Monty Python

Monty Python interview. Say no more.

The biggest reunion in comedy history is about to take place at the O2 Arena. We speak to the five surviving Pythons and find a bickering comedy 'family' who aren't going to go quietly.

Monty Python on Monty Python

Who's the funniest? Who's the silliest? Is Michael Palin really that nice? We put some quickfire questions to the Monty Python team.

Monty Python's best sketches (according to famous fans)

Simon Pegg, Eddie Izzard, Bob Odenkirk and other well-known Python addicts reveal which skits make them laugh the most.

Monty Python - Time Out special

Interviews with all the members of Monty Python, plus other features related to their live show.

Carol Cleveland on Monty Python Live

The "Female Python" also reveals some of the sketches that will be included in the spectacular return of the most famous comedy troupe to the London stage on July 1.

Michael Palin interview

Monty Python's success was a fluke of timing, Michael Palin has said. The 71-year-old attributed the troupe's legacy to the fact the show came out just as the BBC stopped routinely wiping shows from its archive, so it could reuse the tapes.

Video: Terry Gilliam interview

Monty Python star Terry Gilliam has said his recent comments describing the prospect of forthcoming reunion shows as "depressing" were taken out of context.

Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse skewered the entire output of BBC2 over the past 50 years in Harry and Paul's Story of the Twos, and not even that kindly. Enfield, as Alan Bennett, as a Talking Heads Stalin, torn between curtain-fussery and genocide, was the most surreal vision this perfect pair have ever concocted, but worked: as did their evisceration of such sacred cows as Monty Python, I Claudius and Have I Got News For You. It was wonderfully written, and brave, and I'd like to think that all the famous targets decked themselves with laughter. Mr Cleese may have even ventured a smile.

Harry and Paul's Story of the 2s delivered an affectionate kick to BBC2's groin, parodying the channels output over the last 50 years. This included Boys from the Blackstuff, Monty Python, The Likely Lads, Have I Got News For You, The Ascent of Man and even some of their own contributions. The fact that several of the shows in their sights were broadcast on other BBC channels didn't seem to bother the pair at all.

The satire was of the scattergun variety, but the targets were hit far more frequently than not, and there were moments of pure comic inspiration. My own personal favourite featured the Late Night Line-Up interviewee, slack-jawed, goggle-eyed and transfixed on the legs of Joan Bakewell - or Joan Bakewell Tart, as she was rechristened for the programme.