Dead Parrot

The "Dead Parrot" sketch (alternatively and originally known as Pet Shop or Parrot Sketch) is a popular sketch from Monty Python's Flying Circus. It portrays a confrontation between disgruntled customer Mr. Eric Praline (played by John Cleese), and a shopkeeper (Michael Palin), who hold contradictory positions on the vital state of a Norwegian Blue parrot. The skit pokes fun at the many euphemisms for death used in English culture. The sketch aired in the eighth episode of the television series.

Related Topics:
Monty Python's Flying Circus - John Cleese - Michael Palin - Parrot

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The "Dead Parrot" sketch was inspired by a "Car Salesman" sketch that Palin and Graham Chapman had done in How to Irritate People. In it, Palin played a car salesman who refused to admit that there was anything wrong with his customer's (Chapman) car, even as it fell apart in front of him. The sketch was based on an actual incident between Palin and a car salesman.

Related Topics:
Graham Chapman - How to Irritate People

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Over the years, Cleese and Palin have done many versions of the "Dead Parrot" sketch for various television shows, record albums, and live performances.

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Mr Praline enters a pet shop, complaining that the parrot he has recently purchased at the location is, in fact, dead. The shopkeeper denies this and points out the beauty of its plumage, further suggesting that the bird is merely asleep. Praline is unconvinced, especially when shouting and the offer of a lovely fresh cuttlefish fail to evoke a response.

Related Topics:
Mr Praline - Cuttlefish

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Praline takes the parrot out of the cage and thumps its head on the counter, then tosses it up in the air and watches it plummet to the floor. The shopkeeper remains unconvinced, claiming that it is now stunned, and that it is pining for the fjords.

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Praline points out that the only reason that the parrot had been sitting on its perch in the first place was that it had been nailed there. The shopkeeper counters that it was simply to stop it escaping. Praline disagrees in these words:

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: "It's not pinin', it's passed on! This parrot is no more! It has ceased to be! It's expired and gone to meet its maker! THIS IS A LATE PARROT. It's a stiff. Bereft of life, it rests in peace, if you hadn't nailed it to the perch it would be pushing up the daisies! It's rung down the curtain and joined the choir invisible! THIS IS AN EX-PARROT!"

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The shopkeeper admits defeat, claims that he is right out of parrots, and offers a slug. The dialogue continues:

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:Praline: Does it talk?

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:(pause)

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:Shopkeeper: Not really, no.

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:Praline: Well, it's scarcely a replacement then, is it?

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The action then moves to Bolton, or possibly Ipswich, or maybe even Notlob (Bolton spelled backwards). Much play is made of the location, including the suggestion that the confusion between the towns is due to a pun, or possibly a palindrome.

Related Topics:
Bolton - Ipswich

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In And Now For Something Completely Different, the skit ended by going into The Lumberjack Song.

Related Topics:
And Now For Something Completely Different - The Lumberjack Song

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In The Secret Policeman's Biggest Ball, a benefit for Amnesty International, the sketch opens similarly, but ends very differently.

Related Topics:
The Secret Policeman's Biggest Ball - Amnesty International

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:Praline: It's dead, that's what's wrong with it.

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:(audience goes wild)

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:Shopkeeper: So it is. 'Ere's your money back and a couple of holiday vouchers.

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:Praline: (spends a few seconds acting and looking flabbergasted) Well, you can't say Thatcher hasn't changed some things.

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