Confuse-A-Cat ~ Monty Python's Flying Circus

Confuse-A-Cat Ltd. -- The service to call when you're at your wits' end about your cat, who is suffering from what we vets haven't found a word for.
"Monty Python's Flying Circus" -- Season 1, Episode 5

[@probablygraham]

This was the first Python sketch I ever saw. The next day at school everyone was asking everyone else if they had seen it and we weren't even sure what the programme was called but we all knew it had "Python" in the name. Within weeks absolutely everyone was watching it. I have no idea how I managed to convince my parents that it was worth watching but they let me do so and all I can say is that if they are watching me from up there or down below they deserve a huge hug.

[@jonnyqwst]

Yup me too.

[@radish6691]

Down below? 😮

[@carlpayne8791]

The basement, where they live rent free, food free and air free. In fact, where they died……

[@ja-qk4vd]

Ow. I'm sure they are. Prob not literally up, but def from wherever they are.

[@EmpyrionBlackthorn]

One of my first. Saw it on Comedy Central, early nineties. Used to watch this and Black Adder like five days a week.

[@siggyretburns7523]

No cats were actually confused in this skit.

[@gargoyle790]

I wouldn't be so sure of that

[@ChrisMattern-oh6wx]

However, most of the audience was.

[@powerpointpaladin6911]

This skit defines what Python is. We are the cat.

[@bertferri-5685]

Shh!

[@ralph3333]

I'm confused. And I'm ok.

[@EmpyrionBlackthorn]

Well said

[@nostalgia6578]

​@@ralph3333🎵🎶 I sleep all night and I work all day!

[@deeprollingriver52]

“He’s suffering from a condition that we vets have not found a word for…..”😂😂😂😂

[@carlpen850]

I hired Puzzle A Puma once... it worked jolly good and I'm not lion about it

[@bobdobalina838]

Very dadaist, that confuse-a-cat show.

[@annoyed707]

I used to work for Stun-A-Stoat. It wasn't the best benefit package, but the people were fun to work with, and it's good to know you were doing something important for the future of stoatkind.

[@luisreyes1963]

I applied for a position in Bewilderbeest, Inc. but they didn't find me silly enough. 🧐

[@trevorsmith7753]

Thankfully, Lewgrad didn't buy them out, so they made their first million for themselves off the US market.

[@asdrubalanibal6853]

It’s all in a day’s work…

[@Edelgul1717]

Hey, gentemen, the new franchise - distract-a-dog had new opening for the experienced confusers.

[@eblizzard2842]

One of my favorite Python skits, so stupid lol. When Michael's voice cracks it kills me everytime. Bewilderbeast. Python crammed as much as they could into everything, love those guys so much for all the laughs since I've been a little tike.

[@Dhakadice]

Yeah, that's what I love about Python in general. Instead of a bunch of dumb guys trying to be clever, they were a bunch of genuinely smart guys actively trying to create the dumbest humor possible. ;D

[@bobdobalina838]

I just love how the cat plays along.

[@bertferri-5685]

Shh!

[@MsMesem]

"Your cat is in a rut." that is the line that got me.

[@dontbeyadick]

The way Graham clicks his tongue and crosses his eyes slightly right before he says "juicy mouse. " Graham was a genius in so many ways.

[@amazingsaint]

I think the cat did the best acting job on this lol!

[@lettuceprime4922]

I believe I just witnessed the creation of the language of the internet. Cats and randomness.

[@rareluck]

Yup! And the man even said "Wait for it!" at one point!

[@FrankHarwald]

OH LONG JOHNSON!!!!!

[@invest42morrow]

Frank Harwald oh I eyes ya.

[@nightw4tchman]

"Hope to god it worked"

[@avabethmcghee3048]

Makes perfect sense, given that the architects of the modern Internet cut their teeth on Monty Python.

[@ingloriousbasterd3067]

One of my favorite skits and being ex infantry myself I commend Python for getting the drill exactly right...even the "Wait for it!" part was exactly what happens some times and what the sergeant or sergeant major would say.Btw, there is the S.A.S.,the S.B.S. and these guys are the S.C.S....(Special Confuser Service.) naturally:)

[@jamesgornall6184]

Yep great drill also they do a fantastic generic old school middle ranking officer

[@Another_taco.Yes_please]

Hold my beer as well.

[@nooctip]

I was going to dismiss these people as amatuers. Really needing nine people to confuse just one cat. But they can freaking teleport. I bow to the masters of Confuse a Cat.

[@ciabattatom521]

I am a bit embarrassed to admit that I was confused much sooner than the cat.

[@beadbop]

No embarrassment is needed. You are amongst friends here. But if you do happen to see a penguin on a pogo stick, it would be best to call your healthcare professional ASAP.

[@ciabattatom521]

@@beadbop I thought the penguin on a pogo stick was part of the cure. (Drat! Now, I'm confused again.)

[@ralph3333]

@@ciabattatom521 Don't listen to him. He's trying to deconfuse u. Remember, the cost of freedom is eternal confusion.

[@ciabattatom521]

@@ralph3333 Thank God you replied in the nick of time! (I was at my wit's end.) If only more people would reply in the nick of time. Now that all is well, please excuse me while I enjoy this nice (smack-smack) juicy mouse.

[@ralph3333]

@@ciabattatom521 Lol. All in a day's work, ma'am and/or sir. Let me know if ur stockbroker's syndrome flares up.

[@cplinstructor]

I watched this with my cat. I thought it was funny, but she was very confused.

[@kevinpogue7294]

We studied Cat Confusing in theater and acting classes, along with the Method, Modern, Classical, and Shakespearean.

[@mattwardpictures]

I've always enjoyed the hell out of this sketch (especially Graham's bit as the 'vet'.) Great that we can achieve more feline confusion now with just a simple laser pointer.

[@mortalclown3812]

Wonderful to see these early sketches again. I was only ten when their program debuted. Fwiw, it's not as popular, I realize, but I used to know every word to "The Meaning of Life" - the entire film. Good lads, all.

[@MulToyVerse]

You know, they could of had the cat watch an episode of Monty Python and it would of done the trick.

[@goldenagenut]

Graham Chapman could say anything and make it funny!

[@NYCOPERAFAN]

Best actor in the troupe.

[@Missjunebugfreak]

I love the whole skit but my favorite bit is with Graham as the vet. His comedic timing was exceptional.

[@bertferri-5685]

Shh!

[@MrMusicbyMartin]

Best line: “Are you at your wits end?”

[@FloraWest]

I was just noticing how the set up of the premise that would often be quickly moved through with the three characters being almost entirely bringers of information that pays off later. This, however, has tons of great nuances and laughs, thanks to the 3 of them and the writing.

[@PhilBagels]

Who do I call to have my flamingo flummoxed?

[@letMeSayThatInIrish]

My favourite part is the reaction shots of the cat. Is it confused yet?

[@mh53j]

"I'm not personally qualified to confuse cats...."

[@paulgoogol2652]

the cat was thinking: "why am I watching this? what am I doing with my lifes?"

[@arthurmcvey8231]

Lives

[@soaringvulture]

I like lifes better.

[@numbtee8478]

...I believe the term is "lives" sir....

[@elias_xp95]

@@arthurmcvey8231 I would like your comment but it's on 9 and I think that's very fitting.

[@rolsmiller3849]

🦁

[@Lanooski1993]

ladies and gentlemen....WE.......are the cat here.

[@vardellsfolly5200]

Deep. VERY deep.

[@Lanooski1993]

***** then we'll conquer it together. BRING ON THE NONSENSE!

[@r.j.lombardi111]

***** Indeed sir.

[@annedonovan9005]

R. J. Lombardi As soon as we take a nice long nap. And play with our squeeky toy a bit.

[@juleswoodbury58]

ladies and gentlemen... he's captain obvious

[@MorshuArtsInc]

Wow! One of the few Monty Python sketches in which the cat doesn't explode in the end! I'm startled.

[@SingleTrack66]

I showed this to my Vole and he was amazed.

[@Rodgerdodger66]

The first time I saw this sketch in high school, I laughed so hard I couldn't breathe.

[@Masapotti15]

You made Mr.Bigglesworth confused. When Mr.Bigglesworth get confused, people DIE!

[@atreides8426]

SH

[@Mrcryptidsarereal]

No no, the cat's pining for the fjords!

[@AndyCigars]

+Acrymon "Pining for the fjords!!??"

[@beadbop]

+Andy Cigars What kind of talk is that?!?

[@hernancasasbuenas1636]

It is an EX...puss!!!!

[@viktorriquelme3735]

It's not paining, It has passed on! This cat no more! It has ceased to be! It's expired and gone to meet it's maker! This is a late cat! It's a stiff, bereft of life! It's rests in peace! If you hadn't nailed him to the tail he'd be scratching up the daisies! It has run down the curtain and joined the choir invisible!! THIS IS AN EX-CAT!!

[@numbtee8478]

LOL

[@EmpyrionBlackthorn]

Monty Python, Black Adder and Red Dwarf are my holy trinity of British comedy

[@ravenwolf7128]

YES!

[@EmpyrionBlackthorn]

😊@@ravenwolf7128

[@SeoulMan]

The first Monty Python sketch I ever watched. Thanks to a tape in the VHS rental shop.

[@mikefores3961]

Did the tape recommend the sketch to you?

[@benglaser1345]

I looked away from the boxing scene for one second and came back to see one of them dressed as Napoleon.

[@Svitlo37]

Is Confuse a Cat LTD. hiring? Dream job. That's God's work.

[@Draco_Alpha]

"WHAT BLACK MAGIC IS THIS???!" -Fluffy, November 2016

[@danboyle116]

One of my favorite parts was the credits. To be specific: 'Bewilderebeest.' Everyone says they hate puns, but the really clever ones can be downright funny as heck.

[@stargaazer99]

Good to see someone going to such lengths for something silly - all the effort in setting up the stage and bringing the whole troupe in...Completely ridiculous and absolutely wonderful!

[@guy-ub9ic]

I was mesmerized by the Penguin on the pogo stick myself. BRILLIANT!!! ;)

[@matt5415]

I’m obsessed watching Michael Palin and Terry Jones in this clip. My wife and I experienced the “nothing we can do” speech from the veterinarian. We probably looked the same way, which is why this is so funny.

[@dwdei8815]

Shhh!

[@arthurvandelay.]

And the controlling wife shushing every word of the husband lmao I know it because it's exactly what my mom does

[@kristy9337]

I'm sorry about your pet.😞

[@bgbdwlf408]

The vet in this skit is priceless. Love those expressions - sooo drama. The housewife is pretty hysterical too, the way she shushes her poor submissive husband every time he tries to talk. Love this skit. It ranks right up there with "Interesting People".

[@TheAgeOfAnalog]

This was the first MP skit I remember seeing. It was on a tiny B&W TV, on PBS, around 1977. I was hooked.

[@TheWoodsugar]

I love the shushing from Jones

[@whb1959]

Nothing like confusing a cat

[@whb1959]

heheehehe

[@fonziebulldog5786]

That diagnose coud fit every english citizen. 😄👍

[@MrPersonalityProductions]

I dunno about the cat, but I'm definitely confused...

[@annedonovan9005]

Mr. Personality Productions WEll then it worked.

[@HardwareG33k]

+Mr. Personality Productions so what you're realling saying is you're a cat

[@annedonovan9005]

I'm not so sure. My cats weren't at all confused by this. They were actually bored. One walked away half way through so he may NOT be a cat after all.

[@FTStratLP]

+anne Donovan If it walked away, it must have been confused!

[@ceecee685]

+FTStratLP or maybe just bored. lol. 😸

[@cgerman5]

cat: zero fucks given

[@marioluizdesa]

They are incredible. The funniest silliest sketch ever!!

[@benglaser1345]

Dear Sir, I wish to complain in the strongest possible terms about the performance which had just been broadcast. Many members of my friends and family have been befuddled by your outrageous antics and in an attempt to rationalize their confusion, are now certain that they are in fact cats. Yours etc., Mr. Whiskers

[@ShehrozeAmeen]

Dear Mr. Whiskers, We have taken note of your complaint and provide condolences for members of your friends and family. It is indeed a shame that they are not felline under the weather. Surely the cats have come out of the bag, and our instructions were unable to provide the necessary solution to this problem. It is unfortunate that we have unable to find a solution to this problem yet. We have literally limited funding for our research and development division. Kindly share the number of friends and family affected by this phenomenon. Fur every purrson affected we will provide three coupons: one is a coupon providing three months cat litter, one is a coupon providing kebbles (if they have special preference, kindly share), and one is a coupon for a free tour of the Ministry of Silly Walks. We thank you for bringing this to our attention, and we will endeavor to make the solution pawsible. Yours etc., Gen. Felinethropy Chase (Mrs.)

[@annemalloy4490]

Ben Glaser .

[@meatshield_]

This cat could not care less.

[@1emmajones]

This really is my favourite monty python sketch. ❤❤❤❤❤❤you have to confuse cats. You just do. It makes them happy. ❤❤❤

[@mortalclown3812]

This has Mr. Gilliam written all over it, mates.

[@Clive697]

Agreed. The visual effects alone showed his input. Similar effects in the Holy Grail and Time Bandits films.

[@mauritzvonsydow6569]

Suddenly I realise, as if with a shrug of my head that I've strayed from the path of hilariousness, to the madness which is the forgotten Monty Python scenes. Att one point we're laughing at the people on the screen, in the next moment we keep on laughing although we should actually be leaving as no one is actually enjoying themselves. Humour as it was first intented, I'd say! Splendid work sirs!

[@mikefores3961]

wait, how do you shrug your head?

[@kimmonroe2078]

Loved these guys 30 years ago and they still make me laugh 😆

[@jamesbowden3786]

Yes not half my old beauty!! And none of them ever tried to bit any babies on the head.

[@RoseluvsHHR]

One of my top 10 favorite sketches. Sooo random. Love when the workers just disappear off screen XD. Everything about this one makes me lmao.

[@isaiahjames8381]

I wonder if Terry Gilliam had anything to do with the human stop motion thing. That was amazing!

[@Esplodiamoinallegria]

It's very likely

[@Warmaka]

I can relate to that cat

[@camit5153]

This is my favourite sketch!

[@paktype]

One of the great Monty Python skits.

[@thexalon]

It's a man's life in Confuse-a-Cat Ltd!

[@MM-zs7ir]

ROFL. I remember watching this in the 70s and pretty much pee'd my pants laughing.

[@dr_lazer4694]

I-I don't-what? how did-why would you-who would? WHY AM I SO CONFUSED!?!?

[@gus3martin198]

You're a cat, then.

[@dr_lazer4694]

I will inform you good sir/madam that I am not a cat. I'm a kitty.

[@KneelB4Bacon]

_"To be blunt, your cat is in a rut."_ lol.

[@darktreeton1]

Palin talking in his native Sheffield accent

[@Maddog3060]

It's all just to have the joke names at the end. XD That whole sketch, I'm willing to bet good money it was just made to provide context for the joke company names. XD

[@TonyWhite22351]

Most likely started with bewilderbeast !

[@DogOfKrondor]

baffle a badger! flummox a flamingo! dumbfound a donkey! perplex a panda! disconcert a duck!

[@ansar68pk]

and the cat is thinking, "How the hell did I get to this part of mewtube"

[@NoMoreNever]

Still cracks me up! Bless you, Monty Python!

[@kristinar1082]

Bewilderebeest!

[@ImInLoveWithBulla]

Can we just appreciate how smooth the cutting and editing is in this? The hats on the boxers is so smooth, it took me several watches to even notice it.

[@beadbop]

We have Terry Gilliam to thank for that seamless editing.

[@mitchellpak1666]

Classic Python. It never gets old.

[@iacomuslycanthropus7466]

12 years ago. Jeez time flies. I hope you're well, beadbop, wherever you are.

[@beadbop]

I'm right here, living a happy and quiet llfe in the Netherlands with my hubby and our three confused cats. No complaints from me, man!

[@CarolineMartin-rz8wf]

I've only seen some of the sketch, it was filmed edenfeild gardens worster park Surrey in about 1971 it was my mother in laws house, Michael palin borrowed my wife's pogo stick, love to hear from anyone

[@shipofthesun]

I love surrealism.

[@Snailbarf]

there will never be anything like this again. I love the way they played with the film editing. As a Brazilian gardener sitting on the toilet watching this in my head, I feel I can say, without qualification, that the digital age has ruined comedy.

[@ajcarmageddon]

Snailbarf I would have to agree. There is a certain warmth to this comedy that spanned through the entire montry python series of shows and movies. The comedy doesn't have to make sense. It's stupid but incredible genius work all at once.

[@calliarcale]

@Claystead If you watch it enough times, it's inevitable. ;-)

[@Redbeardian]

Holy shit!! This is how I get my cat to come inside!!! I thought I'd invented it!

[@bullittcharger68]

Definitely in the top 3 with The Bishop and Archaeology Today.

[@conoba]

Good thing I have this video to confuse a cat. Should it ever happen I have the need for it.

[@nerdstark9002]

I think this is their best scetch.

[@ragohwhiteclaw7462]

This entire sketch was written for the benefit of the build-up to 'Bewilderebeest', that was the ultimate payoff. Classic Python writing XD

[@StevenCampbell1955]

I'm pleased that it all worked out for the cat and the owners. How sad making to contemplate a cat that just sits and stares, stares at nothing, bored, unable to get up and go. I weep with delight for this remarkable return to normalcy. What a fine bunch of chaps are these lads from Confuse-a-cat. well done men. It is this sort of determination and skills that have kept Britain safe, in the hands of her Royal Majesty and have slaughtered our enemies in far flung fields. These brave men, and women now that we are in Europe, will be that backbone of our defensive forces who will gladly lay down their lives for cats everywhere. Or protect foreign types from coming over here and spreading disease, raping our unwilling and taking out jobs. yes, jobs that we don't really want to do but need doing so that the country is neat and tidy but they smell so we don't want that, do we.

[@StevenCampbell1955]

That technique has worked well in other places. Let's see how the Masters of Confusion accomplish this trick. Godspeed and fair winds, England. Hide from the world in plain site. Who will miss them first?

[@moondawg3693]

I believe your hoping for "Confuse a Muslim". You're certainly not alone in this.

[@alienz8641]

Somebody should go to the overacting part of the hospital.

[@jamesbowden3786]

Are you an escaped extra from the “Prejudice” sketch by any chance?

[@Muckylittleme]

" Or protect foreign types from coming over here and spreading disease, raping our unwilling and taking out jobs. yes, jobs that we don't really want to do " This comment did not age well, with its satire fuelled by liberal sensibilities.

[@mikedangelo6602]

Funniest thing about that skit is the segue back to the cat. I wonder where the cat is today?

[@pierrev1194]

It's dead.It has ceased to be.It's gone to meet its maker.It's an ex-cat.!

[@nickdavison9771]

I hope to god it works.... lol. This is my favorite M.P sketch

[@maximillianford9301]

I died when Bewilderbeest popped up in the credits.

[@leggodt6340]

The cat is suffering from what we experts call: being a cat.

[@jay-eh4nv]

I fear you have all been confused by these shysters, never enlist their likely overpriced services. What really happened was, while they set up their elaborate, and most expensive, props, they had a break in expert enter the house and replace the litter in the cat box with fresh litter and by using techniques that one can only learn from the best of spy schools also placed cat treats, cat toys, and a bit of catnip in strategic locations throughout the household. I make this post on behalf of the Better Cat Doing It's Business Bureau.

[@moondawg3693]

Why couldn't they just simply changed the cat litter and placed cat treats, cat toys, and a bit of catnip, in the first place. This does sort of explain why there were more actors in the Cat Confusing game, than working in all of the film and television industry, put together. Could this all have been a ploy, to put unemployed actors back to work ? Hmmm, it's now become perfectly clear, why Cat Confusers had to be members of The Film & Television Actors Guild.

[@Kittymouth]

This is blatant astro-turfing! This man is in the pocket of Big Scratchingpost!

[@jamesbowden3786]

Or the cat just wanted it’s dinner, and then to go and s**** in next doors flower bed (s).

[@cartmanrlsusall]

Awesomely stupendous good job lads

[@nitramruk]

how on earth could they possibly think up something so weird in their heads?

[@pierrev1194]

LSD was very popular at the time .and people made very good music back then??

[@TheGrant59]

“In a way…in a way..hmm..moping”

[@cnrspiller3549]

I believe that whole sketch was created simply so they could scroll the pun "Bewilderbeast inc." up the screen.

[@TrueBlueYoshi]

Confuse a cat, or Confuse a audience. Either way its funny xD

[@lylechipperson5913]

Never gets old

[@ingonowack3839]

Hilarious! Absolutely hilarious! Love them lots 🤩🥳😍🥰! Long live the Pythons 😘!

[@Theseniorlist]

OMG that is odd and hilarious at the same time... :)

[@KelvinClone]

ennui, angst, weltzschmerz call it what you will...Moping?

[@8teillumin]

Love this sketch as it is very inspired by spike Milligans Running, jumping standing still film

[@KokoRicky]

1, 2, 1, 2, get those funny things out!!

[@adj789]

I want to confuse my cat now

[@garymcaleer6112]

Only the Brits! Who needs today's modern special effects when we have Monty Python?