Day: October 16, 2009

So maybe you've heard that the boys from Monty Python have reunited for their 40th anniversary for a new documentary? Yes, yes, Monty Python: Almost The Truth airs over six hours on IFC beginning Oct. 18, and the 90-minute theatrical version that screened last night at the Zeigfeld Theatre was sincerely funny. I laughed out loud several times at scenes I had seen many, many times before. All five surviving members of Monty Python made it to the screening, along with a cardboard cutout of Graham Chapman, female supporting player Carol Cleveland, and many other longtime friends of the group. It was a chilly, rainy windy night in the city, however, which presented its own challenges on the red carpet. I did get the chance to talk briefly with Python's Terry Jones. Jones will be talking to small groups on Saturday, Oct. 17, in seminars at The PIT. There may still be tickets for the morning session at The PIT? Here's what Jones had to tell me, and in turn, you, about writing good comedy sketches: Mr. Creosote, you say? I dare say! This is one of their grossest sketches, certainly, but also certainly funny. From Monty Python's Meaning of Life. Roll it! And if you missed watching Monty Python enjoy answering (or not answering) questions after last night's screening, well, you can watch this half-hour or so...

We've got a big Friday of comedy news to share with you, and I thought we'd start it off with a quick chat I had with Evan Shapiro, the president of IFC TV and the Sundance Channel, on the red carpet for the Monty Python reunion in New York City last night. IFC will air a new six-part documentary about Monty Python to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their launch on the BBC, which begins on Oct. 18. In addition, IFC will be rebroadcasting all of the original Monty Python's Flying Circus episodes and the Python films. Since Shapiro was the executive producer on Chris Kattan's musical comedy series, Bollywood Hero, and his IFC channel has hosted the likes of The Whitest Kids U Know and Z Rock, I thought it'd be good to ask him for some perspective on how much of a risk network execs and programmers should take on new and alternative comedies. After all, the BBC took a big risk with Monty Python, and it wasn't until American TV stations on PBS latched onto it years later that Python really found its audience. In our brief talk, Shapiro noted one of IFC's recent acquisitions, Arrested Development, as well as the infamous rebirth of Family Guy. Here's what he told...