Python Night – 30 Years of Monty Python

Python Night
Created by John Cleese
Terry Gilliam
Eric Idle
Terry Jones
Michael Palin
Starring Graham Chapman
John Cleese
Terry Gilliam
Eric Idle
Terry Jones
Michael Palin
Carol Cleveland
Eddie Izzard
Trey Parker
Matt Stone
Country of origin United Kingdom
No. of episodes 1
Production
Running time 2 hours 2 minutes
Production company(s) A+E Networks
BBC
Python (Monty) Pictures
Release
Original network A&E
Original release 8 October 1999
Chronology
Preceded by Monty Python Live At Aspen
Followed by Monty Python's Personal Best

Python Night – 30 Years of Python was a special run of Monty Python related programmes broadcast on BBC2 on 8 October 1999, the 30th Anniversary of the first broadcast of Monty Python's Flying Circus.

In the United States, the program was released on The Life Of Python home video. It was available on DVD and VHS tape.

Summary

Origins

After the success of the group's Aspen appearance, the group discussed doing something for the 30th anniversary. At one point there was a stage show planned, but some members felt uneasy about the idea and Eric Idle's agent had done a poor job of preparations. Eric Idle proposed the idea of doing a reunion film, in which they'd return as Knights of the Round Table, with Graham Chapman's material from CD's and recordings being used to dub a performance out of him, with Arthur's ashes as the front. The rest of the group was enthusiastic about it, and even began writing material for it. The idea died soon, though, as Cleese was against the idea of doing a new film, especially because of Chapman's passing and his feeling that he carried the film and was a better lead than any of them. Cleese instead proposed the idea of doing a special with new material, which most of the group agreed on. Eric 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

Most of the group agreed the new material for the special was not of the greatest quality. Idle was also enraged by Carol Cleveland's comments on her lack of work, while Cleese thought the new material was very funny. The other members thought that, though the new sketches weren't that funny, they held a nostalgic quality because almost everyone from Flying Circus was working on the programme. Terry Jones later showed regret for the fact that he was doing it for free and didn't get paid.

External links

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