# Who was the best actor of Monty Python? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 28, 2026, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-best-actor-of-monty-python/1027106 "2026-01-28T00:55:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2026, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-best-actor-of-monty-python/1027106/41 "2026-01-30T01:56:15Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > _THE_ Funniest? I honestly can’t decide between Palin, Cleese, Idle. Well, Palin did write that joke that killed everyone who heard it. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2026, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-best-actor-of-monty-python/1027106/42 "2026-01-30T02:12:37Z")
But Jones made everyone around him laugh uncontrollably. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2026, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-best-actor-of-monty-python/1027106/43 "2026-01-30T02:15:37Z")
> [@Llama\_Llogophile](#): > > Well, Palin did write that joke that killed everyone who heard it. But he only did it once. Slacker. ---
**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:** [January 30, 2026, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-best-actor-of-monty-python/1027106/44 "2026-01-30T02:17:17Z")
It’s hard to know who was funnier, because they all had different strengths. Some were good at writing comedy, some good at performing comedy, then there were the songs and animations, which each take unique skills again. Plus they worked in pairs, supporting each other and contributing different elements to a sketch. When I first watched the show as a kid, Eric Idle was the one who made me laugh the most, because he has an expressively gormless face. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2026, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-best-actor-of-monty-python/1027106/45 "2026-01-30T02:26:32Z")
> [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > While I agree that it went on just a smidge too long, “Nudge nudge” is why I voted for Idle in both polls. Say. No. More! And it’s why I voted for Jones. I’m not sure if anyone could replace him as the completely straight man. Part of the humor in it to me is that Jones continues to show a stiff upper lip despite being annoyed _only because Idle is being annoying and coy_. Anyone other straight man might have played it as being offended at inquiries into their personal life, but he doesn’t, which is unexpected and therefore humorous. ---
**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:** [January 30, 2026, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-best-actor-of-monty-python/1027106/46 "2026-01-30T02:44:28Z")
I could see Palin doing it straight or clueless. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2026, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-best-actor-of-monty-python/1027106/47 "2026-01-30T02:58:11Z")
For the record, “Nudge Nudge” was originally written for the Two Ronnies, who turned it down as too risqué even for them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-best-actor-of-monty-python/1027106.md?page=2)