# Your top 10 John Cleese characters **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 30, 2023, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-10-john-cleese-characters/993886 "2023-11-30T03:36:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-10-john-cleese-characters/993886/1 "2023-11-30T03:36:40Z")
In keeping with mysterious whisperings currently about Monty Python in threads not in this forum, I figured why not get this going. Can be from either the tv show (including Fawlty!) or movies. Arthur Equator Ken Clean-Air System Silly Walker Dreadry Fat Boring Old Git Tim Anne Elk ashamed mouse fetishist (i-viewed) Basil Mungo the cook self defense against fruit sargeant (a couple quick-but-oh-so-sweets in there) (and dang could think of scores of others - must. resist. from. honorable. mentions.) ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-10-john-cleese-characters/993886/2 "2023-11-30T04:34:13Z")
Owner of the Ex-Parrot. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-10-john-cleese-characters/993886/3 "2023-11-30T04:34:22Z")
How could you omit two of the classic customers: Mr Praline - purchaser of the Norwegian Blue Mr Mousebender - fancy a piece of cheese? (ninja’d by Parallel Lines because I hunted up the names!) ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-10-john-cleese-characters/993886/4 "2023-11-30T04:35:56Z")
I grant @Northern_Piper credit for researching the names, I was too concerned with the OBVIOUS omission to bother. Had to be correct on the internet you know! ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-10-john-cleese-characters/993886/5 "2023-11-30T04:38:45Z")
Argument consultant: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ohDB5gbtaEQ/maxresdefault.jpg "Argument - Monty Python") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohDB5gbtaEQ) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-10-john-cleese-characters/993886/6 "2023-11-30T04:42:38Z")
Robin Hood in _ **Time** _ _ **Bandits** _. Sir Lancelot/Tim the Enchanter/The Black Knight in _ **Holy** _ _ **Grail** _. The Centuwion in _ **Life of Brian** _. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-10-john-cleese-characters/993886/7 "2023-11-30T04:46:41Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > Can be from either the tv show (including Fawlty!) or movies. Basil Fawlty has to top the list of characters. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-10-john-cleese-characters/993886/8 "2023-11-30T04:59:44Z")
Top Python skit ever. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-10-john-cleese-characters/993886/9 "2023-11-30T05:03:38Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > I grant @Northern_Piper credit for researching the names, I was too concerned with the OBVIOUS omission to bother. Had to be correct on the internet you know! Meh. Na. Not even close to my top 10. Great, sure, but just not quite that extra kick I’m looking for. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-10-john-cleese-characters/993886/10 "2023-11-30T05:26:36Z")
According to Wikipedia, Mr. Praline is a recurring character in mutliple sketches. He’s the police officer inquiring about the strange confections from Whizzo’s Chocolates (whence the name Praline), the customer trying to return the dead parrot, and the man trying to get a licence for his pet fish (whence his first name is Eric). ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-10-john-cleese-characters/993886/11 "2023-11-30T05:40:30Z")
The Hungarian at the tobacconist’s. ---
**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:** [November 30, 2023, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-10-john-cleese-characters/993886/12 "2023-11-30T05:52:46Z")
The minor official desperately trying to run an orderly stoning execution Archie Leech The man explaining to Michael Palin’s character why he would not be a good lion tamer Reg the terrorist cell leader with a bad back Frustrated cheese shop customer Salad days man who lived in a tiny, tumble down house with great 'oles in the roof The Pope complaining about Michaelangelo’s rendition of the Last Supper The teacher demonstrating sexual technique for his class Man sitting on a park bench listening to Peter Cook talk boring, flatulent nonsense Job interviewer inexplicably ringing a bell in Graham Chapman’s face The Roman centurion giving Brian a free Latin lesson ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-10-john-cleese-characters/993886/13 "2023-11-30T06:31:22Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > The Hungarian at the tobacconist’s. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/G6D1YI-41ao/hqdefault.jpg "Monty Python - Dirty Hungarian Phrasebook") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6D1YI-41ao) “My hovercraft ees full of eels!” This is the first _Monty Python_ skit I remember seeing; I was totally hooked. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-10-john-cleese-characters/993886/14 "2023-11-30T06:47:17Z")
I love all his characters. He’s always been my favorite Python. But the standouts for me are: Basil Fawlty The Black Knight Nigel-Incubator Jones in the MPFC Twit Contest ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-10-john-cleese-characters/993886/15 "2023-11-30T07:26:52Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Basil Fawlty has to top the list of characters. Not IMHO, Basil is so unlikable I cant watch the show. Archie leach for a Fish Called wanda. Dr. Simon Finch-Royce- Cheers and of course his anti-smoking ads. And the main character and judge in “Meetings, Bloody Meetings” ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-10-john-cleese-characters/993886/16 "2023-11-30T07:38:01Z")
I liked his commercials for (I think) American Express. Even today, I sometimes use the terms “posh shops, ritzy restaurants, and hoity-toity hotels.” ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-10-john-cleese-characters/993886/17 "2023-11-30T07:40:36Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Not IMHO, Basil is so unlikable I cant watch the show. Great characters do not have to be likeable. To each their own though. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-10-john-cleese-characters/993886/18 "2023-11-30T07:40:50Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Nigel-Incubator Jones in the MPFC Twit Contest A twit would write “Nigel Incubator-Jones.” ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-10-john-cleese-characters/993886/19 "2023-11-30T07:44:12Z")
No one has mentioned Sheriff Langston from _Silverado_ yet. Cleese enters to break up a fight, and his first line is “what’s all this, then?” I also liked him as the French waiter serving Mr. Creosote in _Meaning of Life_. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-10-john-cleese-characters/993886/20 "2023-11-30T07:47:29Z")
The phlebotomist at the blood bank: “No, you may not give urine instead of blood.” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-10-john-cleese-characters/993886.md?page=2)