Just wanted to mention that today is John Cleese's birthday. He's 70 years old, which is what - seven in dog years? I don't know, my dog math may be off. Either way, it makes me feel old because I grew up on Monty Python's Flying Circus, Fawlty Towers and the MP Movies.
I am 100% certain that quotes from "The Life of Brian" and "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" are taking up valuable brain space that used to contain Linear Algebra, Calculus 1-3 and French.
I say this because I can remember none of those things even though I spent five years and an enormous amount of my parent's money to learn them -- yet on the other hand, I can quote from the Monty Python movies and the Flying Circus skits for hours on end.
Coincidence? I think not.
Oh well. (Dad, I'm sorry. Next time you come over we'll sit down and watch the Holy Grail together. You're a really religious guy -- it should be right up your alley.)
Anyway, if you are as big a fan as I am, check this out -- the BBC is releasing a remastered box set of the Fawlty Towers series. Even though it was only on for a short time, it has to be one of the funniest sitcoms ever made. They are also having a facebook look-a-like contest where you can submit photos of yourself as one of the characters and win some sweet prizes. It doesn't look like there are any submissions yet, so your odds are probably pretty good even if you just put on a fake mustache and stand around looking British while someone takes a picture.
"When I first came here, this was all swamp. Everyone said I was daft to build a castle on a swamp, but I built in all the same, just to show them. It sank into the swamp. So I built a second one. That sank into the swamp. So I built a third. That burned down, fell over, then sank into the swamp. But the fourth one stayed up. And that's what you're going to get, Lad, the strongest castle in all of England. "
Yeah. That was from memory.
Dammit. My wife just put a bucket on her head. Now I've got to get into the fish tank and sing. And nobody even said "Mattress." WTF.
"I fart in your general direction. Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries."
ReplyDeleteJV I'm not sure how many years of highschool I ran around saying "I fart in you general direction."
:P
Might explain my super dork crazy girl status.
"Is there someone else up there we can talk to?" "No, now go away or I shall taunt you a second time."
EEEEEEEEEEE!!!
And what was the part about knowing a witch by it floating but ducks float too and something to do with wood floating? Shit I don't remember but I know I loved it.
Best.Movie.Ever. Have watched it more times than I can count.
ReplyDeleteDid you catch the 6-part documentary on the Pythons that aired on IFC last week? It is awaiting me on the DVR...have seen episode 1 ("The Not-so Interesting Beginnings") and it was promising; looking forward to the next five.
KCmom, YES! I DVR'd that but haven't had time to sit and watch it yet. Lindy, are you suggesting coconuts migrate? ha
ReplyDeleteStop that! No singing!
ReplyDeleteI still gallop around on invisible horses where ever I go.
ReplyDelete"How can a 4 ounce bird carry a 1 pound coconut?"
ReplyDelete"He could grip it by the hands."
"It's not a question of where he grips it! It's a matter of weight ratios!"
That was from memory as well. May not be right, but still one of my favorite MP memories.
Well, we'll not risk another frontal assault. That rabbit's dynamite!
ReplyDeleteDennis, there is some lovely filth down here.
The BBC would like to apologize for the next announcement!
I'm so excited that someone else I 'know' like Fawlty Towers too!
ReplyDeleteI don't know anyone else who even knows what it is- how can so many people have missed the funniest show ever?
I better get new friends...
I have a metal placard in my office with the French knight and the words, "I fart in your general direction."
ReplyDeletePeople either get it and laugh, or they look a little puzzled...
"....huuuuge tracts of land" LOL that gets me every time :-) Those are classic movies!
ReplyDeleteMy wife turned me on to Fawty Towers when we met. "Basil the Rat" still reduces me to eye watering, gut wrenching, side splitting laughter.
ReplyDeleteEh, he may be old but at least he's not an ex-parrot yet. He's only pining for the fjords.
ReplyDeleteYou do realize that the Python troupe (minus Graham) are getting back together for a couple new seasons, and at least one more movie, did you not?
ReplyDeleteI'm not kidding. It was announced just this week on CNN, and I'm actually as giddy as a school-kid over it.
My favorite section?
"We thank thee, oh Lord, for this victory.."
*kick*
"Right? Still want a go?"
"You can't fight.. You've been beaten!"
"Me? Never!"
"You've got a mortal wound!"
"Do not, it's just a flesh wound."
"Your arm's clean off!"
"I've had worse.. Come on you pansie!"
Or the:
"I'm invincible!"
"You're a looney!"
Thanks for the memories..
You'll have to forgive him. He's from Barcelona.
ReplyDeleteGenius! I taped all of the IFC series and cried, literally, when I realized the Holy Grail episode only taped 7 minutes of it. The humanity!
ReplyDeleteThe only way to know someone is cool, is to quote Python. If they get it, they're in. If they don't, keep walking. Perhaps a silly walk.
Quoting Python was always how I found my friends at various stages of my schooling. I would meet new people that I thought I might like, then say, "nudge, nudge, wink, wink," or "She turned me into a newt." If they could finish the line, we were bonded; if not, oh, well....
ReplyDelete- i'm not dead yet
ReplyDelete- you will be
You grew up?
ReplyDeleteT.
"She's a witch!"
ReplyDelete"How do you know she's a witch?"
"She turned me into a newt!"
"You don't look like a newt."
"Well...I got bettah."
You know you've met good people when they can quote Pythonisms back at you with no hesitation. My children grew up with our fond memories of the show and the movies, and now they're watching the originals and are just as hooked.
We saw John Cleese, Terry Moore and Terry Gilliam on Keith Oberman's show the other night - they ruled the interview. Apparently Terry Moore's son has made a 6 hour documentary about the Pythons (perhaps what y'all were mentioning above?) - I will definitely look forward to seeing that.
They are still tops when it comes to my favorite comedians. I'll have to get the new issue of Fawlty Towers. The kids haven't seen it - it'll be fun to share the hilarity.
Ed, it's the best way to travel!
ReplyDeleteAdrienz, I love the filth line.
OT, I probably would have one too but they frown on that sort of thing where I work. It doesn't stop people from cropdusting, it just stops them from advertising it.
Mary, come hang with us.
Sarge good to "see" you. Don't ever divorce her!
Heather, he was coughin up blood last night.
Jorm, no! I did not. I hope it's a huge hit. They deserve to go out with a bang.
Tim, nice!
Carlo, it's the best way. If they are younger, I forgive them and try Venture Bros. quotes.
Fireant - smartass. No, I did not grow up. I just learned to fake it well enough to become a responsible member of society, get a job, buy a house, get married, and vote. In the immortal words of Huey Lewis: "Infiltrate, then double-cross."
RR, give the gift of laughter. It really is the best medicine. Plus if they are watching TV, they aren't bugging you.
I'm not as familiar with HG, but I love The Meaning of Life. One of my students' vocabulary words is "gluttonous," and I tried using the fat man "wafer thin mint" portion to explain the word. Very few of them got it, but those few got extra credit (wink wink nudge nudge).
ReplyDeleteScary how similar our tastes are, JV (as well as plenty of your other adoring fans...)
ReplyDeleteMy dad would always accuse me and my 4 brothers of not having a creative bone in our body because we would carry on entire conversations composed of nothing but MP quotes.
And as funny as HG is, the stuff from Flying Circus is even better, IMHO. And for anyone who disagrees with me, I give you this:
Angry man:
SHUT YOUR FESTERING GOB, YOU TIT! YOUR TYPE MAKES ME PUKE! YOU VACUOUS TOFFEE-NOSED MALODOROUS PERVERT!
Man:
Yes, but I came here for an argument!!
Angry man:
OH! Oh! I'm sorry! This is Abuse!
Man:
Oh! Oh I see!
Angry man:
Aha! No, you want room 12A, next door.
Man:
Oh...Sorry...
Angry man:
Not at all!
(under his breath) stupid git.
Oh, but you can't expect to wield supreme executive power just because some watery tart threw a sword at you.
ReplyDeleteif i went round sayin i was empoeror, just b/c some moistened bint lobbed a scimitar at me, they'd put me away.
HELP! HELP! I'M BEING REPRESSED!
"It wouldn't be 'crunchy' if it didn't have BONES in it now, would it?!"
ReplyDelete"Spam wonderful Spam!"
Caught a bit on IFC the other night, with John talking about he and Graham almost cracking as the two daft biddies discussing the (yet unexploded) penguin on their telly. Seeing him still laugh about it this many years later made the bit that much funnier.
"Why'd you say BURRRma?!"
"...I panicked..."
Fawlty Towers reigns supreme.