Monty Python's Personal Best. Image shows from L to R: John Cleese, Neil Innes, Michael Palin, Eric Idle
Monty Python's Personal Best

Monty Python's Personal Best

  • TV documentary
  • Sky Arts
  • 2015
  • 6 episodes (1 series)

Documentary series focusing on each of the Monty Python stars in turn, with new footage and original clips. Filmed in 2006 for American TV. Features John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin and Graham Chapman

Episode menu

Series 1, Episode 5 - Michael Palin

Michael Palin selects his favourite Python clips, including the fish-slapping dance he performed with John Cleese.

Further details

One of the key players in the Monty Python troupe, Michael Palin has compiled personal favourite moments from the groundbreaking show that continues to influence sketch comedians around the world, some 40 years since the end of its original run.

Having graduated from Oxford University in 1965 with ambitions to be a writer and performer of comedy, Palin joined friend Terry Jones in writing for The Frost Report in the mid-60s. There they met fellow writers John Cleese, Graham Chapman and Eric Idle and in 1969 they teamed up with American animator Terry Gilliam to create Monty Python's Flying Circus.

Here, Palin presents the notorious fish-slapping dance, in which he dances towards John Cleese, lightly slapping him in the face with two small pilchards, before Cleese returns the favour by striking him with a giant halibut. Also featured is the world-famous cheese shop sketch, among other moments that see Palin at his hysterical best.

Broadcast details

Date
Thursday 12th February 2015
Time
9pm
Channel
Sky Arts
Length
30 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Friday 13th February 2015 2:15am Sky Arts
Friday 13th February 2015 7:00am Sky Arts
Sunday 15th February 2015 4:15pm Sky Arts
Monday 16th February 2015 12:15am Sky Arts
Tuesday 26th May 2015 11:15pm Sky Arts
Thursday 9th July 2015 7:45pm Sky Arts
Sunday 12th July 2015 11:45am Sky Arts
Friday 5th February 2016 4:00am Sky Arts
Friday 5th February 2016 6:30pm Sky Arts
Sunday 7th February 2016 10:30am Sky Arts
Wednesday 13th July 2016 6:45pm Sky Arts
Thursday 3rd November 2016 11:10pm Sky Arts
Thursday 16th February 2017 8:45pm Sky Arts
Thursday 23rd February 2017 2:00am Sky Arts
Thursday 7th September 2017 11:45pm Sky Arts
Friday 12th January 2018 3:45pm Sky Arts
Monday 15th January 2018 10:45am Sky Arts
Thursday 19th April 2018 12:45am Sky Arts
Monday 28th May 2018 2:45pm Sky Arts
Wednesday 15th August 2018 10:00pm Sky Arts

Cast & crew

Cast
John Cleese Self (Archive Material)
Terry Gilliam Self (Archive Material)
Eric Idle Self (Archive Material)
Terry Jones Self (Archive Material)
Michael Palin Self (Archive Material)
Graham Chapman Self (Archive Material)
Guest cast
Michael Palin Fish Slapper
Writing team
Michael Palin Writer
Production team
John Goldstone Producer
James Gray Editor

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