This is part of the Manly Write-Off sponsored by Joubert and HawgWyld (with help of webmaster Char.Mike.) Please take few minutes and go to http://www.angelfire.com/mb2/mypageontheweb/page9.html to read all the fine entries in this event. Oh and Happy Father's Day to all you daddies!

I think something might be wrong with me. I am having serious doubts about my sexuality. It's not that I'm attracted to woman. No, the problem is much more subversive than that. I'm attracted to manly comedy! I actually laugh at The Three Stooges. I roared at Buckaroo Bonsai and I absolutely adore Monty Python!

I blame this sexual identity crisis on my dad. We used to watch reruns of the Monty Python Show over and over again. We were always first in line when a new Monty Python movie came out. We lived for the over sized foot smashing down on some town, men in woman's clothing, and something completely different.

My husband hasn't helped me with this sexual identity crisis. Even though my Chick Entertainment Enjoyment 12-step sponsor suggested I see such solidly Chick Flicks as Sleepless in Seattle, Gone with the Wind, and When Harry Met Sally my loving husband comes home with Monty Python: Live at the Hollywood Bowl!!!

What was I supposed to do??? I popped a big bowl of popcorn, grabbed a cold soda, and laughed so hard that most of the popcorn and soda came out my noise.

Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl was put together by taking bits from their four-night stand at the Hollywood Bowl in 1980. It was released in 1982.

This is "greatest hits" at its greatest! The video is chocked full of the finest, funniest, and foulest skits from the BBC Television series.

Some of the sketches and songs included in the video include: The sexually confused lumberjack, The Ministry of Silly Walks, The Argument Clinic, and The exploding balladeer. Some of the group's funnier short-film pieces are featured as well, including the International Philosophy Match (Germany vs. Greece) and Terry Gilliam's animated pieces.

If you have never seen a Monty Python sketch -- please come out from under your rock and check out this video. It is a great introduction to their work; sort of a "Python 101". If you already love the troupe, it's wonderful to see this fine group working in front of a live audience.

To be fair, there are a few things about this video that leave something to be desired. The production quality isn't the best. It's clear from the troupes yelling that they are working in from of a live audience. It something akin to the Beatles at Shea Stadium (or was it Yankee?) Anyway, the crowd is loud and the performers have to be louder. Also, I'm not sure if it's the print that I got -- or if the master is crappie, but there are some issues with color, contrast, and general photographic quality. But who cares... this is Monty Python!

The cast on this video includes everyone you would expect:

Terry Gilliam
Eric Idle
Neil Innes
Terry Jones
Michael Palin
Graham Chapman
John Cleese
Carol Cleveland

For those of you that have never had the shear, manly pleasure of a Monty Python skit... here is one (of course, they do it better in person, but I think it will give you the idea...

Michelangelo: Good evening, Your Holiness.
The Pope: Evening, Michelangelo. I want to talk to you about this painting of yours, The Last Supper. I'm not happy about it.
Michelangelo: Oh, dear. It took me hours.
The Pope: Not happy at all.
Michelangelo: Is it the jello you don't like?
The Pope: No.
Michelangelo: It does add a bit of colour, doesn't it. Oh, I know, you don't like the kangaroo!
The Pope: What kangaroo?
Michelangelo: No problem, I'll paint him out.
The Pope: I never saw a kangaroo!
Michelangelo: Uh, he's right at the back. No sweat, I'll make him into a disciple. All right?
The Pope: That's the problem.
Michelangelo: What is?
The Pope: The disciples!
Michelangelo: Are they too Jewish? I made Judas the most Jewish.
The Pope: No, it's just that there are 28 of them.

Ohhhh.... as I read this, I can hear my dad laughing himself silly. "Judas," dad would be rolling on the floor, hardly able to breathe, "Judas, the most Jewish! Did you hear that? The most Jewish." By now the sofa would be halfway across the room from his fit of laughter. My mom would just roll her eyes and leave the room (now she understood a good chick flick!)

Excuse me, I need to call my sponsor now. I feel myself heading for the manly section of our video collection.


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good for Groups
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older