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List of Monty Python's Flying Circus episodes#11. Dennis Moore

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{{DISPLAYTITLE:List of Monty Python's Flying Circus episodes}}

{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}

Monty Python's Flying Circus is a British surreal sketch comedy series created by and starring Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam, who became known as "Monty Python", for BBC1. The series stands out for its use of absurd situations, mixed with risqué and innuendo-laden humour, sight gags and observational sketches without punchlines. Live action segments were broken up with animations by Gilliam, often merging with the live action to form segues. It premiered on 5 October 1969 and ended on 5 December 1974, with a total of 45 episodes over the course of 4 series.

Series overview

{{Series overview

| color1 = #1E599C

| link1 = List of Monty Python's Flying Circus episodes#Series 1 (1969–70)

| episodes1 = 13

| start1 = 5 October 1969

| end1 = 11 January 1970

| color2 = #CB9F34

| link2 = List of Monty Python's Flying Circus episodes#Series 2 (1970)

| episodes2 = 13

| start2 = 15 September 1970

| end2 = 22 December 1970

| color3 = #AE86C5

| link3 = List of Monty Python's Flying Circus episodes#Series 3 (1972–73)

| episodes3 = 13

| start3 = 19 October 1972

| end3 = 18 January 1973

| color3S = #e1cc5f

| linkT3S = Specials

| link3S = List of Monty Python's Flying Circus episodes#Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus (1972)

| episodes3S = 2

| start3S = 3 January 1972

| end3S = 18 December 1972

| color4 = #F1721D

| link4 = List of Monty Python's Flying Circus episodes#Series 4 (1974)

| episodes4 = 6

| start4 = 31 October 1974

| end4 = 5 December 1974

}}

Episodes

=Series 1 (1969–70)=

{{Episode table |background=#1E599C |overall=6 |series=6 |title=30 |airdate=20 |episodes=

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 1

| EpisodeNumber2 = 1

| Title = Whither Canada?

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1969|10|5|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • It's Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
  • Famous Deaths
  • Italian Lesson – written by Michael Palin and Terry Jones
  • Whizzo Butter
  • a parody of the commercials for Stork SB Margarine; the word 'Whizzo' would be used throughout the series as the title of various companies and products, such as 'The Whizzo Quality Assortment' produced by the 'Whizzo Chocolate Company' (within the Crunchy Frog sketch of Episode 6).

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 2

| EpisodeNumber2 = 2

| Title = Sex and Violence

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1969|10|12|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Flying Sheep – written by Cleese and Chapman{{Cite book|title = So, Anyway...|last = Cleese|first = John|publisher = Crown Archetype|year = 2014|isbn = 9780385348249|pages = 310, 340, 345}}
  • French Lecture on Sheep-Aircraft
  • A Man with Three Buttocks
  • first appearance of the phrase 'And now for something completely different'.
  • A Man with Two Noses
  • Musical Mice

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Marriage Guidance Counsellor – written by Eric Idle
  • The Wacky Queen
  • Working-Class Playwright
  • The Wrestling Epilogue (written by Eric Idle){{Cite web|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awRHPQJD5yw|title = John Cleese's Personal Best|website = youtube.com|quote = [Cleese before the sketch:]"There was a sketch young Eric Rutle [Idle] wrote I liked, about theology."}}
  • real professional wrestlers portrayed a monsignor and a college professor who debate the existence of God by wrestling.
  • The Mouse Problem (written by Cleese and Chapman){{Cite book|title = The Queer Encyclopedia of Film & Television|last = Summers|first = Claude J.|publisher = Cleis Press|year = 2005|isbn = 9781573442091|pages = 68|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=yrgUAQAAIAAJ}}{{Cite journal|url =https://github.com/lordappsec/Zines/blob/master/BRITCOMEDY/britcomedy.digest.1-05|title =Monty Python Special|date =November 1994|journal =Britcomedy Digest}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{Cite web|url = http://www.glbtqarchive.com/arts/chapman_g_A.pdf|title = Chapman, Graham (1941–1989)|date = 2004|website = glbtqarchive.com|last = Rapp|first = Linda}}{{Cite book|title = Monty Python: A Chronology, 1969–2012, 2d ed.|last = McCall|first = Douglas|publisher = McFarland & Company|year = 2013|isbn = 9780786478118|pages = 325–1E599C|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=RS0FAgAAQBAJ&q=Monty+Python:+A+Chronology,+1969-2012,+2d+ed.}}

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 3

| EpisodeNumber2 = 3

| Title = How to Recognise Different Types of Trees from Quite a Long Way Away

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1969|10|19|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • The Larch
  • Court Scene with Cardinal Richelieu – written by Cleese and Chapman
  • The Larch – Part 2
  • {{anchor|Bicycle Repair Man}}Bicycle Repair Man – written by Palin and Jones
  • in a town full of people with the persona of Superman, a man has the secret identity of "Bicycle Repair Man" with the impressive superpower of being able to repair a bicycle with his own hands.
  • Children's Stories
  • Idle starts reading children's stories that become increasingly sexual.

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Restaurant Sketch
  • Seduced Milkmen
  • the woman seen is often said to be Carol Cleveland, but it is actually Thelma Taylor,{{Cite book |title=Monty Python's flying circus : an utterly complete, thoroughly unillustrated, absolutely unauthorized guide to possibly all the references : from Arthur "Two-Sheds" Jackson to Zambesi |author=((Larsen, Darl 1963–)) |isbn=9780810861312 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |location=Lanham, Md. |oclc=187417654 |year = 2008}} who is uncredited. Cleveland does appear in a version of this sketch, made for the film And Now for Something Completely Different.
  • Stolen Newsreader
  • The Horse Chestnut
  • Children's Interview
  • Candid Photography (better known as "Nudge Nudge") – written by Idle

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 4

| EpisodeNumber2 = 4

| Title = Owl-Stretching Time

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1969|10|26|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Self-Defence Against Fresh Fruit – written by Cleese and Chapman{{Cite book|title = Monty Python's Flying Circus: An Utterly Complete, Thoroughly Unillustrated, Absolutely Unauthorized Guide to Possibly All the References : from Arthur "Two-Sheds" Jackson to Zambesi |last = Larsen|first = Darl |publisher = Rowman & Littlefield |location=Lanham, Md. |year = 2008 |isbn = 9780810861312 |pages = 57, 185}}
  • first appearance of the 16-Ton Weight; this would appear in several further episodes including "The BBC Entry to the Zinc Stoat of Budapest", "Intermission", and "Blood, Devastation, Death, War, and Horror".
  • Secret Service Dentists

{{Col-end}}

Note: Many sketches in this episode are ended prematurely by Chapman's army character ("The Colonel"), who protests rip-offs of the British Army's slogan, "It's a Man's Life in the Modern Army"

Note: Owl Stretching Time was a proposed name for the series itself.

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 5

| EpisodeNumber2 = 5

| Title = Man's Crisis of Identity in the Latter Half of the 20th Century

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1969|11|16|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Confuse-a-Cat – written by Cleese and Chapman
  • The Smuggler
  • A Duck, A Cat and A Lizard (discussion)
  • Vox Pops on Smuggling
  • Police Raid
  • Letters and Vox Pops

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Newsreader Arrested
  • Erotic Film
  • Silly Job Interview
  • first appeared in How to Irritate People.
  • Careers Advisory Board
  • Burglar/Encyclopedia Salesman

{{Col-end}}

Note: BBC1 officially began broadcasting in colour on 15 November 1969; but for the previous two months, they had been broadcasting colour programmes "unofficially", so while the whole of the first series was broadcast in colour, this episode was the first to be advertised as being in colour (source: notes taken from BBC videotape operators and transmission managers made at the time). This was also the first episode where Cleese says the title in a silly voice rather than calmly in his normal voice.

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 6

| EpisodeNumber2 = 6

| Title = It's the Arts

| AltTitle = The BBC Entry for the Zinc Stoat of Budapest

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1969|11|23|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Johann Gambolputty
  • Non-Illegal Robbery
  • Vox Pops on Burglary
  • Crunchy Frog (Whizzo Chocolate Company) – written by Cleese and Chapman
  • The Dull Life of a City Stockbroker – written by Chapman and Idle{{Cite book|title=Graham Crackers: Fuzzy Memories, Silly Bits, and Outright Lies|last=Yoakum|first=Jim|publisher=Career Pr Inc|year=1997|isbn=9781564143341|pages=[https://archive.org/details/grahamcrackersfu0000chap/page/42 42, 45–46, 48, 92]|url=https://archive.org/details/grahamcrackersfu0000chap/page/42}}

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}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 7

| EpisodeNumber2 = 7

| Title = You're No Fun Anymore

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1969|11|30|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Camel Spotting
  • You're No Fun Anymore
  • The Audit

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Science Fiction Sketch (with Donna Reading)
  • Man Turns into Scotsman
  • Police station
  • Blancmanges Playing Tennis

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| LineColor = 1E599C

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 8

| EpisodeNumber2 = 8

| Title = Full Frontal Nudity

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1969|12|7|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Army Protection Racket – written by Cleese and Palin
  • Vox Pops on Full Frontal Nudity
  • Art Critic: The Place of the Nude
  • Buying a Bed
  • Hermits

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

{{Col-end}}

Note: This episode repeats several running gags from Episode 4: a female cast member delivers a terrible joke, and upon protest from fellow cast members, wails 'But it's my only line!'; the use of the song "Jerusalem", and the Colonel preempting sketches–this time protesting that they are 'too silly'.

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 9

| EpisodeNumber2 = 9

| Title = The Ant, An Introduction

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1969|12|14|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Scene Card: Part 2
  • Llamas (in Spanish with English Subtitles)
  • A Man with a Tape Recorder Up His Nose
  • Kilimanjaro Expedition (Double Vision) – written by Cleese and Idle{{Cite web|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8G7Y9mneVM|title = Monty Python Talks About... Writing|website = youtube.com}}
  • A Man with a Tape Recorder Up His Brother's Nose
  • Homicidal Barber – written by Palin and Jones{{Cite book|title=Monty Python Speaks|last=Morgan|first=David|publisher=Dey Street Books|year=2005|isbn=9780380804795|url=https://archive.org/details/montypythonspeak00morg}}
  • The Lumberjack Song – written by Palin, Jones and Fred Tomlinson
  • Letter / Britain's Joke for the Rubber Mac of Zurich Award
  • Gumby Crooner
  • First Gumby sketch

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • The Refreshment Room at Bletchley
  • Ken Buddha and His Inflatable Knees
  • Brian Islam and Brucie (animation)
  • the music is "Banjoreno" by the Dixieland Jug Blowers.
  • Hunting Film – written by Palin and Jones
  • the music to this is "Waltzing trumpets" by Harry Mortimer.
  • The Visitors
  • concludes with "Ding Dong Merrily on High" (possibly due to the episode being broadcast on the 45th anniversary of its publication as a Christmas carol)

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 10

| EpisodeNumber2 = 10

| Title = Untitled{{anchor|Ron Obvious}}

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1969|12|21|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Walk-on Part in Sketch
  • Bank Robber in a Lingerie Shop
  • Trailer
  • It's A Tree
  • Vocational Guidance Counsellor
  • "The Larch" (from Episode 3) reappears.
  • Ron Obvious

::Ron Obvious{{cite book|first=Robert|last=Ross|title=Monty Python Encyclopedia|url=https://archive.org/details/montypythonencyc0000ross_f1a4|url-access=registration|publisher=Batsford Books|location=London, England|year=1999|page=[https://archive.org/details/montypythonencyc0000ross_f1a4/page/134 134]|isbn=978-1-57500-036-7}} is played by Terry Jones. In his sketch, the extremely naïve Obvious, encouraged by his unscrupulous manager Luigi Vercotti (Michael Palin), undertakes several impossible tasks for publicity:

:*The First Man to Jump the Channel{{cite book|first1=Gary L.|last1=Hardcastle|first2=George A.|last2=Reisch|title=Monty Python and philosophy: nudge nudge, think think!|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wPQelKFNA5MC&q=%22Ron+Obvious%22+%22Monty+Python%22&pg=RA1-PA144|publisher=Open Court Publishing|location=Chicago, illinois|year=2006|page=144|isbn=9780812695939}}{{cite book|first=Graham|last=Chapman|title=The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus: All the Words|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wJtkAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Ron+Obvious%22+%22Monty+Python%22 |publisher=Pantheon Books|location=New York City|year=1989|page=127|isbn=9780679726470}}

:*Eating Chichester Cathedral

::as the announcer mentions that Obvious is about to attempt to become the first man to eat an entire Anglican Cathedral, Obvious is shown brushing his teeth, putting on a bib and flexing his jaws, before biting into the corner of an old stone building and breaking his jaw.

:*Tunneling to Java:

:**Tunneling from Godalming to Java

:*Splitting a Railway Carriage with his Nose

:*Running to Mercury

:*Most Time Being Underground

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Pet Conversions – written by Chapman{{Cite book|title = The First 200 Years of Monty Python|last = Johnson|first = Kim "Howard"|publisher = St. Martin's Griffin|year = 1989|isbn = 9780312033095|url = https://archive.org/details/first200yearsofm00john}}
  • Gorilla Librarian
  • Letters to Daily Mirror
  • Strangers in the Night
  • Biggles and Algy appear on the show for the first time.

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Note: This is the first episode not to show an episode title at the beginning of the closing credits.

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 11

| EpisodeNumber2 = 11

| Title = The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Goes to the Bathroom

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1969|12|28|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Lavatorial Humour
  • The RPO performs the opening of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 in the bathroom.
  • Interruptions
  • Agatha Christie (Inspector Tiger)
  • Literary Football Discussion
  • Interesting People
  • features a version of All Through The Night (misidentified as Men of Harlech) by the Rachel Toovey Bicycle Choir

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Undertakers Film
  • Eighteenth-Century Social Legislation
  • The Battle of Trafalgar
  • Batley Townswomen's Guild Presents the Battle of Pearl Harbor – written by Idle
  • Undertakers Film

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 12

| EpisodeNumber2 = 12

| Title = The Naked Ant

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1970|1|4|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Falling From Building
  • Spectrum – Talking About Things
  • Visitors From Coventry
  • Mr. Hilter and the Minehead by-election – written by Cleese and Palin{{Cite book|title = Diaries 1969–1979: The Python Years (Michael Palin Diaries)|last = Palin|first = Michael|publisher = St. Martin's Griffin|year = 2008|isbn = 9780312384883|pages = 27, 53}}
  • Silly Voices at the Police station

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 13

| EpisodeNumber2 = 13

| Title = Intermission

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1970|1|11|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

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}}

=Series 2 (1970)=

{{Episode table |background=#CB9F34 |overall=6 |series=6 |title=30 |airdate=20 |episodes=

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 14

| EpisodeNumber2 = 1

| Title = Face the Press

| AltTitle = Dinsdale!

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1970|9|15|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Face the Press
  • New Cooker Sketch
  • Tobacconist's (Prostitute Advert)

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • The Ministry of Silly Walks – written by Palin and Jones
  • La March Futile
  • Ethel the Frog / Piranha Brothers – written by Cleese and Chapman{{Cite book|title = Golden Skits of Wing-commander Muriel Volestrangler, F.R.H.S. and Bar|last = Cleese|first = John|publisher = Methuen Publishing Ltd|year = 1984|isbn = 9780413567901}}

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Note: The introductory music of Ethel the Frog/Piranha Brothers: from the Karelia Suite by Jean Sibelius

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 15

| EpisodeNumber2 = 2

| Title = The Spanish Inquisition

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1970|9|22|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Man-Powered Flight
  • The Spanish Inquisition – written by Palin and Jones
  • Jokes and Novelties Salesman
  • Tax on Thingy
  • Vox Pops on Taxation (including a rare piece of meaningful dialogue from the 'It's Man')
  • Photos of Uncle Ted

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

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The Spanish Inquisitors (Palin, Jones, and Gilliam) appear seven times throughout this episode.

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 16

| EpisodeNumber2 = 3

| Title = Déjà Vu

| AltTitle = Show 5

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1970|9|29|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • A Bishop Rehearsing
  • Flying Lessons – written by Cleese and Chapman{{Cite web|url = http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/news/a40493/john-cleese-favorite-monty-python-sketches/|title = John Cleese Picks the Most Gut-Busting Monty Python Sketches|website = esquire.com|date = 15 December 2015}}
  • Hijacked Plane
  • The Poet Ewan McTeagle
  • Hand Trees (Animation)

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Psychiatrist Milkman
  • Chapman's character's name changes from Mrs. Ratbag to Mrs. Pim.
  • Complaints
  • Déjà Vu

{{Col-end}}

This episode introduces a running gag that is used for the next two episodes: a character says, 'Walk this way.' The character told this responds, 'If I could walk that way...' only to be stopped when the first character warns them about finishing the punchline, by raising a finger.

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 17

| EpisodeNumber2 = 4

| Title = The Buzz Aldrin Show

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1970|10|20|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Metamorphosis (animation)
  • this is the first episode to begin with a piece of animation.
  • An Apology
  • Gumby announcement
  • Architects Sketch – written by Cleese and Chapman{{Cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2015/s4409569.htm|title=Interview: John Cleese and Eric Idle, founding members of Monty Python|website=ABC – Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=18 February 2016|quote=TONY JONES: (…) And that particular skit from which those lines came, the revolving knives, Architect – you were both in that. Who wrote it? Who writes this sort of stuff? JOHN CLEESE: Chapman and I wrote it. Yeah, yes. (...) TONY JONES: But I think I'll go to Eric here 'cause I think you actually probably wrote the Bruce skit or were chiefly ... ERIC IDLE: We wrote the Bruces sketch together.}}
  • How to Recognize a Mason
  • An Apology / Another Gumby announcement
  • Motor Insurance Sketch
  • The Bishop
  • Parody of The Saint, and the Peter Gunn Theme by Henry Mancini is prominent.
  • Living Room on Pavement
  • Poets
  • A Choice of Viewing
  • An Interview with a Nude Man
  • The Bishop...Again?!
  • An Apology
  • Gumby Frog Curse / Another Another Gumby Announcement
  • Chemist Sketch

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • An Apology/Words Not to be Used Again
  • the words shown on the slides are (in the following order): 'B*M', 'B*TTY', 'P*X', 'KN*CKERS' (twice consecutively, for 'knickers' and 'knockers'), 'W**-W**' and 'SEMPRINI'.
  • A Less Naughty Chemist's
  • the 'walk this way' gag is used again, but this time the punchline is said completely, resulting in the character who says it being taken away by a police constable.
  • A Not at All Naughty Chemist's
  • Vox Pops on After-shave
  • Cardinal Ximénez (from Episode 15) makes a cameo appearance in this episode.
  • Police Constable Pan-Am
  • the chemist says 'I didn't expect a Spanish Inquisition', but, being played by Palin (as is Cardinal Ximénez), is told to shut up.
  • Another Apology
  • End Credits
  • Last Gumby Announcement (The end)

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 18

| EpisodeNumber2 = 5

| Title = Live from the Grill-O-Mat Snack Bar, Paignton

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1970|10|27|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Live From the Grill-o-Mat Snack Bar, Paignton
  • The First Item...
  • Blackmail – written by Palin and Jones
  • first appearance of the Nude Organist, played in this season by Gilliam
  • Society for Putting Things on Top of Other Things
  • Escape from Film
  • The Next Item (or dish)...
  • Current Affairs

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Continued from "Escape from Film"
  • The Next Item (...Prawn Salad...?)...
  • Accidents Sketch (Prawn Salad Ltd.)
  • Interruption
  • Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
  • The Butcher Who is Alternately Rude and Polite
  • The Last Item (coffee)...
  • Ken Clean-Air System
  • On the Bus (end credits)

{{Col-end}}

Note: The 'walk this way' gag is used for the last time, except the words 'I' and 'walk' are replaced with 'we' (since it is a group of people) and 'run', respectively.

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 19

| EpisodeNumber2 = 6

| Title = It's a Living

| AltTitle = School Prizes

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1970|11|3|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • "It's A Living"
  • The Time on BBC 1
  • School Prize-Giving
  • "If....": a film by Mr. Dibley
  • "Rear Window": a film by Mr Dibley
  • "Finian's Rainbow" (starring the man from the off-licence)

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • The Foreign Secretary and Other News
  • Free Dung from the "Book of the Month" Club
  • Dead Indian
  • Timmy Williams interview (a parody of David Frost)
  • Raymond Luxury Yacht (Throat Wobbler Mangrove) interview
  • Marriage Registry office
  • Election Night Special

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 20

| EpisodeNumber2 = 7

| Title = The Attila the Hun Show

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1970|11|10|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • "The Attila the Hun Show"
  • parody of The Debbie Reynolds Show (1969), recreating the opening credits shot for shot and using a knock-off of the theme "With A Little Love" by Mike LeRoy.
  • the opening sequence appears after this sketch.
  • Attila the Nun
  • Secretary of State Striptease
  • Vox Pops on Political Groupies
  • Rat-catcher
  • Wainscotting
  • Killer Sheep

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • The News for Parrots
  • The News for Gibbons
  • Today in Parliament
  • The News for Wombats
  • Attila the Bun
  • The Idiot in the Rural Society
  • Test Match Against Iceland
  • The Epsom Furniture Race
  • "Spot The Braincell"
  • a parody of the game show Take Your Pick!, which had been cancelled roughly two years earlier.

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 21

| EpisodeNumber2 = 8

| Title = Archaeology Today

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1970|11|17|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Trailer
  • the opening credits appear here: the foot at the end of the credits stays on screen for an unusually long time and then crumbles into the ground, leading into the next animation.
  • "Archaeology Today"
  • Silly Vicar and Leapy Lee
  • Registrar (wife swap)
  • Silly Doctor Sketch (immediately abandoned)
  • Mr. and Mrs. Git

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

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}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 22

| EpisodeNumber2 = 9

| Title = How to Recognise Different Parts of the Body

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1970|11|24|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • "How to Recognise Different Parts of the Body"
  • Bruces sketch – written by Cleese and Idle
  • Naughty Bits
  • The Man Who Contradicts People
  • Cosmetic Surgery
  • Camp Square-Bashing
  • Killer Cars (Animation)
  • Batley Townswomen's Guild Presents the First Heart Transplant – written by Idle

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • The First Underwater Production of Measure for Measure
  • The Death of Mary Queen of Scots
  • Exploding Penguin on the TV Set – written by Cleese and Chapman{{Cite web|url = http://www.madmusic.com/song_details.aspx?SongID=8167|title = Penguin on the Telly by Monty Python|website = madmusic.com}}
  • There's Been A Murder
  • Sgt. Duckie's Song – Police entry for Eurovision Song Contest
  • "Bing Tiddle Tiddle Bong" (song): Contest Winner from Monaco – written by Chapman and Fred Tomlinson{{Cite book|title=The Fairly Incomplete & Rather Badly Illustrated Monty Python Song Book|last=Monty Python|publisher=Methuen|year=1994|isbn=0-413-69000-8|title-link=The Fairly Incomplete & Rather Badly Illustrated Monty Python Song Book}}

{{Col-end}} | LineColor = CB9F34

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 23

| EpisodeNumber2 = 10

| Title = Scott of the Antarctic

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1970|12|1|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • French Subtitled Film
  • Scott of the Antarctic
  • Scott of the Sahara
  • the opening sequence appears after this sketch, seventeen-and-a-half minutes (out of thirty) into the episode.

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

{{Col-end}} | LineColor = CB9F34

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 24

| EpisodeNumber2 = 11

| Title = How Not to Be Seen

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1970|12|8|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Conquistador Coffee Campaign
  • Repeating Groove
  • Cleese's 'And now for something completely different' and the opening sequence have a repeating groove.
  • opening sequence appears here.
  • Ramsay MacDonald Striptease
  • Job Hunter
  • International Chinese Communist Conspiracy (animation)
  • Crelm Toothpaste / Shrill Petrol (animation)
  • Agatha Christie Sketch (railway timetables)
  • Mr Neville Shunte-Railroad Playwright
  • Gavin Millarrrrrrrrr Writes
  • Film Director / Dentist Martin Curry (teeth)
  • City Gents Vox Pops

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Crackpot Religions Ltd.
  • this sketch contains a religious parody of the game show Sale of the Century, which had just been pitched to British television.
  • a scene at the end, with crosses that are actually telegraph poles, was cut out but can be seen at the end of the episode when the whole programme is repeated on fast-forward.
  • this sketch featured many famous characters from previous episodes including Arthur Name (Nudge Nudge), Ken Shabby and Mr. Gumby. Terry Gilliam also reprised his role as the nude organist (Blackmail), a character that would be taken over by Terry Jones in And Now for Something Completely Different and from the third series onwards.
  • How Not to Be Seen – written by Palin and Jones
  • Crossing the Atlantic on a Tricycle
  • Interview in Filing Cabinet
  • "Yummy Yummy Yummy, I've Got Love in My Tummy" / Music Time
  • the end credits appear here.
  • Monty Python's Flying Circus Again in Thirty Seconds
  • a recap of the episode.

{{Col-end}} | LineColor = CB9F34

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 25

| EpisodeNumber2 = 12

| Title = Spam

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1970|12|15|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • "Ypres 1914" (abandoned) – written by Palin and Jones
  • Art Gallery Strikes
  • "Ypres 1914" – written by Palin and Jones{{Cite book|title=From Fringe to Flying Circus|last=Wilmut|first=Roger|publisher=Heinemann|year=1990|isbn=9780413507709|pages=212}}
  • Hospital for Over-Actors
  • includes a Richard III Ward, due in part to many exaggerations on the character over the years.
  • Gumby Flower Arranging
  • Spam – written by Palin and Jones{{Cite book|title=Monty Python: From The Flying Circus to Spamalot|last=Topping|first=Richard|publisher=Virgin Books|year=2008|isbn=9780753513156|pages=32}}

{{Col-end}} | LineColor = CB9F34

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 26

| EpisodeNumber2 = 13

| Title = Royal Episode Thirteen

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1970|12|22|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • The Queen Will Be Watching
  • in honour of Her Majesty the Queen, a shortened and very regal animated opening sequence plays "Pomp and Circumstance" in place of "The Liberty Bell".
  • Coal Mine in Llanddarog Carmarthen
  • The Toad-Elevating Moment
  • Commercials
  • How to Feed a Goldfish
  • The Man Who Collects Birdwatcher's Eggs

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Insurance Sketch
  • Hospital Run by RSM
  • Mountaineer
  • Exploding Version of "The Blue Danube"
  • Girls Boarding School
  • Submarine
  • A Man with a Stoat Through His Head
  • Lifeboat (cannibalism)
  • Undertakers sketch – written by Cleese and Chapman{{Cite web|url = https://www.funeralwise.com/plan/eulogy/chapman/|title = Graham Chapman's Eulogy Presented by John Cleese|website = funeralwise.com}}

{{Col-end}}

Note: Features an uncredited cameo by News at Ten presenter Reginald Bosanquet, recorded at the studios of ITN

| LineColor = CB9F34

}}

}}

=Series 3 (1972–73)=

In this series only, the opening sequence begins with a nude organist (played by Jones), Cleese saying 'and now', and the 'It's' Man.

{{Episode table |background=#AE86C5 |overall=6 |series=6 |title=30 |airdate=20 |episodes=

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 27

| EpisodeNumber2 = 1

| Title = Whicker's World

| AltTitle = Njorl's Saga

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1972|10|19|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Njorl's Saga / Opening Credits
  • Multiple Murderer Court Scene
  • Investigating the Body (animation)
  • Njorl's Saga – Part II
  • A Terrible Mess
  • Njorl's Saga – Part II: North Malden?
  • Starting Over
  • Njorl's Saga – Part II: Invest in Malden?
  • Phone Conversation About the Word 'Malden' in the Saga
  • Eric Njorl Court Scene (Njorl's Saga – Part III)

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Stock Exchange Report
  • Mrs. Premise and Mrs. Conclusion at the Launderette – written by Cleese and Chapman{{Cite web|url = http://www.openculture.com/2011/11/monty_pythons_flying_philosophy.html|title = Monty Python's Best Philosophy Sketches|website = openculture.com}}
  • Mrs. Premise and Mrs. Conclusion at North Malden – written by Cleese and Chapman
  • Back to the Saga...
  • Njorl's Saga – part IV: Mrs. Premise and Mrs. Conclusion visit Sartre in Paris – written by Cleese and Chapman
  • Whicker's World

{{Col-end}} | LineColor = AE86C5

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 28

| EpisodeNumber2 = 2

| Title = Mr. and Mrs. Brian Norris' Ford Popular

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1972|10|26|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Emigration from Surbiton to Hounslow
  • : the opening sequence follows this sketch.
  • Schoolboys' Life Assurance Company
  • How to Do It
  • : a parody of Blue Peter (which was about to celebrate its 14th anniversary at the time this episode was transmitted)
  • Mrs. Niggerbaiter Explodes
  • Vicar / Salesman
  • Farming Club

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • "Life of Tschaikowsky"
  • Trim-Jeans Theatre
  • The Fish-Slapping Dance – written by Palin and Jones{{Cite web |url=http://www.montypython.com/tvshow_Monty%20Python%27s%20Personal%20Best%20(2006)/19 |title=Monty Python's Personal Best (2006) |website=www.montypython.com |access-date=2024-12-02}}
  • World War II (animation)
  • Titanic Sinking
  • The BBC is Short of Money
  • SS Mother Goose
  • It's Man Show

{{Col-end}}

Note: Shown after the closing credits. Lulu and Ringo Starr appear as themselves. This is one of the few times you can hear the man say something besides 'It's'.

| LineColor = AE86C5

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 29

| EpisodeNumber2 = 3

| Title = The Money Programme

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1972|11|2|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • The Money Programme
  • Money Song – written by Idle and John Gould
  • Erizabeth L
  • Fraud Film Director Squad{{cite book |last1=Chapman |first1=Graham |last2=Cleese |first2=John |last3=Gilliam |first3=Terry |last4=Idle |first4=Eric |last5=Jones |first5=Terry |last6=Palin |first6=Michael |title=Monty Python's Flying Circus: Just the Words |volume=Two |publisher=Mandarin |location=London |year=1990 |orig-year=1989 |chapter=Twenty-nine |page=[https://archive.org/details/montypythonsflyi0000unse/page/78 78] |isbn=0-7493-0226-7 |quote=I am Inspector Leopard of Scotland Yard, Special Fraud Film Director Squad. |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/montypythonsflyi0000unse/page/78 }}
  • Hands Up (animation)
  • Dead Bishop, a.k.a. Church Police or Salvation Fuzz
  • Jungle Restaurant
  • Apology for Violence and Nudity

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Ken Russell's "Gardening Club"
  • The Lost World of Roiurama

:: the end credits appear here.

  • Six More Minutes of Monty Python's Flying Circus
  • Argument Clinic – written by Cleese and Chapman{{Cite web|url = https://raffertysrules.wordpress.com/2015/11/03/top-ten-monty-python-sketches/|title = Top Ten Monty Python Sketches|website = Rafferty's Rules|date = 3 November 2015}}
  • Hitting on the Head Lessons
  • Inspector Flying Fox of the Yard
  • One More Minute of Monty Python's Flying Circus

{{Col-end}} | LineColor = AE86C5

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 30

| EpisodeNumber2 = 4

| Title = Blood, Devastation, Death, War and Horror

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1972|11|9|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Blood, Devastation, Death, War and Horror
  • The Man Who Speaks in Anagrams – written by Idle

:: the opening sequence follows this sketch.

  • Anagram Quiz
  • Merchant Banker – written by Cleese and Chapman{{Cite web|url = http://www.qsulis.org.uk/Website_Louise_Gold/Utterly_Utterly_Live_Comic_Relief.htm|title = Utterly Utterly Live Comic Relief|website = qsulis.org.uk|publisher = WEA}}
  • Pantomime Horses
  • Life and Death Struggles
  • House-hunters

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Mary Recruitment Office
  • Bus Conductor Sketch
  • The Man Who Makes People Laugh Uncontrollably
  • Army Captain as Clown
  • Gestures to Indicate Pauses in a Televised Talk
  • Neurotic Announcers
  • The News with Richard Baker (vision only)
  • The Pantomime Horse is a Secret Agent

{{Col-end}}

Note: Anagrams appear throughout this episode: 'Tony M. Nyphot's Flying Risccu' for the programme itself; 'Chamran Knebt' for Merchant Bank, and 'Mary Recruitment Office' for Army Recruitment Office. The end credits are all in anagrams.

Note: Richard Baker also does gestures to indicate pauses in the news.

| LineColor = AE86C5

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 31

| EpisodeNumber2 = 5

| Title = The All-England Summarize Proust Competition

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1972|11|16|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Summarize Proust Competition – written by Palin and Jones
  • Hairdressers Climb Up Mount Everest
  • A Magnificent Festering
  • Fire Brigade
  • Our Eamonn

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

{{Col-end}}

Note: A running gag throughout this episode is that whenever anyone answers the phone, they take off their shoe as if the person on the other end had asked their shoe size.

| LineColor = AE86C5

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 32

| EpisodeNumber2 = 6

| Title = The War Against Pornography

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1972|11|23|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

:: the catchphrase, 'My brain hurts!' is born.

  • Molluscs – "Live" TV Documentary
  • Report on the Minister Reports
  • Tuesday Documentary

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Children's Story
  • Match of the Day
  • An Apology
  • Expedition to Lake Pahoe
  • The Silliest Interview We've Ever Had
  • The Silliest Sketch We've Ever Done

{{Col-end}} | LineColor = AE86C5

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 33

| EpisodeNumber2 = 7

| Title = Salad Days

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1972|11|30|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Biggles Dictates a Letter

:: in some video editions, a technical glitch cuts some of the dialogue; but the complete original does exist.

  • Climbing the North Face of the Uxbridge Road
  • Lifeboat
  • Old Lady Snoopers
  • Storage Jars
  • TV is Bad For Your Eyes (animation)

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

{{Col-end}} | LineColor = AE86C5

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 34

| EpisodeNumber2 = 8

| Title = The Cycling Tour

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1972|12|7|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

{{Col-end}}

Note: This episode is the first Flying Circus to feature a full-length story. It is also the first that does not have a formal opening sequence; instead, a simple caption ("The Cycling Tour") appears at the beginning.

Note: Chapman's adopted son, John Tomiczek, makes a brief non-speaking appearance as an autograph seeker.

Note: The episode was written by Palin and Jones with the exception of the last third which was re-written by Cleese and Chapman. Palin and Jones play only one character each throughout the whole episode (although Jones, suffering from amnesia, imagines himself as Clodagh Rogers, Leon Trotsky, Eartha Kitt and Edward Heath).

Note: The music to which Mr. Pither cycles is the Waltz from Act II of Faust by Charles Gounod.

| LineColor = AE86C5

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 35

| EpisodeNumber2 = 9

| Title = The Nude Organist

| AltTitle = The Nude Man

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1972|12|14|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Bomb on Plane
  • A Naked Man

:: the opening sequence appears after this sketch.

  • Ten Seconds of Sex
  • Housing Project Built by Characters from Nineteenth-century English Literature
  • M1 Interchange Built by Characters from Paradise Lost
  • Mystico and Janet – Flats Built by Hypnosis

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Mortuary Hour
  • The Olympic Hide-and-Seek Final
  • The Cheap-Laughs
  • Bull-Fighting
  • The British Well-Basically Club
  • Prices on the Planet Algon – written by Palin and Jones
  • Mr. Badger Reads the Credits

{{Col-end}}

Note: Most sketches are interrupted by Mr. Badger (Idle) right from the first sketch onwards. In addition, Palin's Compère and Gilliam's Knight both made one-time reappearances since Series 1 in this episode (there is also a reference to Episode 3 in this scene, in which there are two people carrying a donkey).

| LineColor = AE86C5

}}

{{anchor |E. Henry Thripshaw's Disease}}{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 36

| EpisodeNumber2 = 10

| Title = E. Henry Thripshaw's Disease

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1972|12|21|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Tudor Jobs Agency
  • Pornographic Bookshop
  • Elizabethan Pornography Smugglers vs. Sir Philip Sidney
  • Silly Disturbances
  • The Free Repetition of Doubtful Words Sketch
  • 'Is There?'... Life after Death?

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • The Man Who Says Words in the Wrong Order
  • Thripshaw's Disease

:: the footage representing the movie version of Thripshaw's Disease was taken from the Polish movie Knights of the Teutonic Order, made in 1960.

  • Silly Noises
  • Sherry-Drinking Vicar

{{Col-end}}

Note: The BBC censored this episode probably more than any other, cutting three sketches (Big Nosed Sculptor, Revolting Cocktails, Wee-Wee Wine Cellar) as well as much of Gilliam's animation.

| LineColor = AE86C5

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 37

| EpisodeNumber2 = 11

| Title = Dennis Moore

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1973|1|4|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • "Boxing Tonight" – Jack Bodell v. Sir Kenneth Clark
  • Dennis Moore – written by Cleese and Chapman, obsessed with stealing lupins for the rural poor
  • What the Stars Foretell – written by Palin and Jones (as a parody of the Cleese/Chapman writing style)
  • Doctor
  • TV4 or Not TV4 – Discussion

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Lupins – written by Cleese and Chapman
  • Ideal Loon Exhibition
  • Off-Licence
  • Dennis Moore Rides Again – written by Cleese and Chapman
  • Prejudice
  • Redistribution of Wealth – written by Cleese and Chapman

{{Col-end}} | LineColor = AE86C5

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 38

| EpisodeNumber2 = 12

| Title = A Book at Bedtime

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1973|1|11|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Party Political Broadcast (Choreographed)
  • A Book at Bedtime – "Redgauntlet"
  • Kamikaze Scotsmen
  • No Time to Lose
  • Frontiers of Medicine – Penguins

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • BBC programme planners
  • Unexploded Scotsmen
  • Spot the Looney
  • Rival Documentaries
  • Dad's Doctors, Dad's Pooves and Other Interesting Stories

{{Col-end}}

Note: "Party Political Broadcast (Choreographed)" and "Dad's Doctors, Dad's Pooves and Other Interesting Stories" have been cut from many versions of this episode.{{cite web|url=http://orangecow.org/pythonet/scripts/sotcaa's_python_edit_news.txt |title=EDIT NEWS: Monty Python's Flying Circus – Intro |access-date=4 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040821135632/http://orangecow.org/pythonet/scripts/sotcaa%27s_python_edit_news.txt |archive-date=21 August 2004 |url-status=dead }} A clip of "Party Political Broadcast (Choreographed)" has surfaced on YouTube,[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBG2NlVpOJs WTTW Channel 11 – Monty Python's Flying Circus – "Missing Political Choreographer Opening" (1980) – YouTube] while "Dad's Doctors" has been restored to the iTunes and the Blu-ray versions of the series, as well as added to the Netflix streaming video version.

| LineColor = AE86C5

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 39

| EpisodeNumber2 = 13

| Title = Grandstand

| AltTitle = The British Showbiz Awards

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1973|1|18|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

:: the moment when the two men are discovered in bed together is John Cleese's last appearance in the series.

  • The Dirty Vicar Sketch

{{Col-end}}

Note: During the Light Entertainment Awards, Richard Baker briefly re-appears, saying 'Lemon Curry?'

Note: This is the second episode without a formal opening sequence.

Note: Cleese does not appear in the awards ceremony or in any sketch made afterward.

| LineColor = AE86C5

}}

}}

= Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus (1972) =

Special episodes of Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus

{{Episode table |background=#e1cc5f |title=45 |airdate=20 |episodes=

{{Episode List

| RTitle = episode 1 Blödeln für Deutschland (Fooling around for Germany)

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1972|1|3|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • An Introduction to Monty Python By Frau Newsreader Claudia Doren
  • The Journey of The Olympic Flame
  • Monty Python's Guide to Albrecht Dürer
  • Anita Ekberg Sings Albrecht Dürer
  • "The Merchant of Venice" as performed by a herd of cows
  • Doctor Breeder

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Flashers' Love Story (animated)
  • Little Red Riding Hood
  • Silly Olympics
  • Stake Your Claim
  • The Lumberjack Song with The Austrian Border Police
  • The Bavarian Restaurant

{{Col-end}}

Note: Edited versions of the "Little Red Riding Hood" and "Silly Olympics" sketches were dubbed into English for use in the Python stage shows. The "Flashers' Love Story" animated segment was also used.Johnson, Kim "Howard", The First 20 Years of Monty Python, p.190, Plexus {{ISBN|978-0312033095}} The Stake Your Claim sketch was included on the English language record Another Monty Python Record.

| LineColor = e1cc5f

}}

{{Episode List

| RTitle = episode 2 Blödeln auf die feine Englische Art (Fooling around in the fine English way)

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1972|12|18|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • William Tell
  • Euro Sex Maniacs
  • The Sycophancy Show
  • Mouse Reserve/Fish Park
  • Chicken Mining
  • Heinrich Bonner, Fleabuster (animated)

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

{{Col-end}}

Note: Both parts of "The Philosophers' Football Match" were included in the Python stage shows. An abridged version of "The Tale of Happy Valley" was recorded for the English language record Monty Python's Previous Record. "Colin 'Bomber' Harris vs Colin 'Bomber' Harris" and "I Want a Hearing Aid" were both originally performed on At Last the 1948 Show, which predated Monty Python.

| LineColor = e1cc5f

}}

}}

=Series 4 (1974)=

Cleese did not return for the final series. The series was broadcast under the simple banner Monty Python (although the old full title, Monty Python's Flying Circus, is displayed at the beginning of the opening sequence).{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}} Cleese did receive writing credits on some episodes that featured material he had written for the first draft of Monty Python and the Holy Grail (particularly in "Michael Ellis").

{{Episode table |background=#F1721D |overall=6 |series=6 |title=30 |airdate=20 |episodes=

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 40

| EpisodeNumber2 = 1

| Title = The Golden Age of Ballooning

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|10|31|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

{{Col-end}}

This is the third episode without a formal opening sequence.

Almost the entire episode was written by Palin himself.

| LineColor = F1721D

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 41

| EpisodeNumber2 = 2

| Title = Michael Ellis

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|11|7|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Department Store
  • Buying an Ant – written by Cleese and Chapman
  • At Home with The Ant and Other Pets
  • Documentary on Ants

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Ant Complaints
  • Ant Poetry Reading
  • Toupee Department
  • Different Endings

{{Col-end}}

Note: This is the second episode to feature a full-length story (the other being "The Cycling Tour" from Series 3). It was mainly written by Cleese and Chapman with some help from Palin and Neil Innes.

Note: The end credits appear immediately after the opening sequence.

| LineColor = F1721D

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 42

| EpisodeNumber2 = 3

| Title = The Light Entertainment War

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|11|14|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Up Your Pavement (the title and announcer call it "Up Your Sidewalk")

:: the theme music heard is a variant of "When Does A Dream Begin?" and based very much on the theme tune to Steptoe and Son, a popular BBC sitcom of the time. A little later in this sequence, the theme tune for Blue Peter can be heard very briefly. Douglas Adams, who previously wrote for the series, makes a brief appearance as a doctor treating a man suffering from lumbago during a small portion of this skit.

:: sketch opens with Jones climbing out of a Hawker Hurricane Mk. I, L1592, now on display at the Science Museum, London.

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • "Anything Goes" (song)
  • Film Trailer
  • The Public Are Idiots
  • Programme Titles Conference
  • The Last Five Miles (8 km) of the M4
  • Woody and Tinny Words
  • Show-Jumping

:: features Olympic silver medal-winning showjumper Marion Mould (see also Stroller).

  • Newsflash with Peter Woods
  • "When Does a Dream Begin?" (song)

:: written and performed by Neil Innes, singing to Maggie Weston, the Python make-up girl and future wife of Terry Gilliam.

{{Col-end}}

Note: The Nude Organist and the 'It's Man' appear for the last time, in footage taken from the episode with "Dennis Moore".

Note: Most of the sketches of the episode have a shared theme (World War II) yet no apparent narrative.| LineColor = F1721D

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 43

| EpisodeNumber2 = 4

| Title = Hamlet

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|11|21|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Bogus Psychiatrists
  • Nationwide
  • Police Helmets
  • Father-in-Law
  • Hamlet and Ophelia
  • Boxing Match Aftermath
  • Boxing Commentary

{{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Piston Engine (A Bargain)
  • A Room in Polonius's House
  • Dentists
  • Live from Epsom – Jockey Interviews
  • Queen Victoria Handicap
  • And Then...

{{Col-end}}

| LineColor = F1721D

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 44

| EpisodeNumber2 = 5

| Title = Mr. Neutron

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|11|28|df=y}}

| ShortSummary = {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break|width=60em}}

  • Post-Box Ceremony
  • Mr. Neutron
  • F.E.A.R. / Mr. Neutron Is Missing!
  • Teddy Salad
  • Secretary of State and Prime Minister

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  • Bombing
  • Mrs. Scum
  • Teddy Salad Explodes
  • Mr. Neutron Escapes
  • Conjuring Today

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Note: This is the third episode to feature a full-length story ("The Cycling Tour" and "Michael Ellis" being the earlier two).

Note: With the exception of "Post-Box Ceremony", nearly the entire episode was co-written by Palin and Jones.

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 45

| EpisodeNumber2 = 6

| Title = Party Political Broadcast

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|12|5|df=y}}

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  • Most Awful Family in Britain – written by Chapman and Neil Innes
  • Icelandic Honey Week
  • Patient Abuse – written by Chapman and Douglas Adams{{Cite web |url=http://www.darkermatter.com/issue1/douglas_adams.php |title=Douglas Adams: The First and Last Tapes |website=darkmatter.com |last = Shircore|first = Ian |access-date=2024-12-02}}
  • Brigadier and Bishop
  • Appeal on Behalf of Extremely Rich People – written by Chapman and Innes
  • The Man Who Finishes Other People's Sentences

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As the episode opens and closes, there are announcements relating to the "Party Political Broadcast on Behalf of the Liberal Party".

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References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • {{Official website|http://www.montypython.com}}
  • {{IMDb episodes|title=Monty Python’s Flying Circus|id=0063929}}
  • [http://www.ibras.dk/montypython/justthewords.htm "The complete unexpurgated scripts of the original TV series" at www.ibras.dk]

{{Monty Python}}

.Episodes

Monty Python's Flying Circus