SNL vs Monty Python

[loCAtek]

For one thing there's no poll feature, but comparing America Iconic humor to Brit Innovative comedy...

Which is better?

Com'on I'm asking you, which is better?

Saturday Night Live or Monty Python's Flying Circus?

[tyro]

Sadly SNL has hit both the top as well as the bottom.

The years when Billy Crystal, Dana Carvy, Eddie Murphy and Tim Kazurinski (I’m sure I got that wrong, but he did a great spoof with the “maharishi Mehatving-a-good-Time Vishnu-were-here” were memorable. Somewhere in the aftermath with those two doing the cheerleaders, I stopped watching.

The best of SNL is funnier. but Python was more consistent.

[Lord Jim]

The best of SNL is funnier. but Python was more consistent.

I agree with that...

It's really an apples and oranges kind of thing....

You're comparing a show that's gone on for 30 years with numerous cast changes, with a show that was only on for a few years with a single core cast.

SNL has had it's moments over the years but I would argue that it has never recaptured the consistent comedic quality it had with the original cast, (Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Dan Ackroyd, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, Jane Curtain, Lorraine Newman and Garret Morris)

The show has had a number of outstanding comedy talents, and some good writing after that original cast, (even to this very day it sometimes hits) but I think the main reason that original group worked so well so consistently was because most of them had come from a background of ensemble comedy, whereas most of the later performers have come from a "stand up" background.

That and the fact that most of them had worked together before on earlier projects.

[loCAtek]

The others went on more Hollywierd projects; what happened to SNL's Garret Morris?


He wasn't the token black was he !?

[Sean]

Looks like he's been doing a lot of nothing Loca...

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0606541/

Edited to fix cadfingers...

[loCAtek]

For the SNL argument, the 'Not Ready for Prime Time Players' got their careers launched and often went on to do some serious acting (I'm talking Dan Ackroyd, not Will Ferrell, here) while the MP lot tended to stick to just doing further comedy.

The only serious thing I've seen a Python player do was a Naval training film by John Cleese. No, you've never heard of it, you'd have had to have been in the Navy, but there he was; pontificating about leadership or some such. He wasn't allowed to camp it up, so the funniest thing about it was the 'Schoolteacher Voice' he used and had always used in other skits.

A few years ago, well during the last decade, Cleese really whoredmarketed himself, going so far as placing a classified ad in The New York Times advertising his services. You might remember his Callard & Bowser candy radio ads at time; Classy Cleese, boffo stuff. Somewhere in there he tried his hand at military instruction ...where he did NOT win any awards.

[Lord Jim]

Garret Morris has had his problems over the years, but the SNL bit that he did that I'll never forget...

It was St. Patrick's Day, and the show opened up with Morris sitting alone on the stage, in a leprechaun suit...He looked ridiculous...a black guy in a leprechaun suit...the audience was laughing...

And then he broke out into the best rendition of "Danny Boy" I have to this day, ever heard...

The crowd fell silent....

[dales]

Those early SNL programs (before 1980 or so) were the best.

Having a few friends over, passing a roach and watching SNL was THE thing to do in the late 1970's.

Same with Monty Python

[Gob]

I remember religiously watching Python, as did everybody else I knew. Woe betide you if you turned up for school the next day and didn't know the latest catchphrase or slapstick.

[@meric@nwom@n]

John Cleese is the funniest man on the planet. Still the original SNL was a blast....

[BoSoxGal]

Garret Morris has had his problems over the years, but the SNL bit that he did that I'll never forget...

It was St. Patrick's Day, and the show opened up with Morris sitting alone on the stage, in a leprechaun suit...He looked ridiculous...a black guy in a leprechaun suit...the audience was laughing...

And then he broke out into the best rendition of "Danny Boy" I have to this day, ever heard...

The crowd fell silent....

That episode aired when I was only 7 years old, so it's doubtful that I really recall it from first-run (although my parents were fans).

I know I've seen it, though, perhaps in a retrospective and I do recall it being pretty fantastic.

[Rick]

SNL owes homage to second city.

Python is an original...

[loCAtek]

SCTY ran even later, and I couldn't stay awake!

[Gob]

SNL owes homage to second city.

Python is an original...

Not entirely. Python owes a great deal to"Do not adjust your set", and "At last the 1948 show", one could even say that without "The Goon Show" there would be no Python.

[Rick]

Oh so then it's not "completely different"...

[Gob]

Nope, it's "now for something relatively different.."

[Timster]

I give Keld the highest honors here for not only his general knowledge and good taste but also the Python Pithiness in his retort.

SALUTE!

Cheers Keld! I am very gratified that you decided to be an active part of "Plan B".

We are all refugees from somewhere, so it would seem. And you, Sir, are a welcomed member. Ermmm...Addition.

That proves that cool folks can talk anywhere. They just need a landing pad. And a place to feel at home to be themselves without having to cringe... at the... ermmm...overwhelming postage to drown out their Very important voice.

Sorry. I just wanted to give credit where credit is due.

So Fucking sue me.

GAK! No offense Sue!

[loCAtek]

I was introduced to Python first, when I was but a wee Locita. Like I've said before, my folks thought anything with animation in it was kiddie fare, and since the opening titles were cartoons I was allowed to watch it. I'd never even heard 'The Liberty Bell' before that.

Just the slapstick lampooning, 'silly' accents and men in dresses were delightful to me; it took me a few years to catch all the cultural references and nuances. The combination of Brit dry wit and full-blown farce took aging to appreciate.

SNL was adult, current event satire from the get go. The sets were from sitcoms but with material made of real world stuff, if we dared to face it with good humor. Dysfunctional families, (pre-dating The Simpsons) commercialism, media over-hype and mediocrity: Americana at its best/worst- with (mostly) live musical guests. So funny, coZ it was true.

Plus movies from them both.

Rah! Gents Rah!

[Big RR]

For the SNL argument, the 'Not Ready for Prime Time Players' got their careers launched and often went on to do some serious acting (I'm talking Dan Ackroyd, not Will Ferrell, here) while the MP lot tended to stick to just doing further comedy.

The only serious thing I've seen a Python player do was a Naval training film by John Cleese. No, you've never heard of it, you'd have had to have been in the Navy, but there he was; pontificating about leadership or some such. He wasn't allowed to camp it up, so the funniest thing about it was the 'Schoolteacher Voice' he used and had always used in other skits.

A few years ago, well during the last decade, Cleese really whoredmarketed himself, going so far as placing a classified ad in The New York Times advertising his services. You might remember his Callard & Bowser candy radio ads at time; Classy Cleese, boffo stuff. Somewhere in there he tried his hand at military instruction ...where he did NOT win any awards.

Actually, Cleese has done a lot of corporate training films as well.

You're right about sticking with comedy (after all, why not do what you know best?), but the cast of Monty Python has been active. Cleese has been in movies (not just the Python ones) and US and British televion, as has Eric Idle . Terry Gilliam has a a gret time creating a number of good films, including Brazil (on of my favorite movies of all time) and 12 Monkeys (one of the few films with Bruce Willis I can watch). Graham Chapman has had a similar career, and has also had a standup act which toured for a number of years in the 80s (I saw it once at a college campus).

As for the NRFPTP, other thn Akroyd, which members really did branch out into "serious acting"? Granted Bellushi and Radner died young (but for Radner, not until she made some terrible films with her husband), but Chevy Chase's career (OK, he wasn't a player but a guest star as I recall) fizzled out early, as did Bill Murray's, and the only thing I recall about Jane Curtin was the Kate and Allie sitcom. the only thing I call Larraine Newman in was a film called American Hot Wax about the early Rock and Roll times, and I've never seen Garrett Morris in anything but commercials.

[Crackpot]

Steve Martin Did it. And Bill Murray (at least in comparison to Akroyd) is still going and going quite well.