Editing Monty Python (section)

==Life beyond the ''Flying Circus''==

===Filmography===

====''And Now for Something Completely Different'' (1971)====
{{Main|And Now for Something Completely Different}}
The Pythons' first feature film was directed by [[Ian MacNaughton]], reprising his role from the television series. It consisted of sketches from the first two seasons of the ''Flying Circus'', reshot on a low budget (and often slightly edited) for cinema release. Material selected for the film includes: "Dead Parrot", "The Lumberjack Song", "Upper Class Twit of the Year", "Hell's Grannies"<!-- DON'T WIKILINK – It's JUST A REDIRECT TO THE MP TELEVISION SHOW -->, "Self-Defence Class", "[[How Not to Be Seen]]", and "Nudge Nudge".<ref name="Five films">{{cite news |title=Monty Python films: rank them from best to worst |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/jun/04/monty-python-films-movies-best-to-worst-cleese-jones-gilliam-idle |access-date=19 August 2019 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Financed by ''[[Playboy]]''{{'}}s UK executive [[Victor Lownes]], it was intended as a way of breaking Monty Python into America, and although it was ultimately unsuccessful in this,<ref name="Collin">{{cite news |last1=Collin |first1=Robbie |title=Monty Python reunion: no one else has the nerve to do what Python do |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/comedy/comedy-news/10459076/Monty-Python-reunion-no-one-else-has-the-nerve-to-do-what-Python-do.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/comedy/comedy-news/10459076/Monty-Python-reunion-no-one-else-has-the-nerve-to-do-what-Python-do.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=19 August 2019 |work=The Telegraph |date=21 November 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> the film did good business in the UK, and later in the US on the "[[Midnight movie]]" circuit after their breakthrough television and film success, this being in the era before home video would make the original material much more accessible. The group did not consider the film a success.

====''Monty Python and the Holy Grail'' (1975)====
{{Main|Monty Python and the Holy Grail}}

[[File:EMP Seattle (26120000225).jpg|thumb|190px|Soldier's helmet from ''Monty Python and the Holy Grail'' at the [[Museum of Pop Culture]], Seattle]]
In 1974, between production on the third and fourth series, the group decided to embark on their first "proper" feature film, containing entirely new material. ''[[Monty Python and the Holy Grail]]'' was based on [[King Arthur|Arthurian legend]] and was directed by Jones and Gilliam. Again, the latter also contributed linking animations (and put together the opening credits). Along with the rest of the Pythons, Jones and Gilliam performed several roles in the film, but Chapman took the lead as King Arthur. Cleese returned to the group for the film, feeling that they were once again breaking new ground. ''Holy Grail'' was filmed on location, in picturesque rural areas of Scotland, with a budget of only £229,000; the money was raised in part with investments from rock groups such as [[Pink Floyd]], [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]], and [[Led Zeppelin]], as well as UK music industry entrepreneur [[Tony Stratton Smith]] (founder and owner of the [[Charisma Records]] label, for which the Pythons recorded their comedy albums).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2009/05/06/cue-the-coconuts-holy-grail-gallops-on/|title=Cue the coconuts: 'Holy Grail' gallops on|last=Johnson|first=Steve|date=6 May 2009|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|access-date=26 April 2019}}</ref>

The backers of the film wanted to cut the famous [[Black Knight (Monty Python)|Black Knight]] scene (a [[Sam Peckinpah]] send-up in which the Black Knight loses his limbs in a duel), but it was eventually kept in the film.<ref>Interview with John Cleese on Q-The Podcast with host John Ghomeshi, on 16 July 2009</ref> "Tis but a scratch" and "It's just a flesh wound…" are often quoted.<ref name="Python quotes">{{cite news |title=49 of Monty Python's most absurdly funny jokes and quotes |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/read-this/49-of-monty-pythons-most-absurdly-funny-jokes-and-quotes/ |access-date=18 August 2019 |work=Yorkshire Post |archive-date=18 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818192829/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/read-this/49-of-monty-pythons-most-absurdly-funny-jokes-and-quotes/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Holy Grail'' was selected as the second-best comedy of all time in the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] special ''Best in Film: The Greatest Movies of Our Time''. and viewers in a [[Channel 4]] poll placed it sixth.<ref name="Channel4 comedies"/>

====''Monty Python's Life of Brian'' (1979)====
{{Main|Monty Python's Life of Brian}}
Following the success of ''Holy Grail'', reporters asked for the title of the next Python film, though the team had not even begun to consider a third one. Eventually, Idle flippantly replied "Jesus Christ – Lust for Glory", which became the group's stock answer to such questions.<ref>{{cite news |title=How we made Monty Python's Life of Brian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/apr/16/how-we-made-monty-python-life-of-brian-michael-palin-terry-gilliam |access-date=25 August 2019 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> However, they soon began to seriously consider a film lampooning the [[New Testament]] era in the same way ''Holy Grail'' had lampooned Arthurian legend. Despite sharing a distrust of organised religion, they agreed not to mock Jesus or his teachings directly. They also mentioned that they could not think of anything legitimate to make fun of about him.<ref name="theologian"/> Instead, they decided to write a satire on credulity and hypocrisy among the followers of someone [Brian] who had been mistaken for the "Messiah", but who had no desire to be followed as such.<ref name="TJones"/> Terry Jones adds it was a satire on those who for the next 2,000 years "couldn't agree on what Jesus was saying about peace and love".<ref name="TJones"/>

{{quote box|width=30%|bgcolor=#c6dbf7|align=right|quote="We are three wise men."<br />
"Well, what are you doing creeping around a cow shed at two o'clock in the morning? That doesn't sound very wise to me."|source=—Early scene from ''Life of Brian''.<ref name="Python quotes"/>}}
The focus therefore shifted to a separate individual, Brian Cohen, born at the same time, and in a neighbouring stable. When Jesus appears in the film (first, as a baby in the stable, and then later on [[Mount of Olives|the Mount]], speaking the [[Beatitudes]]), he is played straight (by actor [[Kenneth Colley]]) and portrayed with respect. The comedy begins when members of the crowd mishear his statements of peace, love, and tolerance ("I think he said, 'Blessed are the cheesemakers{{'"}}).<ref name="theologian">{{cite news |title=Monty Python's Life of Brian 'extraordinary tribute to Jesus', says theologian decorated by Pope Francis |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10543149/Monty-Pythons-Life-of-Brian-extraordinary-tribute-to-Jesus-says-theologian-decorated-by-Pope-Francis.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10543149/Monty-Pythons-Life-of-Brian-extraordinary-tribute-to-Jesus-says-theologian-decorated-by-Pope-Francis.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=21 August 2019 |work=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Directing duties were handled solely by Jones, having amicably agreed with Gilliam that Jones' approach to film-making was better suited for Python's general performing style. ''Holy Grail's'' production had often been stilted by their differences behind the camera. Gilliam again contributed two animated sequences (one being the opening credits) and took charge of set design. The film was shot on location in [[Tunisia]], the finances being provided this time by [[The Beatles]]' [[George Harrison]], who together with [[Denis O'Brien (producer)|Denis O'Brien]] formed the production company [[HandMade Films|Hand-Made Films]] for the movie.<ref name="Harrison"/> Harrison had a cameo role as the "owner of the Mount".<ref name="Harrison">{{cite news |last1=Barber |first1=Nicholas |title=How George Harrison – and a very naughty boy – saved British cinema |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/apr/03/george-harrison-beatle-monty-python-life-of-brian-handmade-studios |access-date=25 June 2019 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=3 April 2019}}</ref>

Despite its subject matter attracting controversy, particularly upon its initial release, it has (together with its predecessor) been ranked among the greatest comedy films.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/948331.stm "Life of Brian tops comedy poll"]. BBC News. Retrieved 18 August 2019</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://film.guardian.co.uk/features/featurepages/0,,2131880,00.html | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=The last laugh: your favourite 50 | first=Philip | last=French | date=22 July 2007 | access-date=2 May 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080707124543/http://film.guardian.co.uk/features/featurepages/0,,2131880,00.html | archive-date=7 July 2008 | url-status=live |quote=1. Life of Brian. 8. Monty Python and the Holy Grail}}</ref> In 2006, it was ranked first on a Channel 4 list of the [[100 Greatest (TV series)|50 Greatest Comedy Films]].<ref name="Channel4 comedies">{{Cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/film/newsfeatures/microsites/G/greatest-comedyfilms/results/10-6.html|title=50 Greatest Comedy Films|year=2005|publisher=[[Channel 4]]|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060415140210/http://www.channel4.com/film/newsfeatures/microsites/G/greatest-comedyfilms/results/10-6.html|archive-date=15 April 2006|url-status=dead|access-date=31 May 2019|quote=1. ''Monty Python's Life of Brian''. 6. ''Monty Python And The Holy Grail''.}}</ref> ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' magazine called it "an unrivalled satire on religion".<ref>{{cite news |title=The 100 best British films |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/100britishfilms/ |access-date=26 November 2023|work=Empire}}</ref> In 2013, [[Richard Burridge (priest)|Richard Burridge]], a theologian decorated by Pope Francis, called ''Life of Brian'' an "extraordinary tribute to the life and work and teaching of Jesus—that they couldn't actually blaspheme or make a joke out of it. They did a great satire on closed minds and people who follow blindly. Then you have them splitting into factions...it is a wonderful satire on the way that Jesus's own teaching has been used to [[Religious persecution|persecute]] others. They were satirising [[fundamentalism]] and persecution of others and at the same time saying the one person who rises above all this was Jesus".<ref name="theologian"/>

====''Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl'' (1982)====
{{Main|Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl}}
Monty Python performed four consecutive dates at the [[Hollywood Bowl]] in Los Angeles in September 1980 during preparations for ''Meaning of Life''. The performances were filmed and released in the concert film, ''Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl'' (directed by [[Terry Hughes (film director)|Terry Hughes]]), with the Pythons performing sketches from the television series in front of an audience.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/06/25/movies/python-in-hollywood.html|title='Python in Hollywood|date=25 June 1982|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> The released film also incorporated footage from the German television specials (the inclusion of which gives Ian MacNaughton his first on-screen credit for Python since the end of ''Flying Circus'') and live performances of several songs from the troupe's then-current ''[[Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/80s/1980/BB-1980-10-11.pdf|title=Review: Monty Python – Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=11 October 1980|access-date=28 April 2022|volume=85|number=41|page=70|via=American Radio History|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> Monty Python's four-night stint as headliners at the Hollywood Bowl set a record for a comedy act at the venue; it has since been equalled by [[Dave Chappelle]] in May 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Gregory |first1=John |last2=staff |first2=ABC7 com |date=4 May 2022 |title=Dave Chappelle attacked: Video shows moment suspect tackles comedian at Hollywood Bowl |url=https://abc7.com/dave-chappelle-attacked-tackled-hollywood-bowl/11817178/ |access-date=31 July 2022 |website=ABC7 Los Angeles |language=en}}</ref>

====''Monty Python's The Meaning of Life'' (1983)====
{{Main|Monty Python's The Meaning of Life}}
[[File:Terry Jones Monty Python O2 Arena (cropped) (2).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Mr Creosote|Mr. Creosote]] from ''The Meaning of Life'' (played by [[Terry Jones]], pictured) has been called "the ultimate gross-out icon" and the "film's signature" scene.<ref>{{cite news |title=Monty Python's The Meaning of Life: Mr Creosote is the ultimate gross-out icon |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/monty-python-meaning-of-life-mr-creosote-gross-out-icon-072049260.html?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvLnVrLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAJW2-1FMX4DqYdxnfR60KarRZVqHnDiqNEuVR46Tk5TVqAJKmKi22M7XybnkfwBCkiTGV7eL8yvW7Bn3iGPdL8NQZ1AUXKvlzkYtnYcSCBlJEwFVUfyqHX26UdbqA7ji3ysk4Voiq60Ln4oBZNxaBugytrGSpujmpg0HWKU3HmuO&guccounter=2 |access-date=10 April 2023 |work=Yahoo|quote=it remains the film’s signature, and one of the greatest Python moments because it seems to sum up what they were all about: a clever observation of the world wrapped up so tightly in absurdity that you almost missed the point while doubled over in hysterics.}}</ref>]]
The Pythons' final film returned to something structurally closer to the style of ''Flying Circus'': a series of sketches loosely follows the ages of man from birth to death. Directed again by Jones solo, ''The Meaning of Life'' is embellished with some of the group's most bizarre and disturbing moments, as well as various elaborate musical numbers, which include "[[Galaxy Song]]" (performed by Idle) and "[[Every Sperm Is Sacred]]" (performed by Palin and Jones).<ref name="Making Meaning">{{cite news |title=How we made Monty Python's The Meaning of Life |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/sep/30/monty-python-meaning-of-life |access-date=24 August 2019 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> The film is by far their darkest work, containing a great deal of [[Black comedy|black humour]], garnished by some spectacular violence (including an operation to remove a [[liver]] from a living patient without [[anaesthetic]] and the morbidly obese [[Mr Creosote|Mr. Creosote]] exploding over several restaurant patrons after finally giving in to the smooth maître d' telling him to eat a mint – "It's only a wafer-thin mint...").<ref name="Python quotes"/> At the time of its release, the Pythons confessed their aim was to offend "absolutely everyone", adding "It is guaranteed to offend".<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Monty Python's The Meaning of Life |url=https://ew.com/article/1998/04/03/monty-pythons-meaning-life/ |access-date=19 August 2019 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}</ref>

The Liver Donor scene (in which a paramedic appears at the door of a living man to take his liver) is a satire on bureaucracy, a common Python trope.<ref name="Making Meaning"/> Besides the opening credits and the fish sequence, Gilliam, by now an established live-action director, no longer wanted to produce any linking cartoons, offering instead to direct one sketch, "[[The Crimson Permanent Assurance]]". Under his helm, though, the segment grew so ambitious and tangential that it was cut from the movie and used as a supporting feature in its own right. (Television screenings also use it as a prologue.) This was the last project on which all six Pythons collaborated, except for the 1989 compilation ''[[Parrot Sketch Not Included – 20 Years of Monty Python|Parrot Sketch Not Included]],'' where they are all seen sitting in a closet for four seconds. This was the last time Chapman appeared on screen with the Pythons.<ref name="Five films"/>

Although not as acclaimed as its two predecessors (''Holy Grail'' and ''Life of Brian''), ''The Meaning of Life'' was still well received critically and was screened at the [[1983 Cannes Film Festival]] where it won the [[Grand Prix (Cannes Film Festival)|Grand Prix]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en/archives/1983/allAward.html |title=Awards 1983: All Awards |work=festival-cannes.fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216190344/http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en/archives/1983/allAward.html |archive-date=16 December 2013 |df=dmy}}</ref>

===''Secret Policeman's Ball'' benefit shows===
Members of Python contributed their services to charitable endeavours and causes—sometimes as an ensemble, at other times as individuals. The cause that has been the most frequent and consistent beneficiary has been the human rights work of [[Amnesty International]]. Between 1976 and 1981, the troupe or its members appeared in four major [[Benefit concert|fund-raisers]] for Amnesty—known collectively as the ''[[The Secret Policeman's Ball|Secret Policeman's Ball]]'' shows—which were turned into multiple films, TV shows, videos, record albums, and books. The brainchild of John Cleese, these benefit shows in London and their many spin-offs raised considerable sums of money for Amnesty, raised public and media awareness of the human rights cause, and influenced many other members of the entertainment community (especially rock musicians) to become involved in political and social issues.<ref name="Guardian2012" /><ref name="Amnesty Ball">{{cite news |title=How the Secret Policeman's Ball Got Rolling... |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/secret-policemans-ball_b_1318876 |access-date=24 September 2019 |work=Huffington Post}}</ref> Among the many musicians who have publicly attributed their activism—and the organisation of their own benefit events—to the inspiration of the work in this field of Monty Python are [[Bob Geldof]] (organiser of [[Live Aid]]), [[U2]], [[Pete Townshend]], and [[Sting (musician)|Sting]].<ref name="Guardian2012">[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/mar/02/secret-policemans-ball-new-york-amnesty Secret Policeman's Ball recruits New York's finest to Amnesty celebration]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved 24 April 2012</ref><ref name="Amnesty"/> [[Bono]] told ''Rolling Stone'' in 1986, "I saw ''The Secret Policeman's Ball'' and it became a part of me. It sowed a seed..."<ref name="Amnesty">{{cite news |title=50 years of working with celebrities: comedy |url=https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/24000/act300752011en.pdf |access-date=21 August 2019 |website=Amnesty International}}</ref> Sting states, "before [the Ball] I did not know about Amnesty, I did not know about its work, I did not know about torture in the world."<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/Xcj9CRdSYEI Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20130226212249/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xcj9CRdSYEI Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xcj9CRdSYEI |title=Sting TV Interview On NBC Today Show about Amnesty concerts |publisher=[[YouTube]] |date=22 April 2008 |access-date=15 August 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On the impact of the Ball on Geldof, Sting states, "he took the 'Ball' and ran with it."<ref name="Amnesty Ball"/>

''Ball'' co-founder Cleese and Jones had an involvement (as performer, writer or director) in all four Amnesty benefit shows, Palin in three, Chapman in two, and Gilliam in one. Idle did not participate in the Amnesty shows. Notwithstanding Idle's lack of participation, the other five members (together with "Associate Pythons" Carol Cleveland and [[Neil Innes]]) all appeared together in the first ''Secret Policeman's Ball'' benefit—the 1976 ''[[A Poke in the Eye (With a Sharp Stick)|A Poke in the Eye]]'' held at [[Her Majesty's Theatre]] in London's [[West End theatre|West End]]—where they performed several Python sketches. In this first show, they were collectively billed as ''Monty Python''. Peter Cook deputised for the absent Idle in a courtroom sketch.<ref name="Guardian2012" /> In the next three shows, the participating Python members performed many Python sketches, but were billed under their individual names rather than under the collective Python banner. The second show featured newcomer [[Rowan Atkinson]] and Scottish comedian [[Billy Connolly]].<ref name="performers">{{cite news |title=Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0074qw2 |access-date=21 August 2019 |website=BBC}}</ref> The ''Secret Policeman's Ball'' were the first stage shows in the UK to present comedic performers (such as Monty Python and Rowan Atkinson) in the same setting and shows as their contemporaries in rock music (which included [[Eric Clapton]], Sting and [[Phil Collins]]).<ref name="performers"/> After a six-year break, Amnesty resumed producing ''Secret Policeman's Ball'' benefit shows which were held at the [[London Palladium]] in 1987 (sometimes with, and sometimes without, variants of the title) and by 2006 had presented a total of twelve shows. Since 1987, the Balls featured newer generations of British comedic performers, such as [[Stephen Fry]], [[Hugh Laurie]], and puppets from the satirical TV show ''[[Spitting Image]]'', with many attributing their participation in the show to their desire to emulate the Python's pioneering work for Amnesty. Cleese and Palin made a brief cameo appearance in the 1989 Amnesty show; apart from that, the Pythons have not appeared in shows after the first four.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Amnesty International Comedy Podcast from the Edinburgh festival: episode 5 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/audio/2010/aug/17/amnesty-international-comedy-podcast |access-date=21 August 2019 |work=The Guardian}}</ref>

===Going solo===
[[File:Monty Python (4624404749).jpg|thumb|right|[[Blue plaque]] at 11 [[Neal's Yard]], London, marking where Palin and Gilliam bought offices in 1976 as studios and editing suites for Python films and solo projects.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hind |first1=John |title=Terry Gilliam: 'I had a big row with John Cleese about tinned peaches' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/dec/07/terry-gilliam-cleese-row-monty-python |access-date=17 January 2023 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=7 December 2013 |language=en}}</ref>]]

Each member has pursued various film, television, and stage projects since the break-up of the group, but often continued to work with one another. Many of these collaborations were very successful, most notably ''[[A Fish Called Wanda]]'' (1988), written by Cleese, in which he starred along with Palin.<ref name="PopMatters"/> The pair also appeared in ''[[Time Bandits]]'' (1981), a film directed by Gilliam, who wrote it together with Palin. Gilliam directed ''[[Jabberwocky (film)|Jabberwocky]]'' (1977), and also directed and co-wrote ''[[Brazil (1985 film)|Brazil]]'' (1985), which featured Palin, ''[[The Adventures of Baron Munchausen]]'' (1988), which featured Idle; he followed these with writing and directing an additional six (as of 2021) films.<ref name="Collab"/>

[[HandMade Films]], the film studio that George Harrison co-founded to produce ''Life of Brian'', contributed to British cinema in the 1980s, producing classics of the period including ''[[The Long Good Friday]]'' and ''[[Mona Lisa (film)|Mona Lisa]]'' (both starring [[Bob Hoskins]]), ''Time Bandits'', and ''[[Withnail and I]]'', with the studio also launching Terry Gilliam's directorial career.<ref name="Handmade"/> ''[[Yellowbeard]]'' (1983) was co-written by Chapman and starred Chapman, Idle, and Cleese, as well as many other English comedians including Peter Cook, [[Spike Milligan]], and [[Marty Feldman]].<ref>{{cite book |last=McCall |first=Douglas |date= 6 November 2013|title=Monty Python: A Chronology, 1969–2012 |edition=2nd |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=RS0FAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA96|location=[[Jefferson, North Carolina]] |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |page=96 |isbn=978-0-7864-7811-8}}</ref>

Palin and Jones wrote the comedic TV series ''[[Ripping Yarns]]'' (1976–79), starring Palin. Jones also appeared in the pilot episode and Cleese appeared in a nonspeaking part in the episode "Golden Gordon". Jones' film ''[[Erik the Viking]]'' also has Cleese playing a small part. In 1996 Terry Jones wrote and directed an [[The Wind in the Willows (1996 film)|adaptation]] of [[Kenneth Grahame]]'s novel ''[[The Wind in the Willows]]''. It featured four members of Monty Python: Jones as Mr. Toad, Idle as Ratty, Cleese as Mr. Toad's lawyer, and Palin as the Sun. Gilliam was considered for the voice of the river. The film included [[Steve Coogan]] who played Mole.<ref name="Reunions">{{cite news |title=Monty Python: 30 years of near reunions from the comedy troupe |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/comedy/a532589/monty-python-30-years-of-near-reunions-from-the-comedy-troupe/ |access-date=21 August 2019 |work=Digital Spy}}</ref>

Cleese has the most prolific solo career, appearing in dozens of films, several TV shows or series (including ''[[Cheers]]'', ''[[3rd Rock from the Sun]]'', Q's assistant in the [[James Bond movies]], and ''[[Will & Grace]]''), many direct-to-video productions, some video games and a number of commercials.<ref>{{IMDb name|id=92 | name= John Cleese}}; includes prerelease items</ref> His BBC sitcom ''[[Fawlty Towers]]'' (written by and starring Cleese together with his wife [[Connie Booth]]) is the only comedy series to rank higher than the ''Flying Circus'' on the [[BFI TV 100]]'s list, topping the whole poll.<ref>Mattha Busby, 9 April 2019, [https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/apr/09/fawlty-towers-greatest-ever-british-sitcom "Fawlty Towers named greatest ever British TV sitcom"]. ''The Guardian'', Retrieved 24 May 2019</ref><ref>[https://www.itv.com/news/2019-04-09/fawlty-towers-and-father-ted-top-list-of-britains-favourite-sitcoms/ "Fawlty Towers and Father Ted top list of Britain's favourite sitcoms"]. ITV. Retrieved 24 May 2019</ref> Cleese's character, [[Basil Fawlty]], was ranked second (to [[Homer Simpson]]) on Channel 4's 2001 list of the [[100 Greatest (TV series)|100 Greatest TV Characters]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest/tv_characters/results.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090531160558/http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest/tv_characters/results.html |archive-date=31 May 2009 |title=100 Greatest TV Characters |access-date=26 May 2019 |publisher=[[Channel 4]]}}</ref>

Idle enjoyed critical success with ''[[Rutland Weekend Television]]'' in the mid-1970s, out of which came the Beatles parody [[the Rutles]] (responsible for the [[cult]] [[mockumentary]] ''[[All You Need Is Cash]]''), and as an actor in ''[[Nuns on the Run]]'' (1990) with [[Robbie Coltrane]]. In 1976 Idle directed music videos for George Harrison songs "[[This Song]]" and "[[Crackerbox Palace]]", the latter of which also featured cameo appearances from Neil Innes and John Cleese. Idle has had success with Python songs: "[[Always Look on the Bright Side of Life]]" went to no. 3 in the UK singles chart in 1991.<ref>{{cite news |title=Official Singles Chart Top 75 (13 October 1991 – 19 October 1991) |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19911013/7501/ |access-date=22 August 2019 |work=Official Charts Company}}</ref> The song had been revived by [[Simon Mayo]] on [[BBC Radio 1]], and was consequently released as a single that year. The theatrical phenomenon of the Python musical ''[[Spamalot]]'' has made Idle the most financially successful of the troupe after Python. Written by Idle (and featuring a pre-recorded cameo of Cleese as the voice of God), it has proved to be an enormous hit on Broadway, London's West End and [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]].<ref name="ParkerO'Shea2006">{{cite book|first1=Alan|last1=Parker|first2=Mick|last2=O'Shea|title=And Now For Something Completely Digital: The Complete Illustrated Guide to Monty Python CDs and DVDs|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G49bRxbeH1kC&pg=PA68|access-date=29 September 2010|date=1 April 2006|publisher=The Disinformation Company|isbn=978-1-932857-31-3|page=68}}</ref> This was followed by ''[[Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)|Not the Messiah]]'', which revises ''The Life of Brian'' as an [[oratorio]]. For the work's 2007 premiere at the [[Luminato]] festival in [[Toronto]] (which commissioned the work), Idle himself sang the "baritone-ish" part.

===After ''Python'' reunions===

[[File:Monty Python O2 Arena.jpg|thumb|Left to right: Palin, Gilliam, Jones, Idle, Cleese (pictured in 2014).]]
Since ''The Meaning of Life'', their last project as a team, the Pythons have often been the subject of reunion rumours.<ref name="ParkerO'Shea2006" /> In 1988 Monty Python won the [[British Academy Film Awards|BAFTA Award]] for Outstanding British Contribution To Cinema, with four of the six Pythons (Jones, Palin, Gilliam and Chapman) collecting the award.<ref>{{cite news |title=Outstanding British Contribution To Cinema in 1988 |url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/1988/film/outstanding-british-contribution-to-cinema |access-date=25 August 2019 |website=BAFTA.org}}</ref> The final appearance of all six together occurred during the 1989 ''[[Parrot Sketch Not Included – 20 Years of Monty Python]]'' TV special.<ref name="Reunions"/><ref>McCall, Douglas (2013). Monty Python: A Chronology, 1969–2012, 2d ed. McFarland. {{ISBN|9780786478118}}.</ref> The death of Chapman in October 1989 put an end to the speculation of any further reunions. However, there were several occasions after 1989 when the remaining five members gathered together for appearances — albeit not formal reunions. In 1996 Jones, Idle, Cleese, and Palin were featured in a film adaptation of ''The Wind in the Willows'', which was later renamed ''[[Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (film)|Mr. Toad's Wild Ride]]''.<ref name="TJones">Nathan Bevan (5 March 2011). [http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/arts-in-wales/2011/03/05/the-life-and-times-of-monty-python-s-terry-jones-91466-28274298/ "The life and times of Monty Python’s Terry Jones"]. ''Western Mail''. Wales Online. Retrieved 19 August 2019</ref> In 1997, Palin and Cleese rolled out a new version of the "[[Dead Parrot sketch]]" for ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''.<ref name="Reunions"/>

Monty Python were the inaugural recipients of the [[Empire Inspiration Award]] in 1997. Palin, Jones and Gilliam received the award on stage in London from [[Elton John]] while Cleese and Idle appeared via satellite from Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite book |last1=McCall |first1=Douglas |title=Monty Python: A Chronology, 1969–2012, 2d ed. |date=2013 |publisher=McFarland |page=181}}</ref> In 1998, during the [[The Comedy Festival|US Comedy Arts Festival]], where the troupe were awarded the AFI Star Award by the [[American Film Institute]], the five remaining members, along with what was purported to be Chapman's ashes, were reunited on stage for the first time in 18 years.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Alleen Pace Nilsen|author2=Don Lee Fred Nilsen|title=Encyclopedia of 20th-century American humor|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0ufWAAAAMAAJ|access-date=29 September 2010|year=2000|publisher=Oryx Press|isbn=978-1-57356-218-8|page=86}}</ref> The occasion was in the form of an interview called ''[[Monty Python Live at Aspen]]'', (hosted by [[Robert Klein]], with an appearance by [[Eddie Izzard]]) in which the team looked back at some of their work and performed a few new sketches. On 9 October 1999, to commemorate 30 years since the first ''Flying Circus'' television broadcast, [[BBC Two|BBC2]] devoted an evening to Python programmes, including a documentary charting the history of the team, interspersed with new sketches by the Monty Python team filmed especially for the event.<ref name="Reunions"/>

The surviving Pythons had agreed in principle to perform a live tour of America in 1999. Several shows were to be linked with Q&A meetings in various cities. Although all had said yes, Palin later changed his mind, much to the annoyance of Idle, who had begun work organising the tour. This led to Idle refusing to take part in the new material shot for the BBC anniversary evening. In 2002, four of the surviving members, bar Cleese, performed "The Lumberjack Song" and "[[Sit on My Face]]" for [[Concert for George|George Harrison's memorial concert]]. The reunion also included regular supporting contributors Neil Innes and Carol Cleveland, with a special appearance from [[Tom Hanks]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/all-star-george-harrison-tribute-concert-gets-vinyl-reissue-w515522|title=All-Star George Harrison Tribute Concert Gets Massive Vinyl Reissue|first=Daniel|last=Kreps|date=17 January 2018|access-date=19 August 2019|magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> In an interview to publicise the DVD release of ''The Meaning of Life'', Cleese said a further reunion was unlikely. "It is absolutely impossible to get even a majority of us together in a room, and I'm not joking," Cleese said. He said that the problem was one of busyness rather than one of bad feelings.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3093564.stm Monty Python reunion 'unlikely'], [[BBC News]], 9 September 2003</ref> A sketch appears on the same DVD spoofing the impossibility of a full reunion, bringing the members "together" in a deliberately unconvincing fashion with modern bluescreen/greenscreen techniques.

Idle responded to queries about a Python reunion by adapting a line used by George Harrison in response to queries about a possible Beatles reunion. When asked about such a possibility in November 1989, Harrison responded: "As far as I'm concerned, there won't be a Beatles reunion as long as [[John Lennon]] remains dead."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/12/01/arts/no-3-beatle-reunion-george-harrison-says.html|title=No 3-Beatle Reunion, George Harrison Says|work=The New York Times|date=December 1989 |access-date=6 March 2013}}</ref> Idle's version of this was that he expected to see a proper Python reunion, "just as soon as Graham Chapman comes back from the dead", but added, "we're talking to his agent about terms."<ref>{{cite book|first1=Graham|last1=Chapman|first2=John|last2=Cleese|first3=Terry|last3=Gilliam|first4=Eric|last4=Idle|title=The Pythons Autobiography by the Pythons|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3Q-XD02f4oQC&pg=PT328|access-date=29 September 2010|date=2005|publisher=Macmillan|isbn=978-0-312-31145-2|page=328}}</ref>

[[File:Shubert Theatre NYC from Shubert Alley.jpg|thumb|''[[Spamalot]]'' at the [[Shubert Theatre (New York City)|Shubert Theatre]], New York in 2006. Winning the 2005 [[Tony Award for Best Musical]], Idle's musical opened in London's [[West End theatre|West End]] a year later. The original Broadway cast included [[Tim Curry]] as King Arthur, [[Hank Azaria]] as Sir Lancelot, and Cleese as the (recorded) voice of God.]]
''[[The Pythons Autobiography by The Pythons]]'' (2003), compiled from interviews with the surviving members, reveals that a series of disputes in 1998, over a possible sequel to ''Holy Grail'' that had been conceived by Idle, may have resulted in the group's split. Cleese's feeling was that ''The Meaning of Life'' had been personally difficult and ultimately mediocre, and did not wish to be involved in another Python project for a variety of reasons (not least amongst them was the absence of Chapman, whose straight man-like central roles in the ''Grail'' and ''Brian'' films had been considered to be an essential anchoring performance). The book also reveals that Cleese saw Chapman as his "greatest sounding board. If Graham thought something was funny, then it almost certainly was funny. You cannot believe how invaluable that is.'<ref>{{cite news |title=The full Monty |url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2003/oct/05/tvandradio |access-date=21 August 2019 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Ultimately it was Cleese who ended the possibility of another Python movie.<ref>{{cite news |title=And now for something completely difficult ... |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2006/sep/13/theatre |access-date=21 August 2019 |work=The Guardian}}</ref>

A full, if nonperforming, reunion of the surviving Python members appeared at the March 2005 premiere of Idle's musical ''[[Spamalot]]''. Based on ''Monty Python and the Holy Grail'', it also spoofs popular musicals, including those of [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Monty Python lose Spamalot court battle |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23195478 |access-date=22 November 2023 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> It opened in Chicago and has since played in New York on Broadway, London, and numerous other major cities across the world. In 2004, ''Spamalot'' was nominated for 14 [[Tony Awards]] and won three: Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical for [[Mike Nichols]], and Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for [[Sara Ramirez]], who played the [[Lady of the Lake]], a character specially added for the musical.  The original Broadway cast included [[Tim Curry]] as King Arthur, [[Michael McGrath (actor)|Michael McGrath]] as Patsy, [[David Hyde Pierce]] as Sir Robin, [[Hank Azaria]] as [[Sir Lancelot]] and other roles (e.g., the French Taunter, [[Knights who say Ni|Knight of Ni]], and Tim the Enchanter), [[Christopher Sieber]] as [[Sir Galahad]] and other roles (e.g., the Black Knight and Prince Herbert's Father).<ref>{{cite news |title=Look Back at Tim Curry, Hank Azaria, Sara Ramirez, and More in Spamalot on Broadway |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/look-back-at-tim-curry-hank-azaria-sara-ramirez-and-more-in-spamalot-on-broadway |access-date=20 August 2019 |work=Playbill}}</ref> Cleese played the voice of God, a role played in the film by Chapman.<ref>{{cite news |title=Monty Python's John Cleese and Eric Idle Have a Message for You |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/monty-pythons-john-cleese-and-eric-idle-have-a-message-for-you |access-date=20 August 2019 |work=Playbill}}</ref>

Owing in part to the success of ''Spamalot'', [[PBS]] announced on 13 July 2005 that it would begin to re-air the entire run of ''Monty Python's Flying Circus'' and new one-hour specials focusing on each member of the group, called ''[[Monty Python's Personal Best]]''.<ref>[https://www.pbs.org/aboutpbs/news/20050713_montypython.html Exclusive new ''Monty Python'' specials slated to premiere in 2006], ''[[PBS]]'', 13 July 2005</ref> Each episode was written and produced by the individual being honoured, with the five remaining Pythons collaborating on Chapman's programme, the only one of the editions to take on a serious tone with its new material.<ref>{{cite news |title=Monty Python's Personal Best |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/ddmcvg/monty-pythons-personal-best-episode-guide/ |access-date=23 August 2019 |website=Radio Times |archive-date=24 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824055522/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/ddmcvg/monty-pythons-personal-best-episode-guide/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:Neil Innes by Luke Ford adjust.jpg|alt=Innes in a hat|thumb|upright|Long-time collaborator [[Neil Innes]] at the premiere of ''The Seventh Python'' in 2009]]
In 2009, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the first episode of ''Monty Python's Flying Circus'', a six-part documentary entitled ''[[Monty Python: Almost the Truth (Lawyers Cut)]]'' was released, featuring interviews with the surviving members of the team, as well as archive interviews with Graham Chapman and numerous excerpts from the television series and films.<ref>[http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/f41900824ff54750b45be1f4972b1f5c "Monty Python – Almost the Truth: the BBC Lawyers' Cut"]. BBC. Retrieved 22 August 2019</ref> Each episode opens with a different re-recording of the [[Brian Song|theme song from ''Life of Brian'']], with [[Iron Maiden]] vocalist and Python fan [[Bruce Dickinson]] performing the sixth.<ref>{{cite news |title=Monty Python reunite to tell life stories |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/5062514/Monty-Python-reunite-to-tell-life-stories.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/5062514/Monty-Python-reunite-to-tell-life-stories.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=22 August 2019 |work=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Also in commemoration of the 40th anniversary, Idle, Palin, Jones, and Gilliam appeared in a production of ''[[Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)|Not the Messiah]]'' at the [[Royal Albert Hall]]. The European premiere was held on 23 October 2009.<ref>{{cite news|agency=Press Association|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/news/monty-python-stars-to-stage-reunion-1733638.html|title=Monty Python stars to stage reunion|work=The Independent|location=UK|date=11 July 2009|access-date=19 August 2009}}</ref> An official 40th anniversary Monty Python reunion event took place in New York City on 15 October 2009, where the team received a Special Award from the [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bafta.org/access-all-areas/videos/monty-python-special-award,877,BA.html|title=Pythons receive BAFTA Special Award|publisher=Bafta.org|date=18 October 2009|access-date=18 October 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091108103158/http://www.bafta.org/access-all-areas/videos/monty-python-special-award%2C877%2CBA.html|archive-date=8 November 2009}}</ref>

In June 2011, it was announced that ''[[A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman]]'', an animated 3D movie based on the [[A Liar's Autobiography|memoir of Graham Chapman]], was in the making. The memoir ''A Liar's Autobiography'' was published in 1980 and details Chapman's journey through medical school, alcoholism, acknowledgement of his gay identity, and the tolls of surreal comedy. Asked what was true in a deliberately fanciful account by Chapman of his life, Terry Jones joked: "Nothing&nbsp;... it's all a downright, absolute, blackguardly lie." The film uses Chapman's own voice—from a reading of his autobiography shortly before he died of cancer—and entertainment channel [[Epix (TV channel)|Epix]] announced the film's release in early 2012 in both 2D and 3D formats. Produced and directed by London-based Bill Jones, Ben Timlett, and Jeff Simpson, the new film has 15 animation companies working on chapters that will range from three to 12 minutes in length, each in a different style. John Cleese recorded dialogue which was matched with Chapman's voice. Michael Palin voiced Chapman's father and Terry Jones voiced his mother. Terry Gilliam voiced Graham's psychiatrist.  They all play various other roles. Among the original Python group, only Eric Idle was not involved.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/8602765/Monty-Python-back-for-3D-animated-film.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/8602765/Monty-Python-back-for-3D-animated-film.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|location=London|work=The Daily Telegraph|title=Monty Python back for 3D animated film|date=28 June 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

On 26 January 2012, Terry Jones announced that the five surviving Pythons would reunite in a [[science fiction|sci-fi]] comedy film called ''[[Absolutely Anything]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2012/film/news/pic-reunites-monty-python-members-1118049265/|title=Pic reunites Monty Python members|first=Dave|last=McNary|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=26 January 2012}}</ref> The film would combine [[computer-generated imagery]] and live action. It would be directed by Jones based on a script by Jones and [[Gavin Scott]], and in addition to the Python members it would also star [[Simon Pegg]], [[Kate Beckinsale]] and [[Robin Williams]] (in his final film role).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://downriversundaytimes.com/2014/08/24/celebrity-extra-265|title=Celebrity Extra|last=Elavsky|first=Cindy|publisher=[[King Features]]|date=24 August 2014|work = Downriver Sunday Times}}</ref> The plot revolves around a teacher who discovers aliens (voiced by the Pythons) have given him magical powers to do "absolutely anything".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/monty-python-members-to-star-in-new-film-absolutely-anything/|title=Monty Python members to star in new film 'Absolutely Anything'|work=CBS News|date=6 February 2013}}</ref> Eric Idle responded via Twitter that he would not, in fact, be participating,<ref>{{cite tweet|number=299587521350864896|author=Idle, Eric|user=EricIdle|date=7 February 2013|title=I'm not "Not in a Python film". I'm not in a Terry Jones film. If you can't see the difference then you should probably lie down for a bit}}</ref> although he was later added to the cast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gfmfilms.co.uk/news/eric-idle/|title=Eric Idle|website=GFM Films|access-date=20 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084020/http://www.gfmfilms.co.uk/news/eric-idle/|archive-date=19 August 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===''Monty Python Live (Mostly): One Down, Five to Go''===
{{Main|Monty Python Live (Mostly)}}
[[File:Monty Python Live (Mostly).jpg|thumb|Members of Monty Python on stage at [[The O2 Arena|the O<sub>2</sub> Arena]], London, in July 2014]]

In 2013, the Pythons lost a legal case to [[Mark Forstater]], the film producer of ''Monty Python and the Holy Grail'', over royalties for the derivative work ''[[Spamalot]]''. They owed a combined £800,000 in legal fees and back royalties to Forstater. They proposed a reunion show to pay their legal bill.<ref>{{cite news|title=John Cleese: Monty Python reunion is happening because of my £800,000 legal bill|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/john-cleese-monty-python-reunion-3591253|quote=Last July, the Pythons lost a royalties case to Mark Forstater, who produced 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. ...|newspaper=[[Daily Mirror]]|date=23 May 2014|access-date=28 December 2014}}</ref>

On 19 November 2013, a new reunion was reported, following months of "secret talks".<ref>{{cite news |title=Monty Python to reunite for stage show |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2013/nov/19/onty-python-reunite-stage-show-comedy-holy-grail-palin-cleese |access-date=3 June 2019 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> The original plan was for a live, one-off stage show at [[The O2 Arena|the O<sub>2</sub> Arena]] in London on 1 July 2014, with "some of Monty Python's greatest hits, with modern, topical, Pythonesque twists" according to a press release.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25031520|title=Monty Python to reunite for live one-off show in London|work=BBC News|date=21 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/comedy/comedy-news/10464954/Monty-Python-reunite-for-one-off-show-We-can-still-be-funny.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/comedy/comedy-news/10464954/Monty-Python-reunite-for-one-off-show-We-can-still-be-funny.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Monty Python reunite for one-off show: 'We can still be funny'|date=21 November 2013|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=25 November 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/23/monty-python-reunion-o2-london|title=Is Monty Python's reunion a bit of a joke?|date=21 November 2013|work=The Guardian|access-date=25 November 2013}}</ref> The tickets for this show went on sale in November 2013 and sold out in just 43 seconds.<ref name="Record sales">{{cite news|last=Wilkinson|first=Peter|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/25/showbiz/monty-python-sellout/|title=Monty Python reunion show sells out in 43 seconds|publisher=CNN|date=25 November 2013|access-date=20 August 2019}}</ref> Nine additional shows were added, all of them at the O<sub>2</sub>, the last on 20 July.  They have said that their reunion was inspired by ''[[South Park]]'' creators [[Trey Parker]] and [[Matt Stone]], who are massive Monty Python fans.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lamden|url=http://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/exclusive_south_park_creators_trey_parker_and_matt_stone_brought_monty_python_back_together_1_3021937|title=EXCLUSIVE: South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone 'brought Monty Python back together'|publisher=[[Archant]]|date=21 November 2013}}</ref>

[[Mick Jagger]] and [[Charlie Watts]] featured in a promotional video for the shows: "Who wants to see that again, really? It's a bunch of wrinkly old men trying to relive their youth and make a load of money—the best one died years ago!"<ref name="Thomas">{{cite news |title=John Cleese and Mick Jagger are wrong – Monty Python's silly walks are still hilarious |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2014/jul/01/john-cleese-mick-jagger-monty-python-silly-walks-funny |access-date=22 August 2019 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Michael Palin stated that the final reunion show on 20 July 2014 would be the last time that the troupe would perform together. It was screened to 2,000 cinemas around the world.<ref name="O2 Shows"/> Prior to the final night, Idle stated, "It is a world event and that's really quite exciting. It means we're actually going to say goodbye publicly on one show. Nobody ever has the chance to do that. The Beatles didn't get a last good night."<ref>{{cite news |title=Watch Mick Jagger Dryly Accuse Monty Python of Being 'Wrinkly Old Men' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/watch-mick-jagger-dryly-accuse-monty-python-of-being-wrinkly-old-men-62152/ |access-date=22 August 2019 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> The last show was broadcast in the UK on [[Gold (UK TV channel)|Gold]] TV and internationally in cinemas by [[National CineMedia|Fathom Events]] through a [[Dish Network]] satellite link.<ref>{{cite web|title=Monty Python live (mostly), review: poignant and predictable, but tremendous fun|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/tv-and-radio-reviews/10975695/Monty-Python-live-mostly-review-poignant-and-predictable-but-tremendous-fun.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/tv-and-radio-reviews/10975695/Monty-Python-live-mostly-review-poignant-and-predictable-but-tremendous-fun.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=20 July 2014 |access-date=21 July 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In April 2015, the five surviving Pythons participated in a reunion event moderated by [[John Oliver]] as part of the [[Tribeca Festival]] at the [[Beacon Theatre (New York City)|Beacon Theatre]] in New York City following a 40th anniversary screening of ''Monty Python and the Holy Grail''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Monty Python's Fans Find Their HOLY GRAIL As The British Comedy Team Reunites At TFF 2015 |url=https://tribecafilm.com/news/tribeca-film-festival-2015-monty-python-holy-grail-reunion |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=Tribeca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=12 craziest moments from Monty Python's riotous reunion |url=https://ew.com/article/2015/04/25/monty-python-reunion-tribeca/ |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=EW.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Carpentier |first=Megan |date=2015-04-26 |title=Monty Python: 'We hate the Daily Mail slightly more than we hate each other' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/apr/26/monty-python-reunion-tribeca-film-festival-holy-grail |access-date=2025-02-01 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>