A Monty Python Quiz
1 of 12
Which member of Monty Python’s Flying Circus was American?
Terry Jones
Terry Gilliam
Eric Idle
Michael Palin
ANSWER: Gilliam, the one non-Oxford/Cambridge member of the troupe, generally designed the group’s distinctive animations. Gilliam, the one non-Oxford/Cambridge member of the troupe, generally designed the group’s distinctive animations.
2 of 12
What was the title of a Python sketch meant to be a film allegedly directed by Sam Peckinpah, which featured a group of 1920s swells getting impaled on tennis rackets and losing fingers on a piano?
“Sam Peckinpah’s Garden Party”
“Sam Peckinpah’s Salad Days”
“Sam Peckinpah’s ‘Brideshead
“Sam Peckinpah’s Deadly Game”
ANSWER: Among the participants in this sketch was a woman named Maggie Weston, who became Mrs. Terry Gilliam. Among the participants in this sketch was a woman named Maggie Weston, who became Mrs. Terry Gilliam.
3 of 12
In “Monty Python’s Meaning of Life,” what is the name of the obscenely obese man, played by Terry Jones, who explodes after finishing dinner with a “wafer-thin” cracker?
Mr. Creosote
Mr. Piranha
Mr. Percy
Aardvark P. Mengymengysupperwom-Smith
ANSWER: The famous vomiting scene involving Mr. Creosote was said to have caused some audience members to do the same thing. The famous vomiting scene involving Mr. Creosote was said to have caused some audience members to do the same thing.
4 of 12
“Monty Python’s Life of Brian” came about because of an offhand late-‘70s comment by Eric Idle, who said the troupe’s next film was going to be called what?
“Not the Bible”
“Monty Python Goes to Hell”
“Monty Python’s Christmas”
“Jesus Christ: Lust for Glory”
ANSWER: Originally Brian was supposed to be the 13th disciple, who always turned up late, according to John Cleese. Originally Brian was supposed to be the 13th disciple, who always turned up late, according to John Cleese.
5 of 12
In 1978, Eric Idle wrote and starred in “The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash,” a parody of both the Beatles and the documentary form. What Beatle had a small role in the film?
John Lennon
Paul McCartney
George Harrison
Ringo Starr
ANSWER: Harrison, a big Python fan, also financed some of the troupe’s films. Harrison, a big Python fan, also financed some of the troupe’s films.
6 of 12
The opening credits to “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” parody what other film?
“Vertigo”
“L’Avventura”
“The Seventh Seal”
“Rashomon”
ANSWER: The creators of the credits were sacked, as were the people who sacked the sacked credit-creators. The creators of the credits were sacked, as were the people who sacked the sacked credit-creators.
7 of 12
Which knight in “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” encounters the Three-Headed Giant?
Sir Robin
Sir Lancelot
Sir Galahad
Sir Not-Appearing-In-This-Film
ANSWER: Sir Lancelot destroyed a wedding feast and Sir Galahad had to deal with Castle Anthrax. Sir Not-Appearing-In-This-Film did not, of course, appear in “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” Sir Lancelot destroyed a wedding feast and Sir Galahad had to deal with Castle Anthrax. Sir Not-Appearing-In-This-Film did not, of course, appear in “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.”
8 of 12
Which pair of Pythons engaged in the “Fish-Slapping Dance”?
Eric Idle and Terry Jones
Eric Idle and John Cleese
Michael Palin and John Cleese
Graham Chapman and Michael Palin
ANSWER: “If you really wanted to check for a sense of humor,” Palin once said, “the ‘Fish-Slapping Dance’ is quite a good thing to show to somebody.” “If you really wanted to check for a sense of humor,” Palin once said, “the ‘Fish-Slapping Dance’ is quite a good thing to show to somebody.”
9 of 12
In the famous “Parrot Sketch,” where was the parrot supposed to be from?
Scotland
Burma
Norway
Brazil
10 of 12
Which one of these 1960s British shows did NOT feature a member of the Python troupe?
“Do Not Adjust Your Set”
“At Last the 1948 Show”
“I’m Sorry, I’ll Read That Again”
“That Was the Week That Was”
ANSWER: “That Was the Week That Was” was David Frost’s mid-‘60s comedy revue. Cleese and Chapman later worked for Frost on “The Frost Report.” “That Was the Week That Was” was David Frost’s mid-‘60s comedy revue. Cleese and Chapman later worked for Frost on “The Frost Report.”
11 of 12
Which Python member was a trained physician?
Graham Chapman
John Cleese
Terry Jones
Eric Idle
ANSWER: Chapman followed his brother into medicine, and did medical work on “Life of Brian” along with playing the lead. Chapman followed his brother into medicine, and did medical work on “Life of Brian” along with playing the lead.
12 of 12
In 1998, the surviving members of Python came to the Aspen Comedy Festival with the late Graham Chapman’s partner, David Sherlock. How was Chapman represented?
He wasn't
A military uniform on a hanger
An urn full of ashes
A toenail
ANSWER: After some lively banter, Terry Gilliam “accidentally” kicked over the urn, which led to what Idle called “our biggest laugh ever.” If you'd like to brag about your score, head over to our blog. After some lively banter, Terry Gilliam “accidentally” kicked over the urn, which led to what Idle called “our biggest laugh ever.” If you'd like to brag about your score, head over to our blog.
