After spending some time acknowledging that their media consumption habits may different somewhat from the cultural mainstream, Nathan and Ben discuss the silent women and loud racism in these sketches, and whether the audible crunching of the finest, baby dew-picked frogs is better when recorded or performed live. https://audioboom.com/posts/7421327-episode-06-it-s-the-arts
Peanuts Cartoon… skritch
On this last weekend's podcast (Ep. 5: Man's Crisis of Identity in the Latter Half of the 20th Century), Nathan dug deep into his childhood and recalled a Peanuts cartoon which, for some reason, he thought of and, even worse, decided to mention. Evidently it was an attempt to add to whatever conversational point wafted … Continue reading Peanuts Cartoon… skritch
Top 10 Monty Python’s Flying Circus Moments (a la WatchMojo.com)
WatchMojo.com The YouTube "top 10 list" aggregator WatchMojo.com put this out a few years ago. They always end their videos with "do you agree with our list?" Reading through the comments, it seems those who chose to post something were gave a resounding NO!!! For what it's worth, WatchMojo's list had 6 out of 10 … Continue reading Top 10 Monty Python’s Flying Circus Moments (a la WatchMojo.com)
Lest(er) I Forget…
While The Running Jumping & Standing Still Film did not seem to me to be a direct visual antecedent to Monty Python's Flying Circus, I have found direct evidence to the contrary: Terry Gilliam cites the film as inspiration for his animation storytelling methodology in FilmCraft: Directing (2012). And on Spike Milligan's death on 27 February 2002, he … Continue reading Lest(er) I Forget…
Episode 05: Man’s Crisis in the Latter Half of the 20th Century
Nathan and Ben go off on tangents about meeting the Pythons in the wild, sped-up film, silent movie techniques, the comic strip "Peanuts", and police corruption. They also occasionally talk about sketches and moments, and tweak the Monty Python Minute. https://audioboom.com/posts/7419977-episode-05-man-s-crisis-in-the-latter-half-of-the-20th-century Sources and References On 24 September, 1956, Charles M. Schulz differentiates between "scratch"ing and … Continue reading Episode 05: Man’s Crisis in the Latter Half of the 20th Century
Episode 04A: Omnibus Interlude
The next episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus was delayed for two weeks, fifty years ago, so Nathan and Ben bring you a minisode about the programmes that aired its place in the interim. Tune back in on November 16, when Python is restored to its time slot! https://audioboom.com/posts/7406706-episode-04a-omnibus-interlude Sources: "Christopher Isherwood: A Born Foreigner" originally aired … Continue reading Episode 04A: Omnibus Interlude
Episode 04: Owl-Stretching Time
Nathan and Ben lounge in the Cardiff Rooms, Libya, and trace the Python troupe's running references to masculinity, plastic explosives, fresh fruit, interruptions, and whether those teeth (yes, teeth), in ancient times, walked over England's mountains green. https://audioboom.com/posts/7406705-episode-04-owl-stretching-time
Episode 03: How to Recognize Trees
Nathan and Ben muse on repetition, pedagogy, and other arboreal aspects found in sketches about a town full of Supermen, dirty cutlery, repetition, and a spot of innuendo down at the pub, if you know what I mean. Whoooooa, eh? Whoooaa. https://audioboom.com/posts/7399750-episode-03-how-to-recognize-trees
A Breath of Fresh Air
I was well into my high school stint of delving into all things Python in 1993 when my NPR-listening stepfather helpfully taped this interview off the air for me. I had formed the practice of using a dual-tape deck to take the best clips from interviews and pull them out as sound bites. On every … Continue reading A Breath of Fresh Air
Episode 02: Sex and Violence
Nathan and Ben discuss the difference between "avine" and "ovine" aviation, then take a look the the sketches about a man with three buttocks and men who secretly want to be mice, before unpacking the cultural impact of a classic primer for the French language. https://audioboom.com/posts/7390750-episode-02-sex-and-violence