Composer:
Neil InnesCast:
Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, John Cleese, Carol Cleveland, Connie Booth, Douglas Adams, Neil Innes, Rosalind Bailey (more)VOD (1)
Seasons(4) / Episodes(45)
Plots(1)
The Monty Python players make their mark with a winning mix of wit, ingenuity and brilliant timing -- and a penchant for mockery and cross-dressing. (Netflix)
Reviews of this series by the user Necrotongue (48)
Live from the Grill-o-Mat (1970) (S02E05)
The live broadcast from the Grill-o-Mat was fantastic. The "Blackmail" sketch had me in stitches, and while the "Royal Society for Putting Things on Top of Other Things" didn't quite hit the mark, the following demolition sketch was flawless, as were the butcher shop scene and the story of the excellent boxer, Ken Clean-Air System. What I love most about this show is the guarantee of laughter with each episode. It's incredible how Python's humor still resonates with me after all these years.
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The Attila the Hun Show (1970) (S02E07)
The episode was enjoyable, much like the previous one, but none of the sketches truly wowed me. I missed having a standout skit like "The Funniest Joke in the World," "The Dead Parrot," or "The Dirty Fork" that would stick with me. Despite that, I still had plenty of laughs with the brilliant English humor.
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Archaeology Today (1970) (S02E08)
While watching "Archaeology Today" and the "Wife Swap" sketch, I was leaning towards giving the episode four stars. But then came the party with Mr and Mrs Git and mosquito hunting with the Spim brothers, and it was a definite five stars. Eric Idle’s determined expression, even as a dangerous ant tore off his arm, was priceless.
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How to Recognise Different Parts of the Body (1970) (S02E09)
If anyone else created such a funny episode, I’d instantly give it five stars, but I dock one from Flying Circus because I know they’ve done even better. That said, I had a great time watching this episode, especially the hilarious jab at Australians.
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Scott of the Antarctic (1970) (S02E10)
From the opening sketch, I realized the Pythons share my view of French films filled with philosophical musings. I thoroughly enjoyed the sketch about filming "Scott of the Antarctic," and then "Scott of the Sahara," especially the duel between Lieutenant Scott and a lion, and Miss Evans fleeing from a man-eating typewriter. The fish license sketch, featuring another classic showdown between John Cleese and Michael Palin, was perfect. Even the sports-themed ending of the episode didn't disappoint.
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How Not to Be Seen (1970) (S02E11)
The episode kicked off with a hilarious sketch about an advertising agency, setting the tone perfectly. I had a great laugh at the murder mystery solved using the British Rail timetable — something that would be impossible here with all our delays and cancellations. The segments on Martin Curry's filmography and the ridiculous religions were also solidly funny, but "How Not to Be Seen" was pure genius. This episode showcased the Pythons at their very best.
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Spam (1970) (S02E12)
The episode kicked off magnificently with the epic film "The Black Eagle." Communication issues left Hungarians unable to shop in British stores, artworks went on strike, left-wing leaders faced off in a quiz show, characters were revealed at Ypres, and Mr. Gumby taught a flower arranging class. I thoroughly enjoyed all of it, but what really had me in stitches was how the Pythons incorporated canned pork into the modern lexicon. Seriously, who among you hasn’t encountered the word SPAM?
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Royal Episode 13 (1970) (S02E13)
The Royal Episode wrapped up the second season with dignity. The miners' debates over Doric column details reminded me of an old TV show, where working-class citizens discussed pressing issues of the day with the eloquence of philosophers or literary critics. The men who only pronounced the beginnings, middles, or ends of words had me in stitches. Following that, the sketches about the egg collector, pigeon fanciers' races, and the Hospital sketch kept the laughs coming. The bits on cannibalism in the Royal Navy and at the funeral parlor were the cherry on top.
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Season 3 (1972) (S03)
The third season of the Flying Circus was also excellent, and I enjoyed it. It features several sketches that I find memorable, definitely including The Cheese Shop Sketch, The Cycling Tour, Dennis Moore, and Prejudice. The Pythons have once again shown that nothing is sacred to them and that they can always make me laugh, even though I've already seen the show many times.
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Njorl's Saga (1972) (S03E01)
The third season kicked off with a courtroom trial of a mass murderer, featuring Eric Idle shining as the defendant. The subsequent trial of Njorl highlighted Michael Palin as Constable Pan Am, the prosecution’s witness, who had me in tears from laughing. The laundry room conversation leads to a quest for Jean-Paul Sartre, and the episode wraps up with Whicker’s Island, inhabited solely by reporters. Throughout the episode, the hilarious and epic Njorl's Saga unfolds — definitely something I need to find in book form.
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Mr. and Mrs. Brian Norris' Ford Popular (1972) (S03E02)
The second episode was, as expected, top-notch and full of intriguing insights. I learned about simple solutions for deadly diseases, easy ways to lose weight, and got some surprising new information about Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky from the Agricultural Club. I had a great time with Brian Norris' scientific expedition, especially when a river blocked his path — I was seriously worried about the journey and hoped they had enough sandwiches. The BBC broadcast from Mrs. Kelly's apartment was also hilarious. However, I felt this episode lacked a standout sketch that would stick with me for a long time.
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The Money Programme (1972) (S03E03)
This episode brought us "The Money Programme," fake directors, and an intervention by the church police. However, two sketches stood out and will stay with me for a long time. The Jungle Restaurant was fantastic, especially with the quick work of the censor. The second perfect sketch was "Argument Clinic." Brilliant work all around!
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Blood, Devastation, Death, War and Horror (1972) (S03E04)
The fourth episode takes us inside a commercial bank with John Cleese playing its incredibly wealthy boss, while Terry Jones' futile attempts to explain the concept of a donation were hilarious. I almost shed a tear for the tragic fate of the pantomime horses and the tough life of BBC announcers. The final film about the pantomime horse was so well done it even outshone some Bond movies.
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The All-England Summarise Proust Competition (1972) (S03E05)
I’d give this episode five stars just for Graham Chapman's answer in the final round of the Summarize Proust Competition: "And Harry, what are your hobbies outside summarizing?" "Well, strangling animals, golf and masturbating." Luckily, there were also other fantastic sketches, like Everest climbed by hairdressers, the Language Laboratory, and Eric Idle's hilarious performance at the travel agency. Anne Elk's new theory about brontosauruses was the perfect way to end the episode.
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The War Against Pornography (1972) (S03E06)
The episode kicked off with British housewives campaigning for a better and stronger Britain without pornography. Mr. Gumby visited a brain specialist, Mr. Gumby, who sent him to surgery with Mr. Gumby, assisted by Mr. Gumby and anesthetized by Mr. Gumby. A documentary on mollusks brought quality programming right into viewers' homes, followed by a mix of current affairs shows and a poignant apology. The episode wrapped up with my favorite, the Royal Navy's expedition to Lake Pahoe. I was thoroughly entertained throughout, leaving no doubt about awarding it five stars.
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Salad Days (1972) (S03E07)
The episode introduces us to the beloved adventure hero Captain Bigglesworth dictating a letter, followed by a sketch featuring a lifeboat/naval buffet and a show about global canning trends. Sam Peckinpah delivers a bloody finale, but not before my favorite cheese shop sketch, starring Michael Palin (the shopkeeper) and John Cleese (the customer). This sketch, in my opinion, is right up there with the Dead Parrot sketch. Palin and Cleese push the absurdity to new heights, and I had to rewind several times because I was laughing so hard that I missed parts of it.
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The Cycling Tour (1972) (S03E08)
I consider this one of the pinnacles of Python brilliance. Mr. Pither’s cycling tour through northern Cornwall never fails to leave me in stitches. Michael Palin shines in the lead role, but John Cleese once again proves his knack for playing loud military officers, be it a Soviet execution squad leader, a British sergeant, or a Roman centurion. I always enjoy this episode and wish I could give it an extra star.
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The Nude Man (1972) (S03E09)
The episode kicks off with "Bomb on Plane," followed by the introduction to building apartment complexes through hypnosis, leading up to the grand "The Olympic hide-and-seek final." This sketch is unforgettable — who wouldn't enjoy a thrilling spectacle that can entertain for eleven years? The placement of "Prices on the Planet Algon" at the end of the episode condemned it to live in the shadow of the Hide and Seek sketch. I had an absolute blast.
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E. Henry Thripshaw's Disease (1972) (S03E10)
The episode delivered the expected high-quality humor, taking absurdity to new heights as only the Pythons can. However, it lacked a truly unforgettable sketch, although Dr. Thripshaw and the sherry sketch came close.
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Dennis Moore (1973) (S03E11)
The boxing match for the title of Oxford Professor of History and The Great Debate were solid, but the Dennis Moore story and the "Prejudice" sketch were absolute gems! The search for the worst insult for Belgians has stuck with me since the first time I saw it almost thirty years ago. It's a prime example of the politically incorrect humor that’s out of fashion today but which I love and will always enjoy, despite the likely backlash from modern censors. But that's okay; the meek shall inherit the earth, ensuring the survival of humanity.
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