But I think Palin and Jones were the ones he most wanted to work with.

Oh, it was definitely Palin. They all readily admit that Python formed because Cleese had a comedy-crush on Palin.

They all readily admit that Python formed because Cleese had a comedy-crush on Palin.

Well who wouldn't? The man easily takes the most lovable Python prize by a mile.

Well who wouldn't? The man easily takes the most lovable Python prize by a mile.

It's true. Though they all seem to have a great deal of affection for Chapman, as well.

What's funny about watching those Do Not Adjust Your Set bits is that so many of them play out as preludes to Holy Grail, as Jones deploys all of his varied historical interests.

Huh, I didn't realize that was Neil Innes as the troubadour in Holy Grail ("Brave Sir Robin ran away...").

Note how they kept themselves entertained while shooting on various cold Scottish mountains. Grammar games:

It was Chapman, dear old Graham, he taught me how to do crosswords. And also I suggested at one stage we do a little game called declining the verb to sheep worry. "I am sheep worried," "you are sheep worried," and Cleese came up with the best one, I think it's a future pluperfect tense, "I am about to have been sheep worried."

Huh, I didn't realize that was Neil Innes as the troubadour in Holy Grail ("Brave Sir Robin ran away...").

He also had a similar role in Gilliam's Jabberwocky.

Incidentally, the Neil Innes blog has a huge store of free mp3s from his long career with both the Bonzos and a composer for various BBC kid's shows.

Neil Innes music.

(Neil doesn't run the blog but he's been in touch with them and obviously knows they've posted this music. He's taken the approach of saying, "Here they are for free, or if you want to pay for them and treat me to tea, then you can get them over.")

So, I'm poking through my Kinks catalog and guess what song is awesome and I've never really listened to it before? "Brainwashed" on Arthur.

In fact, this whole album is pretty great.

I wish The Goodies was viewable on US tv again--I remember laughing so hard I'd be crying while watching that show.

I wish The Goodies was viewable on US tv again--I remember laughing so hard I'd be crying while watching that show.

I remember one about South Africa that had me doing that. When all the black people left to get away from the opression, they started abusing the short people and Bill Oddie was the major victim in the group. If I remember correctly he started a revolt involving babies.

They have one episide with a David Attenborough cameo. (Well, not the real David Attenborough, though they did get the real Patrick Moore.)

NPR has a first listen to the new PJ Harvey album.