Monty Python's Flying Circus

Monty Python's Flying Circus (aka Flying Circus or MPFC, known during the fourth season as Monty Python) was the popular BBC sketch comedy show from Monty Python.

The Flying Circus closes

John Cleese left the show after the third series, so did not appear in the final six episodes that made up series four, although he did receive writing credits where applicable. Neil Innes and Douglas Adams are notable as the only two non-Pythons to get writing credits in the show - Innes for songs in episodes 40, 42 and 45 (and for contributing to a sketch in episode 45), and Adams for contributing to a different sketch in episode 45. Innes frequently appeared in the Pythons' stage shows and can also be seen in Monty Python and the Holy Grail and (briefly) in Life of Brian.

Related Topics:
Neil Innes - Douglas Adams - Monty Python and the Holy Grail - Life of Brian

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Two episodes were produced in German for WDR (Westdeutscher Rundfunk) -- both were titled Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus (the literal German translation of the English title). The first episode, advertised as Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus: Blödeln für Deutschland, was produced in 1971, and performed in phonetic German. The second episode, advertised as Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus: Blödeln auf die feine englische Art, produced in 1972, was recorded in English and later dubbed over in German. The original English recording was transmitted by the BBC in October 1973.

Related Topics:
Westdeutscher Rundfunk - Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus

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The final episode of Series 4 was recorded November 16, 1974, and broadcast on December 5. That same year, Devillier-Donegan Enterprises syndicated the series in the United States of America among PBS stations, and the show appeared for the first time in that country on the PBS station KERA-TV in Dallas, Texas. It was an instant hit there, rapidly garnering an enormous loyal cult following nationwide that surprised even the Pythons themselves, who didn't believe that the humour was exportable without being tailored specifically for the North Americans.

Related Topics:
November 16 - 1974 - December 5 - Devillier-Donegan Enterprises - United States of America - PBS - KERA-TV - Dallas, Texas

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However, a 1975 broadcast of several episodes by the ABC Network was heavily censored and reedited; the Pythons were so disgusted with how the network handled their programme that when ABC refused to stop editing the programmes, or to at least display a disclaimer indicating that the programme was heavily edited, the troupe took the network to court over artistic rights.

Related Topics:
ABC Network - Disclaimer - Artistic rights

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Censorship controversies aside, the discovery of an international legion of fans would inspire the troupe to reunite to create the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail, since they now knew they had a world-wide audience.

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At the end of 1980, the Monty Python members obtained ownership of their series from the BBC in what was considered a landmark agreement.

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In a list of the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes drawn up by the British Film Institute in 2000, voted for by industry professionals, Monty Python's Flying Circus was placed 5th.

Related Topics:
100 Greatest British Television Programmes - British Film Institute - 2000

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