"Monty Python's Flying Circus" (1969) TV series 1969-1974

Creators:

Graham Chapman
John Cleese
Terry Gilliam

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | unknown

Release Date:

5 October 1969 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Music

Plot:

The original surreal sketch comedy showcase for the Monty Python troupe.

Plot Keywords:

Monty Python | Sketch Comedy | Comedy Troupe | Cult Comedy | British Comedy

Awards:

3 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Graham Chapman	...	Various / ... (46 episodes, 1969-1974)
Eric Idle	...	Various / ... (46 episodes, 1969-1974)
Terry Jones	...	Various / ... (46 episodes, 1969-1974)
Michael Palin	...	It's Man / ... (46 episodes, 1969-1974)
Terry Gilliam	...	Various / ... (46 episodes, 1969-1974)
John Cleese	...	Announcer / ... (40 episodes, 1969-1973)
Carol Cleveland	...	Various / ... (34 episodes, 1969-1974)

Also Known As:

Gwen Dibley's Flying Circus (UK) (working title)
Monty Python (UK) (new title)
Owl-Stretching Time (UK) (working title)

Runtime:

30 min (45 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English | Arabic | French | German | Italian | Mandarin | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono | Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M (DVD rating) (disc 8) | Australia:PG | USA:TV-14 | Japan:R | Singapore:M18 (DVD rating) | Singapore:M18 | UK:12 (some epiosodes) | UK:15 (1985-1994) | UK:PG | Finland:K-18 (self applied) (DVD) (2007) | Brazil:14 | Argentina:13 | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG

Filming Locations:

BBC Television Centre, Wood Lane, Shepherd's Bush, London, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

The phrase "And now for something completely different" is taken from a real phrase often used by the BBC during their TV and radio broadcasts.

Quotes:

Veronica Smalls: Hello, last week on "Party Hints" I showed you how to make a small plate of goulash go round 26 people, how to get the best out of your canapés, and how to unblock your loo. This week I'm going to tell you what to do if there is an armed communist uprising near your home when you're having a party...

Movie Connections:

Featured in Britain's 50 Greatest Comedy Sketches (2005) (TV)

Soundtrack:

The Liberty Bell

The First 'Alternative Comedy' Show?

Strange as it may seem now, I used to be frightened by 'Monty Python's Flying Circus'. It had the look and feel of a nightmare; as all sorts of weirdness took over the airwaves, along with terrible sights such as heads lopped off with razors, people puking their guts out, and human brains consumed with spoons. Of course the latter images were Terry Gilliam animations, but even so it was a brave person who stayed up late to watch this show. The sketches were a mixture of the inspired and not-so inspired, many such as 'The Parrot Sketch', 'The Spanish Inquisition' and 'Ministry Of Silly Walks' have passed into legend. After two excellent seasons, plus a couple of fun German specials, 'Python' went into decline, and John Cleese's departure was the final nail in the coffin. Fortunately, the team reunited to make movies which, if anything, were funnier than the show. I must squeeze in a quick mention of Carol Cleveland, with whom I was madly in love in the early '70's!