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Monty Python turns 50

A new archive of photos & documents celebrates legendary UK comedy.

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(Left-right, back row) Graham Chapman, Eric Idle and Terry Gilliam
(left to right, front row) Terry Jones, John Cleese and Michael Palin.

Legendary British sketch comedy Monty Python’s Flying Circus has turned 50.

It first aired on 5 October 1969 on BBC One and went on to run for four series.

The troupe featured Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin.

To mark the occasion the BBC has released a new archive of photos and documents has been uncovered which illustrates rarely seen moments.

Dated between 1969 and 1974, the rarely seen images show them on set filming sketches including The Ministry of Silly Walks, And Now for Something Completely Different and The Attila the Hun Show.

The archive release also includes a 1969 audience research report revealing viewers’ initial reaction to the series and its “delicious sense of the ridiculous”, as well as a memo from the then Head of Comedy requesting the “peculiar titles” be changed.

Shane Allen, BBC Controller Comedy Commissioning, says: “These archives are comedy history Holy Grails! They highlight that long-standing BBC reputation of being the vital place that champions pioneering new talents. The Pythons tore up the rule book of comedy grammar, conventions and traditions, but thankfully the support for creative freedom won the day and has certainly paid off in the long run as audiences continue to celebrate and revere their enormous impact on comedy.”

BBC: Monty Python at 50

Credit: (c) Python (Monty) Pictures Limited

3 Responses

  1. I didn’t like that show. They had a sketch where someone yelled over and over “Rule number one, No poofters!” I got that all the time when I was growing up, it was terrible. I remember going into pubs and seeing this sign behind the bar. It wasn’t funny, it was sick and cruel.

  2. What TV needs is more uni mates ready to do comedy, like the Python’s, Comedy Company’s, and Fast Forward’s. Unfortunately TV Networks wouldn’t give them a go these days.

  3. Which is why Viceland (31) showed ‘Flying Circus’ episodes throughout Saturday afternoon; and then ‘Holy Grail’, ‘Life of Brian’, and ‘Meaning of Life’ at night.

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