Monty Python launch a fan club

Monty Python Spam Club. Image shows from L to R: John Cleese, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle

Monty Python have launched an official fan club.

Those who love the iconic sketch group can now join Monty Python's SPAM Club. It's being touted as "what may be the worst run fan club in the world".

A spokesperson for the group explains: "The Python SPAM Club will bring trademark Monty Python humour closer to fans by bringing it, literally, to their doorstop.

"With the Pythons back together for Monty Python Live (mostly) fans will have the opportunity to ask the stars of Monty Python anything between now and the final show on July 20th."

Fans can join the club via www.pythonspamclub.com

Pythonites are encouraged to share all their Python-inspired silliness on the fan club's interactive Fan Wall by posting photos, videos and more with the hashtag #montypythonlive and #pythonspamclub, across all social media platforms.

The website also features a 'Spamvelope', whereby fans can post questions. The idea is explained as follows: "The Pythons will endeavour to answer the odd question. No replies guaranteed. Correct answers not guaranteed. Sending the reply to the correct person not guaranteed. Those lucky enough to have their questions answered will see the replies posted on the site or - if they're really fortunate! - delivered to their doorstep in true Python style."

This is not the first time Monty Python has run the SPAM Club, having been first launched on the group's official website - Pythonline.com - by Eric Idle in the mid 1990s.

The labelling of un-wanted electronic communication as 'spam' was derived from the group's classic 1970s Spam sketch, in which nearly every item on a café menu includes Spam, the famed canned luncheon meat.

The launch of Monty Python's SPAM Club coincides with Monty Python Live (Mostly), which will see John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin reunite on stage at London's O2 Arena for 10 nights next month.

The final date - The Last Night of the Pythons - will be broadcast live into more than 450 cinemas in the UK, and into 1,500 cinemas worldwide, plus be broadcast live on TV.

The club's revival also coincides with the re-issue of Monty Python's classic 1989 album Monty Python Sings as Monty Python Sings (Again), which will be hitting the shelves on 30th June. The CD will contain bonus tracks of brand new recordings; never-before-released gems from the Python archive and remixed Terry Gilliam cover artwork.

To join the club visit www.pythonspamclub.com

At the time of writing the charity Shelter is running a free prize draw in which the winner will get to join the stars on stage: Enter

Below is the music video for the new Silly Walks song:

Here's the classic spam sketch:

Published: Monday 23rd June 2014

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