MUSEUM OF BROADCASTING SEMINAR SERIES, THE: AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT: A MONTY PYTHON SEMINAR {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in this series of seminars conducted by The Museum of Television & Radio (known at that time as The Museum of Broadcasting). Hosted by curatorial director Andy Halper, and moderated by Museum president Robert M. Batscha, this seminar features a panel discussion with Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, and Terry Jones as part of The Museum's twentieth anniversary salute to the British comedy series, "Monty Python's Flying Circus."
Halper introduces a screening of highlights from the work of the Monty Python comedy troupe including footage from the following programs: a sketch from the 1969 premiere of "Do Not Adjust Your Set," a children's comedy series featuring Idle, Jones and Michael Palin; "The Christmas Card," an early animated segment by Terry Gilliam; "The Rutles," a mock documentary about a very Beatles-esque pop group; and memorable sketches from the series, "Monty Python's Flying Circus."
After the screening, Gilliam, Idle, and Jones join Batscha on stage and entertain questions from the audience on the following topics, among others: their favorite sketches; cast member and composer Neil Innes; a recent Python reunion in London; "Do Not Adjust Your Set"; a lost series called "The Complete and Utter History of Britain"; directing the Pythons versus performing with them; how Gilliam started in animation and came to join the group; the continuity element offered by Gilliam's animation; the derivation of the title "Monty Python's Flying Circus"; the group's beginnings in University revues; comedy influences; the panelists' individual working methods; the writing and production process for "Monty Python's Flying Circus"; a comparison of American and British audiences; Gilliam's relative creative freedom on the series; why the Pythons often played in drag rather than hiring actresses; thoughts about actor-comedian Peter Cook and "Far Side" cartoonist Gary Larson; the genesis of the films, "Life of Brian" and "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"; budgetary constraints as a source of creativity; and cast member Carol Cleveland.
Details
- NETWORK: Paley
- DATE: February 13, 1989 12:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:17:34
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T89:0091
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Andy Halper … Host
- Robert M. Batscha … Moderator
- Terry Gilliam … Panelist
- Eric Idle … Panelist
- Terry Jones … Panelist
- Carol Cleveland
- Peter Cook
- Monty Python
- Gary Larson