Always Look on the Bright Side of Life: The Life of Python

If there’s to be a series on humor, which for the last few weeks, if I’m not mistaken there has been, then it would be remiss to not mention one of the funniest comedy groups of the 20th century, Monty Python.

They were a British comedy group that created the influential Monty Python’s Flying Circus, a British television comedy sketch show that first aired on the BBC in October 1969. From there, the Python phenomenon developed into something larger in scope and impact, spawning touring stage shows, films, numerous albums, several books and a stage musical. The group’s influence on comedy has been compared to The Beatles’ influence on music.

The television series, broadcast by the BBC from 1969 to 1974, was conceived, written and performed by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin.

Their most current hit is the play Spamalot.

And so today, without further ado, are 10 of the funniest Monty Python sketches – of course, technically, the video at the top of the page, Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, is not a sketch but instead a segment from their film, The Life of Brian, but if you promise not to tell, neither will I.

Comedy Has Always Been King

Comedy, humor and laughter have always been king. They have been an essential part of living since the dawn of humanity.

Instinctively, people have always known that humor and laughter just plain makes you feel better, and because of that, people have been trying to make each other laugh as long as there have been people walking the planet.

You may have read the article of a recent archaeological finding in which scientists found hieroglyphics on a cave that through extensive carbon dating were able to trace back to 500,000 years ago.

They were able to translate the cave writings as the following:

Q: Why did the dinosaur swallow Maury and then spit him out?
A: Because he tasted horrible without Tobasco sauce!

Granted, all those years ago, comedy wasn’t as refined as it is now, so the jokes weren’t as good.

But you get the point: humor and laughter is an important part of our DNA.

And, as I have noted many times in this series on humor and laughter, it’s an essential part of living a Low Density Lifestyle.

So as a series finale on the subject of humor and laughter, I want to present to you some kings of comedy, going back to the early part of the twentieth century.

And so, ladies and gentlemen and children of all ages, I now give you a series of videos featuring some geniuses of the art of comedy, laughter and humor:

1) Buster Keaton:

2) Laurel and Hardy:

3) Charlie Chaplin:

4) W.C. Fields:

5) The Three Stooges:

6) Abbot & Costello:

7) Monty Python:



Let others know about this article by posting it on Twitter! It’s easy – just click on the “tweet it” button below.