''Parrot Sketch Not Included – 20 Years of Monty Python'' is a British television special to

Monty Python Monty Python (also collectively known as the Pythons) were a British comedy troupe who created the sketch comedy television show '' Monty Python's Flying Circus'', which first aired on the BBC in 1969. Forty-five episodes were made over four ...

, put together to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the debut of the comedy group's television series, ''

Monty Python's Flying Circus ''Monty Python's Flying Circus'' (also known as simply ''Monty Python'') 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 ...

''. Produced by Tiger Aspect Productions for the

BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board ex ...

, it was compiled by noted British comedy producer

John Lloyd John Lloyd may refer to: Artists, writers, and entertainers *John J. Lloyd (1922–2014), American art director and production designer *John Lloyd (graphic designer) (born 1944), co-founder of design consultancy Lloyd Northover *John Lloyd (journa ...

and broadcast on BBC 1 on 18 November 1989. Introduced by actor and Monty Python fan Steve Martin, the special features several sketches from ''Monty Python's Flying Circus'', as well as some sketches from the two German specials '' Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus''. True to its title, the "

Dead Parrot sketch The "Dead Parrot Sketch", alternatively and originally known as the "Pet Shop Sketch" or "Parrot Sketch", is a sketch from ''Monty Python's Flying Circus'' about a non-existent species of parrot, called a "Norwegian Blue". A satire on poor cus ...

" is not included. It concluded with the final appearance of all six Python members together, before Graham Chapman's death in October 1989. The special was broadcast in the US on the

Showtime Showtime or Show Time may refer to: Film * ''Showtime'' (film), a 2002 American action/comedy film * ''Showtime'' (video), a 1995 live concert video by Blur Television Networks and channels * Showtime Networks, a division of Paramount Global w ...

network on 17 March 1990. This was 90 seconds shorter than the UK version due to a cut scene from the end of the pre-credits sequence which had Steve Martin revealing, via a slowed down clip of the Bruces sketch, that the Pythons were

Satanists Satanism is a group of ideological and philosophical beliefs based on Satan. Contemporary religious practice of Satanism began with the founding of the atheistic Church of Satan by Anton LaVey in the United States in 1966, although a few h ...

. This shorter version was released on VHS in the UK by CBS/Fox in 1990 and later on DVD in the US by A&E in 2001, as part of their ''

Monty Python Live ''Monty Python Live'' is a two-disc DVD set featuring three TV specials and a live concert film of the British comedy group Monty Python. The set includes: * ''Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl'' * ''Parrot Sketch Not Included – 20 Year ...

'' box set.

Sketches included

* Willam Tell * The Merchant of Venice as performed by a herd of cows * Silly Olympics * Dennis Moore *

How Not To Be Seen "How Not to Be Seen" is a popular sketch from '' Monty Python's Flying Circus''. The sketch purports to be a British government public information film in which a disembodied narrator, voiced by John Cleese, instructs viewers on "how not to be see ...

* Exploding Version of The Blue Danube * Dennis Moore (again) *

World Forum/Communist Quiz "World Forum/Communist Quiz" is a Monty Python sketch, which first aired in the 12th episode of the second season of ''Monty Python's Flying Circus'' on 15 December 1970. It featured four icons of Communist thought, namely Karl Marx, Vladimir Leni ...

The Philosophers' Football Match "International Philosophy", commonly referred to as the Philosophers' Football Match, is a Monty Python sketch depicting a football match in the Munich Olympiastadion between philosophers representing Greece and Germany. Starring in the sketch are ...

* RAF Banter * French Lecture on Sheep-Aircraft * Conrad Poohs and His Dancing Teeth *

Architects Sketch The "Architects Sketch" is a Monty Python sketch, first seen in episode 17 of ''Monty Python's Flying Circus'', " The Buzz Aldrin Show". The episode was recorded on 18 September 1970 and originally broadcast on 20 October 1970. The following year, ...

* How to Recognize a

Mason Mason may refer to: Occupations * Mason, brick mason, or bricklayer, a craftsman who lays bricks to construct brickwork, or who lays any combination of stones, bricks, cinder blocks, or similar pieces * Stone mason, a craftsman in the stone-cut ...

* The Ministry of Silly Walks * Queen Victoria Handicap * The Wacky Queen * Working Class Playwright *

The Fish-Slapping Dance The Fish-Slapping Dance is a comedy sketch written and performed by the '' Monty Python'' team. The sketch was originally recorded in 1971 for a pan-European May Day special titled ''Euroshow 71''. In 1972 it was broadcast as part of episode two ...

* A man with a Stoat Through His Head * Roy and Hank Spim – Mosquito hunters * Sam Peckinpah's "Salad Days" *

Patient Abuse :''This article incorporates "medical abuse", which has a similar meaning but relates more specifically to harmful medical treatment rather than care in general, and may include victims who did not choose to be patients.'' Patient abuse or neglect ...

* Hospital Run by RSM * Come Back to My Place * Homicidal Barber * The Lumberjack Song * Film Trailer *

Spam Spam may refer to: * Spam (food), a canned pork meat product * Spamming, unsolicited or undesired electronic messages ** Email spam, unsolicited, undesired, or illegal email messages ** Messaging spam, spam targeting users of instant messaging ( ...

* A man With a Tape Recorder up His Nose * Musical Mice *

The Mouse Problem "The Mouse Problem" is a Monty Python sketch, first aired on 12 October 1969 as part of '' Sex and Violence'', the second episode of the first series of '' Monty Python's Flying Circus''. Overview In the sketch, an interviewer (Terry Jones) an ...

* House Hunters * Rival Documentaries * Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto Escape Act * Argument Clinic *

The Spanish Inquisition The Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition ( es, Tribunal del Santo Oficio de la Inquisición), commonly known as the Spanish Inquisition ( es, Inquisición española), was established in 1478 by the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, Cathol ...

* Bus Animation * The Spanish Inquisition (again) * And Then * The Visitors * Man-Powered Flight * Raymond Luxury Yacht * Television is Bad for Your Eyes * Last Gumby announcement

Deleted sequence

Originally, a brand new sketch featuring the Monty Python members and Steve Martin was to be included in the special. Filmed at Twickenham Studios on 3 September 1989, the sequence featured the Monty Python members dressed as school boys, asking Martin questions and taking notes. Although present at the recording, Graham Chapman did not perform in the sketch. The sequence was removed at the Pythons' request, as Terry Jones explained: "There was this new sketch which featured us and Steve Martin. Somebody had cobbled this thing together and was passing it off, saying it was written by John or whatever. When I read it I thought, 'This is just terrible, we can't do this'. So we arrived and Steve Martin was there at the film studios. We had to turn up to do it and I'm very glad that they cut it".'' The Pythons Autobiography by The Pythons'', p339, 2003, Orion Footage of the Pythons meeting up to record the sketch was aired in the US version of the '' Life of Python'' documentary. The Pythons gave an alternate version of their appearance, which is featured in the special, in which Steve Martin briefly reveals that they are all in a cupboard. Chapman appears very pale and sallow; at the time the throat cancer that would kill him was advancing rapidly. This would be his last filmed appearance before his death on 4 October 1989, which coincidentally was the day before the 20th anniversary of the broadcast of the first episode of ''Monty Python's Flying Circus''.

Cast

* Graham Chapman *

John Cleese John Marwood Cleese ( ; born 27 October 1939) is an English actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. Emerging from the Cambridge Footlights in the 1960s, he first achieved success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and as a scriptwriter and ...

* Terry Gilliam *

Eric Idle Eric Idle (born 29 March 1943) is an English actor, comedian, musician and writer. Idle was a member of the British surreal comedy group Monty Python and the parody rock band The Rutles, and is the writer of the music and lyrics for the Broadwa ...

* Terry Jones * Michael Palin * Steve Martin * Carol Cleveland *

Connie Booth Connie Booth (born 2 December 1940) is an American-born actress and writer. She has appeared in several British television programmes and films, including her role as Polly Sherman on BBC Two's ''Fawlty Towers'', which she co-wrote with her the ...

* Basil Tang * Marjorie Wilde *

The Fred Tomlinson Singers Frederick Tomlinson (18 December 1927 – 17 July 2016) was a British singer, songwriter and composer. He founded the Fred Tomlinson Singers, who sang the music featured on '' Monty Python's Flying Circus'', ''The Two Ronnies'' and other British ...

Credits

Ian MacNaughton Edward Ian MacNaughton (30 December 1925 – 10 December 2002) was a Scottish actor-turned-television producer and director, best known for his work with the ''Monty Python'' team. MacNaughton was director and producer for all but four of the f ...

- Producer (original footage) *

John Howard Davies John Howard Davies (9 March 193922 August 2011)
' ...

- Producer (original footage) *

Sue Vertue Susan Nicola Vertue (born 21 September 1960) is an English television producer, mainly of comedy shows, including ''Mr. Bean'' and ''Coupling''. She is the daughter of producer Beryl Vertue. Vertue worked for Tiger Aspect, a production company ...

- Production Manager * Charles Brand - Producer * Anne James - Producer * Martyn Hone - Editor *

- Editor

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Parrot Sketch Not Included - 20 Years Of Monty Python Monty Python retrospectives 1989 television specials British television specials