Monty Python's Flying Circus 

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

Creators:

Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Jones

Stars:

Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam

Top Rated TV #32 | 4 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
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

Storyline

The irreverent Monty Python comedy troupe present a series of skits which are often surreal, bawdy, uncompromising and/or tasteless, but nearly always hilarious.

---

Plot Keywords:

class system | monty python | comedy troupe | sketch comedy | black comedy | 

---

Taglines:

And now for something completely digital...

---

Genres:

Comedy

---

Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Official Sites:

PythOnline.com

Country:

UK

Language:

English Arabic French German Italian Mandarin Spanish

Release Date:

5 October 1969 (UK)

Also Known As:

England, wie es sinnt und lacht

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC),Python (Monty) Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (45 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The BBC made the Pythons edit out the word "masturbation" from the "All-England Summarize Proust Competition", in which one of the contestants (Graham Chapman) claimed his hobbies included "golf, strangling small animals and masturbation". While the vocal track was edited to remove the last word, the huge laugh from the audience remained in the final recording. During one of the negotiation meetings on the topic, Eric Idle reportedly asked the head of the BBC, "Everyone masturbates. Don't you masturbate, sir?" He was not given a response.

---

Goofs

The Air Tube that operates Mr Tree's mouth can be seen in the profile shot, when light starts glinting off it.

---

Quotes

[a letter following a British Navy presentation by pepperpots]
Voice Over: As an admiral who came up through the ranks more times than you've had hot dinners, I wish to join my husband O.W.A. Giveaway in condemning this shoddy misrepresentation of our modern navy. The British Navy is one of the finest and most attractive and butchest fighting forces in the world. I love those white flared trousers and the feel of rough blue serge on those pert little buttocks...
Presenter: I'm afraid we are unable to show you any more...

---

Crazy Credits

Several episodes go on for several minutes following the closing credits. Some closing credits even incorporate the BBC "rolling earth" logo that was used at the time between programs.

---

Alternate Versions

The VHS and DVD releases by A&E contain the full-length versions of the shows. Several episodes run over 30 minutes, and were subsequently edited by PBS to fit into a 30 minute time slot.

---

Connections

Referenced in Wine Gusy: Clare Reisling (2015)

---

Soundtracks

The Liberty Bell
(1893) (uncredited)
Music by John Philip Sousa
Performed by The Band of the Grenadier Guards
(opening theme music)

User Reviews

A letter of complaint

Dear Sir,

I am writing to complain about the silliness known as Monty Python's Flying Circus which plagues my television. The "jokes" are silly and pointless, and the sketches never have proper endings. I demand that this programme be removed from telly at once and replaced with programmes that are truly representative of the glories of British humour, such as Keeping Up Appearances and the BBC World News.

Sincerely, Col. Arthur von Gambolputty-Dinsdale of Ulm (deceased)

(Warning: This letter does not reflect the true feelings of the reviewer, who is a huge fan of Python and thinks that the above-mentioned gripes are the very reason that the show is awesome. The comedy still holds up after over 35 years, though several of the costumes and haircuts do not, and the mixture of zany oddball non sequiters, intellectual references and satires, and ingenious physical comedy makes Python something very special and unique. Viva Python! And remember, !las llamas son mas grande que las ranas!)