Monty Python's Iconic Comedy

Few words have the same instant nostalgia as Monty Python. It's hard to remember a time in my life that I didn't have Python quotes living in my head. Be it asking "what is the average airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?" or simply shouting "NI!" to end an uncomfortable silence, offering my mother a "wafer thin mint" after dinner or singing "Always look on the bright side of life" in my car. Monty Python has had a lasting impact on my childhood and the development of my sense of humor as an adult. Yes, thanks to John Hughes, Mel Brooks, and Monty Python I've grown into being an annoying funny smart-aleck that loves the sound of making other people laugh... and now for something completely different...

I was introduced to the Python crew, as most of us were, by their Quest for the Holy Grail. At an age that left much of Python's brand of comedy far over my head I was enthralled by tales of knights and quests. I found the familiarity of the characters to scratch my "King Arthur Itch" but I also found endless laughs in the banging of coconut halves, and the ridiculous Frenchman "farting in my general direction." In fact, I can clearly remember attempting to win a playground argument with a friend by telling him his "Mother was a hamster and his father smelled of elderberries!"....as you can guess, I lost the argument. I loved the style of comedy that the Pythons had mastered. The randomness, and boldness of their jokes was hilarious to my young mind. I still feel Monty Python's Quest for the Holy Grail is a masterclass in situational sketch comedy that never fails to bring the random, the absurd, and the irreverent; and never fails to deliver the laughs.

My next dive into Monty Python was when I stumbled across a used DVD of The Life of Brian. Though I enjoyed The Life of Brian, it didn't strike the same chords that The Holy Grail had. Due to being raised in reverence for my faith, I was a little taken aback by the subject matter of Life of Brian. The film depicts the life of a man named Brian that was born on the same night as Jesus, and is misidentified as the messiah. While, the signature Python wit and style is there, the prevalence of comedy parodying organized religion and the dangers of blind obedience gives the film a very different feel. I do find a good message woven into this irreverent and blasphemous comedy: be educated and careful about who/what you believe in. While religion and faith are beautiful, choosing to believe without knowing what you're believing in is an easy path to ruin. As I'm sure you can tell, this is my least favorite of the three Monty Python movies. It definitely has it's moments (The Judean People's Front, the misspelled graffiti, and "Biggus Dickus" are all standouts sketches for me) but the nagging pull on my conscience for laughing at parody of my personal faith leaves this one on the shelf more often than not.

My next foray into the Monty Python World was when I found Monty Python's Flying Circus on late night TV while I was in college. At this poing, the only parts of Python's third film, The Meaning of Life, that I'd encountered were the "fishy fishy fishy fish" sketch and The Galaxy Song, both of which I reference to this day. But my time watching the Flying Circus were comedy gold. Sketches including The Spanish Inquisition, the Ministry of Silly Walks, the Bad Hungarian Translation Book, the Fish Slapping Dance, the iconic Lumberjack Song, and Spam swam through my head and left a unique twist on what I would find funny for the next few decades of my life. The Flying Circus is what I credit for birthing my love of British comedies. Thanks to Monty Python, I would discover The Vicar of Dibley, Black Books, and Mr. Bean. The witty, dry British style of comedy alongside the brilliant satire of Mel Brooks created a perfect comedic storm in my head that has lead to my now infamously quick quips and jokes at inopportune moments and in strange situations.

Now that my life story has been told, let's fast forward to now. My children have followed in my footsteps and have discovered the Quest for the Holy Grail and some of the most iconic sketches of the Flying Circus. I couldn't be more proud of them! My son tripped and fell the other day, he stood up and announced "It's only a flesh wound". It warmed my heart. And, the other night, after a particularly heated disagreement between my daughter and myself, she defused the whole situation by cutting me off and asking "I'm sorry, but were you wanting the 10 minute argument or the full half hour?" The laughing that ensued ended the whole argument. I'm proud to say, my kids are growing up Monty Python just like I did. From the bottom of my heart, I can't encourage my friends and readers enough to revisit these legendary comedians.

Today's world has gotten so preoccupied with being offended and insulted by everything that many of us have forgotten the power of just looking at the real absurdity of it all and just having a laugh. While I don't and won't ever condone comedians using the shock value of bullying, sexism, or racism to get a laugh, there is something freeing about having an authentic, good natured laugh about how goofy our groups and habits can be sometime. So, here's some advice from us at the NostalgiaBlog:

Relax, take a step back, don't let the jokes get to you so much and learn to enjoy a laugh, even if it's at your own expense. Life could be so much more enjoyable if we all remember how to make a good joke, take a good joke, and laugh at all the good jokes.

Or perhaps the best way to end this stroll down memory lane would be with an unassuming joke from the Pythons themselves, "I'm not dead yet. I feel happy! I feel happy!" So, remember, if you're still alive, you can still feel happy and you can still continue to Laugh On!

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On a personal note, thank you all for sticking with us on here. It makes me indescribably happy to see that other people out there enjoy reading what I have to say and that it resonates with you. My uploads have been slowed down lately and I apologize for that. In the interest of tearing down the stigma associated with it, I battle with mental health issues every day. Some days are better, some are worse. For my friends that share those struggles, you'll understand that it comes in waves sometimes. I'll be back to writing more regularly soon. Until this storm passes, thank you for sticking around. It means the world to me! GAME ON!!