Watch Monty Python's Flying Circus

Monty Python's Flying Circus is a classic British sketch comedy show that aired on the BBC from 1969 to 1974, created and written by its six main cast members: John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, Terry Jones, and Terry Gilliam. The show's irreverent humor and absurdist style have become legendary, influencing generations of comedians and spawning numerous spin-offs and films.

The show's format revolved around a series of loosely connected sketches, with a mix of live-action and animated segments, often featuring surreal and satirical themes. The sketches were often linked together with a stream-of-consciousness style narration, provided by various members of the cast, which added to the show's distinctive style and humor.

The cast members played a wide range of characters, from bumbling bureaucrats and uptight businessmen to surreal creations like the Ministry of Silly Walks and the Killer Joke. They also frequently broke the fourth wall, addressing the audience directly or commenting on the sketches themselves, which added to the show's anarchic energy and irreverent tone.

One of the show's most iconic elements was its opening sequence, featuring a group of elderly men in bowler hats performing a choreographed dance routine to the tune of "The Liberty Bell" march. This was accompanied by a voiceover proclaiming "And now for something completely different", which became a catchphrase for the show and captured its unique blend of absurdist humor and social commentary.

Over its five-year run, Monty Python's Flying Circus became a cultural phenomenon, popularizing a new style of comedy that blended satire, absurdity, and wit. The show's legacy has continued to this day, with its influence seen in everything from The Simpsons to South Park and beyond. It remains a beloved classic of British television, and an enduring example of the power of comedy to challenge and entertain in equal measure.

In addition to its talented cast, the show also featured a number of guest stars, including the versatile actress Carol Cleveland, who appeared in over 30 episodes and became known as the "Seventh Python". Other notable guests included Connolly, Spike Milligan, Peter Cook, and Dudley Moore, among others, who added to the show's diverse range of comedic styles and personalities.

In terms of style, Monty Python's Flying Circus was known for its distinctive use of animation and visual effects, thanks to the talents of Terry Gilliam, who developed an innovative style of cut-out animation using photographs and illustrations, as well as his own surreal drawings. The show also featured innovative camera work and editing techniques, which added to its fast-paced, punchy comedy style.

Ultimately, Monty Python's Flying Circus is a show that defies easy categorization, blending a range of genres and styles into a unique and unforgettable form of comedy. With its quick wit, sharp satire, and boundless creativity, it remains as fresh and funny today as it was over 50 years ago.

Monty Python's Flying Circus is a series that ran for 4 seasons (45 episodes) between January 1, 1969 and on Sony Pictures Home Entertainment