The legendary comedy troupe Monty Python had a little show called Monty Python’s Flying Circus that began in 1969, which made Monday their 40th birthday. The group is composed of gods of the comedic realms John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin and of course, Graham Chapman, who passed away in 1989.
All five of the remaining members are gearing up for one of their rare gatherings on October 15, when they will head to New York City and receive an award for Outstanding Contribution to Film and Television from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).
Celebrations for the event were underway back in July when it was announced that four of the six members would be reuniting for a new show based on Life of Brian called Not The Messiah (He’s a Very Naughty Boy) (Read: Monty Python To Reunite For Their 40th Anniversary; Documentary To Follow). Palin, Idle, Gilliam, and Jones are will appear in the special event, while Cleese was unable to commit due to a conflicting schedule.
While doing an interview for the anniversary, Terry Jones explained that he didn’t think the show would be commissioned if it were pitched today.
The BBC would want to see a test version and study demographics. They never liked or understood it. It was touch and go if they’d commission a second series
Monty Python’s Flying Circus aired 45 episodes and is perhaps best known for some of the films it spawned, which included The Life of Brian, and the classic, Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
[Source: AFP]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkw2DdoskPY
My Favorite Flying Circus sketch :)