Customer Reviews

The (Non-Inflatable) Monty Python TV Companion

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

From what I gather in the introduction, this book has taken more than ten years to compile and was written because when the author first started writing it, there were no books about Monty Python. However, the book is now about ten years too late, because we've seen so many Python books since then (First 280 Years of Monty Python, First 200 Years of Monty Python, Life of Python, Life After Python, Monty Python Speaks, Monty Python: A Celebration, Monty Python Encyclopedia), much of them containing more substance than this. The book's format is very similar to the studies by Kim "Howard" Johnson, only with less information. There is a chapter of pre Python days, an introduction to each of the seasons, and a listing of sketches from each show. Sometimes the shows are accompanied by a paragraph of critical analysis, but not always.
There is very little else, other than a bibliography and a few frills. I'd say that really the only reason to buy is for the brief explanation of the lost "Wee-Wee" sketch and Graham Chapman's hilarious introduction (written about a year before he died.)

I hate books like this. Sort of pasted together scrapbook thingys with lots of authorial attempts to be as witty as its subject. Cheap paper, cheap printing, confusing mess for a cover. But yes, there IS that intro by Chapman, and that does count for a lot. I have to wonder, however did he find himself stuck writing an intro for this newsprint mess?

Jim, John and I discovered the Python's by way of the PBS import of the series in the 1970s. We laughed our heads and other appendages off, but as Jim notes, we weren't sure just why. I like things that are intrinsically funny or interesting without a need for explanation, so when I opened this book I wondered if learning who Lord So-And-So was or gaining details about the other people and places lampooned by the troupe would be a bit like explaining a joke. Well it wasn't like that at all. It was like Christmas and your birthday and the first time you were sweaty in the backseat of... no it wasn't really like that either. But, it was a pleasant sort of experience and didn't hurt at all. In fact I think it really adds to the enjoyment of the series.... a lot. Really I do. I wouldn't just say that. Look, go and get a copy of this book and see for yourself. Maybe I should have said "buy a copy of this book". Anyway, first watch the entire series without the book. Then, read the book and keep it beside you as a guide and constant companion as you watch them all again and again. Soon the book will begin to speak to you and tell you what it's true mission is. Listen carefully... I know I have.

Hey, great book. Now I know "what's so bleedin' funny about Lord Hill"! It really adds a lot to the viewing of the shows (out on DVD soon!), espcially for us Yanks. Kudos!!

Jim, John and I discovered the Python's by way of the PBS import of the series in the 1970s. We laughed our heads and other appendages off, but as Jim notes, we weren't sure just why. I like things that are intrinsically funny or interesting without a need for explanation, so when I opened this book I wondered if learning who Lord So-And-So was or gaining details about the other people and places lampooned by the troupe would be a bit like explaining a joke. Well it wasn't like that at all. It was like Christmas and your birthday and the first time you were sweaty in the backseat of... no it wasn't really like that either. But, it was a pleasant sort of experience and didn't hurt at all. In fact I think it really adds to the enjoyment of the series.... a lot. Really I do. I wouldn't just say that. Look, go and get a copy of this book and see for yourself. Maybe I should have said "buy a copy of this book". Anyway, first watch the entire series without the book. Then, read the book and keep it beside you as a guide and constant companion as you watch them all again and again. Soon the book will begin to speak to you and tell you what it's true mission is. Listen carefully... I know I have.

I haven't laughed this hard since I read Monica's Story! Naw, KIDDING! Very informative stuff about Python and their times. (It's funny too).

At last! Well,as of this writing,not quite at last. But none the less,there you are. Previously only availble in "Galleys","Long Jim" Yoakum's magnus opiate,is now availble to people other than Pirates and Pirate cooks! The best book on Montgomery Pythagrius I have personally never even seen!! Much better than the works of Kim "No Beard" Johnson,and "Hook FootBob" Ross. So matey's if ye be a Pirate or a Parrot,or just love bad sailors in general,you could do worse than set down a sack of doubloons for this bundle of carefully stitched together paper! Any Semen worth his salt would tell ye: " paper is good fer writin' on!". And to "Long Jim" we say "Write on,Man!".Dead men tell no tales....but their 5 mates usually do. (And friends of dead pirates too).Arrrrrrr.