Monty Python
Monty Python is a British comedy troupe. They created the sketch show "Monty Python's Flying Circus," a legendary British comedy series commissioned by the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation). It ran from October 5, 1969 to December 5, 1974 on BBC One, completing four seasons, with 45 episodes in total.
Humor
Despite the crude, random appearance, the humor of the show was quite sophisticated, poking fun at famous historical figures, literary beacons, and noted philosophers.
The writers and principal performers were
- John Cleese
- Eric Idle
- Michael Palin
- Terry Gilliam
- Terry Jones
- Graham Chapman (deceased)
Although Gilliam's contributions were mainly the animations, often used to link sketches together, he does appear occasionally in person as a character. He was also the only American in the troupe.
Carol Cleveland often appeared when the script called for a buxom young female part.
Notable sketches were:
Films
The team produced three feature length cinema releases between 1975 and 1983. These were:
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975).
- The Life of Brian (or Monty Python's Life of Brian) (1979).
- The Meaning of Life (1983).
The Life of Brian caused much controversy, including allegations of blasphemy by Christians, when it was originaly released as it depicts the life and subsequent cruxifiction of a young Judean called Brian of Nazareth, satirisisng the life of Jesus.