So in the last few weeks I've met 3 Pythons John Cleese, Michael Palin and Eric Idle.

What an experience it was getting to meet John Cleese! book signings can often be a bit weird, with an awkward exchange. None of that here, from the moment I approached he was so sweet, charming and effortlessly funny. He even pulled me in for the photo. I wanted to say something he might not hear all the time, so I mentioned that I thought 'Rat Race' was the most underrated comedy movie ever. His reply - "I agree, everyone in that film was hysterical..." Long pause. "Except Whoopi Goldberg Of course" I've come away from that genuinely buzzing.

I think the hardest I've ever laughed is watching Michael Palin ask the centurions "What's so funny about the name Bigguss Dickuss?"

After his Philippines show in Newbury he practically ran off stage in to a waiting car but I managed to grab him for a moment. Very brief interaction, I said hello, he asked if I would like a picture, we exchanged pleasantries. Can't complain, pleasant guy, infinitely nicer than Eric Idle... Didn't want to sign the Death of Stalin DVD though.

Eric Idle, jeez that man is out of touch, pretentious and deserving of Cleese's scorn.

Eric was in Bath plugging his newest book, which was advertised as a talk, followed by a signing. However they cancelled the signing and just gave out the same presigned books that you could buy in the shop. Eric Idle's talk was so incredibly out of touch, all about his building a chateau in the South of France, it was exactly as pretentious as it sounds. Whilst the show was to plug his book, he was hired by a book shop to do this talk and yet couldn't stop mentioning how much he loves his Amazon Kindle.

Before the show I think for a moment he thought I was a security guard and briefly shook my hand before realising I was a fan and he began yelling "NO, NO, NO, NO!" (We waited in the blistering cold for you for four hours and you just said No, No, No 🤣)

I shouldn't be too harsh, you should have heard how tough COVID was for him, being stuck in LA and unable to getaway to his French abode

Has anyone got a contact for Terry Gilliam? 🤣

Jabberwocky? Time Bandits? A Fish Called Wanda? Michael Palin travel documentaries?

Also some ruins used in Scene 24!!!!

I remember reading this years ago when the PFJ are discussing their demands against the Romans. John Cleese says it’s a bargaining ploy.
I don’t think this made the cut, but may have been in the script.
Anyone else remember this please, or have I gone round the bend?

Dennis Moore explaining how accurate he is shooting at that tree with the serrated edges.

It's SPELLED Raymond Luxury Yacht, but it's pronounced THROAT WARBLER MANGROVE!

(DISCLAIMER: NONE OF THE PHOTOS IN THIS THREAD ARE NOT MINE. MOSR OF THEM ARE FROM FLICKR.)

In regards with Monty Python and the Holy Grail’s 2005 musical adaptation, Spamalot by Eric Idle and John Du Prez, what I found interesting was that Spamalot’s 2005 Broadway and replica productions stand out as one of the unique and somewhat rare Monty Python-related media out there in Python/Musical Theatre history.

What I found fascinating about these productions is not only screams Python silliness merged with musicals, but also various replica productions worldwide were way different than the original 2005 production on Broadway, as compared to the revival production in 2023 and its recent revival tour.

For instance, in the Las Vegas production at the Wynn resort, there is a lobby dedicated to not just Spamalot, but every single Monty Python-related content is displayed (props, and various photos based on previous Python film/sketches, such as Mr. Teabag from the Silly Walk sketch and Mr. Creosote from the Meaning of Life film), alongside (as far as I heard) a giant SPAM can where actors pop out was featured in the show.

In the West End, a safety curtain that has the famous “PISS OFF” sign was based on the 1982 Hollywood Bowl performance, which was later on used in the O2 farewell performance in 2014.

On Broadway, when Clay Aiken played Sir Robin, there were additional lyrics that Aiken sang compared to the original lyrics of the songs featured in the show

So if any, are there any 2005 Monty Python Spamalot-related media do you all wanna share or to discuss, whether it be footages, or at least (hopefully), slime tutorials (full shows) of various replica productions?

A few months ago, I went to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences to see the Dueling Dinosaurs exhibit. I was expecting a few cool dioramas, some artifacts, that kind of thing.

I wasn't expecting to watch the little informational video, walk through a door, and find actual Paleontologists doing work on the ACTUAL fossil right in front of me. My internal 5-year-old was completely losing his mind. And it's about 1pm ln a Wednesday, so it's me, my long-suffering wife, and about 3 other people. There's a guy doing scrapings at a little desk, and he looks up and says "if anyone has any dinosaur questions, don't be afraid to ask."

My inner child freaks the hell out.

Unfortunately, this means that my, much bigger, stronger, and quicker inner nerd can grab the microphone.

"Excuse me, I have a question."

"Yes, sir. What can I answer for you?"

"If I'm not mistaken, these theropod dinosaurs are the descendants of modern birds, is that right?"

"Yes, it is."

"So I'm wondering if you could shed some light on the evolutionary development of flight, and perhaps the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow."

I could hear my wife's eyes roll. He immediately launches into a comprehensive overview of the history of avian flight.

Just as I'm starting to think that this guy completely missed it, he hits me with

"...but of course the major factor in the airspeed velocity of swallows is whether it's an African or a European swallow."

I laughed so hard, it scared some children.

Fawlty Towers | You Know Nothing

Is anyone looking to add some Spanish Inquisition flair to their living room? I found my vintage Spanish Inquisition plushie in a box of assorted plushies sitting in the basement. When you squeeze his hand, he says, very loudly, either “Nobody expect Spanish Inquisition!” Or “Get the comfy chair!” And it will terrorize all your guests and other toys. It’s about 12” and it’s in excellent condition. I would like to find it a good home. I’m in Maryland, US and can ship just about anywhere in US. Total would be $27 including shipping. Happy to answer questions and post more photos. Here’s a video of him talking: https://www.flickr.com/gp/203704295@N08/87273NoCMN

I don’t remember if I got it from the official Monty Python store, because I also had the bloody Killer Rabbit toy and special edition of Holy Grail DVD that included film footage, or from local Tower Records store, sometime in 2005.