Editing Michael Palin (section)

===''Monty Python''===
{{Main|Monty Python}}
[[File:Monty Python Live 02-07-14 12 47 33 (14598699991).jpg|thumb|220px|Palin in "[[The Spanish Inquisition (Monty Python)|The Spanish Inquisition]]" sketch at the 2014 reunion, ''[[Monty Python Live (Mostly)]]'']]

On the strength of their work on ''The Frost Report'' and other programmes, Cleese and Chapman had been offered a show by the BBC, but Cleese was reluctant to do a [[Double act|two-man show]] for various reasons, among them Chapman's reputedly difficult personality. During this period Cleese contacted Palin about doing the show that ultimately became ''Monty Python's Flying Circus''.<ref name="ind120729"/> At the same time the success of ''Do Not Adjust Your Set'' had led Palin, Jones, Idle and Gilliam to be offered their own series and, while it was still in production, Palin agreed to Cleese's proposal and brought along Idle, Jones and Gilliam. Thus the formation of the Monty Python troupe has been referred to as a result of Cleese's desire to work with Palin and the chance circumstances that brought the other four members into the fold.<ref name="Python Autobiography"/>

Palin played various roles in ''Monty Python'', which ranged from manic enthusiasm (such as the [[lumberjack]] of "[[The Lumberjack Song]]", or Herbert Anchovy, host of the game show "Blackmail") to unflappable calmness (such as the [[Dead Parrot sketch|dead parrot]] seller or [[Cheese Shop sketch|cheese shop]] proprietor).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Marshall |first1=Michelle |title=Michael Palin: 'He can't communicate' Monty Python star in emotional Terry Jones admission |url=https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/1172986/michael-palin-monty-python-terry-jones-dementia-health-update-latest-news |agency=Express UK |date=3 September 2019 |access-date=8 September 2019 |archive-date=3 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903222635/https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/1172986/michael-palin-monty-python-terry-jones-dementia-health-update-latest-news |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Heritage |first1=Stuart |title=John Cleese wants us to revere Monty Python – but he is ruining its legacy |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/shortcuts/2019/sep/03/john-cleese-monty-python-ruining-legacy |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=3 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Terry Gilliam says he disagrees with John Cleese's worldview |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/sep/03/terry-gilliam-disagrees-john-cleese-worldview-monty-python-brexit |agency=[[The Guardian]] |date=2 September 2019}}</ref> As a [[Double act|straight man]] he was often a foil to the rising ire of characters portrayed by Cleese. He also played timid, socially inept characters such as Arthur Putey, the man who sits quietly as a marriage counsellor ([[Eric Idle]]) makes love to his wife ([[Carol Cleveland]]), and Mr Anchovy, a chartered accountant who wants to become a lion tamer. He appeared as the [["It's" man]] (a [[Robinson Crusoe]]-type castaway with torn clothes and a long, unkempt beard) at the beginning of most episodes. He also frequently played a [[List of recurring Monty Python's Flying Circus characters#Gumbys|Gumby]], a character Palin said "had these moronic views that were expressed with extraordinary force".<ref>{{cite news |title=Michael Palin interview |url=https://thechap.co.uk/2018/09/19/michael-palin/ |access-date=28 August 2019 |work=Chap.co.uk |archive-date=3 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503133907/https://thechap.co.uk/2018/09/19/michael-palin/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Palin frequently co-wrote sketches with [[Terry Jones]], including the "[[The Spanish Inquisition (Monty Python)|Spanish Inquisition sketch]]", which featured the [[catchphrase]] "Nobody expects the [[Spanish Inquisition]]!". He also composed songs with Jones including "The Lumberjack Song", "[[Every Sperm Is Sacred]]" and "[[Spam (Monty Python)|Spam]]". His solo musical compositions included "[[Decomposing Composers]]" and "[[Finland (comedy song)|Finland]]".<ref>{{cite web|first=Kathleen&nbsp;C.|last=Fennessy|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/r82483|title=Monty Python Sings – Monty Python: Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards|work=[[AllMusic]]|publisher=[[All Media Network]]|location=San Francisco, California|access-date=16 July 2013|archive-date=31 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101031034034/http://www.allmusic.com/album/r82483|url-status=live}}</ref>