Monty Python's Flying Circus. Image shows from L to R: Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, Michael Palin, John Cleese, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam. Copyright: BBC
Monty Python's Flying Circus

Monty Python's Flying Circus

  • TV sketch show
  • BBC Two / BBC One
  • 1969 - 1974
  • 45 episodes (4 series)

Highly influential off-the-wall 1970s sketch series, starring John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman and Terry Jones. Also features Terry Gilliam and Carol Cleveland.

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Monty Python's Flying Circus. Image shows from L to R: Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, Michael Palin, John Cleese, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam. Copyright: BBC

Key details

Genre
Sketch Show
Broadcast
1969 - 1974
Channels
BBC Two, BBC One
Episodes
45 (4 series), plus 1 highlights special
Stars
Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin and Carol Cleveland
Writers
Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin
Directors
John Howard Davies and Ian MacNaughton
Producers
John Howard Davies and Ian MacNaughton
Company

Surrealist, observational and curiously subversive, Monty Python's Flying Circus is a sketch show not quite like any other.

Mixing off-the-wall animated sequences, observational humour, innuendo and plain silliness, it often shines an inquisitive and mocking light on the established conventions and idiosyncrasies of British life, and accepted ideas and norms.

Some of the most celebrated and memorable Monty Python sketches include: "The Parrot Sketch", "The Spanish Inquisition", "Nudge Nudge", "The Lumberjack Song", "The Ministry of Silly Walks" and "The Cheese Shop".

Stream and download

Additional details

Part of

Monty Python

Also known as
  • Monty Python
Production
Studio
Camera set-up
Multi-camera
Picture
Colour
Soundtrack
Theme tune is Liberty Bell by John Philip Sousa.

Website links

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Sunday 5th October 1969 at 10:55pm on BBC One
All previous repeats
  • Saturday 7th September 2019 at 11:00pm on BBC2 - Series 1, Episode 1
  • Sunday 4th October 2009 at 9:00am on CC Extra
  • Saturday 3rd October 2009 at 9:00am on CC Extra

Recording details

  • BBC Television Centre
  • London - Location sketches filmed largely in north-west London.