architects-sketch~~.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|Gumbys on parade]]		[[File:Gumby.webp\|thumb\|Gumbys on parade]]
	* '''The [[Gumbys]]''', a dim-witted group of identically attired people all wearing [[gumboots]] (from which they take their name), high-water trousers, [[Braces (clothing)\|braces]], [[Fair Isle (technique)\|Fair Isle]] [[Tank top (sweater)\|tanktop]]s, white shirts with rolled up sleeves, round wire-rimmed glasses, [[toothbrush mustache\|toothbrush moustache]]s and knotted handkerchiefs worn on their heads (a stereotype of the English [[working class culture\|working-class]] holidaymaker). Gumbys always stand in a hunched, square posture, holding their arms stiffly at their sides with their balled hands curled inwards. They speak slowly in loud, throaty voices punctuated by frequent grunts and groans, display a poor understanding of everything they encounter, and have a fondness for pointless violence. All of them are surnamed Gumby: D.P. Gumby, R.S. Gumby, etc. Even though all Pythons played Gumbys in the show's run, the character is most closely associated with Michael Palin.		* '''The [[Gumbys]]''', a dim-witted group of identically attired people all wearing [[gumboots]] (from which they take their name), high-water trousers, [[Braces (clothing)\|braces]], [[Fair Isle (technique)\|Fair Isle]] [[Tank top (sweater)\|tanktop]]s, white shirts with rolled up sleeves, round wire-rimmed glasses, [[toothbrush mustache\|toothbrush moustache]]s and knotted handkerchiefs worn on their heads (a stereotype of the English [[working class culture\|working-class]] holidaymaker). Gumbys always stand in a hunched, square posture, holding their arms stiffly at their sides with their balled hands curled inwards. They speak slowly in loud, throaty voices punctuated by frequent grunts and groans, display a poor understanding of everything they encounter, and have a fondness for pointless violence. All of them are surnamed Gumby: D.P. Gumby, R.S. Gumby, etc. Even though all Pythons played Gumbys in the show's run, the character is most closely associated with Michael Palin.
	* '''The Knight with a Raw Chicken''' (Gilliam), who would hit characters over the head with the chicken when they said something particularly silly. The knight was a regular during the first series and made another appearance in the third.		* '''The Knight with a Raw Chicken''' (Gilliam), who would hit characters over the head with the chicken when they said something particularly silly. The knight was a regular during the first series and made another appearance in the third.

Kurt: /* Cleese */

2023-02-12T00:52:26Z

Cleese

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	=== Cleese ===		=== Cleese ===
	[[John Cleese]] played ridiculous authority figures. Gilliam claims that Cleese is the funniest of the Pythons in drag, as he barely needs to be dressed up to look hilarious, with his square chin and 6' 5" (196 cm) frame (see the "Mr. and Mrs. Git" sketch).~~{{citation needed\|date=March 2012}}~~ Cleese also played intimidating maniacs, such as an instructor in the "[[Self-Defence Against Fresh Fruit]]" sketch. His character [[Mr. Praline]], the put-upon consumer, featured in some of the most popular sketches, most famously in "[[Dead Parrot]]".<ref>{{cite book \| title = The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus: All the Words, Volume One \| first1 = Graham \| last1 = Chapman \| first2 = John \| last2 = Cleese \| first3 = Terry \| last3 = Gilliam \| first4 = Eric \| last4 = Idle \| first5 = Terry \| last5 = Jones \| first6 = Michael \| last6 = Palin \| editor-first = Roger \| editor-last = Wilmut \| year = 1989 \| publisher = Pantheon Books \| location = New York, New York \| isbn = 0-679-72647-0 \| page = 320 (Appendix)}}</ref> One star turn that proved most memorable among Python fans was "[[The Ministry of Silly Walks]]", where he worked for the eponymous government department. The sketch displays the notably tall and loose-limbed Cleese's physicality in a variety of silly walks. Despite its popularity, particularly among American fans, Cleese himself particularly disliked the sketch, feeling that many of the laughs it generated were cheap and that no balance was provided by what could have been the true satirical centrepoint.~~{{citation needed\|date=March 2012}}~~ Another of his trademarks is his over-the-top delivery of abuse, particularly his screaming "You bastard!"		[[John Cleese]] played ridiculous authority figures. Gilliam claims that Cleese is the funniest of the Pythons in drag, as he barely needs to be dressed up to look hilarious, with his square chin and 6' 5" (196 cm) frame (see the "Mr. and Mrs. Git" sketch). Cleese also played intimidating maniacs, such as an instructor in the "[[Self-Defence Against Fresh Fruit]]" sketch. His character [[Mr Praline]], the put-upon consumer, featured in some of the most popular sketches, most famously in "[[Dead Parrot]]".<ref>{{cite book \| title = The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus: All the Words, Volume One \| first1 = Graham \| last1 = Chapman \| first2 = John \| last2 = Cleese \| first3 = Terry \| last3 = Gilliam \| first4 = Eric \| last4 = Idle \| first5 = Terry \| last5 = Jones \| first6 = Michael \| last6 = Palin \| editor-first = Roger \| editor-last = Wilmut \| year = 1989 \| publisher = Pantheon Books \| location = New York, New York \| isbn = 0-679-72647-0 \| page = 320 (Appendix)}}</ref> One star turn that proved most memorable among Python fans was "[[The Ministry of Silly Walks]]", where he worked for the eponymous government department. The sketch displays the notably tall and loose-limbed Cleese's physicality in a variety of silly walks. Despite its popularity, particularly among American fans, Cleese himself particularly disliked the sketch, feeling that many of the laughs it generated were cheap and that no balance was provided by what could have been the true satirical centrepoint. Another of his trademarks is his over-the-top delivery of abuse, particularly his screaming "You bastard!"

	Cleese often played foreigners with ridiculous accents, especially Frenchmen, most of the time with Palin. Sometimes this extended to the use of actual French or German (such as "The Funniest Joke in the World", "Mr. [[Adolf Hitler\|Hilter]]", or "La Marche Futile" at the end of "The Ministry of Silly Walks"), but still with a very heavy accent (or impossible to understand, as for example Hilter's speech).		Cleese often played foreigners with ridiculous accents, especially Frenchmen, most of the time with Palin. Sometimes this extended to the use of actual French or German (such as "The Funniest Joke in the World", "Mr. [[Adolf Hitler\|Hilter]]", or "La Marche Futile" at the end of "The Ministry of Silly Walks"), but still with a very heavy accent (or impossible to understand, as for example Hilter's speech).

Kurt: /* Gilliam */

2023-02-12T00:43:32Z

Gilliam

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	=== Gilliam ===		=== Gilliam ===
	[[File:Angelo Bronzino - Venus, Cupid, Folly and Time - National Gallery, London.jpg\|right\|thumb\|upright=1.1\|The famous Python Foot can here be seen in its original context in the bottom-left corner of ''[[Venus, Cupid, Folly and Time]]'' by [[~~Bronzino\|~~Agnolo Bronzino]], in the [[National Gallery, London]]]]		[[File:Angelo Bronzino - Venus, Cupid, Folly and Time - National Gallery, London.jpg\|right\|thumb\|upright=1.1\|The famous Python Foot can here be seen in its original context in the bottom-left corner of ''[[Venus, Cupid, Folly and Time]]'' by [[Agnolo Bronzino]], in the [[National Gallery, London]]]]
	[[File:Foot detail from Venus, Cupid, Folly and Time by Agnolo Bronzino.jpg\|right\|thumb\|upright=1.1\|Close-up of the foot]]		[[File:Foot detail from Venus, Cupid, Folly and Time by Agnolo Bronzino.jpg\|right\|thumb\|upright=1.1\|Close-up of the foot]]
	Many Python sketches were linked together by the [[Cutout animation\|cut-out animations]] of [[Terry Gilliam]], including the opening titles featuring the iconic giant foot that became a symbol of all that was 'Pythonesque'.<ref>{{cite book \|title= The Designer's Dictionary of Color \|author= Sean Adams \|publisher= Abrams \|year= 2017 \|isbn= 9781683350026 \|page= 104}}</ref> Gilliam’s unique visual style was characterised by sudden, dramatic movements and deliberate mismatches of scale, set in [[surrealism\|surrealist]] landscapes populated by [[engraving]]s of large buildings with elaborate architecture, grotesque [[Victorian era#Technology and engineering\|Victorian]] gadgets, machinery, and people cut from old [[Sears Roebuck]] catalogues. Gilliam added [[airbrush]] illustrations and many familiar pieces of art. All of these elements were combined in incongruous ways to obtain new and humorous meanings.		Many Python sketches were linked together by the [[Cutout animation\|cut-out animations]] of [[Terry Gilliam]], including the opening titles featuring the iconic giant foot that became a symbol of all that was 'Pythonesque'.<ref>{{cite book \|title= The Designer's Dictionary of Color \|author= Sean Adams \|publisher= Abrams \|year= 2017 \|isbn= 9781683350026 \|page= 104}}</ref> Gilliam’s unique visual style was characterised by sudden, dramatic movements and deliberate mismatches of scale, set in [[surrealism\|surrealist]] landscapes populated by [[engraving]]s of large buildings with elaborate architecture, grotesque [[Victorian era#Technology and engineering\|Victorian]] gadgets, machinery, and people cut from old [[Sears Roebuck]] catalogues. Gilliam added [[airbrush]] illustrations and many familiar pieces of art. All of these elements were combined in incongruous ways to obtain new and humorous meanings.

Kurt: /* Jones */

2023-02-12T00:33:38Z

Jones

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:33, 11 February 2023
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	=== Jones ===		=== Jones ===
	Although all of the Pythons played women, [[Terry Jones]] is renowned by the rest to be 'the best Rat-Bag woman in the business'.~~{{citation needed\|date=March 2012}}~~ His portrayal of a middle-aged housewife was louder, shriller, and more dishevelled than that of any of the other Pythons. Examples of this are the "[[Dead Bishop]]" sketch, his role as Brian's mother Mandy in ''[[Life of Brian]]'', Mrs Linda S-C-U-M in "Mr Neutron" and the café proprietor in "[[Spam (Monty Python)\|Spam]]". Also recurring was the upper-class reserved men, in "[[Nudge, Nudge]]" and the "It's a Man's Life" sketch, and incompetent authority figures ([[Harry "Snapper" Organs]]). He also played the iconic Nude Organist that introduced all of series three. Generally, he deferred to the others as a performer, but proved himself behind the scenes, where he would eventually end up pulling most of the strings.~~{{citation needed\|date=March 2012}}~~ Jones also portrayed the tobacconist in the "Hungarian translation sketch" and the enormously fat and bucket-vomiting [[Mr. Creosote]] in [[Monty Python's The Meaning of Life\|Meaning of Life]].		Although all of the Pythons played women, [[Terry Jones]] is renowned by the rest to be 'the best Rat-Bag woman in the business'. His portrayal of a middle-aged housewife was louder, shriller, and more dishevelled than that of any of the other Pythons. Examples of this are the "[[Dead Bishop]]" sketch, his role as Brian's mother Mandy in ''[[Life of Brian]]'', Mrs Linda S-C-U-M in "Mr Neutron" and the café proprietor in "[[Spam (Monty Python)\|Spam]]". Also recurring was the upper-class reserved men, in "[[Nudge, Nudge]]" and the "It's a Man's Life" sketch, and incompetent authority figures ([[Harry "Snapper" Organs]]). He also played the iconic Nude Organist that introduced all of series three. Generally, he deferred to the others as a performer, but proved himself behind the scenes, where he would eventually end up pulling most of the strings. Jones also portrayed the tobacconist in the "Hungarian translation sketch" and the enormously fat and bucket-vomiting [[Mr Creosote]] in [[Monty Python's The Meaning of Life\|Meaning of Life]].

	=== Palin ===		=== Palin ===

Kurt: /* Palin */

2023-02-12T00:31:38Z

Palin

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:31, 11 February 2023
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	=== Palin ===		=== Palin ===
	[[Michael Palin]] was regarded by the other members of the troupe as the one with the widest range, equally adept as a [[wiktionary:Straight man\|straight man]] or wildly over the top character.~~{{citation needed\|date=March 2012}}~~ He portrayed many working-class northerners, often portrayed in a disgusting light: "[[The Funniest Joke in the World]]" sketch and the "[[Every Sperm Is Sacred]]" segment of ''[[Monty Python's The Meaning of Life]]''. In contrast, Palin also played weak-willed, put-upon men such as the husband in the "[[Marriage Guidance Counsellor]]" sketch, the boring accountant in the "[[Vocational Guidance Counsellor]]" sketch, and the hapless client in the "[[Argument Clinic]]". He was equally at home as the indefatigable Cardinal Ximinez of Spain in "[[The Spanish Inquisition (Monty Python)\|The Spanish Inquisition]]" sketch. Another high-energy character that Palin portrays is the slick TV show host, constantly smacking his lips together and generally being over-enthusiastic ("[[And Now for Something Completely Different#Sketches\|Blackmail]]" sketch). In one sketch, he plays the role with an underlying hint of self-revulsion, where he wipes his oily palms on his jacket, makes a disgusted face, then continues. One of his most famous creations~~{{citation needed\|date=March 2012}}~~ was the shopkeeper who attempts to sell useless goods by very weak attempts at being sly and crafty, which are invariably spotted by the customer (often played by Cleese), as in the "[[Dead Parrot]]" and "[[Cheese Shop sketch\|Cheese Shop]]" sketches. Palin is also well known for his leading role in "[[The Lumberjack Song]]".		[[Michael Palin]] was regarded by the other members of the troupe as the one with the widest range, equally adept as a [[wiktionary:Straight man\|straight man]] or wildly over the top character. He portrayed many working-class northerners, often portrayed in a disgusting light: "[[The Funniest Joke in the World]]" sketch and the "[[Every Sperm Is Sacred]]" segment of ''[[Monty Python's The Meaning of Life]]''. In contrast, Palin also played weak-willed, put-upon men such as the husband in the "[[Marriage Guidance Counsellor]]" sketch, the boring accountant in the "[[Vocational Guidance Counsellor]]" sketch, and the hapless client in the "[[Argument Clinic]]". He was equally at home as the indefatigable Cardinal Ximinez of Spain in "[[The Spanish Inquisition (Monty Python)\|The Spanish Inquisition]]" sketch. Another high-energy character that Palin portrays is the slick TV show host, constantly smacking his lips together and generally being over-enthusiastic ("[[And Now for Something Completely Different#Sketches\|Blackmail]]" sketch). In one sketch, he plays the role with an underlying hint of self-revulsion, where he wipes his oily palms on his jacket, makes a disgusted face, then continues. One of his most famous creations was the shopkeeper who attempts to sell useless goods by very weak attempts at being sly and crafty, which are invariably spotted by the customer (often played by Cleese), as in the "[[Dead Parrot]]" and "[[Cheese Shop sketch\|Cheese Shop]]" sketches. Palin is also well known for his leading role in "[[The Lumberjack Song]]".

	Palin also often plays heavy-accented foreigners, mostly French ("La marche futile") or German ("Hitler in Minehead"), usually alongside Cleese. In one of the last episodes, he delivers a full speech, first in English, then in French, then in heavily accented German.		Palin also often plays heavy-accented foreigners, mostly French ("La marche futile") or German ("Hitler in Minehead"), usually alongside Cleese. In one of the last episodes, he delivers a full speech, first in English, then in French, then in heavily accented German.

	Of all the Pythons, Palin played the fewest female roles.~~{{citation needed\|date=March 2012}}~~ Among his portrayals of women are [[Queen Victoria]] in the "Michael Ellis" episode, Debbie Katzenberg the American in ''[[Monty Python's The Meaning of Life]]'', a rural idiot's wife in the "Idiot in rural society" sketch, and an implausible English housewife who is married to [[Jean-Paul Sartre]].		Of all the Pythons, Palin played the fewest female roles. Among his portrayals of women are [[Queen Victoria]] in the "Michael Ellis" episode, Debbie Katzenberg the American in ''[[Monty Python's The Meaning of Life]]'', a rural idiot's wife in the "Idiot in rural society" sketch, and an implausible English housewife who is married to [[Jean-Paul Sartre]].

	== Production ==		== Production ==

Kurt: /* Lost sketches */

2023-02-12T00:24:38Z

Lost sketches

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:24, 11 February 2023
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	</ref> which was cut before the sketch ever went to air. However, when this sketch was included in the album ''[[Monty Python's Previous Record]]'' and the ''[[Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl\|Live at the Hollywood Bowl]]'' film, the line remained intact. Both sketches were included in the Danish [[DR K]] re-airing of all episodes ("Episode 31", aired 1 November 2018, 6:50 pm).<ref>{{Cite web \| url=https://www.dr.dk/tv/se/monty-python-s-flying-circus-eps-1-45/monty-python-s-flying-circus-3/monty-python-s-flying-circus-27 \|title = Monty Python's Flying Circus (27)}}</ref>		</ref> which was cut before the sketch ever went to air. However, when this sketch was included in the album ''[[Monty Python's Previous Record]]'' and the ''[[Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl\|Live at the Hollywood Bowl]]'' film, the line remained intact. Both sketches were included in the Danish [[DR K]] re-airing of all episodes ("Episode 31", aired 1 November 2018, 6:50 pm).<ref>{{Cite web \| url=https://www.dr.dk/tv/se/monty-python-s-flying-circus-eps-1-45/monty-python-s-flying-circus-3/monty-python-s-flying-circus-27 \|title = Monty Python's Flying Circus (27)}}</ref>

	Some sketches were deleted in their entirety and later recovered. One such sketch is the "Party Political Broadcast (Choreographed)", where a Conservative Party spokesman (Cleese) delivers a party political broadcast before getting up and dancing, being coached by a choreographer (Idle), and being joined by a chorus of spokesmen dancing behind him. The camera passes two Labour Party spokesmen practising ballet, and an animation featuring [[Edward Heath]] in a tutu. Once deemed lost, a home-recorded tape of this sketch, captured from a broadcast from [[Buffalo, New York]] PBS outlet [[WNED-TV]], turned up on [[YouTube]] in 2008.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Monty Python – political choreographer\|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8Ija4Dec7o\|publisher=Spiny Norman\|access-date=17 June 2013\|author=Monty Python\|date=18 December 1971}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links\|date=February 2022}}</ref> Another high-quality recording of this sketch, broadcast on [[WTTW]] in Chicago, has also turned up on YouTube.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Lost Sketch- Choreographed Party Political Broadcast from WTTW-11\|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KO4_feIKO0\|work=Lost Sketch- Choreographed Party Political Broadcast – Monty Python's Flying Circus WTTW Channel\|publisher=MontyPythoNET\|access-date=23 January 2012\|author=Monty Python\|date=18 December 1971}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links\|date=February 2022}}</ref> The Buffalo version can be seen as an extra on the new [[DVD region code#2\|Region 2]]/[[DVD Region code\|4]] eight-disc ''The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus'' DVD set.~~{{citation needed\|date=March 2012}}~~ The [[DVD region code#1\|Region 1]] DVD of ''Before The Flying Circus'', which is included in ''The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus Collector's Edition Megaset'' and ''Monty Python: The Other British Invasion'', also contains the Buffalo version as an extra.<ref>{{cite web\|title = DVD Talk Review: The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus – Collectors Edition Megaset\|date = 18 November 2008\|url = http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/35399/complete-monty-pythons-flying-circus-collectors-edition-megaset-the/}}</ref>		Some sketches were deleted in their entirety and later recovered. One such sketch is the "Party Political Broadcast (Choreographed)", where a Conservative Party spokesman (Cleese) delivers a party political broadcast before getting up and dancing, being coached by a choreographer (Idle), and being joined by a chorus of spokesmen dancing behind him. The camera passes two Labour Party spokesmen practising ballet, and an animation featuring [[Edward Heath]] in a tutu. Once deemed lost, a home-recorded tape of this sketch, captured from a broadcast from [[Buffalo, New York]] PBS outlet [[WNED-TV]], turned up on [[YouTube]] in 2008.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Monty Python – political choreographer\|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8Ija4Dec7o\|publisher=Spiny Norman\|access-date=17 June 2013\|author=Monty Python\|date=18 December 1971}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links\|date=February 2022}}</ref> Another high-quality recording of this sketch, broadcast on [[WTTW]] in Chicago, has also turned up on YouTube.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Lost Sketch- Choreographed Party Political Broadcast from WTTW-11\|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KO4_feIKO0\|work=Lost Sketch- Choreographed Party Political Broadcast – Monty Python's Flying Circus WTTW Channel\|publisher=MontyPythoNET\|access-date=23 January 2012\|author=Monty Python\|date=18 December 1971}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links\|date=February 2022}}</ref> The Buffalo version can be seen as an extra on the new [[DVD region code#2\|Region 2]]/[[DVD Region code\|4]] eight-disc ''The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus'' DVD set. The [[DVD region code#1\|Region 1]] DVD of ''Before The Flying Circus'', which is included in ''The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus Collector's Edition Megaset'' and ''Monty Python: The Other British Invasion'', also contains the Buffalo version as an extra.<ref>{{cite web\|title = DVD Talk Review: The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus – Collectors Edition Megaset\|date = 18 November 2008\|url = http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/35399/complete-monty-pythons-flying-circus-collectors-edition-megaset-the/}}</ref>

	Another lost sketch is the "Satan" animation following the "Crackpot Religion" piece and the "Cartoon Religion Ltd" animation, and preceding the "[[How Not To Be Seen]]" sketch: this had been edited out of the official tape. Six frames of the animation can be seen at the end of the episode, wherein that particular episode is repeated in fast-forward. A black and white 16 mm film print has since turned up (found by a private film collector in the US) showing the animation in its entirety.		Another lost sketch is the "Satan" animation following the "Crackpot Religion" piece and the "Cartoon Religion Ltd" animation, and preceding the "[[How Not To Be Seen]]" sketch: this had been edited out of the official tape. Six frames of the animation can be seen at the end of the episode, wherein that particular episode is repeated in fast-forward. A black and white 16 mm film print has since turned up (found by a private film collector in the US) showing the animation in its entirety.

Kurt at 00:15, 12 February 2023

2023-02-12T00:15:13Z

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	* [https://nostalgiacentral.com/television/tv-by-decade/tv-shows-1960s/monty-pythons-flying-circus/ ''Monty Python’s Flying Circus''] – Nostalgia Central		* [https://nostalgiacentral.com/television/tv-by-decade/tv-shows-1960s/monty-pythons-flying-circus/ ''Monty Python’s Flying Circus''] – Nostalgia Central

	{{Monty Python\|state=~~collapse~~}}		{{Monty Python\|state=collapsed}}
	{{Graham Chapman\|state=~~collapse~~}}		{{Graham Chapman\|state=collapsed}}
	{{Terry Jones\|state=~~collapse~~}}		{{Terry Jones\|state=collapsed}}

Kurt at 01:19, 9 February 2023

2023-02-09T01:19:28Z

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	~~{{Short description\|British sketch comedy television series}}~~
	~~{{Other uses}}~~
	~~{{Use British English\|date=June 2016}}~~
	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=June 2016}}~~
	{{Infobox television		{{Infobox television
	~~\| name = Monty Python's Flying Circus~~
	\| image = Monty Python's Flying Circus Title Card.png		\| image = Monty Python's Flying Circus Title Card.png
	\| genre = [[Sketch comedy]]<br />[[Surreal humour\|Surreal comedy]]<br />[[Satire]]<br />[[Black comedy]]		\| genre = [[Sketch comedy]]<br />[[Surreal humour\|Surreal comedy]]<br />[[Satire]]<br />[[Black comedy]]