Difference between revisions of "Monty Python's Flying Circus"

Latest revision as of 14:46, September 3, 2025

Monty Python's Flying Circus was a British alternative sketch comedy TV series, broadcast between 1969 and 1974. The core members were John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam. The show is notorious for their absurd sketches, which feature strange situations, animation, subversive jokes, anti comedy and a lot of men in drag. The series spawned five movies, of which "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" (1975) and "Monty Python's Life of Brian" (1979) are the most popular. Monty Python has been referenced a lot on The Simpsons. Matt Groening is on record as a fan of the show.

References to Monty Python in The Simpsons[edit]

Picture Season Episode number Episode name Reference 2 27 "Principal Charming" Hans Moleman's character is originally called "Ralph Melish" in this episode, a reference to "The Adventures of Ralph Melish: Hot Dog and Knickers" sketch from the Monty Python album "Matching Tie and Handkerchief." 4 74 "I Love Lisa" The animatronic Mount Rushmore cut-out that appears at the end of the school play has the heads of the presidents sing by having only the lower jaw move. This bears a canny resemblance to the way Terry Gilliam's cut-and-paste animations in "Monty Python's Flying Circus" moved. 5 84 "Homer Goes to College" In the couch gag The Simpsons are squashed by a huge pink foot. This is a reference to the iconic crushing foot that appeared at the end of the intro of every Monty Python's Flying Circus episode. This couch gag would later be re-used in the episodes "Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy", "Another Simpsons Clip Show" and "The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular". Homer's college room mates claim to know the words to every Monty Python sketch, then quote from the "Knights who say "ni" sketch" from the film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail". 86 "Treehouse of Horror IV" In the closing credits Colin Lewis is credited as Colin "Two Sheds" Lewis. This is a reference to the Monty Python sketch "Arthur "Two Sheds" Jackson" from the first season of the TV series. 6 119 "Bart vs. Australia" On the DVD audio commentary it is claimed that some of the stereotypes about Australia used in this episode were inspired by the "Bruces" sketch from Monty Python's Flying Circus. In this particular Python sketch a bunch of Australian philosophers appear, all talking with an Aussie accent, wearing bushwacker uniforms and being very obsessed with beer. 7 139 "Marge Be Not Proud" The game Angus Podgorny's Caper Toss is a reference to the character "Angus Podgorny" who was seen in various episodes of "Monty Python's Flying Circus". 7 146 "The Day the Violence Died" The Itchy and Scratchy cartoon appearing near the end of the episode features God's foot crushing Scratchy and covering most of the screen in the process. This is very similar to the giant foot crushing down at the end of the opening credits of every Monty Python episode. 18 395 "Marge Gamer" While playing World Of Warcraft Bart plays a character named "The Shadow Knight". Near the end of the game both his arms and legs have been decapitated, causing him to resemble the Black Knight character from "Monty Python and the Holy Grail", whose limbs are also cut off in a very famous scene. The character was also released on The Simpsons: Tapped Out in the Clash of Clones event. 20 434 "In the Name of the Grandfather" Bart watches The Krusty the Clown Show in German on a satellite TV broadcast. This might be a reference to the crew of Monty Python who once made German-language versions of their TV sketches from Monty Python's Flying Circus under the title Monty Python's Fliegender Cirkus. 24 526 "Pulpit Friction" Moe Syzlak yells "bring out your beds!" to inform townspeople to throw their bug infested mattresses out. This is a reference to the Bring out your dead scene in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. 27 591 "How Lisa Got Her Marge Back" In Capitol City a musical named Monty Python's Spamilton is advertized, in reference to the real-life musical Spamalot by Eric Idle, based on Monty Python and the Holy Grail. 28 597 "Monty Burns' Fleeing Circus" The title of the episode is a parody of Monty Python's Flying Circus. 600 "Treehouse of Horror XXVII" The music that was used in 600 closely resembles "Brian Song" from Monty Python's The Life of Brian.

References to Monty Python in Simpsons Comics[edit]

Picture Comic issue Story Reference Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror #3 The Immigration of the Body Snatchers When Springfield is being invaded by multiple alien species, Groundskeeper Willie warns everyone that there are also blancmanges from outer space turning everyone into Scotsmen. This is a reference to the "Man Turns Into Scotsman" sketch in the Monty Python episode "You're No Fun Anymore", from the first season. Simpsons Comics #87 Hail to the Cat Among the crowd of British characters attacking Springfield John Cleese can be seen, dressed as the character from the Monty Python "Ministry of Silly Walks" sketch. Later, when the British invaders are chased away, King Arthur from Monty Python and the Holy Grail can be seen, screaming "Run away!", in direct reference to a running gag from that film. Simpsons Comics #91 3000's Company Declan Desmond is attacked by a snake owned by Mr. Burns, calling it "Monty's Python". Jasper Beardley is also seen with his clothes ragged and saying "It's...", a reference to the recurring It's Man character. Simpsons Comics #208 Brit Simpson! A character named "Monty Python" is featured. It also says: "This is silly", which references a running gag in the series, where The Colonel character would interrupt sketches that became "too silly".

References to Monty Python in Simpsons books[edit]

• In Comic Book Guy's Book of Pop Culture Comic Book Guy names the quote "Tis but a scratch" from Monty Python and the Holy Grail one of the Greatest Quotes of All Time.

Common cast members[edit]

Picture Name Role in Monty Python Role on The Simpsons Ringo Starr Appeared as himself in Monty Python's Flying Circus episode 2, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Norris' Ford Popular, of the third season. Voiced himself in "Brush with Greatness". George Harrison Produced Monty Python's Life of Brian and had a small cameo in the film. Voiced himself in "Homer's Barbershop Quartet". Eric Idle Main member of Monty Python Voiced Declan Desmond in the season 14 episode "'Scuse Me While I Miss the Sky", the season 16 episode "Fat Man and Little Boy", the season 18 episode "Springfield Up", and the season 23 episode "The Spy Who Learned Me". Michael Palin Main member of Monty Python Voiced the Springfield History Museum curator in the season 32 episode "I, Carumbus".

External links[edit]

• Monty Python's Flying Circus at Wikipedia