PBS brings back ‘Monty Python’
More than 30 years after introducing American audiences to the Monty Python gang, PBS is preparing to relive its adventures with dead parrots and silly walks.
Beginning Wednesday, the public broadcaster will air six new Monty Python specials, produced exclusively for PBS. The series will air Feb. 22, March 1 and March 8 in two-hour blocks.
Each of the one-hour programs will focus on one member of the original Monty Python troupe, which famously spoofed upper class twits, lumberjacks, old ladies and pet shop owners.
Five of the original Python gang are still living. They’ve gone on to produce, direct and star in other series and major movies.
An adaptation of their 1975 movie, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, became a hit last year when it opened on Broadway as the musical Spamalot. Former Python member Eric Idle co-adapted Spamalot, which now is touring the U.S. and reminding Python fans what they’ve been missing.
John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam and Idle each produced and wrote an episode for the new PBS series, beginning with Eric Idle’s Personal Best, which airs on Wednesday. Together they created a sixth special to honour the late Graham Chapman, who hallowed the taste of Spam.
Each chose his “personal best” original Python skits for the specials. Jones, who warned the world that “Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition” chose the bicycle repair man and the bishop, while Palin brings back the Piranha brothers sketch.
Monty Python’s Flying Circus debuted in Britain on the BBC in 1969 and the series ran until 1974. The series began airing on CBC in Canada in 1971. PBS was the first U.S. network to pick up the show, which developed a cult following in both the U.S. and Canada.
PBS plans to introduce a whole new generation to the series by airing all 47 of the old episodes beginning this spring.
The Python gang also produced the movies The Life of Brian, The Meaning of Life and And Now for Something Completely Different.
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