The Monty Pythons and Modern Comedy

By F. Lebl

I haven’t heard of another comedy troupe that has been more influential than Monty Python. I’m sure many of you will be asking yourselves who are such people, and why should I care. Well, for the layman, Monty Python is to comedy what William Shakespeare was to the English language. What Coco Chanel was to women’s fashion, and what The Beatles were for British Rock. If you enjoy comedy, and I’m pretty sure you do, then you have been touched someway by Monty Python.


Monty Python was a comedy group that arose in the UK and was composed of Terry Gilliam, Graham Chapman, Terry Jones, Eric Idle, Michael Palin and John Cleese. These Pythons first had their debut in 1969 by their television program Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Their TV show was such a success, that they later released three movies: the iconic Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the satirical Life of Brian and the not-so-good-as-the-other-two The Meaning of Life.


Let me tell you, Monty Python is everywhere. Without the satirical and blasphemous comedy presented by The Pythons, there would be no Saturday Night Live, no Family Guy, no The Simpsons, and forget about Borat! These are only a few of many comedic programs that would never exist if Monty Python hadn’t seen the light.


So, I plead and beg you; watch any Monty Python movie. I am sure you will be enriched and probably recognise a few tropes from other origins. Even though it is a very raw type of comedy, I am sure that once you get past the first five minutes, your life will never be the same.