Python Night – 30 Years of Monty Python

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Python Night – 30 Years of Monty Python
Python Night.jpg
Also known asPython Night
Created by John Cleese
Terry Gilliam
Eric Idle
Terry Jones
Michael Palin
StarringJohn Cleese
Terry Gilliam
Eric Idle
Terry Jones
Michael Palin
Carol Cleveland
Country of originUnited Kingdom
No. of episodes1
Production
Running time220 minutes
Production companies BBC
A+E Networks
Python (Monty) Pictures
Release
Original network BBC 2
Original release9 October 1999 (1999-10-09)
Related

Python Night was an evening of Monty Python-related programmes broadcast on BBC2 on 9 October 1999, [1] to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the first broadcast of Monty Python's Flying Circus . It featured newly written sketches, three documentaries and a screening of Monty Python's Life of Brian .

Contents

Only the documentaries were screened in the US, broadcast under the title The Life of Python on A&E Biography on 9 April 2000. [2] Most of the evening's content was released in the US later in 2000 on the first disc of the A&E DVD box set The Life of Python. In the UK many of the items were issued as bonus material on the BBC's 2004 Monty Python Live at Aspen DVD.

Summary

Origins

After the success of their Aspen appearance in 1998, the group discussed doing something for the 30th anniversary. At one point there was a stage show planned, but some members were uneasy about the idea and felt that Eric Idle's agent had done a poor job of preparations. [3] By the time of the 30th anniversary in 1999, it was decided to produce a TV special with new material, which most of the group agreed on. Idle, in rebuttal was not keen on doing new material, and did not participate in it. As a result, his only contributions were filmed in Los Angeles and Eddie Izzard replaced him in group scenes with the other Pythons.

Group reaction

The group were divided on the merits of the new material. Idle was scathing about the new sketches the other four members had filmed, while Cleese thought they were very funny but complained that the BBC did too little promotion for the programme. Overall the group felt that, though the material wasn't their strongest, it held a nostalgic quality because almost everyone from Flying Circus was working on the programme. Terry Jones, who directed the new sketches, later showed regret for the fact that he was doing it for free and didn't get paid. [4]

Cast

Credits

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References

  1. “Python Night“. BBC. Retrieved 19 August 2019
  2. McCall, Douglas (12 November 2013). Monty Python: A Chronology, 1969–2012, 2d ed. McFarland. ISBN   9780786478118.
  3. The Pythons Autobiography by The Pythons , 2003, p. 345, Orion
  4. The Pythons Autobiography by The Pythons , 2003, p. 349, Orion