I’m thinking of getting a Monty Python DVD. I’ve never seen their work except for a sketch they did on SNL that I assume was a recreation, the parrot sketch. I thought it was hilarious. It’s not that I didn’t think they were funny, I just was never exposed to it. They used to be on, I think MTV, when I was younger but I never watched.
I know I could just rent one first but I like to buy them.
I like sketch comedy and improv. Just off the top of my head, some of my favorite comedies are: Spinal Tap, Raising Arizona, Fargo, anything with Christopher Guest, and of course the slapstick stuff like Airplane and Naked Gun movies. I like Who’s Line Is it Anyway (both the British and US versions).
What’s the best one to get? I saw a special anniversary edition.
I’m not sure what’s available, but I always liked “The Cycling Tour.” The one with “The Spanish Inquisition” is up there, too. However, you can pick any one at random and find a classic bit in them. Take them from the second or third season and you can’t go wrong.
I agree. The first season was where they were getting into form, but the second and third seasons are the classics. If you’re a purist, go ahead and get the fourth season to round out the collection, but that stuff was tremendously weak.
If you liked the SNL version, you’re probably gonna love the real thing. I saw the SNL version too, and frankly, thought it was pretty tired. They’ve been doing that sketch for like 20 years now, and they just don’t put much into it any more. Of course, I can see how you would have liked it if it was the first time you’ve seen it, but trust me, the older versions are better.
You should check out the feature films, too. Monty Python and the Holy Grail, The Life of Brian, and The Meaning of Life are all absolutely hilarious.
The entire series is available on DVD for about $150, and there are also single discs with (I think) 3 episodes each.
I always thought Python was kinda “eh” too until MTV started airing it, and then I was hooked. Lately it’s harder to watch the more well-known stuff because it’s quoted to death, but it all still holds up IMO.
I think the “Holy Grail” is probably their best movie, with the “Life of Brian” running a close second. Not only are they funny, but I love the sacrilegious overtones.
They are both that rarest type of film that you can watch over-and-over again and find something new each time.
The MP & the Holy Grail DVD is fantastic. Two sets of commentaries from the 5 survining members, good behind-the-scenes material, a piece where Jones & Palin revisit the old locations, perhaps the funniest trailer I’ve ever seen in my life, and even one of the musical numbers recreated by LEGOs. A brilliant treatment of their very best film.
Also, you might want to look up And Now For Something Completely Different. It was sort of a “greatest hits” of their sketch stuff (on a slightly higher budget). It’s a good assortment of material and may give you an idea of which sketches you’d prefer to own.
No, not the “Cycling Tour” – IMO, the third season of Monty Python was a pale shadow of their former selves; John Cleese’s departure definitely hurt.
I’d vote for something from the second season. Just pick one, they’re all good. Alternately, either Monty Python and the Holy Grail or The Life of Brian are sure-fire winners. Just avoid The Meaning of Life.
Also, if you like John Cleese’s humor, you might be into Fawlty Towers a 12 episode (I think) comedy that he did which has a more unified plot as opposed to individual sketches. One of the funniest shows ever, IMO.
Oh, I disagree! There are some real classics in The Meaning of Life! The salmon mousse? Every sperm is sacred? Liver donors? It can be slow at times, but I wouldn’t skip it. Just see Holy Grail and Life of Brian first.
Texan: Well honey what should we talk about???
waiter(John Cleese): Well hows about I give you a conversation…lets start with Nietzsche shall we…
Texan: whats Nietzsche? Some kind of fish…
“You Americans, you’re all alike with your ‘Let me tell you…’ and ‘I just want to say…’. Well, you’re dead now, so shut up!”
‘As a matter of fact, today I think I’ll have a French Ticker because I am a Protestant.’
I loved “The Meaning of Life”. But my favorite by far was “Life of Brian” (being the good Catholic that I am). "Did he say ‘blessed are the cheesemakers?’ “I don’t think he meant cheesemakers per say but makers of all dairy products.”
Did they ever fix the glitch on the DVD that caused the subtitles to pop up at each chapter stop on certiain Toshiba and Sony DVD players? I had to take my copy back to the store…
I’d just like to throw in a good word for Live At The Hollywood Bowl, which is a concert film from when they went on tour in the early 80s. It is made up as a greatest-hits-live type of show that has the parrot sketch, the argument clinic, the dead vicar on the landing (featuring Terry Jones in drag losing his wig and everyone else having to cover), and many other popular bits from MPFC. My favorite part is the lecture on slapstick wherein Terry Gilliam (acting, not just animating!) gets to lay the wood on Michael Palin and Terry Jones.
Alternately, either Monty Python and the Holy Grail or The Life of Brian are sure-fire winners. Just avoid The Meaning of Life.