Monty Python Live (Mostly). Image shows from L to R: John Cleese, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle. Copyright: Phil McIntyre Entertainment / Hipgnosis
Monty Python Live (Mostly)

Monty Python Live (Mostly)

  • TV sketch show
  • Gold
  • 2014
  • 2 episodes

A live broadcast of the world's most influential sketch troupe on the final night of their reunion shows at the O2 Arena. Stars John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin and more.

Press clippings Page 5

Radio Times review

The reunion of the UK's most influential comedy troupe - yes, the Pythons, of course - has now accumulated a mountain of speculation. Did the first show really sell out in under a minute? Are the "boys", all now in their 70s, really only doing it for the money? Will they still be funny? (No, yes, er. . .) More will be revealed here.

BBC Radio 2 (17.00-19.00, 1st July) has managed the considerable coup of nabbing arguably the two most eloquent members of the team (Michael Palin and John Cleese, who so memorably trounced Malcolm Muggeridge and the Bishop of Southwark during the Life of Brian scandal in 1979) to do a live interview hours before the Python show at London's 02 arena. The interviewer is Simon Mayo, and I can't imagine anyone better.

David McGillivray, Radio Times, 1st July 2014

Graham Chapman: an unlikely friendship with a Python

John Cleese and co reunite this month, but one Python will be missing from the cast. Ken Levy recalls how a chance encounter backstage led to an unlikely friendship.

Ken Levy, The Guardian, 1st July 2014

Comedy? It's just flogging a dead parrot

Idle has become the figure he used to satirise: a humourless, pompous, self-obsessed, self-adoring bore.

Craig Brown, Daily Mail, 1st July 2014

Cleese is wrong: Python's silly walks are still funny

Cleese has said that Monty Python's silly walks sketch was only funny because of the 'brilliance of my performance', while Mick Jagger has called the comedy group 'a bunch of wrinkly old men trying to relive their youth.' But tongue-in-cheek joking aside, this is still a seriously talented bunch of fools.

Ben Beaumont-Thomas, The Guardian, 1st July 2014

Monty Python Live review

No matter how jaded or cynical, the opening to I'm A Lumberjack, Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life, Nudge Nudge Wink Wink and even the Liberty Bell theme tune itself can't help but send a shiver down the spine of anyone who knows about these things.

Steve Bennett, Chortle, 1st July 2014

Monty Python Live review

I was a fan of Monty Python from the start, and it pains me to criticise them. But this is desperately lazy production.

John Walsh, The Independent, 1st July 2014

Monty Python Live review

What would the old Pythons have made of these sad old chaps? They might have taken the rise out of them. Maybe we should we more merciful and just thank them for the old memories.

Quentin Letts, Daily Mail, 1st July 2014

Monty Python Live review

Its not something completely different, but that's exactly why fans will love it.

Mark Jefferies, The Mirror, 1st July 2014

Monty Python Live: Bloody good, says Twitter

The Twitter reaction is in: Monty Python Live is, you know, a goer. Nudge, nudge.

Josh Dickey, Mashable, 1st July 2014

Monty Python forgot their lines, but who cares?

They're all in their 70s, and the first night of their Septuagenarian Reunion Tour, at London's O2 arena, was their first live show since 1980, so they can be forgiven.

Nico Hines, The Daily Beast, 1st July 2014

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