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On Oct. 5th, 1969 the world became a better, sillier place
At 11pm on October 5th, 1969 BBC1 aired the first Monty Python show.
Like The Beatles, the work of Monty Python continues, their legacy influencing generation after generation of comedians, writers, filmmakers and those who wish to occasionally express their joyful goofiness by the way they walk.
Thank god PBS started airing the show across the pond (North America) in the early 1970's.
Last edited by betaylored (October 5, 2022 4:31 pm)
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Re: On Oct. 5th, 1969 the world became a better, sillier place
Actually CBC was the first to air the show in Canada and North America prior to PBS. Monty Python's Flying Circus was on the September 1970 CBC fall line up. They ran 13 episodes from series 1 which played ten months prior on BBC and then 6 episodes from series 2 only a few weeks after the UK.
In January 1971 when the show stopped appearing, CBC apparently had complaints and letters from viewers and decided to run the remaining 7 shows from series 2. Flying Circus remained on CBC until the mid 1970's. According to wiki the first PBS station to play Flying Circus was KERA in Dallas which scheduled the show in 1974. Interesting the first live exposure to a US TV audience of Monty Python's Flying Circus was on the Tonight Show in 1973, Joey Bishop was hosting, subbing for Johnny Carson.
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Re: On Oct. 5th, 1969 the world became a better, sillier place
paterson1 wrote:
Actually CBC was the first to air the show in Canada and North America prior to PBS. Monty Python's Flying Circus was on the September 1970 CBC fall line up. They ran 13 episodes from series 1 which played ten months prior on BBC and then 6 episodes from series 2 only a few weeks after the UK.
In January 1971 when the show stopped appearing, CBC apparently had complaints and letters from viewers and decided to run the remaining 7 shows from series 2. Flying Circus remained on CBC until the mid 1970's. According to wiki the first PBS station to play Flying Circus was KERA in Dallas which scheduled the show in 1974. Interesting the first live exposure to a US TV audience of Monty Python's Flying Circus was on the Tonight Show in 1973, Joey Bishop was hosting, subbing for Johnny Carson.
It was Sept. 17, 1970 to be exact, when this ad appeared in the local TV Guide. Notice how they shortened the title for some reason.
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Re: On Oct. 5th, 1969 the world became a better, sillier place
I figure there's a MPG (Monty Python Gene) inside of some people so we can appreciate their offbeat humour. This is one of their best and most ridiculous.
Didn't realize CBC aired the show first, yet another reason to appreciate the knowledge found here on the big yellow board, merci splunge, RA and paterson1.
Last edited by betaylored (October 6, 2022 8:56 am)
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Re: On Oct. 5th, 1969 the world became a better, sillier place
Wow, just discovered this. Did you know the very first episode of Monty Python ever aired was titled, "Wither Canada?" I have no idea why, but according to the BBC, it was broadcast for the first time at 11 PM local time on Sunday, October 5, 1969.
According to the network, the very first show contained some instant classics.
"Sketches included 'famous deaths' presented by Mozart, the writing of the funniest and deadliest joke in the world, and an interview with Arthur 'Two Sheds' Jackson."
How Canada fit into all that may be lost to history.
Monty Python's First Flying Circus
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Re: On Oct. 5th, 1969 the world became a better, sillier place
Wow, just discovered this. Did you know the very first episode of Monty Python ever aired was titled, "Wither Canada?" I have no idea why, but according to the BBC, it was broadcast for the first time at 11 PM local time on Sunday, October 5, 1969.
According to the network, the very first show contained some instant classics.
"Sketches included 'famous deaths' presented by Mozart, the writing of the funniest and deadliest joke in the world, and an interview with Arthur 'Two Sheds' Jackson."
How Canada fit into all that may be lost to history.
Monty Python's First Flying Circus
Thanks RA.
Highly recommend Eric Idle's Sortabiography, the audiobook version narrated by Eric of course. He tells about Python's first Canadian tour and credits our country for a good part of their early North American success.
Both the book and audiobook are mere seconds away if you have a Toronto Public library (or liberry as some unfortunate folks pronounce it) card, digital or old school, just head to their website and voila.
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Re: On Oct. 5th, 1969 the world became a better, sillier place
And, as if there were any doubt that YouTube has everything, here is that very first episode, albeit with a bit of an annoying video effect to defeat copyright issues.
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Re: On Oct. 5th, 1969 the world became a better, sillier place
if you have that person who is impossible to buy presents for, this could be perfect.
or perhaps send it to family and friends as a broad hint.
Last edited by betaylored (October 21, 2022 4:13 pm)
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