Despite the suggestion of the title above, the "python" I am about to talk about is no snake. Rather it is one of the most successful and influential English comedy groups in the world and has shaped the way Comedy is today. The group called Monty Python is comprised of members Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, John Cleese, and Michael Palin; they made 5 films, a 45 episode television series, several recorded albums, some books, and even a Broadway musical.
And Now for Something Completely Different
When Monty Python was formed by Englishmen and an American from Cambrige and Oxford, they didn't know what they would spur later on. Their springboard to success was their television show Monty Python's Flying Circus. The show pushed the bounds of acceptable comedy with Terry Gilliams linking cartoons and such outrages sketches like "The Spanish Inquisition," "The Cheese Shop," "The Ministry of Silly Walks," and "Dead Parrot." After three seasons of originality the group had problems with the fourth having to be ended early. The group was then ready to crack into the film industry.
Are you Suggesting Coconuts Migrate?
With their television series behind them the group moved towards satire in the film buisness. They chose to take on the Arthurian Legends and make them completely ridiculous and from that "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" was born. The film featured all of the cast members and animations of Gilliam in it, and became one of the most memorable and successful films of its time, but the group didn't stop there.
Blessed are the Cheesemakers
The fans and media wanted more Python and constantly asked the group what their next film would be called. Eric Idle made up a cop out alias for the group to use against the annoying question for the group had not yet seriously sat down to consider making another film. It was at that time that they chose to satire the era of the New Testament. Upon agreeing that Jesus was a pretty nice guy and that he couldn't be satired the group chose to make up a character close to those events and poke fun at the whole idea of a messiah and organized religion. With that in mind the group filmed "The Life of Brian," which became a smashing success.
Where Ever the Fish did Go, I did Go
With the success of their first two films in their mind the group decided to capitalize on thier success by making one more film. The film, "The Meaning of Life" clearly showed a much darker side to the group, which documents the progression of life from birth to death, with a scene of surgery being done without anaesthetic, and a really fat man exploding in a restaurant. The film did not recieve the kind of adoration that the previous two had and sparked up even more controversy than Life of Brian had originally recieved. Soon after the group split up in good spirit and would pursue solo projects. There were very few reunions however the group has routinely involved eachother in their endeavors.