Monty Python Speaks

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Description

Broadcast by the BBC between 1969 and 1974,Monty Pythons Flying Circus introduced something completely different: a new brand of surrealistic, stream-of-consciousness comedy that pushed the traditional boundaries of format, style, and content. Blending brilliant satire with slapstick silliness, The PythonsGraham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palinspoke to a generation eager to break free of the conventional. Making their way across the Atlantic and the world, the Pythons zany approach to comedy would have a monumental influence on modern popular culture, paving the way for farcical entertainment from Saturday Night Live to The Simpsons to Austin Powers.

In Monty Python Speaks, David Morgan has collected interviews with Monty Pythons founding members, actors, producers, and other collaborators to produce a no-holds-barred look at the Pythons legendary sketches and films, including Monty Pythons Life of Brian, Monty Python and the Holy Grail (the inspiration for the hit Broadway musical Spamalot), and The Meaning of Life.

Reviews

"[A] witheringly honest oral history of the brilliant comedy troupe."--" Entertainment Weekly""Insightful and entertaining perspectives on comedy writing, television and film."-- "Publishers Weekly""A rare opportunity to look behind the scenes at the inner workings of the comic process."-- "Kirkus""Morgan's informed questions elicit much detailthat affords a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the creative process."-- "Booklist""A cheerful and peppy survey of what those amazing TV shows and movies looked like to the men behind the curtainThe nearest thing imaginable to a group autobiography."-- "San Francisco Gate"

Author Bio

David Morgan is an editor and journalist who has written for the Los Angeles Times, New York Newsday, The Hollywood Reporter, Sight and Sound and Empire, amongst many others. He worked with Terry Gilliam on the interactive laserdiscs of Brazil and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.