Monty Python Humor?

[TGIF]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 11:55am

What IS Monty Python humor? I tried explaining it to someone last night and couldn't. I was at an absolute loss for words. Anyone have a good way of describing it?

[LaeloftheLakes]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 12:05pm

That's really weird! I was doing the exact same thing! I ended up saying something like smart/stupid/silly British humor...and leaving it at that.

Posted: 3/3/05 at 12:45pm

Best I could explain it as is "British Absurdism".

Sorry... I tried.

Posted: 3/3/05 at 1:10pm

British is all you gotta say. If they don't understand that, there's no hope.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 1:28pm

Dry British humor that is way too sophisticated for most Americans...

[TGIF]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 2:05pm

Does it even qualify for British humor or is it a class all of its own?

[TheGaIsSilent]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 2:11pm

I don't think it's "too sophisticated for most Americans". I have very American tastes, and I'm always dumbfounded at how simple British humor is.

[Jon]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 2:12pm

Just describe the Black Knight scene. If they don't find the idea of a guy with both arms and legs cut off saying "It's just a flesh wound!" funny, they won't get the show.

[TGIF]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 2:21pm

Ha! Tis a scratch!

*laughs*

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 6:32pm

Wink Wink
Nudge Nudge
Say No More

Time's Up
No it's not
Yes It Is
I can't argue anymore etc

This is a dead parrot

Every Sperm Is Sacred

Bring Us Your Dead

[phantom_tenor]

Posted: 3/4/05 at 6:07am

Monty Python's either very witty and clever, or incredibly silly, but very very funny either way.

[mominator]

Posted: 3/4/05 at 7:51am

Witty and silly. Dry and wry, silly (again) and very VERY British.

Updated On: 3/4/05 at 07:51 AM

[DreamFlyer22]

Posted: 3/4/05 at 8:19am

Ha. It's kinda difficult to pin down exactly what makes it so appealing... it just IS, (or isn't, depending on your view of Python).

During my recent 3 week trip to England to study theater in London with my college group, we went to see a traditional Christmas panto ("Aladdin")starring Ian McKellan. The accompanying lecture the next day was on British Humor. One of the more fascinating talks I've ever been a part of-- an older scholarly, British gentleman chatting about what sets apart 'American' and 'British' humor. According to him, the English are fascinated with two things- word-play and... err.. 'bodilly functions.' I'm paraphrasing, but the quote was something along the lines of, "You fart in front of an Englishman and he'll be rolling around on the floor laughing for three hours." *shrugs* I think this definition definately applies to Python, but it certainly doesn't neatly, completely define what made it, (and continues to make it) such a phenomenon.