# dead parrot **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 5, 2001, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-parrot/85574 "2001-10-05T14:07:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![everton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@everton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/everton)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2001, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-parrot/85574/21 "2001-10-06T01:01:34Z")
As I recall, in his eulogy to Chapman, Cleese also said that he wanted to become the first person ever to say the work “fuck” during a memorial service because he knew Chapman would never forgive him if he passed up the chance. BTW, there are a couple of parrots (the kea and the kakapo) that come from non-tropical parts of New Zealand. The kakapo is nearly extinct though so… _\_ ---
**Author:** ![everton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@everton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/everton)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2001, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-parrot/85574/22 "2001-10-06T01:04:21Z")
I s’pose that was as good as I was going to get for a 200th post (don’t send any flowers) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2001, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-parrot/85574/23 "2001-10-06T07:01:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Saltire \* > \*\*By the way, as mentioned by peepthis, Cleese actually did the rant from the Parrot Sketch as part of the eulogy during Graham Chapman’s funeral. Many thought it was in poor taste, but people agreed that Graham would have loved it. > > “…He has shuffled off his mortal coil and joined the choir invisible. He is an ex-Chapman!” \*\* Actually, I believe Cleese used the closing line, “He … is an **ex-Python!** ” Or so I was told. And _Dead Parrot_ is a classic piece of comedy – it’s funny partially for the situation (an unhelpful clerk who tries to stonewall the customer), and partially for the extreme lengths both characters play to get their results. Cleese’s long-winded “this parrot is definitely deceased” speech is a gem by itself, and the final punch line (“I’ve got a slug.” “Does it talk?” “Yup.” “Right, I’ll have that one, then!”) is a perfect capper. (“Dissecting a joke is like dissecting a frog. Nobody enjoys it, and the frog dies as a result.” --Attribution unknown, but apt in this case) ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2001, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-parrot/85574/24 "2001-10-06T07:35:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lionors \* > **(although it’s more likely to be a very large rat that they call a special breed of chihuahua.)** Is no’ rat. Is Siberian Hamster! I have never found the Dead Parrot sketch to be worthy of the legendary status it has claimed, actually. I men, it’s as funny and weird as any of Python, but I can’t figure out why it’s THE classic. My life seems to be filled with pondering over what makes something become so classic, as I fail to agree on popular choice… Anyhoo, I prefer sketches that have a punchline, which only about a third of the Python sketches did (which was, of course, cunningly deliberate). ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2001, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-parrot/85574/25 "2001-10-06T10:13:09Z")
I think it’s worth bearing in mind the context – you’re asking is it funny _now_. Well, 30-35 years ago most comedy on teevee centred around an old boy (or duo) doing a sketch based on music hall routines…or some such linear, conventional or one-dimensional nonsense. MP it didn’t so much break new ground as discover a different world. Yeah, I think it’s still very valid now but way back it was totally out there compared with everything else. Still not had enough coffee so let me say I think they’re the Jimi Hendrix of comedy. ---
**Author:** ![White\_Lightning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@White\_Lightning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/White_Lightning)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2001, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-parrot/85574/26 "2001-10-06T12:20:08Z")
The original MPFC “Dead Parrot” sketch from _Full Frontal Nudity_ is one of the funniest things, ever. I still cannot watch it or read its script or think about it without at least chuckling. Not to mention the fact that in HS my friend and I won many awards at speech competitions for our rendition of the sketch, clearly demonstrating that its humor still has relevance in the world of today. ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2001, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-parrot/85574/27 "2001-10-06T12:45:28Z")
Unfortunately I haven’t seen this performance but I would love to do it if it’s filmed. It all happened at an Amensty International gala (and as the story goes misters Palin and Cleese had got somewhat tired of the sketch after all these years). When the curtain goes up the audience can see Michael Palin standing behind a table at the left of the stage. Everyone knows immediately what sketch they are about to see, they all know the dialogue by heart, and the roar of anticipation almost lifts the ceiling. John Cleese enters from the right and the roar gets even louder. Now this discussion takes place: > [@](#): > > Customer: 'Ello, I wish to register a complaint about this parrot what I purchased not half an hour ago from this very boutique. > > Owner: Oh yes, the, uh, the Norwegian blue…What’s,uh…What’s wrong with it? > > C: I’ll tell you what’s wrong with it, my lad. 'E’s dead, that’s what’s wrong with it! > > O: Oh, I’ll have to replace it then. And the curtain goes down again. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2001, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-parrot/85574/28 "2001-10-08T13:47:54Z")
Okay, Norweigan Blue I found funny.🙂 Guess it was too much of a legend to me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-parrot/85574.md?page=1)