Posted on 07/02/2014 4:08:34 PM PDT by ransomnote
(Reuters) - An audience of 16,000 cheered for the dead parrot and the Spanish Inquisition, and sang along to "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" in London's O2 arena on Tuesday for the premiere of what has been billed as Monty Python's last stand.
For tickets that cost up to 95 pounds ($160), and were sold out in 44 seconds, Python fans saw Eric Idle, John Cleese, Terry Jones, Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam, all in their 70s, perform together for what they have said is probably the last time.
The first of 10 nights of "Monty Python Live (Mostly): One Down Five to Go" was pretty much what it said on the tin - a medley of famous sketches performed by the people who created them. The last show, on July 20, will be broadcast worldwide.
The Pythons were aided and abetted by a live orchestra and a chorus line of singing and dancing men and women. Carol Cleveland, the only woman who made regular appearances in the 1960s show, which brought a new style of British humour to a global audience, was there to reprise her popular roles.
Graham Chapman, the sixth Python, who died in 1989, appeared on film clips, along with some of the original television footage of Python sketches shown on a huge video display.
British theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, a professed Python fan, made a guest appearance on film while the popular British comedian Stephen Fry was on stage for the Pythons' spoof television game show "Blackmail," in which dark secrets of viewers are revealed unless they mail in large sums of money.
(Excerpt) Read more at in.reuters.com ...
July 20. I shall be watching.
Lucky!
I wish I had the money and the time.
“Blackmail”. One of the funnier bits. Michael Palin, as the show host talking on the phone with a contestant “No sir, we don’t morally censure, we just want the money. OK , it’s on the way? OK then, goodbye dad.”
CC
I love it!!
Insiders say that the crew worried that the Obama Jivethon Lying Circus cast's hilarious parody of an American Administration topped all Python efforts of the past.. in toto. No exceptions. Everything.
(Yes, Jagger was self-deprecatingly promoting...)
It’s just a flesh wound!
I’m not dead yet!
Is that an African or European Swallow.....???
Wenn ist die Nunstück git und Slotermeier?
Ja! Bierhund die oder Flipperwaldt gerspüt!
"Would you mind getting that, dear."
Well,right now were building the doctor a holiday home...
Two peanuts vere valking down die Straße, and one of them vas assauted . . . peanut.
And the parrot is still dead. Not stunned.
British surreal comedy has had quite an evolution. Before and after Monty Python (1969) there was (some highlights):
The Goon Show (radio)(1951-1960). Included Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers, and Harry Secombe. Very influential.
Beyond the Fringe (1964). Peter Cook and Dudley Moore.
At Last the 1948 Show (1967-1968) (included Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Marty Feldman, and Tim Brooke-Taylor (of The Goodies).
Do Not Adjust Your Set (1967-1969) (included Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Terry Gilliam).
How to Irritate People (1968)(single show featuring John Cleese.)
Marty (1968) and It’s Marty (1969). (Many of the above.)
The Q Series (1969-1982). Spike Milligan. There were six series in all, the first five numbered from Q5 to Q9, and a final series titled There’s a Lot of It About. Q5 heavily influence Monty Python.
The Marty Feldman Comedy Machine (1971).
The Goodies (1970-1980).
Derek and Clive Get the Horn (1979). Peter Cook and Dudley Moore.
The Young Ones (1982–1984).
Amongst our weaponry are such elements as... I’ll come in again.
Dennis, there’s some lovely filth down here!
Help, help! I’m being repressed!!!
Aqueduct!
Argument Clinic -
I would like to have an argument.
SHUT YOUR FESTERING GOB YOU TIT !
No it isn’t.
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