A Brief History

Monty Python, a British Comedy troupe that lasted from 1969 to 1989, influenced and changed the comedy world of the 20th century. The style of Monty Python consisted of absurd comedy and satire in skits. The comedy created an overall story or message, differing from the skit shows that were popular at the time, which mostly were short bits one after another with no connection to each other, much like the show Saturday Night Live. The comedy troupe consisted of five British writers and performers (Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin) and an American animator (Terry Gilliam). The six of them had collaborated on a couple of different projects before Monty Python. Still, after a momentous discussion at a restaurant in Hampstead, England, the six realized they all had the same wish to create comedy shows that weren’t like usual skit shows or single plot stories like every other play or movie. They wanted their comedy to be more random, more of a “Stream of consciousness,” according to their official website bio. 

The Monty Python’s official debut project, “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” was very much a reflection of this narrative. Each episode started with their famous character, the “it’s man,” played by Michael Palin, running from something and arrives right at the camera in time to say “it’s….” before the animated intro started. Often, along with the “it’s man,” Palin is joined with John Cleese in a tuxedo who says Monty Python’s well-known phrase: “Now for something completely different.” Primarily in the show, the first skit set the precedent for the rest of the episode, introducing often a running joke or idea for the other skits to go off of and sometimes the subject of the episodes is used as a transition between skits. Like in their episode “Intermission,” where they use an intermission sign as a gag and a black out between each skit, not giving time for an actual intermission. 

The most famous features from “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” are: the animated foot in the intro titles created by Terry Gillian, Graham Chapman’s “The Colonel” (who abruptly interrupted sketches or lectured the actors for being “too silly,”), John Cleese’s “minister of Silly Walks,” Terry Jones’s Drag characters, and Michel Palin playing the leader of the Spanish Inquisition. Along with their hit show, The Pythons created three hilarious and thought-provoking movies. Two of their movies, “Holy Grail” and “Life of Brian,” followed a consecutive plot, unlike their usual skit show style storytelling, which they did use in “Meaning of Life.” Scenes from their movies are now quoted and referenced time and time again by their fans, particularly the scenes from “Holy Grail” where the black knight keeps fighting despite not having any more limbs to spare, and the scenes with the knights who say “Ni!”

Despite having many other live shows and specials that were absolutely amazing according to critics, the Pythons didn’t take the time to film them. However, they did record many of their songs and scenes from their movies and shows, making a bunch of albums for their fans to enjoy.

Monty Python ended in 1989, when John Cleese left before the fourth season of “Monty Python’s Flying Circus.” Cleese, probably the most famous of all the Pythons, decided that Monty Python was no longer pushing the boundaries of comedy; he was also tired of one of his closest friends and fellow Python, Graham Chapman’s, persistent alcoholism, feeling that overall it was no longer an environment he wished to be in. Soon after he left the show, it crumbled and all Monty Python productions ceased, each Python moving on to new projects. 

Nowadays, the jokes in their content could be considered rude and distasteful, but still, viewers find them ridiculously funny. Monty Python has made an impact on the world and is credited with influencing the comedy industry to experiment with satire and absurd humor, while also introducing the idea of postmodernism-reflexivity (a show or movie that comments on the movie through dialogue as an ironic joke) to the media industry. These aspects of their comedy and movie-making, including the use of animation in mixed media productions, are still used today.

If you’d like to watch any of their creations, at the moment, Monty Python’s many movies and TV shows are free on Tubi.