Monty Python live (mostly), review: poignant and predictable, but tremendous fun

Telegraph UK ^ | 20 Jul 2014 | Ed Power

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Watching the livestream of Monty Python's last ever performance on GOLD, it was impossible not to experience a tingle of sadness.

So this was it, the final performance by the most influential comedy troupe of all time. Forty-odd years since Monty Python's Flying Circus revolutionized television humour and unleashed a legion of surreal catchphrases John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones and Michael Palin departed the stage at London's O2 Arena to the strains of their darkly hilarious (or is it hilariously dark?) anthem Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.

Watching the swan-song was a 15,000 live audience, with many more viewing via cinema simulcasts across the globe and on the digital television channel Gold (aka the station where it feels an Only Fools And Horses repeat is just an ad break away). The Python special had been heartily hyped by Gold, which went so far as to install a fifty foot-long expired tropical bird in central London, in reference to Python's much loved Dead Parrot sketch.

[a fool in paradise]

And from the name of it “One down, five to go” I was under the impression that this was one of the farewell shows they were doing.

So this WAS the final act?

[Ditter]

That is hilarious, I love those guys!

[Hegewisch Dupa]

wouldn’t that name refer to dead/not-yet dead Pythons?

[a fool in paradise]

Perhaps.

But they were doing a block of shows. And according to the article, Eddie Izzard reportedly took in (watched) several of the shows.

Based on the flubs last night, and that I wasn’t able to coax a friend (although my brother did go with me), I planned to see one of the other nights. I knew this particular one was being rebroadcast twice more this week.

There are some screenings booked in August. From places I would’ve assumed would’ve been prime for the live broadcast.

[Hegewisch Dupa]

makes sense. And for the record, color me jealous - would love to have been there.

[a fool in paradise]

I only learned of the screenings last week (Thursday). I didn't even know such a thing was being planned. Nothing about it in the weekly/monthly entertainment papers or even the weekend entertainment supplement from our only remaining daily newspaper (I knew Python was retiring but did not know about a pay-per-view opportunity).

No reason to rely on these liberal rags for "information" when everything I know and discover comes from someplace else (political or entertainment).

With regards to this screening, I read a mention of the screenings in an article on FR on the dead parrot monument. It was mentioned by a poster, not even in the redacted excerpt.

From there I had to do a web search to learn more.

I'm going to another movie screening this week at a brewery. Nothing on facebook about it (or the entertainment papers) even though the guest star, the brewery, and the mobile movie theater group providing the equipment all have facebook and personal webpages. Only the brewery has it on their site's event's calendar.

There are things going on that plenty of people would attend, if only they knew what was going on. And the same goes for driving people to the polls on election day.

Our media age has turned into a meaningless Tower of Babel and the corresponding babbling idiots.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Yes it does. They are planning no future shows, but if they do it will be a long time before the next one. Considering that the Pythons last live show before this one was in 1982, a later one couldn’t be attempted without Idle, Palin, or Cleese who are getting on in years.

[a fool in paradise]

Since your screening was sparsely attended, I assume few in the audience were singing along. My brother and I sang (the lyrics were on screen) but not loudly. There were a few others in the crowd but it wasn’t loud. Certainly for a packed house.

And for the record, I didn’t sing along to every song either.

[Mad Dawgg]

"And from the name of it “One down, five to go” I was under the impression that this was one of the farewell shows they were doing."

No the name is an homage to Chapman. He died so "One down (Chapman) and Five to Go (The Rest of them)"

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Actually most of us were singing along. Had one guy dressed as a Gumby. Looked like mostly die hard fans.

[morphing libertarian]

Going wed night in San Marcos CA.

No one to go with.

The only person I ever watched MP with was an hold girlfriend in Sacramento. She got it.

[morphing libertarian]

well she was a hold girlfriend and is now an old girlfriend. Thank you auto text.