Although Pavel Kondov missed out on tickets to the O2 he still manages to get his fill of Python punnery, he shares his favorites here
Figuring out what to watch in order to procrastinate can be almost as difficult as actually writing your essays, but luckily, the recent news of Monty Python’s reunion have given us yet another incentive to start working half an hour later. For anyone in need of a kick-start, we’ve handpicked our five most favourite sketches from Flying Circus which will seriously make you regret not buying tickets for their O2 show this summer.
Ministry of Silly Walks
John Cleese’s best moment. It’s impossible not to crack up at the sight of his overlong legs doing things they are not supposed to. Mrs Twolumps’ episodic appearance is a work of comic brilliance and the little bouquet of silly walks towards the end is a joy. Monty Python at their physical best.
Best line: “It’s not particularly silly, is it?”
Silly Voices at the Police Station
A shift from the physical to the lingual, this sketch is an illustration of all the different types of weirdos you might have to put up with at the workplace. Complete with perfectly executed facial expressions and brilliant character traits (special shout-out to /ˈbɜː(r)ɡəlri/), this sketch does not take too long to descend into complete chaos – just the thing we want from Monty Python.
Best line: “Excuse me, Sir, but… why the funny voice?”
Philosopher Football
Now this is an unfair addition because it might actually help Philosophy students get their head round German and Ancient Greek philosophers. A brilliant symbiosis of intelligence and silliness, this sketch is worth a mention even if only for the chance to see fully grown men play football in robes and fake beards.
Best line: “Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside.“
The Spanish Inquisition
NOBODY EXPECTED THIS SKETCH TO MAKE IT TO THE TOP 5!!! Except everyone totally did, because it is such a classic. Its chief weapon, as you may be aware, is surprise. Surprise, and timi… its two main weapons are surprise and timing, and an ironic depiction of the villains. No, wait, among its weaponry are such elements as surprise, timing and an iron… oh, just go and watch it, for God’s sake.
Best line: Don’t really have to point it out, do I?
Election Night Special
Possibly my favourite Monty Python sketch of all time, the Election Night Special is a perfect exhibit of all their ingredients – physical comedy, non sequiturs, verbal silliness, satire, deadpan delivery and so on and so forth. Truly a sketch one can never tire of. If this doesn’t make you laugh, there is a very high chance you are actually a piece of furniture, in which case go away, sofas aren’t supposed to be on the Internet.
Best line: Tie between “Can I just say at this point, this is in fact the second time I’ve ever appeared on television.” and “Malcolm Peter Brian Telescope Adrian Umbrella Stand Jasper Wednesday (pops mouth twice) Stoatgobbler John Raw Vegetable (sound effect of horse whinnying) Arthur Norman Michael (blows squeker) Featherstone Smith (blows whistle) Northgot Edwards Harris (fires pistol, which goes ‘whoop’) Mason (chuff-chuff-chuff) Frampton Jones Fruitbat Gilbert (sings) ‘We’ll keep a welcome in the'(three shots, stops singing) Williams If I Could Walk That Way Jenkin (squeker) Tiger-draws Pratt Thompson (sings) ‘Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head’ Darcy Carter (horn) Pussycat ‘Don’t Sleep In The Subway’ Barton Mannering (hoot, ‘whoop’) Smith.”
Disclaimer: Author does not take responsibility for any missed deadlines.
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