Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar

Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar
GenreDocumentary
Directed byJack Cocker
StarringAlan Yentob
John Cleese
Terry Gilliam
Eric Idle
Terry Jones
Michael Palin
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Production
ProducersJack Cocker
Holly Gilliam
CinematographyJack Cocker
EditorsValentine Douglas
Andrew Quigley
Running time72 minutes
Original release
NetworkBBC 1
Release29 June 2014 (2014-06-29)

And Now for Something Rather Similar is a documentary about the Monty Python team as they prepare for their first live performances in 34 years. Airing on BBC 1 on 29 June 2014 as part of the Imagine series,[1] the programme is presented by Alan Yentob, who tracks down the five surviving Pythons in the months leading up to their Monty Python Live (Mostly) shows at the O2 arena in July 2014.[2]

Following the press conference announcing the shows and the team’s subsequent appearance on The Graham Norton Show at the end of 2013, Yentob catches up with each Python as they go their separate ways before reuniting in mid 2014. John Cleese is seen performing solo on his Alimony Tour and attending a book launch for his upcoming memoirs, So, Anyway. Michael Palin is in Yorkshire filming the supernatural drama Remember Me for the BBC. Like Cleese, he is also preparing for the launch of a book, in this case his third volume of diaries, Travelling To Work. Meanwhile, Terry Gilliam introduces a private screening of his new film The Zero Theorem and is also busy directing another opera, this time Hector Berlioz’s Benvenuto Cellini, while Terry Jones is shown directing his first film in almost 20 years, Absolutely Anything.[3]

While all this is happening, Yentob charts the progress of Eric Idle, who has taken on the job of directing the reunion shows. At one point they drive through Hollywood to collect Monty Python’s famous albatross from storage to return it to England - the stuffed bird having previously been transported to the US for one of Idle’s solo tours. Choreographer Arlene Philips and composer John Du Prez are seen rehearsing the dance routines and musical numbers respectively, while Idle works out the show's running order. Some sketches originally considered for inclusion, including "Gumby Brain Specialist" and "Custard Pie", would be cut from the final line-up.

The documentary ends with the five Pythons beginning a full dress rehearsal. The ten night run of shows began two days after the programme aired.

Cast

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Credits

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  • Jack Cocker - Cinematographer, Producer & Director
  • Holly Gilliam - Associate Producer
  • Valentine Douglas, Andrew Quigley - Film Editors
  • Alan Yentob - Series Editor

References

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  1. ^ "BBC One - imagine..., Summer 2014, Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar". BBC.
  2. ^ "Review: Imagine…Monty Python: And Now For Something Rather Similar, BBC1". Beyond The Joke. 29 June 2014.
  3. ^ Walsh, Collette (29 June 2014). "Monty Python reunion show's death insurance so high fans will only get their money back if TWO die". mirror.
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