Monty Python - Fish License

A man goes into the post office to buy a license for his pet halibut, Eric.

[@FoulMouthedChick]

"The man's sign must be wrong. I have in the past noticed a marked discrepancy between these post office signs and the activities carried out beneath. But soft, let us see how Dame Fortune smiles upon my next postal adventure." Sheer brilliance.

[@andrewthompson9714]

I love the way he reads the sign

[@NinjaOnANinja]

Ah yes, being educated makes you brilliant. Oh stop.

[@diah7130]

​@@NinjaOnANinjaThere's plenty of so called "educated" persons without the slightest hint of linguistic affluence. The delivery of each line is not only concise but is indeed brilliant! Just ask my pet shoe Erik: 👞

[@NinjaOnANinja]

@@diah7130 yes, because most people don't grow up the way he did. Most don't really care about crap like that. Still doesn't make you brilliant. Just make you educated.

[@experi-mentalproductions5358]

@@NinjaOnANinja Let's see you write a funnier sketch then.

[@Sofs1994]

'it's people like you what causes unrest'.

[@CamH434]

Sofs1994 I still use that line whenever someone pisses me off!

[@Srd1126]

The "cat-detector van" is a spoof of the "TV detector vans" they have in Britian, a reference lost on us yanks.

[@BrummieAvenger]

'It's people like you what causes unrest' - It's lines like that that really stick with you. That and ''ad an 'addock.'

[@DieFlabbergast]

+EriolTolkien *loony, also "recherche" (no accent)

[@larrydoss9284]

I can't tell you how many times I've used that line!

[@Mrlzman]

This should be on the curriculum of any sketch-writing class. Praline, played pitch-perfectly by Cleese, believes 1000% in his mission, even if he thinks it is mundane. He is fighting for his reality. If there had been any doubt, the whole thing would have collapsed.

[@Leto_0]

Making shit up 🙄 Doubt adds another layer of difficulty, plot, and immersion.

[@sarcasmo57]

@@Leto_0 Sure, maybe.

[@whyhatestrangers]

Cleese is displaying Sovereign Citizen Syndrome

[@richardkammerer2814]

The fish ate the cat and the dog, then.

[@Mr.Monta77]

This perfectly describes the MAGA cult.

[@judet5426]

The way he sticks his head through the hatch and screams "IIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSS!!!!" Has me in hysterics every time 😂😂😂😂

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

"All right, then.... a bee license!" "A license.. for your pet Bee? Called Erik? Erik The Bee?" "No.... Erik The Half-Bee...... he had an accident."

[@dedgeroo4665]

Lah Dee Dee, 1 2 3, Eric the half a bee....

[@blindleader42]

@@ohgosh5892 licence/license. In American English both the noun and the verb, not just the verb, are spelled with an 's'. Sorry, you thing it's wrong, and don't check before incorrecting someone.

[@langdalepaul]

I love him carnally!

[@thomasread2667]

​@@langdalepaulsemi carnally

[@langdalepaul]

@@thomasread2667 Cyril Connolly?

[@bevistaylor6598]

I'm a relative of Sir Gerald Nabarro, and just for the record, he didn't have a shrimp called Simon, but he was chairman of the Dorset Asparagus Growers Club.

[@kamion53]

meaning the shrimp was named different?

[@GuyMontag0451]

​@@kamion53thank you

[@PamelaValemont]

That's worse

[@quasarsphere]

What was his asparagus called?

[@animaltvi9515]

​@@quasarsphereeric

[@pocketlint60]

I love how this sketch is basically just the internet.

[@futavadumnezo]

Most underrated Monty Python sketch imo.

[@Penningtontj]

pocketlint60 This isn't just the internet, it's also working in any public service role where you have to deal with the general public. And to a lesser extent all retail jobs.

[@hemipemi]

No it isn't. When he pulled out the book to reference his claim, the person he was talking to conceded and offered him an apology. That would never happen on the Internet!

[@randomisedrandomness]

Yes it is.

[@hemipemi]

No it isn't!

[@TallyRocky]

It’s people like you what causes unrest! 😂 I’ve used that line myself many times. One of my favorite Python sketches

[@dummatube]

One of my favourite Python sketches! I named my pet lab rat ‘Eric-The-Half_A-Rat’ and all of my students used to bring him presents!

[@terryhennigan3911]

Bet all the students were called Eric too 😂

[@ultimtdisc]

These two are just brilliant together.

[@LPChipi]

Absolutely. I feel all the pythons have amazing chemistry, but Cleese-Palin are on a league of their own.

[@IsoscelesKramer]

But soft, let us see how Dame Fortune smiles upon my next postal adventure!

[@Dowlphin]

The frustrated look directly into the camera was excellent.

[@darkprose]

"The man didn't have the proper form." LOL. Marcel Proust had a haddock! Only the Monty Python troupe could be at once utterly esoteric and utterly hilarious.

[@alice8754]

How they didn’t crack up during the “is”, “isn’t” argument is beyond me 😂 especially John’s facial expressions and voice 😂❤️

[@TylerLL2112]

Because they went to that argument clinic. It helped.

[@EugeneOneguine]

You know they just don't shoot these in one take ?

[@tylernichols6768]

@@EugeneOneguine How observant of you. You know, people already know that and can still respect that someone did it at least once without fucking up and laughing or missing a line? Crazy I know..... some people are just happy and can enjoy things, maybe you could learn a thing or two from them. Just food for thought.

[@1st2nd2]

​ twas N0T an argument, twas a contradiction!

[@MSCViolin]

He should've had a fish called Wanda.

[@jakejones9097]

No he should t

[@MSCViolin]

Jake Jones Yes he should! Now is this a 5 minute argument or the full half-hour?

[@ChekkoVisban]

No he shouldnt.

[@MartTLS]

I’ve told you once

[@Tamashikiri]

Cleese screaming "ISSSS!!!!" into the grille like a maniac is priceless.

[@XemawthEvo2]

John Cleese basically brings a Looney Toons sketch to life with this preformance

[@princeofdaftness]

My cat is called Erik thanks to this sketch, and so was a previous cat too

[@StamfordBridge]

I hope you have a licence for the Erics.

[@princeofdaftness]

@@StamfordBridge that Erik lived to 21 years old , we now have another Erik

[@StamfordBridge]

@@princeofdaftness May Erik II live even longer.

[@o00nemesis00o]

@@StamfordBridge That would have to be a descendant of Erik, but I expect that this was an unrelated cat, so he/she should be called Erik, not Erik II.

[@simonatford1]

@@o00nemesis00o If he occupies the position of Cat and has the same name he is Eric II. Cats are like Kings only more important.

[@queenastilon]

The ending had the Lord Mayor coming into the post office. But on Monty Python's Previous Record (I used to have that) it ended with Cleese asking for a bee license. "Eric the bee?" "No. Eric the half-bee. He had an accident" ....and then goes into the song Eric the Half A Bee (it's in the side bar).

[@genepoole1771]

The song Eric the Half a Bee is quite the funniest thing. I laughed so much I nearly vomited.

[@nigeldepledge3790]

"Take it away, Eric the orchestra-leader . . ."

[@veryrancid3128]

I have the same record🤣 it also has the story of the king who made his daughters suitors pass a suitor test by jumping out of a very tall tower

[@Tsphere]

Python's best sketches tread on the line between brilliant and disturbing.

[@throttlemccrackin1877]

This how I feel every time I have to go to the DMV.

[@derekp7864]

Then its you own fault. The DMV is not where you go to get a fish license.

[@NuisanceMan]

No, you have to go to the DAV-BD: the Department of Aquatic Vehicles, Biotic Division.

[@cdub2k351]

I'm 32 and I wasn't even born when Monty Python made these skits and I will say that their comedy is timeless

[@drapas]

I am 20 and I am wholeheartedly agree.

[@newperve]

Then you might not have gotten the "Cat Detector Van" reference. There is a license fee for owning a television set in the UK and the government used to claim they had detector vans that could tell if you had a TV and no license. It was a bluff but it worked.

[@milascave2]

cd: They made a decision not to focus on the issues of the day, such as a particular politician, but instead on broader situations, such as politicians in general. Because of that, it is timeless, while other comedy shows that focus on the current situation may be good at the time but tend to age quickly.

[@chucknola484]

so true

[@neithere]

Michael Price thank you! As a foreigner, I realize that I get only a part of their jokes, and sometimes I wonder how big is that part, but anyway even a fraction of _that_ was once enough for me to put way more effort into learning English; it was a decade ago, and I'm very grateful to the Pythons for that.

[@Gruntol5]

Book on Attaturk by E.W Swanton (he was a cricket commentator!), forward by Paul Anka (50's pop singer!). Brilliant & crazy Cleese. Bloody marvellous!

[@DieFlabbergast]

*foreword

[@nathanrye]

I thought the book was real

[@emimoon1712]

Oi mate, you got a license for that fish?

[@kajmak]

Loicense*

[@lewisconroy6225]

Oi m8, you got a loicense for that correction?

[@bigbird2451]

Good job making my click money seventeen years after posting. Well done Sir!

[@karanrajguleria9073]

It's people like you what cause unrest. Thank you.

[@DieFlabbergast]

"He's an 'alibut. I chose him out of thousands. I didn't like the others, they were all too flat." One of the great classic comedy lines of all time, but the audience didn't catch it - sigh.

[@RandomAmerican3000]

Are you saying the joke fell... flat?

[@blindleader42]

@@mohamadmahmoud6926 Just where does he say the audience didn't understand the joke? He said they didn't catch it, which is not the same thing. But that isn't why you posted. You just felt a need to call someone a circle jerking fucking loser. Must have been looking in the mirror.

[@DieFlabbergast]

@@RandomAmerican3000 In a manner ... of speakin'

[@garethb1961]

It's brilliant and it goes on to the bee license. Eric the bee? No, Eric the half-bee! Funniest song in the history of the Universe

[@vardellsfolly5200]

Long live the half-a-bee!

[@leopold7562]

Cyril Connelly?

[@keithterry2169]

Half a bee philosophically, must ipso facto, half not be.

[@theuglybiker]

Ho-ho-ho Tee-hee-hee Eric The Half A Bee

[@Gruntol5]

John Cleese at his most manic. Absolutely brilliant and wonderful.

[@lexagon9295]

I love the bit with the book about Kemal Ataturk, the "author" E.W Swanton was a famous cricket commentator and the forward written by Paul Anka (famous singer)

[@Gruntol5]

John Cleese at his most bizarre and hilarious. Just his facial expression when he comes in is enough to get me going.

[@michaellavery4899]

I'll bet they are.

[@kamaeqaf]

i just LOVE that sketch. it is one of the most funny scenes ever made for comedic purposes. Thanks a bunch for posting!

[@scrubjay93]

I was sure that Eric the Half-a-Bee was going to put in an appearance, but it was my addled brain mixing up bits.🐝🐟

[@DobermanCrew]

i am 23 and i really love monty python movies and when i was looking for some scenes from Monty python and the holy grail i found these sketches ...... and i really enjoy them , i do not think it is a fact of age , but rather a fact of intelligence .... today's comedy is just people acting stupid , and that is just sad , but these older comedy sketches have a message .......

[@dharmaseed]

Has anyone else noticed that everyone's name in this sketch is Eric? The customer is Eric Praline, the cashier's name is Eric Last, the fish's name is Eric, the dog's name is Eric and the cat's name is Eric. The fruit bat's name is also Eric.

[@nigeldepledge3790]

And don't forget Eric the half-a-bee, who is only mentioned in a re-recorded version of this sketch.

[@Pikashockdragon]

Pity Eric Idle wasn't in this skit. :p

[@nigeldepledge3790]

@@Pikashockdragon - he was Eric The Orchestra-Leader in the version that was recorded for LP.

[@pfarnsworth84]

​@nigeldepledge3790 "Take it away, Eric the orchestra leader!"

[@TheZombiePimpernel]

You mean you've got Monty Python: The Final Rip Off. Wonderful album, and the version of this sketch (and the parrot sketch) on there is amazing.

[@whitechair3846]

How they kept a straight face in these shows is beyond me >

[@TimothyMathews]

They require cat licenses in Australia, as they're an introduced species. Fees are payable to the local council.

[@JeremyRight-zi4yp]

Utterly ridiculous

[@leftcoaster67]

Do they have Shark licenses?

[@smonson78]

the local loony you mean

[@InfiniteEcho99]

Came here from Elon's interview with Lex..

[@Core1138]

Same brah, same. 🤣👍

[@hiphopanoyomous]

Same same.....

[@bloodhammer27]

Now I have the urge to name all my future kids and pet Eric!

[@wehosrmthink7510]

Mine already is.

[@anne40hillpiggott30]

Cleese does menace better than a lot of actors in this era....😮

[@derekcouzens9483]

Born in 1951 saw it originally. Can you image what a culture shock it was in comparison to the American and English sitcom like Sgt Bilco or Terry and June?

[@PureNeptune]

"The ministry of housinge" 😂

[@OmniscientWarrior]

But does he have a license to have those licenses?

[@AcidFlorist]

Their is-isn't fight is the best part of this video. You can't not-laugh when witnessing John's faces there

[@pyrobreather1]

It's what he does in his spare time.

[@mike129995]

I should really get some sleep... Right after I watch one last Monty Python video.

[@hungfao]

The only person or animal not named Eric in this sketch is Eric who is called Carl.

[@NapBoney]

An alibut

[@Kelly14UK]

Isn't it a flat fish, bottom of the sea?

[@Dowlphin]

I believe it is written "an halibut". ... Or "Anne Halibutt".

[@AsbestosMuffins]

john cleese, such a serious silly man.

[@plywoodcarjohnson5412]

It's a parody on a Clint Eastwood stare down. It's John Cleese acting out his inner looney. Scary, funny and fascinating. The unability to choose your battles.

[@Modified67]

DID, DID, DID, DID, DID, DID, DID!

[@bryanmason76]

I have been watching Monty Python since I was in the early teens and as I have the upmost respect for every member I have to say that John Cleese can act rings around the rest of the troupe

[@mysterioussquirrel4456]

I grew up on Monty Python. My parents didn't get it. They grew up on Morecambe and Wise and World War Two. As a teenager, it was as important to me as was John Peel and Alan 'fluff' Freeman. Without Monty Python we would not have had Fawltey Towers and Michael Palin would not have travelled the World and show us how lucky we are and how we should value what we are. And that power and wealth isn't spread among we humans equitably.

[@thrashkid665plus1]

+Mysterious Squirrel youre everywhere, aren't you?

[@mysterioussquirrel4456]

Prakhar Aggarwal I try to be.

[@onevastanus]

It's not a usual case that growing up on python would create such a loony as you. You're lucky your parents grew up though, I'm pretty sure mine never did.

[@DieFlabbergast]

You have your time-frame skewed. The Monty Python shows (1969-1974) were roughly contemporaneous with the Morecambe & Wise shows (1961-1983). If you watched Python as a teenager, you would have been watching M&W during the same years. Your parents would have grown up on the Goon Show, Flanagan & Allen, Hancock's Half-Hour, etc.

[@onevastanus]

You know his family better than he does? Wow.

[@halburd1]

oooooh this guy is so clever he found a way to get free arguments on his lunch break!

[@richardbrown1189]

Pity we didn't get to see the Lord Mayor at the end! Brilliant stuff.

[@51yourtimeisup]

"Mr. Last" lol

[@victorselve8349]

in Germany he would have good a licence in time with all Formulars and legal formalities in triplicate

[@knrdvmmlbkkn]

"in Germany he (...) formalities in triplicate" Realer irrsinn...

[@simonpenny2564]

in my opinion, on of Cleese's finest, along with the word association sketch, and the logician sketch , both originally on LPs.

[@fergusof]

I have a nephew named Eric. Sometimes I call him 'alf a bee! :)

[@cecilyalgernon]

I'm not a Briton, but I hope you don't mind me answering your question. :D Cleese here is acting as 'Eric Praline'. He appears several times in the python shows. He was in the 'Dead Parrot" sketch wearing the same style outfit. Its kind of his style - Eric Praline - its a a PACAMAN - a fold up raincoat. I guess he just likes wearing it. :D Eric Praline also sings, if your wondering - look for the song, Eric the Half a Bee

[@TeoTorriate]

Oh my god, I love them to death.

[@powrxplor69]

"why should I be tarred with the epithet "looney" merely because I have a pet halibut" LOL

[@SootyPhoenix]

As a self-declared looneyologist, I can confirm this looney is one fishy looney indeed.

[@jonguirl3942]

Cat Detector Van. Never seen so many ariels in all me life!

[@DieFlabbergast]

+Jon Guirl *aerials

[@casualagent7250]

Aerials

[@1aranel]

I had a rocky start of my day. Just watched this and feel much better. 😂

[@robertpeston6692]

I see this the whole time in British Post office's!!!!

[@halflifeger4179]

This is how I imagine all of my interactions with insane people on the internet

[@slackologist]

these guys were great.. love it

[@manw3bttcks]

I've always wondered what John Cleese was wearing in this sketch. Is it a rain coat? (looked it up) Ahh, it is, it's called a "Cagoule"

[@Gribbo9999]

No. A cagoule has no opening at the front and a hood. He's wearing a "Pakamac"

[@onevastanus]

With the oversized sleeving and full front I would have to demand that it is in fact a windbreaker.

[@DieFlabbergast]

It's a Pakamac.

[@guyfawkes9951]

It's a Pakacunt, Mac.

[@justvin7214]

I'm sorry, I think you'll find it's a Macuntosh.

[@OeditpusRex]

Good catch. The character's name is Mr. Mousebender; he appeared in a few other sketches as well, including "Current Affairs" in episode 18. ("Hello. 'Ow are you? I'm fine. Welcome to a new half-hour chat show in which me, viz the man what's talking to you now, and Brooky - to wit, my flat mate - and nothing else, I'd like to emphasize that - discuss current affairs issues of burning import.")

[@lafilledebeatles3]

I AM NOT A LOONY! Haha. I love that part.. John's so out there and Micheal's so calm haha. Gosh, they're amazing. ;]

[@morganfreemanwannabe]

How have I never seen this one? This is gold.

[@JustSomeCanadianGuy]

John Cleese's character should have had his own movie.

[@ClaudiaGonzalezKinkyFloyd]

And his raincoat ❤

[@87boombox]

4chan /b/ in nutshell..

[@StamfordBridge]

I wonder if he also had a pet half-a-bee.

[@yabbadabbadoo8225]

my ex father inlaw morphed into this loon in his 70's, the funniest fossil of all time. Had no idea where he was.

[@NFITC1]

This show amazes me. Most interviews I see involving it always has the cast saying things like they never knew if the episode they were filming would be the last on the air and that a good chunk of their dialog was purely improved. Yet it still always seems funny even if they recycle the gags.

[@ClockworkComputer]

Michael looks so beautiful every time there's a close-up of him. This is my favourite Python sketch ever. :) On another note - @ReitersOfTheStorm - Isn't.

[@carrianne1985]

john is great!!!his faces are so priceless!!hahah great stuff!!!

[@granthurlburt4062]

Nowadays he'd be on Facebook claiming the moon landings never 'appened!

[@MarxistKnight]

I love John's character here, they should have used it for more sketches, in fact it's the same one as the Parrot Sketch isn't it?

[@CliveofEngland]

Hello Sir Marxist, assuming you're still around after 14 years. Yes, this is 'parrot sketch' manic Cleese. Never seen this sketch and it's rather good, isn't it. If only our P Offs were as civil as these nowadays. Our local one is staffed by surly Asians conversing with each other while reluctantly serving the public.

[@PoesRaven73]

@@CliveofEngland He’s even wearing the same see-through raincoat in both.

[@VijoPlays]

It also has a few touches of 'argument'-Cleese. The way he just denies for like 6 times until he 'wins' the argument

[@ClaudiaGonzalezKinkyFloyd]

​@@PoesRaven73I do love that raincoat!!! (and also John)

[@herakleitus]

I wish this clip included the Lord Mayor with his powerful thighs.

[@jtcorey7681]

The Department of Housinge.

[@Poopaloo55]

It's a Pac-A-Mac...a thin plastic raincoat you carry for unexpected downpours...not really intended as a regular garment and used here to identify the 'type' of character (eccentric nutter!)

[@PointyTailofSatan]

I wonder how much comedy the MP members thought up that was based on classical literature, like Shakespeare, that was never used because they thought no one would understand it?

[@jimthorne304]

I bet the number of people who have read any Proust at all is pretty small, but MP did a 'Summarizing Proust' contest, in which contestants had to summarize the entire work in a few seconds. None of the contestants were any good so the prize went to the girl with the biggest tits.

[@douglassun8456]

I suspect that they never held back. There are erudite references all throughout the TV series, and I'm quite sure they were aware that it added a whole extra layer to their comedy.

[@arnaudmoos8098]

Just do it when the occasion arouses, it is very rewarding. I got a customer once who said: ' The devil is among us ! " , I replied with: ' How do you do ? " and I gave him a hand. His eyes became a shilling and his his mouth fell open, after this he retracted his hand and fled through the open door. He hasn't been seen since ...

[@henrylivingstone2971]

I like how he carries around the “cat license” 😂😂😂

[@gewglesux]

"i shall have to ask you to step outside"

[@Halfbloodalchemist]

Im American too, but I grew up with British Humor as a staple in my life (american humor just doesn't really cut it for me anymore). Therefore the references, jokes etc. make perfect sense to me. Its something you have to grow onto or have grown up with I suppose. Watch more Monty Python!!! You'll get it!

[@heyjoesoap]

Why is it that this sketch seems to be so much more professionally filmed than most other Flying Circus sketches?

[@ingvarhallstrom2306]

This isn't from the Flying Circus tv-series but from the film "And now for something completely different" a one and a half hour feature film where they remade a lot of the sketches from the tv-series. So it actually is technically superior, being filmed on 35mm with better sets and rehearsed acting. Though it lost some of the spontaneity of the tv-series.

[@padalan2504]

When someone asks for your sources in a discussion about a random topic, this is what I'd love to do.

[@PerspectiveEngineer]

Never better! ❤️

[@328shirley]

I've got no license for my pet dog, Looney!

[@ultimtdisc]

I don't have a license for my pet cat, Erik. Erik Too, actually. Not to be confused with Erik (the first cat) or my pet budgie, Erik.

[@328shirley]

There's also the half a bee!

[@TetchedFlame]

I had one for my pet parrot, but it expired, and then the license ran out

[@ReyaitheShadowWolf]

... "houzinge"?

[@Dowlphin]

Housinge

[@Mnemonix8001]

looney detector van more like @@Dowlphin

[@fhuber7507]

The most unbelievable paert was the bureaucrat unwilling to collect a tax, even if fictional.

[@JAIGH83]

I've dealt with customers like Cleese lol. "Can you send me a letter signed by your board of directors stating that I am no longer in debit to your company?" "erm.....no I can give you a payment reference number and a receipt" "put me onto your manager NOW!"

[@Ag3nt0fCha0s]

We’ve all been there

[@Gasoline85]

The way he says it as well as his facial expression, is just perfect.

[@vardellsfolly5200]

"IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

[@Hyoukikyo]

I have to admit that this one of their skits that i do not understand yet.

[@AnArtistAtWork]

Beautiful sketch!