Monty Python's Flying Circus

In 1969, the BBC aired the first episode of a new comedy series titled Monty Pythons Flying Circus, and the rest, as they say, is history. An instant success, the show ran until 1974, producing a total of 45 episodes. Despite the shows very English humor and allusions to many things British, the series developed a cult following outside the U.K., particularly in the United States. Known for its outrageous humor, occasionally controversial content, and often silly spirit, Monty Pythons Flying Circus poked fun at nearly all institutionsdomestic or foreign, grand or intimate, sacred or not. Indeed, many of the allusions and references in the program were uniquely British and routinely obscure, and therefore, not always understood or even noticed outside the British Isles.This exhaustive reference identifies and explains the plethora of cultural, historical, and topical allusions of this landmark series. In this resource, virtually every allusion and reference that appeared in an episodewhether stated by a character, depicted in the mise-en-scene, or mentioned in the printed scriptsis identified and explained. Organized chronologically by episode, each entry is listed alphabetically, indicates what sketch it appeared in, and is cross-referenced between episodes. Entries cover literary and metaphoric allusions, symbolisms, names, peoples, and places; as well as the myriad social, cultural, and historical elements (photos, songs, slogans, caricatures) that populate and inform these episodes. Entries Include:Arabella PlunkettGroup of famous characters from famous paintingsHells GranniesHRH The Dummy Princess MargaretKandinskyOn the Dads Liver Bachelors at LargeRaymond Baxter typeScunSpanish InquisitionThird Parachute Brigade Amateur Dramatic Societytotal cashectomyTwo-ShedsUmbongas hostile openingVicar sitting thin and unhappy in a potWhats all this then?