PYTHON LOVE

[defrog]

Now playing on the Monty Python channel: famous Americans talking about how and why they became Python fans.

A lot of what they say is true for me. I saw my first Python on PBS when I was around 11 or so, and I was hooked immediately – possibly because my mom (who is British) disapproved. And like many of them, my fandom transformed into an even bigger nerd in school than I was already. Which is saying a lot.

It’s true. Python was NEVER cool when it first started showing in the US (or at least in Middle Tennessee), and yet its influence on American comedy is undeniable. If nothing else, Saturday Night Live owes its very existence to Python’s cult success.

It’s definitely responsible for my goofy-ass sense of humor which was further fed by even more British comedy imports, from Benny Hill and Dave Allen to (yes) The Goodies. The fact that BBC shows were allowed to show women in their knickers was an influence in itself.

And then Douglas Adams came along and my transformation was complete. Which is why I’m writing stories about evil plots by extraterrestrials to use high-tech mind-control lingerie to enslave the Earth.

No need to thank me.

And now for something completely different,

This is dF

Comments

[kukla-red.livejournal.com]

Python NOT cool?? Are you kidding me? In my high school it was THE COOLEST thing. Everyone watched on Sunday nights and then we came in on Monday and recreated as much of the show as we could. Usually in class which drove our teachers insane.

[def-fr0g-42.livejournal.com]

Which is why I stuck in that geographical qualifier. I can say for certain that in Metro Nashville circa 1976 Monty Python was not cool amongst my fellow 6th graders, and remained uncool pretty much all the way to my senior year.

Granted, this may depend on how one defines "cool"...

[kukla-red.livejournal.com]

We had Python from about 1972 on, I think. I graduated high school in 1976 (The Bicentennial Class - The Class with Class!) and we were devoted Pytonians all through high school, at least. Of course, this was in the Metro NYC area which - as we all know - sets the standards for cool. :-)