Monty Python as Individuals - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

EricIdlefan · 02-08-2004, 03:03 AM

Being a Python fan, this is how I look at the six of them in their own characteristic way:

Graham Chapman: The perfect straight man(every group has to have a straight man) and used his knowledge as a former med student on the Flying Circus shows, he is sadly missed when he passed away one day before Python came into existance at the 20th anniversary reunion in 1989.

John Cleese: Great with physical comedy(famous Ministry of Silly Walks) and is like jack of all trades, movies, commercials, tv shows(Fawlty Towers a must), Flying Circus lost their comedic touch when he left the very last episodes 39-45

Terry Gilliam: The animator and illiustrator known for his almost R-rated cartoons that make people laugh. Has turned into a very, very, successful director. If Chapman was the straight man, Clesse was the everday man, TG was the illiustrator

Eric Idle: The mantnee idol who brought sex appeal to the group. Also the most musical one and also the "American Python". Can act in films, tv shows, commericals, voice overs, sing, do plays, write, produce!!

Terry Jones: Probably the least known Python but that doesn't mean he's untalented. Director like Gilliam!! Known as dressing up as drag ladies and probably was the best one at it and played uptight and buttoned down salesman and is known as the "naked organist" and loves medival history.

Michael Palin: Known as the nicest Python but now known as the world traveler with his traveler shows that all started with "Around the World in 80 Days" (ironically, Idle was Passepartout to Pierce Brosnan's Phileas Fogg in the 1989 mini-series & John Cleese will do a cameo in the upcoming Jackie Chan remake due in Summer of 2004), Pole to Pole, among others!!

Liza · 02-08-2004, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by EricIdlefan
Being a Python fan, this is how I look at the six of them in their own characteristic way:

Graham Chapman: The perfect straight man(every group has to have a straight man) and used his knowledge as a former med student on the Flying Circus shows, he is sadly missed when he passed away one day before Python came into existance at the 20th anniversary reunion in 1989.

John Cleese: Great with physical comedy(famous Ministry of Silly Walks) and is like jack of all trades, movies, commercials, tv shows(Fawlty Towers a must), Flying Circus lost their comedic touch when he left the very last episodes 39-45

Terry Gilliam: The animator and illiustrator known for his almost R-rated cartoons that make people laugh. Has turned into a very, very, successful director. If Chapman was the straight man, Clesse was the everday man, TG was the illiustrator

Eric Idle: The mantnee idol who brought sex appeal to the group. Also the most musical one and also the "American Python". Can act in films, tv shows, commericals, voice overs, sing, do plays, write, produce!!

Terry Jones: Probably the least known Python but that doesn't mean he's untalented. Director like Gilliam!! Known as dressing up as drag ladies and probably was the best one at it and played uptight and buttoned down salesman and is known as the "naked organist" and loves medival history.

Michael Palin: Known as the nicest Python but now known as the world traveler with his traveler shows that all started with "Around the World in 80 Days" (ironically, Idle was Passepartout to Pierce Brosnan's Phileas Fogg in the 1989 mini-series & John Cleese will do a cameo in the upcoming Jackie Chan remake due in Summer of 2004), Pole to Pole, among others!!

They are all great individuals, but sorry, you do seem to have some of them mixed up.

For starters, you of all people should know that Eric isn't the American Python!

That would be Terry Gilliam, who's originally from Minnesota.

Eric Idle (my personal favorite) was the naked organist - a role that he's still very proud of, and also did most of the drag acts. My mom and I agree it's because he looked the most "fetching."

In Eric's tour, he described all of the Pythoners: John was the rich one, Graham was the gay one (also the dead one), Michael's the nice one, Terry G's the American one, and Terry J's the one that's not Terry G.

EricIdlefan · 02-08-2004, 04:54 PM

Well, what I meant is Liz even though Graham is dead and gay, he was the "straight man" like Dean Martin was to Jerry Lewis and Peter Marshall was to the Hollywood Squares gang!! Terry G was born in Minnesota but lives in London because he said that he either doesn't trust American and hope that he didn't say hate!! The reason I mean Eric is because he lives in America now!! BTW, did you see him with the Greedy Bastard Tour?? I would had loved to seen it but he didn't come to my town in Seymour Tennessee!! I am always looking for Eric memorabilia like other films, tv shows, & interviews of his!! PM me back!!

japfles · 02-09-2004, 04:42 PM

Michael Palin was always my fave member of Python.

His 'Ripping Yarns' series (co-written with Terry Jones) was wonderful. The episodes 'Tomkinson's Schooldays', 'Whinfrey's Last Case' and 'The Testing of Eric Olthwaite' are mini-masterpieces.

Liza · 02-09-2004, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by japfles
Michael Palin was always my fave member of Python.

His 'Ripping Yarns' series (co-written with Terry Jones) was wonderful. The episodes 'Tomkinson's Schooldays', 'Whinfrey's Last Case' and 'The Testing of Eric Olthwaite' are mini-masterpieces.

Michael's great. He's my mom's favorite. Very interesting guy, we've got his book Pole to Pole which is amazing. And he's supposedly just the sweetest guy. Eric said during his show that he's making it a personal goal to destroy Michael's reputation. Apparently those two are often mistaken for each other, and Eric said whenever someone asks him "Are you Michael Palin?" he answers "Yes, now f*** off!"

japfles · 02-09-2004, 05:49 PM

Mickey · 02-13-2004, 12:44 PM

Graham, a straight man? You've got to be kidding! Graham, bless him, was as bonkers as they come. Witness Michael's reminiscences of staying at a hotel once during filming, and being kept awake by Graham knocking on his door at night saying that he was Betty Marsden. When he complained about the noise, the next night Graham just slipped a note under Michael's door saying that he was Betty Marsden instead.

Cleese always claimed that it was the alcohol that made Graham that way, but long after he gave it up, he was still completely barking. Some of his best sketches for the show weren't straight ones, either. Remember the penguin on the television set?!

John Cleese is a good straight man. Probably because he's never found any of it particularly funny!

Saying that Python lost its comedic touch after he left it a matter of opinion, obviously, but it's one I'd disagree with. Cleese was never like the others. Supposedly he hated illogical comedy, and never liked the zaniness of the show the way that the others did. He didn't want Gilliam's animation, he hated sketches like the Spam Sketch that had no real purpose (and were, therefore, the heart of what Python was kind of about). Losing him was no particular deal; partly because they had some of his material that he'd written anyway, and partly because his heart was never in it the way that the rest of them were. If either of the Terries, Mike or Eric had left, then it would have been fatal for the show. I don't think losing John mattered that much. The show was heading in a different direction then anyway.

Terry Jones is probably only the "least known Python" in some circles. His work in children's fiction is outstanding, and his historical studies and work in mediaeval studies are particularly impressive. He's highly respected for his work on Chaucer, for instance.

And had to laugh about Eric being the matinee idol who brought sex appeal to the group!

Gosh EricIdleFan, you're not a particular fan of Eric Idle by any chance?!

Graham was the one with the film star looks, really.

EdwardHitler · 11-16-2004, 10:51 PM

"Eric Idle (my personal favorite) was the naked organist"

No, actually that was Terry Jones, who cowrote Ripping Yarns with Palin, absolutely brilliant work, Escape from Stalag Lust 112 B, just the title is enough to floor you. In Tomkinson's Schooldays, when young Tomkinson is discovered having made a huge icebreaker in the handicraft class it really kills you, just the best.

Liza · 11-16-2004, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by EdwardHitler
"Eric Idle (my personal favorite) was the naked organist"

No, actually that was Terry Jones, who cowrote Ripping Yarns with Palin, absolutely brilliant work, Escape from Stalag Lust 112 B, just the title is enough to floor you. In Tomkinson's Schooldays, when young Tomkinson is discovered having made a huge icebreaker in the handicraft class it really kills you, just the best.

Terry Jones did it later, but Eric did it first on the show.

Mickey · 11-17-2004, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by EdwardHitler
In Tomkinson's Schooldays, when young Tomkinson is discovered having made a huge icebreaker in the handicraft class it really kills you, just the best.

Wonderful, isn't it.

Ripping Yarns is full of these great little touches. It's a shame that Terry J only acted in the first one though. to judge by the audio commentaries on the DVD, he regrets that himself now.

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EdwardHitler · 11-18-2004, 10:51 AM

It is wonderful, I've got a second vhs on way to me, under $4 from BBC America, the only thing on sale at the moment, lucky stroke for me. I was watching Golden Gordon last night, the ripping football tale, he's named his son Barnstoneworth United after the team, and the way they real off Barnstoneworth football statistics is hilarious, every player on a given team, when goals were scored during the game, funny as hell. And when he goes to talk to the company president about the plan to make a scrap metal yard out of the place, recalling glory matches from the past in great detail:

"There must have been ten thousand people there that night"

"Ten thousand, one hundred eighteen!''

I lalso love how he destroys the home regardless of victory or loss, brilliant.

Mickey · 11-18-2004, 07:30 PM

Ah yes, Barnestoneworth. I haven't got to Golden Gordon on the DVD release yet. That's the one with "Bunn, Wackett, Buzzard, Stubble and Boot", isn't it? I don't know where those names originally came from, but that list (of football players in Ripping Yarns) was mooted as a title for Monty Python back in 1969, and was also used in various versions of the Python "Silly Elections" sketch, as part of the name of one of the silly candidates. Funny how these things go around!

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02-08-2004, 03:03 AM	#1
EricIdlefan USA 250th! Forum Addict Join Date: Oct 12, 2003 Location: East TN Posts: 68,236	Monty Python as Individuals Being a Python fan, this is how I look at the six of them in their own characteristic way: Graham Chapman: The perfect straight man(every group has to have a straight man) and used his knowledge as a former med student on the Flying Circus shows, he is sadly missed when he passed away one day before Python came into existance at the 20th anniversary reunion in 1989. John Cleese: Great with physical comedy(famous Ministry of Silly Walks) and is like jack of all trades, movies, commercials, tv shows(Fawlty Towers a must), Flying Circus lost their comedic touch when he left the very last episodes 39-45 Terry Gilliam: The animator and illiustrator known for his almost R-rated cartoons that make people laugh. Has turned into a very, very, successful director. If Chapman was the straight man, Clesse was the everday man, TG was the illiustrator Eric Idle: The mantnee idol who brought sex appeal to the group. Also the most musical one and also the "American Python". Can act in films, tv shows, commericals, voice overs, sing, do plays, write, produce!! Terry Jones: Probably the least known Python but that doesn't mean he's untalented. Director like Gilliam!! Known as dressing up as drag ladies and probably was the best one at it and played uptight and buttoned down salesman and is known as the "naked organist" and loves medival history. Michael Palin: Known as the nicest Python but now known as the world traveler with his traveler shows that all started with "Around the World in 80 Days" (ironically, Idle was Passepartout to Pierce Brosnan's Phileas Fogg in the 1989 mini-series & John Cleese will do a cameo in the upcoming Jackie Chan remake due in Summer of 2004), Pole to Pole, among others!!
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02-09-2004, 04:42 PM	#4
japfles The Japster Frequent Poster Join Date: May 10, 2001 Location: Durham, UK Posts: 145	Michael Palin was always my fave member of Python. His 'Ripping Yarns' series (co-written with Terry Jones) was wonderful. The episodes 'Tomkinson's Schooldays', 'Whinfrey's Last Case' and 'The Testing of Eric Olthwaite' are mini-masterpieces.
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02-08-2004, 04:54 PM	#3
EricIdlefan USA 250th! Forum Addict Join Date: Oct 12, 2003 Location: East TN Posts: 68,236	Well, what I meant is Liz even though Graham is dead and gay, he was the "straight man" like Dean Martin was to Jerry Lewis and Peter Marshall was to the Hollywood Squares gang!! Terry G was born in Minnesota but lives in London because he said that he either doesn't trust American and hope that he didn't say hate!! The reason I mean Eric is because he lives in America now!! BTW, did you see him with the Greedy Bastard Tour?? I would had loved to seen it but he didn't come to my town in Seymour Tennessee!! I am always looking for Eric memorabilia like other films, tv shows, & interviews of his!! PM me back!!

02-09-2004, 05:49 PM	#6
japfles The Japster Frequent Poster Join Date: May 10, 2001 Location: Durham, UK Posts: 145

02-13-2004, 12:44 PM	#7
Mickey Ranger Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 12, 2002 Location: The UK, and still finding Desi funnier than Lucy Posts: 960	Graham, a straight man? You've got to be kidding! Graham, bless him, was as bonkers as they come. Witness Michael's reminiscences of staying at a hotel once during filming, and being kept awake by Graham knocking on his door at night saying that he was Betty Marsden. When he complained about the noise, the next night Graham just slipped a note under Michael's door saying that he was Betty Marsden instead. Cleese always claimed that it was the alcohol that made Graham that way, but long after he gave it up, he was still completely barking. Some of his best sketches for the show weren't straight ones, either. Remember the penguin on the television set?! John Cleese is a good straight man. Probably because he's never found any of it particularly funny! Saying that Python lost its comedic touch after he left it a matter of opinion, obviously, but it's one I'd disagree with. Cleese was never like the others. Supposedly he hated illogical comedy, and never liked the zaniness of the show the way that the others did. He didn't want Gilliam's animation, he hated sketches like the Spam Sketch that had no real purpose (and were, therefore, the heart of what Python was kind of about). Losing him was no particular deal; partly because they had some of his material that he'd written anyway, and partly because his heart was never in it the way that the rest of them were. If either of the Terries, Mike or Eric had left, then it would have been fatal for the show. I don't think losing John mattered that much. The show was heading in a different direction then anyway. Terry Jones is probably only the "least known Python" in some circles. His work in children's fiction is outstanding, and his historical studies and work in mediaeval studies are particularly impressive. He's highly respected for his work on Chaucer, for instance. And had to laugh about Eric being the matinee idol who brought sex appeal to the group! Gosh EricIdleFan, you're not a particular fan of Eric Idle by any chance?! Graham was the one with the film star looks, really.
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11-16-2004, 10:51 PM	#8
EdwardHitler Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 12, 2004 Posts: 64	"Eric Idle (my personal favorite) was the naked organist" No, actually that was Terry Jones, who cowrote Ripping Yarns with Palin, absolutely brilliant work, Escape from Stalag Lust 112 B, just the title is enough to floor you. In Tomkinson's Schooldays, when young Tomkinson is discovered having made a huge icebreaker in the handicraft class it really kills you, just the best.

11-18-2004, 10:51 AM	#11
EdwardHitler Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 12, 2004 Posts: 64	It is wonderful, I've got a second vhs on way to me, under $4 from BBC America, the only thing on sale at the moment, lucky stroke for me. I was watching Golden Gordon last night, the ripping football tale, he's named his son Barnstoneworth United after the team, and the way they real off Barnstoneworth football statistics is hilarious, every player on a given team, when goals were scored during the game, funny as hell. And when he goes to talk to the company president about the plan to make a scrap metal yard out of the place, recalling glory matches from the past in great detail: "There must have been ten thousand people there that night" "Ten thousand, one hundred eighteen!'' I lalso love how he destroys the home regardless of victory or loss, brilliant.

11-18-2004, 07:30 PM	#12
Mickey Ranger Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 12, 2002 Location: The UK, and still finding Desi funnier than Lucy Posts: 960	Ah yes, Barnestoneworth. I haven't got to Golden Gordon on the DVD release yet. That's the one with "Bunn, Wackett, Buzzard, Stubble and Boot", isn't it? I don't know where those names originally came from, but that list (of football players in Ripping Yarns) was mooted as a title for Monty Python back in 1969, and was also used in various versions of the Python "Silly Elections" sketch, as part of the name of one of the silly candidates. Funny how these things go around! __________________ 46664 - Play Music - Fight AIDS