Monty Python was a British sketch comedy troupe (Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Terry Gilliam) that created a BBC classic TV show, Monty Python’s Flying Circus, as well as classic movies such as Monty Python’s Life of Brian (directed by Jones) and Monty Python and the Holy Grail (directed by Jones and Gilliam.) Both as an actor and a director, Terry Jones was an integral part of the success of the Python’s. In 2006, the cable TV network A&E filmed a series called Personal Best, in which each Python member (minus the late Chapman) individually narrated and presented their favorite Monty Python sketches. Terry Jones presents 24 of his faves in Terry Jones’ Personal Best.

As narrator, Jones, tongue in cheek, takes full credit for creating Monty Python “to take advantage of my own talents.” He claims to grudgingly have accepted the other Python members into the fold, for purposes other than comedy. In the meantime, he introduces his favorite Flying Circus sketches, from what‘s presumably his home (Palin narrated from the location of the famous “Fish Slapping“ sketch--apparently each member was allowed to pick and choose his location.). Jones even goes so far as to claim he performed his own stunts and describes sketches that never happened (or he takes credit for comedy stunts performed by Palin.)

Which means that you’ll get to watch “The World’s Funniest Joke” sketch, which, as written by Michael Palin‘s character, causes people reading it to die laughing. Naturally, the military eventually gets involved. One man read two words of the joke and spent two weeks in the hospital--such was Monty Python’s silly approach to comedy. And while he doesn’t play a “lead’ character, Jones figures prominently in several of the sketch’s scenes. And there’s a funny sketch in which Michael Palin plays F.G. Superman, living in a community of Supermen, all of whom try to keep their everyday secret identities hidden (F.G. is a bicycle repairman, who is able to repair bicycles to the amazement of the other Supermen.) Jones, Chapman, and Idle star in a sketch about “hide and seek” being an Olympic event (the 2nd round takes years to complete as Jones attempts to find Chapman.)

Of course, these are “favorite sketches,’ which doesn’t always equate to “classic” sketches. (There’s no “Dead Parrot Sketch,” no “SPAM.”) All of the Python’s were adept at portraying exaggerated female characters, and Jones was the best. Many of the sketches feature him as a woman. He plays the head nurse in a chaotic sketch set in a hospital full of clumsy staff. On the other hand, there are a few classic sketches sprinkled in here and there. You will get, for instance, the “Spanish Inquisition” sketch, and Michael Palin as an inept, blood-splattered barber trying to cut Jones’ hair, which morphs into the classic “Lumberjack Song.”

Despite the inclusion of 24 sketches, this is a pretty short DVD at 55 minutes. Luckily, the full screen-format DVD does come with Special Features. “Terry Jones’ Personal Second Best” is a second look at some of Jones’ favorite sketches. You’ll get the sketch in which gangs of old ladies harass and physically assault unsuspecting passerby., and a character played by Jones who attempts to jump across the English Channel. The “15-Question, 15-Ton Megaquiz” is a trivia game about Python humor (it’s not as easy as it seems, unless you’ve watched Flying Circus hundreds of times, although most of the questions are about the sketches seen in this DVD, so if you‘ve been paying attention…) And “Terry Jones’ Biography’ is just that.

If you’re not a Monty Python fan, there’s nothing here that’s going to change your mind. However, if you are a fan, Terry Jones’ Personal Best is very funny and well worth getting. Especially if you purchase all six. It’s good stuff, so Python fans, check it out today.

Recommended: Yes