Monty Python - Travel agent sketch & theory of the brontosaurus

Monty Python's Flying Circus - Episode 31. Featuring Michael Palin, Eric Idle, John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones & Carol Cleveland. Original broadcast date: Nov. 16, 1972.

[@smujismuj]

Idle's ability to ramble on endlessly is astounding.

[@Dr.Thirteen]

it truly is!! I don't see how he does it so easily

[@madaknevarski6478]

he did it in full at the 'Live at the Hollywood Bowl' while wandering around the audience, pure genius

[@bogdanpopescu1401]

@@peachsncream5808 what makes you think australian politicians are special?

[@wolf.eye._-]

He's always been my favorite 😂

[@johnb1150]

Apparently if they wanted a character to give a long involved speech they gave it to him cos he was the best at remembering lines, so to challenge him they'd naturally make the speeches longer and longer, this was one of them teasing him essentially.

[@spaceace1006]

The tyrade that Eric Idle goes on is pure genius! In a live performance, he took it even further, actually interrupting other sketches!

[@johnb1150]

Tirade

[@robbie_]

Did he? Ahaha. I wish that was on film.

[@johnb1150]

@@robbie_ it probably is, look on youtube, most of their live performances were captured on film.

[@quasarsphere]

@@robbie_ I'm pretty sure the whole Hollywood Bowl show is on YT.

[@tobyhart]

What a silly bunt

[@1blastman]

The brontosaurus sketch is an early preview of a Kamila Harris speech.

[@rikspring]

No politics plz 😮

[@kenchristie9214]

Could have been worse. It could have been a Diaper Donnie verbal diarrhea. The Mango Moron eats a dozen cans of alphabet soup and just lets the word salad spew out.

[@jay-day]

They had a live performance where Eric Idle does this endless prattle bit while John Cleese, dressed as a doctor in a white lab coat, attempts to lead him offstage - he runs through the aisles of the live audience in random directions, prattling on and on and on... hilarious! 😆😂🤣

[@kimberlyjfurey4699]

Live At The Hollywood Bowl

[@Serreski]

Sounds shit

[@CippiCippiCippi]

I'm in awe of Eric's epic performance

[@StavrosSachtouris]

and of epic's Eric performance as well.

[@richardkammerer2814]

It’s all well to watch a performance by Eric.

[@brianarbenz1329]

@@richardkammerer2814 Which belongs to Eric -- which is to say, is his!

[@patrickravier3038]

The various faces and expressions of Michael Palin never cease to crack me up ! You can read his feelings and empathize with him so wonderfully... He's one of a kind !

[@uncleernie7949]

NAIL EM UP OI SAY! NAIL SOME SENSE INTO EM!!

[@robbie_]

'angin around in bazaars?

[@Clavers1369]

You wegard his expwessions to be wisible??

[@user-lz6dm5lk9y]

I have not been able to laugh in weeks, but this made me laugh out loud. Laughter truly is the best medicine. Love these chaps!

[@tomitstube]

always marveled at eric idle's ability to do this. and the funny thing about monty python rants like this is they always make some sort of sense, it isn't just word salad, it's written out and scripted and makes sense while at the same time being completely ridiculous. in short they were brilliant, because they're just as good 45 years later. so go ahead high school/college acting departments, do this sketch, i dare you.

[@darksim1930]

They won't, which is just the sort of blinkered, philistine pig ignorance I've come to expect from their non-creative garbage. They sit there on their loathsome, spotty behinds squeezing blackheads caring a tinkers cuss about the struggling artist. *THOSE EXCREMENT! THOSE LOUSY, HYPOCRITICAL WHINING TOADIES! WITH THEIR LOUSY COLORED TV SETS AND THEIR TONY JACKLIN GOLF CLUBS! AND THEIR BLEEDING MASONIC HANDSHAKES! THEY WOULDN'T DO MONTY PYTHON, WOULD THEY? THOSE BLACKBALLING BASTARDS! WELL I WOULDN'T WANT TO WATCH THEM DO MONTY PYTHON NOW IF THEY WENT DOWN ON THEIR LOUSY, STINKING, PURULENT KNEES AND BEGGED ME!*

[@redfallxenos4585]

@@darksim1930 Nobody cares

[@darksim1930]

Not really all that familiar with Monty Python, are you?

[@Longtack55]

​​​@@redfallxenos4585Misanthrope. (Just my theory, which is mine.)

[@Izahdnb]

The brilliant thing is there's always a sketch within a sketch. And a running joke like the shoe size.

[@enriquesanchez2001]

Ever since the 70s when asked for ID I always give my shoe size. JUST IN CASE, someone catches on! No one has ever caught on! ♥

[@lauriecook2399]

The only way this sketch could be improved is by having Eric/Michael continue their lines so as they are heard during the interview with Graham/John!

[@timhicks2154]

I remember learning that entire monologue spoken by Eric Idle. Such was, and still is, my love of Monty Python

[@davidconnellan6875]

They cut out the best joke. Eric says "what a silly Bunt" that's why there is so much laughter between "I'd never thought of that" and cutting back to Michael.

[@clivethereddevil3178]

I have that version on the vinyl LP. Maybe it was not shown on TV.

[@dragonoffski4501]

I know! what a bunch of bunts...

[@brianarbenz1329]

And yet "bunt" is nothing but a U.S. baseball term. Of course it was meant as something else.

[@davidconnellan6875]

@@brianarbenz1329 bunt isn't exactly an American only word. There are Bunt Cakes, also it is a general term for pushing or hitting. IE two rams bunted their heads together.

[@brianarbenz1329]

@@davidconnellan6875 I understand the cakes to be spelled "bundt." But your point still is taken. KZbin's censorship policies are pure bull _brap,_ as Mr. Smoke Too Much might say.

[@keithterry2169]

" Spell bolour with a K, Kolour. Oh, I never thought of that, what a silly bunt ! " Missing from TV sketch but on record.

[@spudger13]

This guy belongs in the argument clinic in the complaints room! :D

[@nineofclouds]

Sierra-Whiskey-Alpha-18 Eric Idle IS the complaints guy in the Argument Clinic! ;)

[@antpowell5974]

Hilary Moon No he isn't.

[@nineofclouds]

Ant Powell I went back and watched the argument clinic sketch, he most certainly is! :)

[@antpowell5974]

Hilary Moon Sorry is the fifteen minute argument or the full half hour?

[@markcombs5409]

Well played, sir.

[@AntonioSaucedo22]

Eric Idle's rant is truly epic.

[@fortepiano4491]

"Do you want to go upstairs?" But I came here for an argument!

[@NuisanceMan]

No, I came here for an endless monologue.

[@Drunkledore]

No you didn't.

[@SfuttTarawaa]

Yes he did.

[@Drunkledore]

Nope.

[@SfuttTarawaa]

He most certainly did.

[@therussmeister]

I want to go upstairs.

[@shack8110]

+therussmeister When Carol Cleveland asks if you want to go upstairs, the answer is not "what?".

[@michaelnewell4929]

For sure!

[@pryingeyes1551]

There's nothing but the skeletons of milkmen up there!

[@ramjet637]

I thought the very same thing. LOL

[@mejustme479]

@@pryingeyes1551 Haha Thats right. I almost forgot. 😉😂

[@paulmorgancollings7833]

They cut the quote from Eric Idle when told he should use the letter K instead of C, he originally said "oh, what a silly bunt" Brilliant.

[@EmpyrionBlackthorn]

"SHUT YOUR BLOODY GOB!" gets me every time 🤣🤣🤣

[@G2648875]

Anyone who experienced 1970s British package holidays to Spain will absolutely identify with this.

[@silvasilvasilva]

🎵Torremolinos🎵...

[@lpsp442]

I went on holiday to Ibiza in September 2001, and it was much the same as described here. The main difference was seeing 9/11 unfold on tv.

[@suzyqualcast6269]

Aye, unfinished Benidorm with iffy lifts, via Alicante when was but an airport.

[@LeoCoot]

every 5 seconds there is a brilliant joke from start to finish, it's so ahead of it's time!

[@georgesheffield1580]

Typical Brits .

[@cristinabumbac151]

It is still ahead of our time!

[@erepsekahs]

Really? ! Ahem. I saw every one of them coming and going. Crap. They were funny at the time. Unfortunately, no longer.

[@joedellamura9015]

@@erepsekahs😳

[@TheRamsberg]

Unbeknownst to the viewer, upstairs is where Carol Cleveland kept her ant farm collection.

[@margaritam.9118]

I like the word “unbeknownst” >_>

[@leandrog2785]

@@margaritam.9118 I like it too, it's got a sort of woody quality about it. UUUNNNBEEKNOOOOWNNNSSSST...

[@froboythestud]

Memorized sketches are so much better than those read off of a teleprompter!

[@simontay4851]

Autocue.

[@_letstartariot]

I just love how absurd Python skits are. I think witty and absurd are the 2 best descriptions for their work.

[@hansvandermeulen5515]

"Waiters called Manuel." That's where that name came from. Michael Palin is quite brilliant in this. As is thhe ever lovely Carol Cleveland.

[@smegweevil]

Magnificent performance by Eric! Massive respect!

[@robzrob]

I can still recite some of the lines. We were obSESSED with this at school.

[@bobupndowns4270]

Yes. We always imitated python, back in the day...

[@demonhoopa]

Hey it's missing the funniest part "Spell bolor with a K? Kolor. I hadn't thought of that. What a silly bunt".

[@synthonaplinth5980]

They probably only did that at the Hollywood Bowl.

[@demonhoopa]

You may be right. Myabe that joke was too blue for the BBC. I actually heard it on a Monty Python album I had when I was a kid. Not as familiar with the Hollywood Bowl performance

[@ThotProphet]

1:42

[@han5234]

demonhoopa It was originally included in this episode but the Beeb cut it out and scrapped the unedited recording, which is why you only hear it on the album and Hollywood Bowl performance. This also explains why the audience laughs so much at 1:53-2:00.

[@alltaken678]

Yes, if you listen closely you can even hear the splice at 1:53 where the laughter suddenly gets loud. But are we sure it was the BBC and not American TV that made the edit?

[@gschneyer]

You've got to give it to him, to be able to rattle that all off in one go is pretty impressive. He hardly stopped for a breath.

[@kimberlyjfurey4699]

I love Eric's cross-eyed bobblehead expressions

[@davidlincolnbrooks]

Priceless. As sharp and funny today as the day it was done.

[@katemctiernan7167]

The part where Cleese keeps coughing, Chapman looked like he was either going to laugh or punch Cleese.

[@Bisqwit]

+Kate McTiernan There was a running in-joke with Monty Python, where they deliberately tried to make their coactors laugh and break character, by acting as silly as possible. Chapman is really struggling to not break into laughter or smile. You can see it clearly in the closeup at 7:03.

[@nurlindafsihotang49]

Bisqwit well, how can a comedic troll can stand to not trolling eachother? in a great comedic troll ways. you should see the exploding penguins one

[@Discrimination_is_not_a_right]

+Bisqwit: The Tim Conway School of Comedic Acting, apparently.

[@wmiller2811]

The part where Bleese keeps boughing, Bhapman looked like was either going to laugh or punbh Bleese. There was a running in-joke with Monty Python, where they deliberately tried to make their boactors laugh and break bharacter, by abting as silly as possible. Bhapman is really struggling to not break into laughter or smile. You ban see it blearly in the bloseup at 7:03. well, how ban a bomedic troll ban stand to not trolling eabhother? in a great bomedic troll ways. you should see the exploding penguins one The Tim Bonway Sbhool of Bomedic Abting, apparently.

[@loosebuschangeenjoyer]

W Miller can you say the letter k?

[@OhFishyFish]

Meeting Carol Cleveland on 2007 Monty Python Day is the most exciting thing that has ever happened in my life.

[@OhFishyFish]

Yes, it was full of milkmen, some of whom were very old.

[@Soilwar]

So you gallantly chickened out and bravely ran away away?

[@BrainPolice5]

I had the BIGGEST crush on her when I was a kid.

[@jasobres]

You lucky lucky bastard.

[@GudieveNing]

Did you meet both of her?

[@lynstrom940]

I purchased the Monty Python box set a while back and every sketch is a masterpiece really. It's not just Dead Parrot, etc. Eric's epic travel agent tirade was also recorded live at the Hollywood Bowl word for word, a ten minute comedy monologue.

[@JosephineMiller]

eric idle is magnificant

[@Danimal77]

magnificent*

[@JamesKingsilentlife]

magnifibunt

[@IsoscelesKramer]

If Carol Cleveland asked me if I wanted to go upstairs, I'd think I'd died and gone to heaven!

[@ZacHawkins42]

frank tomasic gmilf for sure

[@rileymcguire4731]

I probably would've just gone upstairs then.

[@ghendar]

You got that right. She was stunning

[@autohmae]

Why the sketch didn't end right there and then, I have no idea.

[@jaslinc3371]

Of all the girls I ever saw on the screen she is always and ever will have something special that gets me everytime. Just lovely. Bless your soul.

[@Designer-Alan]

Annie Elk is John's recreation of Peter Sellers' character Bluebottle from the Goon Show, complete with voice, dialog, and the entire "what it is, which is mine" routine.

[@andrewmorrice9139]

Qu'est cu se mah Victor?

[@synthonaplinth5980]

"SHUTCH'YER BLOODY GOB!!!"

[@louiso.4325]

"Waiters called Manuel" I wonder if that has a connection with Fawlty Towers

[@pytheale2642]

It's a coincidence, since Fawlty Towers wouldn't have been created for 3 more years!

[@louiso.4325]

Makhia Foster what's even weirder is that Cleese didn't write that. It was Eric

[@louiso.4325]

Makhia Foster what's even weirder is that Cleese didn't write that. It was Eric

[@louiso.4325]

Makhia Foster what's even weirder is that Cleese didn't write that. It was Eric

[@coreytrevor9423]

Barney Os. Only problem is that faulty towers came afterwards

[@NameNotAlreadyTaken2]

i fuckin' died when he had to check his shoe size. it's a joke from earlier in the episode.

[@patrickmcindoe2973]

Thank you. Thank you for being able to see the Funeral Mass for Brian. A wonderful man and priest!

[@Maliceah]

That was incredibly long for a dialog, fantastic flow of thought. Love this!

[@Mistertbones]

Eric and Michael always perform the best together!

[@jackl9065]

you don't go to mt everest do you Michael? you just wait...

[@jasWerner-qt5wj]

What an incredible 👏 skit .haven't seen this for year's. Eric Idle was fantastic 👏

[@Mlog1]

This is so profoundly and almost unimaginably creative, compared to anything I've seen created in our time - I was trying to imagine a producer at SNL being shown a sketch as surreal as this by a writer today - the writer would be sacked.

[@marieadams3720]

And still replacing c's with b's. Ie. Bontinental. Extraordinary.

[@leonalm7510]

And the writers who wrote to the writers have been sacked

[@GudieveNing]

Even the BBC admitted recently they would never have sanctioned Python today because it was two 'white middle class' or similar. What a load of brap.

[@jand563]

@@leonalm7510 And then the people responsible for sacking the writers will be sacked.

[@wolf.eye._-]

And having sacked the last writers the ones that hired them were also sacked.

[@seanwilkinson3975]

I want to try cheese and onion crisps someday (that's a chip flavour I don't think I've ever seen in Canada - and we have 25,000 varieties, including bacon with maple syrup, BBQ ribs, and poutine) and several pints of Watney's Red Barrel. And I want to go back in time and upstairs with Carol Cleveland.

[@gg-gg-gg-gg]

cheese and onion chips are fucking good man. Canada has Cool Ranch chips which we don't get here in Aus.

[@greysquirrel404]

They're the best crisp flavour in the world as long as you don't count salt and vinegar.

[@Gilliganfrog]

LoL these dips are obsessing over chip flavors while ignoring the delicious idea of upstairs quality time with Carol Cleveland. Priorities jacked!

[@Garrett316]

She might just lock you in a room with a bunch of other customers and milkmen.

[@JofusSunshyne]

Absolutely amazing, Eric Idle; WHAT A TALENT!

[@catyear75]

I'd have gone upstairs right at the start ...

[@Dowlphin]

Yeah, missed opportunity; It went downhill from there. Or not.

[@limbobilbo8743]

This rant is the single greatest thing from any monty python sketch

[@voidofbeeswax]

The Theory of the Brontosaurus sketch is underrated.

[@thewordlove4316]

well, at least the theory is hers and hers alone!!

[@dackmont]

Ahem. Eh-HEM. *Eh-HEEEEK!*

[@bezzaderbane9890]

underrated? its just cleese coughing alot

[@Darkstar263]

I think the amount of coughing was uneccessary. The least funny part of the sketch.

[@bannork]

Eric Idle's finest moment imo, just brilliant.

[@stephenbarrette610]

I remember watching this live, me and my mates could recite the sketch from the album that was released. John Cleese’s ‘this is my theory Chris!’ somehow has stuck in my head for over 50 years, Pythons - awesome - my brain - very odd!

[@stephenbarrette610]

Of course, and this is just my theory, what I meant to say was when it was broadcast. And I might have seen the chaps do it at The Drury Lane Theatre in 1975.

[@ivanr3107]

jesus, that segway from first sketch to second was flawless

[@daveroche6522]

Legend. This one plus the Cheese Shop are my favourite sketches.

[@madaknevarski6478]

the bookshop is great too "Olsen's book of British birds - the expurgated version"

[@bobdobalina838]

Comic genius. Miss those days.

[@keithnaylor1981]

This is nine and a half minutes of sheer brilliance from Eric Idle and John Cleese.

[@funkyalfonso]

Carol Cleveland....OMG. 1.48 They cut out 'what a silly bunt.'

[@futavadumnezo]

They don't make women like they used to!

[@Himaryous]

I never listened closely to the speech before so I didn't realize he was complaining about how he takes a tour abroad and ends up not being able to escape English culture and really get an authentic sense of the country he's touring.

[@mlawren7]

His rant is based on truth. In Australia we have the trope of 'The Whingeing Pom' - English people who travel half-way around the world to get drunk and complain about everything.

[@Det0n8ted]

Michael Lawrence Same here in NZ. Even an airline pilot made an emergency landing on a flight from Heathrow to New Zealand because he thought the engines were seizing up. Turns out it was all the noise of the whinging Pom's in the back

[@TheWierdFish]

+Michael Lawrence We English are terrible tourists. As the exception, I accept that my fellow countrymen are largely useless. Not as bad as the Germans or the Yanks, but close.

[@jayneeisan6726]

What a delicious irony this is. Whinging is whinging even if it's whinging about whinging. Just to be perfectly clear, no I'm not whinging about you whinging about our whinging, I am just making a point, okay?....lol

[@royrowland5763]

+Foxtrot Oscar As a Yank, I have apparently been going about my overseas travel all wrong. I've always considered myself to be respectful to my hosts wherever I may be - never putting myself in a position that I might make a drunken scene, not even talking loudly when sober, and always picking up after myself. If things are done differently than in the country where I am from, I play along in my host country without gripes. Still, I hate to be a thorn in the side to stereotypes, so I'm confused about what I should do. I am flying into London-Gatwick one month from today; do I continue to be a respectful tourist, or am I supposed to act like my stereotype? If it's the latter, I apologize in advance for what I'm about to do.

[@TheWierdFish]

Rex Rowland There are always exceptions, I was generalising. The stereotype does have solid grounding in this case this though. Many Britons are awful tourists, and many Americans are worse. I always welcome a good tourist though, and as subverting negative stereotypes is one of my favourite things to do, I welcome anyone who does likewise. Good luck with your trip, I hope you have a nice time, and that this stupid winter storm has buggered off by the time you arrive. I'm sorry my sense of humour doesn't translate well in to text.

[@peddleandcrank]

Palin has such a wonderfully cheeky smile

[@shadekiahpops8988]

Just watched that a little bit stoned. It really is very good.

[@paulnolan4971]

The segue into "Thrust" killed me off 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@screwthenet]

I dont know why but I couldnt stop cracking up. Hell i swear Grahm never stopped breaking character through half the skit lol.

[@Rayoscope]

Brilliant slow burn by Michael Palin.

[@patricksmith4424]

His sketch alone would cement Monty python as the greatest.

[@robst247]

This was Eric Idle's finest hour. Alas and alack - he would never again soar to such a lofty pinnacle of eloquence.

[@LDixon007]

I want to get back to going upstairs with Carol, and having some Watney's Red Barrel!!

[@MLaak86]

"SHUT YOUR BLOODY GOB!!!"

[@williamking8033]

Someone else put it best, "Monty Python are like the Himalayas--vast and timeless."

[@nirmalsuki]

Each one of them is a legend of comedy...

[@snowwhitehair485]

I used to process charity donation cheques at a mailshot company. I came across some ridiculous surnames but never a Mr Smoketoomuch. My favourite was a Miss Gotobed. It was clearly printed on the cheque. The 'Do you want to go upstairs' receptionist in this sketch has just reminded me.

[@hungwilliam44]

what a silly bunt

[@deletesoon70]

Yes, disappointing. It's the buntless version and that's no fun.

[@NuisanceMan]

Oh, don't be a buntless bunt.

[@EnosEverything]

One hundred and fifty people have absolutely no sense of humour - absolutely brilliant.. I still have the original vinyl albums of all the releases in the early seventies and up to The Meaning Of Life... This brace of sketches are two of my faves...

[@jordansullivan5764]

I love those transitions between sketches.

[@DustinBKerensky97]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="408">6:48</a> Graham almost breaks for just a second. Eric Idle's ability to rattle off lines like that is amazing.

[@tesev.7703]

Eric Idle is such a legend!

[@Bronco541]

I love it when every second of the scene is packed with jokes and subtle humor

[@hankkingsley2976]

Truly epic rant.

[@barkotron]

Almost certainly my favourite Python sketch, fantastic stuff :)

[@blackmemory8512]

I want to go upstairs!

[@murrmurr765]

These guys were fuching returded and I love it. Imagine working with coming up with these jokes. Fantastic.

[@aktendulli]

I believe Graham must suppress his laughter at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="428">7:08</a>

[@kelvinfoote9897]

I love the Cleese woman character . His timing and pinched, prissy expression are perfect .

[@Johnny-sj9sj]

I was in my teens when this stuff came out and it made me fall out of my chair, pissing myself laughing, but it ain't aged too well and one of us has changed 🤔 Thank God that Michael Palin and TerryJones came up with Ripping Yarns! (I recommend the Curse of the Claw for a taster).

[@madaknevarski6478]

"ey moother the black pudding's very black today, even the white bits are black"

[@_indrid_cold_]

Michael Palins face acting as he moves from cheerful agreement to a state of downright panic and alarm is absolutely fantastic.

[@WireMan7620]

I went through Torremolinos this winter. My dad and I couldn't stop laughing because of this sketch!

[@dearbabette7368]

The correct answer to Carol Cleveland asking if you'd like to go upstairs is 'yes please'.

[@user-ce7es2sv3e]

Dear Babette be carefull - you will end like man in milksmen sketch

[@oldcremona]

All other comedy pales before this.

[@mattagnew206]

I love the callbacks and running gags they threw into sketches like the shoe size bit.

[@sidensvans67]

I never thought of that,, what a silly bunt.. Love it :)

[@manictiger]

This guy has KZbin comments nailed down.

[@Mac-sb5lj]

It's spooky to see Michael Palin as a travel agent. Little did he know what he'd be doing later in his career.

[@cactuscosyusa]

I have a theory about the Brontosaurus too. They had big feet and were unable to buy the right size shoes, which is why they died out.

[@fishflake1209]

It was, and one not held in very high regard at that. Watney's Red Barrel secured pouring contracts with several British air and ship lines, and thus enjoyed some popularity during the period of "Flying Circus" as being the beer of choice for the jet set.

[@apollion888]

This version edits out my favorite line: "What a silly bunt." It's right after he spells color with a K

[@madaknevarski6478]

I love how he keeps the 'b' thing going in the rant too

[@alex35agm]

These guys were just brilliant, and hilarious.

[@johnsrabe]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="113">1:53</a> BUT OUT: “What a silly bunt.”

[@ingainloggningsnamn]

How he could possibly remember that whole monologue is amazing. Did he improvise it or something?

[@randomname3109]

remembering things.. that long lost skill.. one wonders how actors do it these days..

[@donniecatalano]

I used to know by memory at least 50 phone numbers. Nowadays with smartphones, barely my own.

[@GoneZombie]

Aaaand I'm flashing back to retail.

[@lpsp442]

Psychic KZbin strikes again - I talk about Anne Elk for the first time in years yesterday, and lo and behold, in my recommends today!

[@NylfaenNoldoreth]

And all of that wouldn't have to be memorised if he just went upstairs with the nice lady in the beginning.