Graham Chapman

Monty Python at 50

In this rare glimpse inside the BBC archives, we reveal the exasperated internal memos, the furious letters from wing commanders - and David Frost's bid to bring them down.

DVD review: At Last the 1948 Show

You've all heard this one: four Yorkshiremen sit round a restaurant table and try to outdo each other with tales of how they had it tough when they were but lads. It's one of the most famous sketches to come from the Monty Python team, and has been restaged several times, including the album Monty Python Live at Drury Lane and the Amnesty International charity show and film The Secret Policeman's Ball. But in fact it's not a Python sketch at all. It first appeared on TV on At Last the 1948 Show.

Monty Python at 50: The Self-Abasement Tapes is made up of excised sketches from the television show, presented for the first time by Python member Michael Palin. Television now is a lot swearier and shoutier than it was 50 years ago, but I bet it still wouldn't start a Python tribute with the sketch that opened this one: a report from the annual conference of the Fat Ignorant Bastards Party of the USA, whose leader has just become president. "The cult is certainly booming," Eric Idle said in classic old-style Panorama manner.

There followed a court sketch and a school sketch, both subjects dear to Python hearts, as well as the fine country parody song I'm So Worried, exquisitely performed by Terry Jones, with worries that ranged from the Middle East to Heathrow's baggage delivery system and the state of current TV. Palin's linking device, as if he were excavating the material from sewers beneath the Edgware Road while being ironic about that road, its shops and owners, was apt and ingenious.

"Sick, surreal or just plain silly": Doon Mackichan narrates this lovely little celebration - a collection of BBC archive clips, including Graham Chapman frankly telling Parky about being gay and an alcoholic, and an elfin Terry Gilliam gleefully putting animations together in his flat.

Python at 50: Silly Talks And Holy Grails, review

A rich collage of chat show appearances, location shoots, guest slots and one-offs worked best when it caught the Pythons in serious mode.

Why the Life of Brian was so controversial

Today is the 40th anniversary of the world premiere of the film Life of Brian, the Monty Python team's very irreverent take on religion which shocked many people when it was first released but is now accepted as a classic of British cinema.

How Monty Python saved my life (maybe)

Monty Python - punk before the Sex Pistols - remains the greatest television comedy of all time, writes Aidan Smith.

Monty Python's Life of Brian review

Despite its absurdity and button-pushing bad taste, this mock epic stands up four decades on as a stirring paean to tolerance.

Why Monty Python will always look on the bright side

With the passing of Dame June Whitfield and the New Year's Honours bestowing a knighthood on Michael Palin, I found myself reflecting on the half-life of comedy.