# Best Monty Python Sketch **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 12, 2009, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-monty-python-sketch/513593 "2009-10-12T22:08:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-monty-python-sketch/513593/81 "2009-10-16T15:49:26Z")
Over in the other Monty Python [thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=536053), I was amused when I watched the [linked show](http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/video/episodes/?vid=1166983) to hear Cleese say that when someone approaches him about MP, his reaction is that it’s very nice that they liked the show, thank you very much, but he doesn’t give f\*\*k what their favorite sketch is. ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-monty-python-sketch/513593/82 "2009-10-16T16:20:16Z")
This is from _Holy Grail_ of course, but I think it would be fun if, whenever you wanted to _particularly_ emphasize something, you would say, “…in a very real… and legally-binding sense.” “I want to have sex with you now… in a very real… and legally-binding sense.” “It’s your turn to clean the bathroom… in a very real… and legally-binding sense.” “I want you to pick up a gallon of milk… in a very real… and legally-binding sense.” I have been Far Too Silly for most of my life. BTW there are two one-hour documentaries about Python available from Netflix; one has to do with their '50s upbringings and Oxbridge and The Goon Show and everything that influenced them, and the other has to do with how they toured the U.S. after the second series and of course, became if anything even more popular in the U.S. than they were in England, when they had been very concerned about Americans “getting” their kind of humor. ---
**Author:** ![Emily\_Litella](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emily_litella/32/3370_2.png) [@Emily\_Litella](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emily_Litella)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-monty-python-sketch/513593/83 "2009-10-16T17:25:45Z")
> [@Serenata67](#): > > I personally like the Science Fiction Sketch (the one with the Scotsmen, Wimbledon and Blancmonges). I would have voted for this one too if it was there. ---
**Author:** ![Runestar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/74df32/32.png) [@Runestar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Runestar)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-monty-python-sketch/513593/84 "2009-10-16T19:00:17Z")
Another vote here for the “Upper Class Twit of the Year” sketch – while all of the ones in the poll are incredibly funny, UCTofY is the only one where I laughed so hard I thought I would die. ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-monty-python-sketch/513593/85 "2009-10-16T22:13:55Z")
I think it has to do with Cleese’s 90-mile-an-hour commentary: “…he’s up, he doesn’t know when he’s beaten, this boy, he doesn’t know when he’s winning either. He doesn’t have any sort of sensory apparatus…” Also the specific events in the contest, the Matchbox Jump, Kicking the Beggar, Waking the Neighbour, Insulting the Waiter. “…And Oliver has _RUN HIMSELF OVER_, what a great twit!” ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2009, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-monty-python-sketch/513593/86 "2009-10-17T04:00:43Z")
Oh, you mustn’t forget Unsnapping the Debutante’s Bra, old fruit! ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-monty-python-sketch/513593/87 "2009-10-20T01:37:59Z")
The Dead Parrot sketch was the only one I’d remembered seeing before, and, knowing what was going to happen, it still made me laugh. But in these types of polls, I just vote for the clip that made me laugh the hardest. That was the “Spanish Inquisition”, which I knew about from cultural osmosis, but had never seen more than the first time they came in. I also thought that some of those near the bottom weren’t very good, because they relied on me understanding every word that was said . Some the words where not part of my normal vocabulary, and were hard to understand as the “funny accent” on those words seems to be exaggerated beyond instant recognition of what word is meant. I find it odd, as I’ve never had trouble understanding any of the British accents before. ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-monty-python-sketch/513593/88 "2009-10-20T02:42:24Z")
Ooh, I forgot the “RAF Banter” sketch: “Cabbage crates over the briny!” As it happens I have been watching the entire series over Netflix, one a day for the last month or so. I love watching Graham as a pepperpot. ---
**Author:** ![Frostillicus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Frostillicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frostillicus)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-monty-python-sketch/513593/89 "2009-10-20T03:28:32Z")
> [@Anne\_Elk](#): > > A Theory on Brontosauruses Oh my god! Did anyone else notice who posted this sketch? [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cAYDiPizDIs/hqdefault.jpg "Monty Python - Theory on Brontosauruses by Anne Elk (Miss).") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAYDiPizDIs) ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-monty-python-sketch/513593/90 "2009-10-20T04:54:51Z")
I was torn between the\*\* Argument Clinic \*\*and **Hitler in England** but went for the latter - stuff like “… and this is Ron - Ron Vibbentrop” “Oi don’t loike the sound of these 'ere boncentration bamps” “… not much fun in Stalingrad, no …” were just brilliant. But had the \*\*RAF Banter \*\*sketch been a choice that might well have sneaked in. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-monty-python-sketch/513593/91 "2009-10-20T18:15:03Z")
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zekiZYSVdeQ](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zekiZYSVdeQ) In early Python days I liked “how not to be seen”. ---
**Author:** ![kevlaw](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kevlaw/32/2281_2.png) [@kevlaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kevlaw)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-monty-python-sketch/513593/92 "2009-10-21T01:22:59Z")
I voted for Cheese Shop but would have happily voted for Travel Agent. > [@](#): > > Spell bolour with a K? Kolour! What a silly bunt! ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-monty-python-sketch/513593/93 "2009-10-21T14:07:03Z")
Man, it’s like choosing my favorite child. Cheese Shop, Dead Parrot and Argument Clinic are my top three. I like the one where John Cleese goes to the Customer Service desk to complain and the man (Palin) says “Yes, miss?” Cleese: Why did you call me ‘miss’? Palin: I’m sorry, I have a cold. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Piranha\_Brothers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aca169/32.png) [@The\_Piranha\_Brothers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Piranha_Brothers)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-monty-python-sketch/513593/94 "2009-10-21T16:28:02Z")
What about “Story Time”? The Four Yorkshiremen is technically not a Python sketch. > [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > Fish License needs to be on the list, as it would get my vote as best ever. > > Also, aren’t “alcohol philosophy song” and “the Bruces” pretty much the same sketch? No, they’re not. The Bruces is a sketch from the series, and the Philosopher’s Song was only added to that later. ---
**Author:** ![LVBoPeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/858c86/32.png) [@LVBoPeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVBoPeep)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-monty-python-sketch/513593/95 "2009-10-21T16:37:22Z")
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TeiSsJ3G\_0](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TeiSsJ3G_0) (Flying Sheep Sketch) This is my personal favorite (since I own sheep, I find it particularly funny). See signature quote ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-monty-python-sketch/513593/96 "2009-10-21T16:45:13Z")
> [@Smokinjbc](#): > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TeiSsJ3G\_0](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TeiSsJ3G_0) (Flying Sheep Sketch) > This is my personal favorite (since I own sheep, I find it particularly funny). See signature quote This was the first sketch on the first ever show. ---
**Author:** ![LVBoPeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/858c86/32.png) [@LVBoPeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVBoPeep)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-monty-python-sketch/513593/97 "2009-10-21T16:51:06Z")
> [@Rayne\_Man](#): > > This was the first sketch on the first ever show. Cool…that makes it even more awesome! I think I will name my next ram Harold. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Booker\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/71c47a/32.png) [@Happy\_Booker\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Booker_1)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-monty-python-sketch/513593/98 "2009-10-21T17:35:02Z")
In the absence of They Flying Sheep, I went with the Argument Clinic ---
**Author:** ![Soylent\_Juicy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@Soylent\_Juicy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soylent_Juicy)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-monty-python-sketch/513593/99 "2009-10-21T19:45:17Z")
When I was 10 my friend’s parents rented us “The Meaning of Life.” Picture a line of little girls dancing around the house singing “Every sperm is sacred…” My favourite MP line ever: “When Martin Luther nailed his protest up to the church door in 1517, he may not have realised the full significance of what he was doing, but… 400 years later, thanks to him, my dear, I can wear whatever I want on my John Thomas.” ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-monty-python-sketch/513593/100 "2009-10-21T20:33:12Z")
> [@The\_Piranha\_Brothers](#): > > The Four Yorkshiremen is technically not a Python sketch. Fight my ignorance please. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-monty-python-sketch/513593.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-monty-python-sketch/513593.md?page=6)