Comedy hybrid Page 2

Quote: lofthouse @ May 29 2011, 11:38 AM BST

Is Python intelligent? Why?

Is it 'intelligent' just because they were all Oxford student types?

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Well I think there's something in that, there has to be. Not really the fact that they are, but that we know they are. Yes. It plays with our perceptions of intelligence. Some of their daftest sketches wouldn't have worked as well if we the audience didn't know of their intellect or intelligence, which was unavoidable as some of their sketches were full of their Oxbridge erudition. Maybe their posh accents and mannerisms helped this view that their work, although very silly, was intelligently silly. So it's part of the equation at least.

Quote: lofthouse @ May 29 2011, 11:38 AM BST

It's ludicrous, insane, nonsensical craziness.

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But it's not random craziness, and not really nonsensical, it's clever and intelligent, much of it because it sends up a lot of very sensible and conservative British customs. So its referencing is very good, and that equates to intelligence.
E.g. The fish slapping dance - sending up quaint trad folk dances.
E.g. The Ministry of Silly Walks - sending up British bureaucracy and their love of official departments and titles.
etc. Intelligent, well informed, clever. And also silly.

Going back to whether slapstick/physical can be funny, how about The Plank?

Widely regarded as a classic but with little or no words.

How about the Goodies Ecky Thump episode?