Muziek:
Neil InnesActeurs:
Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, John Cleese, Carol Cleveland, Connie Booth, Douglas Adams, Neil Innes, Rosalind Bailey (meer)Streaming (1)
Seizoen(4) / Afleveringen(45)
Samenvattingen(1)
De Monty Python-leden hebben naam gemaakt met hun overtuigende mix van gevatheid, originaliteit en briljante timing. En hun hang naar spot en travestie. (Netflix)
Recensie van Necrotongue voor deze serie (48)
Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969)
What to say about the Monty Python's Flying Circus sketches? Brilliant! Timeless! Incredibly funny! Unparalleled! I don't think anyone's ever come up with anything better. Granted, the last season wasn't as good as the previous three but considering that the series was made between 1969 and 1974 and it has been making me laugh out loud for almost thirty years, that's really saying something. The Pythons' humor is incredibly timeless and the lines from some of the sketches are perfectly applicable to everyday life. But now for something completely different...
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Season 1 (1969) (S01)
I immensely enjoyed the first season of Monty Python's Flying Circus. No wonder – it delivers exactly the kind of dry, almost cynical, and, above all, politically incorrect humor that I love, and which isn’t much appreciated nowadays. Even though there’s no official censorship, I don't think the Pythons would get away with it today, especially seeing what a horrible country Britain is turning into these days. Luckily, this series is practically timeless. I own the whole collection of everything the Pythons ever made, so couldn’t care less about censorship...
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Whither Canada (1969) (S01E01)
The perfect start to a perfect sketch series. In 1969, something unparalleled was created — anything that followed has only been a futile attempt to replicate it. What unfolded after the brilliant opening titles was a whirlwind of humor. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart hosted "Famous Deaths," Italians took part in an Italian lesson, "It's the Arts" featured an intriguing interview with Arthur "Two Sheds" Jackson, there was a thrilling painter's bicycle race, and I almost died laughing at the "Funniest Joke in the World."
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Sex and Violence (1969) (S01E02)
The second episode wasn’t as frantic as the first, but it still delivered. The Flying Sheep, Marriage Guidance Counselor, the Mouse Problem, and a peek into the life of a London playwright with a rebellious son who found his calling in mining were all absolute highlights. And the Man with Three Buttocks? That was just a bonus!
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I enjoyed this episode even more than the previous one. John Cleese turned a simple parking fine trial into a thrilling drama, and that was just the start. Michael Palin was fantastic as F. G. Superman, the bike repairman. Eric Idle shined while reading fairy tales and managing a fancy restaurant, though John Cleese's chef had me in tears from laughing. As if that wasn't enough, they threw in the dangerous life of British milkmen and Eric Idle’s classic "Nudge, Nudge" sketch. Absolutely perfect!
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Owl-Stretching Time (1969) (S01E04)
The episode kicks off in grand style with Michael Palin and his ragdoll double. Terry Jones' gallery and striptease felt a bit weaker, but John Cleese’s self-defense course and the frenetic action scenes in the London bookstore sealed the deal for a five-star rating.
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Another episode I can’t criticize because it had me in stitches from the start with "Confuse-A-Cat." The customs sketch that followed with John Cleese and Michael Palin was absolutely hilarious. The absurdity continued with a job interview for a managerial position that thoroughly scrambled my brain — no way I'd pass that one. Eric Idle wrapped things up perfectly with his innovative take on selling encyclopedias.
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It's the Arts (1969) (S01E06)
It was clear from the start that the main target of criticism this time was the BBC itself. The "Arts" segment used many words to say absolutely nothing, reminding me of those pretentious discussions on public television. Then there was a sketch about criminals desperately avoiding any illegal activities and the police hygiene squad, which would probably be shocked to find out what's in those canned foods. I had an absolute blast with "The Dull Life of a City Stockbroker" and the Native American in the theater. Graham Chapman stole the show at the end as the head of 20th Century Vole.
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You're No Fun Anymore (1969) (S01E07)
This episode started off a bit weak for me, even with the camel patrols, but then the Pudding Invasion aiming to take over the Wimbledon tennis tournament had me thoroughly entertained. The transformation of the Welsh Guards was a particularly nice touch. Given all the idiotic policies the Brits are implementing nowadays, it dawns on me that this show probably won't be aired there again anytime soon.
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Full Frontal Nudity (1969) (S01E08)
Episode eight was simply brilliant. Every sketch was cut off before the punchline, a classic Python move that could almost be trademarked. The themes of the sketches were fantastic, from the military unit facing racketeering to the bed and mattress shopping, and especially the mischievous seniors. But the standout was definitely the "Dead Parrot" sketch, with John Cleese and especially Michael Palin at their best. I have a feeling this sketch serves as a training video for customer service reps dealing with complaints.
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The Ant, an Introduction (1969) (S01E09)
The episode kicks off brilliantly with a whimsical introduction to the anatomy of llamas, humorously claiming they live in all major South American rivers. The barbershop sketch features the iconic Lumberjack Song, followed by a classic English hunting scene. Graham Chapman hosts a party he didn't even know about. This episode is packed with English humor, absurdity, and delightfully intolerant jokes, which I love. Five stars were inevitable.
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Untitled (1969) (S01E10)
This time I had to lower the rating because the very good skit about textiles and Luigi Vercotti with Ron Jasný remained a bit isolated at the top. The other sketches were of good quality, but the Pythons clearly showed that they can do better. For example, the Terrier remake cannot compare to the Dead Parrot sketch.
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The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Goes to the Bathroom (1969) (S01E11)
A bit weaker than the previous episode, with only Inspector Tiger and the Interesting People segment really catching my attention. Even so, I can't bring myself to give it less than four stars because, in the realm of comedy, the Pythons are still a clear standout.
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The Naked Ant (1969) (S01E12)
Excellent! "The Spectrum" segment with Mr. Hilter and his companions clearly stole the show, closely followed by the "Upper Class Twit of the Year" sketch. These two sketches perfectly captured the dry English humor I love. The episode was nicely rounded out with "The Leapfrog Championship," "Reporting a Burglary," "Marriage Proposal," and "Minister's Fall," leaving me thoroughly satisfied.
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Intermission (1969) (S01E13)
The final episode of the season started uniquely with an intermission, followed by a sketch set in an extremely peculiar vegetarian restaurant. The very short sketch with the albatross left a surprisingly strong impression on me — sometimes I still hear John Cleese shouting, "Albatross!" I was also entertained by the Historical Impersonations and the visit to the psychiatrist. The first season ended on a high note, and now, on to season two!
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Season 2 (1970) (S02)
The second season of the Circus was just as great as the first. It includes such gems as The Ministry of Silly Walks, The Spanish Inquisition, and How Not to Be Seen. It boggles the mind how Monty Python could get past BBC censorship. Especially “Royal Episode” that concluded the second season, featuring cannibalism in the Navy and not even sparing her Majesty, somehow had to sneak in unnoticed. To say this is good work would be an understatement. I think the Pythons are comedy geniuses.
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Face the Press (1970) (S02E01)
The second season of the Circus started grandly. The opening episode started slowly with the skit "Under Pressure of the Press," but the following skit about a new stove clearly showed that the show "OPBH" has always worked everywhere, regardless of whether it is a democratic or totalitarian regime. The rest of the episode was completely dominated by the "Whip Walk" and the terrifying story of the Piranha Brothers. I had a great time, and John Cleese's performance would make even an experienced gymnast proud.
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The Spanish Inquisition (1970) (S02E02)
The second episode of the new series was again luxuriously funny. I enjoyed the discussion about taxation of you-know-what and the courtroom shenanigans, classic texts processed using various signaling methods. But the whole episode was completely dominated by the cunning Spanish Inquisition, which I absolutely did not expect. One of my favorite roles of Michael Palin. The inhumane smothering with soft cushions and twisted use of a comfortable armchair could have caused discomfort for weaker constitutions, but the Inquisition was simply cruel.
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Deja Vu (1970) (S02E03)
Even though the third episode was a little weaker than the previous two, it was saved for me by the airplane hijacking and the show Tady duševno, which focused on the phenomenon of deja vu and once again featured Michael Palin shining. Every time I watch the Pythons, I feel sorry that we don't have anyone who could do something similar instead of the oddities that usually arise here and are expected to make us laugh.
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The Buzz Aldrin Show (1970) (S02E04)
In the fourth episode, the Pythons attacked the Freemasons with an Architectural sketch, while the Insurance sketch brought a Bishop onto the scene, who turned out to be a pumped-up, action-packed, Christian spectacle. The attempt to improve living conditions by assigning a poet to each family was bizarre, and then came the question that is not usually answered enthusiastically in public: "Who has syphilis here?"
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