Monty Python Live! Special 400th Anniversary Book + Must See BONUS

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The "Private Word to the Reader" is a humorous introduction to the book "The Pythons" by the comedy group Monty Python. The introduction is written in the same comedic tone as the group's performances, and jokes about the reader potentially holding the book in their left hand and having held "far worse things" in their hands in the past. The introduction also mentions that this is the first book written and produced by the Pythons themselves since 1979 and that while some members have been "a bit quiet recently" and some have "DNR notes by their bedsides" five of the members are still technically alive. The introduction concludes by encouraging the reader to hold whatever they like in their right hand while reading the book because laughter is good for them, even if it can make them blind.

With 1969 considered as the birth year of Monty Python, this 2009 publication celebrates their 40th anniversary. The book was edited and has a nice and funny foreword (sorry, foreplay...) by Eric Idle, which seems to be the life and soul in fueling the burning flame of Monty Python nowadays with new contemporary productions from all sorts. Idle's decision to concentrate in this album on the live performances of the group was IMHO wise, because it differentiates this book from other available ones, and also lets all the other contributors (MP members with Neil Innes & Carol Cleveland) focus on one aspect of the group's history. As for the book's content: The first 40 pages, titled Pythons on the Road, cover their tours beginning with Coventry(1971), Canada & UK(1973), London - Drury Lane(1974), New York (1976) and Hollywood Bowl (1980). It's arranged in short paragraphs containing recollections from the above mentioned contributors. The next part contains a full 40 page transcript of 'Live at the Hollywood Bowl', presented very nicely with lots of pictures (presumably all taken from the video, but still in good quality.) I could finally enjoy the full text of Mr. SMOKETOOMUCH's blitz monologue, since on the live sketch, Eric Idle's short gasps for air where hardly long enough for me to process the salvo of words. No subtitles track or attentive listening could cope with Idle's speed. What a great performance. Next, come nearly 30 pages of "In Their Own Words" where, specially for this book (bar GC), each member (again with Neil Innes and Carol Cleveland) contributes a few pages of "What I remember". The Graham Chapman story is the nearly complete chapter 13 from his 1980 A Liar's Autobiography and this part of the book ends with a few pages from Michael Palin's Diaries 1969-1979: The Python Years titled "Python on Broadway" (1976). A short chapter that I'll name in a moment follows... The last part of the book "Occasionally Performed Pieces" contains the text of the following sketches: Anagrams (Now I can safely spell the preceding chapter: "How to be a Great gnikcuF Actor") Bee Keeper; Children's story; Butcher's Shop; Hungarian Phrase Book; The Dirty Fork; The Death of Mary Queen of Scots, Hearing Aid, Ken Shabby; Michael Miles Game Show; Minister Falling to Pieces; Secret Service; Cocktail Bar; Undertaker; Blackmail; Courtroom ; RAF Banter and Silly Election. The book has no table of contents or index, but given it's format it didn't bother me. The Pythons by The Pythons is a book that was published in 2009 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the comedy group Monty Python. The book is edited by Eric Idle, who also wrote a humorous foreword for the book. The book focuses on the live performances of the group, which differentiates it from other books about Monty Python.

The first 40 pages of the book, titled "Pythons on the Road," cover the group's tours from 1971 to 1980 and contain recollections from the group members, Neil Innes, and Carol Cleveland. The next part of the book contains a full 40-page transcript of the group's performance at the Hollywood Bowl in 1980, which is presented with many pictures.

The book also contains a section titled "In Their Own Words," where each member of the group, along with Neil Innes and Carol Cleveland, contributes a few pages of their memories. This section includes a nearly complete chapter from Graham Chapman's 1980 book "A Liar's Autobiography" and a few pages from Michael Palin's "Diaries 1969-1979: The Python Years" titled "Python on Broadway" (1976).

The book also includes a section of "Occasionally Performed Pieces," which contains the text of sketches such as "Anagrams," "Bee Keeper," "Children's Story," "Butcher's Shop," "Hungarian Phrase Book," "The Dirty Fork," "The Death of Mary Queen of Scots," "Hearing Aid," "Ken Shabby," "Michael Miles Game Show," "Minister Falling to Pieces," "Secret Service," "Cocktail Bar," "Undertaker," "Blackmail," "Courtroom," "RAF Banter," and "Silly Election." The book does not have a table of contents or index, but it is formatted in a way that makes it easy to navigate.

Monty Python Crew  

  Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, John Cleese and Michael Palin  (Photo source: Movie Stills DB)

Monty Python’s Flying Circus my have only run on television from 1969 through 1974 for a grand total of 45 episodes, but the influence spurred by its brand of surreal sketch comedy is immeasurable. Lorne Michaels counts the show as a major influence on Saturday Night Live and its legion of creative progeny include Sacha Baron Cohen, John Oliver, Rowan Atkinson, Seth MacFarlane, Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Mike Myers, Jim Carrey, Matt Groenig, and “Weird Al” Yankovic. Author Neil Gaiman compared the Pythons as being the comedic equivalent of The Beatles. Originally shot for the BBC, the sextet of John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and Terry Jones, created a series of surreal situations, mixed with risqué and innuendo-laden humor, sight gags and observational sketches without punchlines. Gilliam used animation as segues to break up live-action bits centered on the idiosyncrasies of British life. The intellectual bent of this very Anglified brand of comedy nonetheless attracted a devoted American following, once the episodes started getting aired on PBS in the mid-1970s. Memorable sketches included “The Dead Parrot,” “The Ministry of Silly Walks,” “The Spanish Inquisition,” “Cheese Shop,” “The Undertaker,” “Nudge Nudge,” “Self Defense Against Fresh Fruit,” “Exploding Penguin” “The Fish-Slapping Dance,” “Spam,” “Fish License,” “The Lumberjack Song,” “The Piranha Brothers” and “Argument Clinic.” While 1971’s And Now For Something Completely Different was the Pythons’ first foray into film via this compilation of sketches from the series, it wasn’t until the show wrapped up in 1974 that the troupe decided to embark on shooting their first proper film. The sophomore follow-up, 1975’s Monty Python and the Holy Grail was funded by investments from members of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and Jethro Tull, was directed by Jones and Gilliam and was based on the Arthurian legend. Released in 1979, the next film was Monty Python’s Life of Brian, a lampoon of the New Testament that focused on Brian Cohen, born at the same time in a neighboring stable to Jesus. Directed solely by Jones, the movie was financed by George Harrison of The Beatles. In 1982, Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl was released as a straight-up concert film. The following year, Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life was released. Its string of sketches based on the ages of man from birth to death hearkened back to the dark, disturbing and surreal humor of the original television series. With Chapman’s death in 1989, no full-on reunions of the troupe have prevented any official reunions, although members have gotten together for appearances. Among them were the five surviving Pythons and what was allegedly Chapman’s ashes receiving an AFI Star Award at the 1998 U.S. Comedy Arts Festival, marking the first time they reunited on stage for the first time in 18 years. A live tour in 1999 was agreed to in principle before Michael Palin backed out. The surviving five’s last outing together was Monty Python Live (Mostly): One Down, Five to Go, a stage show held at The O2 in London in July 2014. Having lost a legal case to Holy Grail producer Mark Forester, the members owed him $994,600 in legal fees and royalties. The idea was to have a reunion to pay off this debt. The one show was expanded to 10 shows due to ticket demand. It was their first live performance together in 34 years, the first without member Graham Chapman, who died in 1989, and to date it has been their last.

 

The Pythons With Special Insight  

Monty Python’s Flying Circus (Image source: YouTube)

John Cleese

Cleese has written, directed and starred in a number of films, including deadpan farces such as Clocky and the Goodspeed Ladies.

After graduating from Cambridge University, John Cleese got his start as a screenwriter and performer on The Frost Report. Working with writing partner Chapman, Cleese often played absurd authority figures or foreigners with outlandish accents. Cleese has written, directed, and starred in a number of films- some deadpan like Clocky and the Goodspeed Ladies while others were outrageous like Holy Grail and A Fish Called Wanda.

Graham Chapman

Graham Chapman was often cast as the straight man, playing authority figures like military figures, policemen, and doctors in the Python films Holy Grail and Life of Brian. Chapman also played leads in these films. He died in 1989 of tonsil cancer.

Terry Gilliam

The only American Python, Terry Gilliam's primary contributions were cut-out animations, including the opening title of iconic giant foot. That said, Gilliam appeared as a series of characters including The-Knight-Who-Hits-People-With-A-Chicken, Percy Bysshe Shelley in the "Michael Ellis" episode and Cardinal Fang in "The Spanish Inquisition."

Terry Jones

Terry Jones is a graduate of Oxford University, who is best known for being a member of the comedy group Monty Python, along with writing partner Michael Palin. He helped create the television show "Monty Python's Flying Circus" and was known for his contributions to the show's unique and surreal structure. Jones was also a respected medieval historian.

Michael Palin

Michael Palin is a British comedian, actor, writer, and television presenter. He is best known for his work as a member of the comedy group Monty Python, and for his series of travel documentaries. He began his career working on several British television programs, including "The Ken Dodd Show," "The Frost Report," and "Do Not Adjust Your Set" before joining the Monty Python team. He often wrote with fellow Python member Terry Jones and was considered by his troupe mates as having the widest range of comedic talents.

Eric Idle

Eric Idle is a British comedian, actor, writer, and musician. He is best known for being a member of the comedy group Monty Python. He is considered the most musical of the troupe, having been a member of the parody rock band The Rutles, and has won a Tony Award for Best Musical for writing music and lyrics for the musical Spamalot. He also penned many popular Python songs including “Always Look On the Bright Side of Life” and “Galaxy Song.”

What’s in the bonus DVD?

Well there are possibly over 70 videos and four articles with more than 15 hours of content.

It may or may not contain some of the following, but not necessarily.  What I can say is if you enjoy Monty Python you will enjoy this compilation of hours of content that you have never seen before.

"Pre Monty Python: Secret Agent Man" and "Bridge Of Death" are not known references related to Monty Python or its members. "Monty Python - The Leaf" is not a known reference. "John Cleese Insults Taylor Swift's Cat Olivia - The Graham Norton Show" is not a known reference. "Deleted Monty Python Holy Grail animations audio synced" is not a known reference. "Baby Carriage" is not a known reference. "John Cleese and Eric Idle's Secrets To A Perfect Marriage" is not a known reference. "International Chinese Communist Conspiracy" is not a known reference. "Life Of Brian- 1979 Debate" is not a known reference. "Upper Class Twit of the Year" is a sketch from the Monty Python TV series "Monty Python's Flying Circus" "John Cleese and Rowan Atkinson – Beekeeping" is not a known reference. "Jabberwocky" is a poem written by Lewis Carroll, it's not related to Monty Python. "John Cleese answers audience questions with Eric Idle at Live Talks Los Angeles" is not a known reference. "Dirty Hungarian Phrasebook" is a Monty Python sketch from the TV series "Monty Python's Flying Circus" "John Cleese Says Trump Reminds Him of a Pro Wrestler" is not a known reference.

I know you'll cherish this book and Rare collections of videos on DVD  

  • Condition: Brand New
  • Era: 2000s
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
  • Intended Audience: Young Adults, Adults
  • ISBN: 9781401323677
  • Book Title: Monty Python Live!
  • Item Length: 10in
  • Publisher: Hyperion Press
  • Publication Year: 2009
  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Language: English
  • Item Height: 0.8in
  • Author: Terry Gilliam, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, John Cleese
  • Genre: Performing Arts, Humor
  • Topic: Form / Anecdotes & Quotations, General, Comedy
  • Item Width: 8in
  • Item Weight: 27.1 Oz
  • Number of Pages: 240 Pages

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