Monty Python's Flying Circus

Monty Python's Flying Circus was a British alternative sketch comedy series, broadcast between 1969 and 1974. The show also spawned several movies, among which "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" (1975) and "Monty Python's Life of Brian" (1979) are the most popular. They have been referenced a few times in The Simpsons.

References to Monty Python in The Simpsons

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 opening 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. 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. 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

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". 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. 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.

References to Monty Python in Simpsons books

• 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

Picture Name Role in Monty Python Role on The Simpsons 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".

External links

• Monty Python's Flying Circus at Wikipedia

Cultural references

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