Biographic - Sunday November 30, 2008 Comic Strip Licensing and Permissions

Transcript

"Owl Stretching Time" "A Horse, A bucket, a spoon" "Bun, Whacket, Buzzard, Stubble and boot" and "Toad Elevating Moment" were all titles considered, but by the time it debuted on British television on October 5, 1969, the comedy sketch show's title was Monty Python's Flying Circus," The show was conceived, written and performed by an ensemble cast whose various previous writing and performing credits included David Frost's "The Frost Report" and a plethora of TV sketch shows and sitcoms. During it's 45th episode, 5-year run, the show's innovative, electric, anarchic approach revolutionized tv comedy forever. The series was first broadcast in the U.S. in 1975, and quickly developed a cult following on PBS, fueled by such movies as 1975's "Monty Python and The Holy Grail" and 1979's contorversal "Monty Python' Life of Brian," Post Python, Terry Gilliam, the American-born animator who created the show distinctive visual motif, became the celebrated director of films such as "Brazil" and "Fear And Loathing in Las Vegas." Following further TV and movie work, Graham Chapman passed away in 1989, at the age of 48. Terry Jones has continued to write and direct, and is an acclaimed author and presenter of historical documentaries. Michael Palin continued to act in TV and movies, and became one of Britain's most successful travel documentary presenters. John Cleese wrote and starred in the acclaimed BBC's sitcom "Fawlty Towers" before starring in such hit movies as "A Fish Called Wanda" he has appeared in everything from the James Bond films to Harry Potter and Shrek series of movies. Eric Idle's subsequent career has encompassed "SNL" the Beatles spoof "The Rutles" and numerous U.S. movies and sitcoms. He also write "Spamalot" the Tony award-winning musical based on the Holy Grail movie. The show, along with sporadic reunions, books and DVD releases, has kept the Python legend alive, and PBS and BBC America reruns of the original shows continue to recruit new legions of fans.

Tags