Monty Python Comes (Mostly) Back

Monty Python returned recently, for a cinecast event entitled Monty Python Live (Mostly): One Down, Five to Go. It was broadcast simultaneously in four hundred and fifty theaters in the United Kingdom and an additional one thousand five hundred worldwide. To review the event, the Post Gazette recently completed an article.

The event opened as to be expected. A still was provided of the late Graham Chapman, the only Monty Python not to be starring in the event. Many of the group’s familiar skits from previous films and their forty-five minute episodes entitled Monty Python’s Flying Circus appeared. Penguin on the telly and the parrot sketch both appeared, as well as an appearance from Terry Jones extolling the virtues of “Anthrax ripple” candy. Some of these skits proved to be even too much for the Monty Pythons themselves; John Cleese and Michael Palin struggled most notably, as they both broke character in the course of performing the parrot sketch. “Galaxy Song” was sung; followed by a criticism of the scientific facts behind the lyrics provided by astrophysicist Brian Cox who was, in turn, interrupted by Stephen Hawking running him over in his wheelchair.

The ethnic and religious stereotypes the group is known for were updated for the piece as well. New jokes were added, including a reference to China owning America’s debt. The usual gay jokes from the group were admittedly outdated, although the reviewer did note that it was entertaining seeing Eric Idle and Michael Palin serving as judges for a cross-dressing contest, as they were known to do in the past of Monty Python.

In true form, there were many Broadway caliber musical performances throughout the event, many of which featured Idle, as that was his most frequent contribution to the group. The piece ended, of course, with their most noted song, a rendition of “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” starring Idle in his true form. Regardless of this happy note, the reviewer felt as if, with Chapman, some part of Monty Python had decidedly died, not able to be revived, even by this new addition to their archive.

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