Monty Python is a British comedy troupe known for its surrealistic television show Monty Python's Flying Circus. Monty Python's Flying Circus was the first comedy show of its kind and was the brainchild of Monty Python members Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin. Monty Python's Flying Circus was shown on BBC from 1969 to 1974. Even after the conclusion of the Monty Python's Flying Circus its influence can still be seen in today's comedy sketch shows.
Monty Python's Flying Circus was developed by Monty Python members after their string of successful performances in different shows. As the show Monty Python's Flying Circus was being developed, Monty Pythons members agreed that the show will veer away from the usual format of comedy sketch shows during their time. One notable difference in style is that punch lines were avoided in the jokes performed. The members of Monty Pythons who are alumni of Oxford and Cambridge also have rather different styles in their comedic approach. Jokes written by the Oxford duo are fanciful and visually stimulating. Meanwhile, the sketches written by the members from Cambridge were more verbal and abusive. The result on Monty Python's Flying Circus of these approaches is a show that is silly, absurd, ridiculous, sometimes satirical, but always funny.
There were a total of forty-five Monty Python's Flying Circus episodes aired in BBC that ran for four seasons from 1969 to 1974. Among Monty Python's most popular sketches are: “Ministry of Silly Walks” which indeed features very silly walking, “Dead Parrot” which features a sequence on euphemisms on death, “Spam” featuring an argument on an order of spam, and "The Spanish Inquisition" which is a series of running jokes that always features the catchphrase 'Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!'.
Monty Python's Flying Circus was the first of its kind. Monty Python members definitely wanted a series unlike other comedy shows which relied heavily in punch lines that were sometimes awkward and tired. Monty Python's Flying Circus sometimes relies in physical comedy and sometimes in verbal word play. Monty Python's Flying Circus is definitely for the quirky and weird. Although Monty Python's Flying Circus will be most appreciated by fans of British sense of humor, fans of comedy will not find it difficult to appreciate the show.
Monty Python's Flying Circus was a unique television show with an immense impact in television history. Monty Python's Flying Circus is a smart piece of work from geniuses of comedy. The show Monty Python's Flying Circus' influence on popular culture will be lasting and fans of comedic art should be forever grateful.
