Life after Python (and before).

[tartanwiz]

Before Monty Python there were other surreal comedy shows (Spike Milligan, The Goons, That Was The Week That Was, etc) and after Python there were others too (The Young Ones, Absolutely, Bottom, Harry Hill, League of Gentlemen, Little Britain, etc) But none of the others have had the same fanatical fan following or international success as Monty Python. Why is this? (I'm a Python fan myself, but I like the others too).

[natalie_1982]

I think that's a biased question, I've never ever seen the attraction with Monty Python, and I don't know anyone that would call themselves a fan, or even choose MP over and above Little Britain, Spike Milligan, AB Fab or Bottom, etc. Anyone out of my family, friends and work colleagues I mean, not anyone ever!

[Octavius]

Because the MP team used to appear at the Montreal Comedy festival thus expanding their fan-base.  I don't believe the others have/did although I would love to see Vicky Pollard or Marjorie Daws on the international stage!

[slimjim]

I'd watch Young Ones or Bottom ahead of Python any day. Python is over-rated simply because the Yanks liked it (heaven knows how they ever got the humour though).

[Ray the DJ]

I loved Monty Python, but I think that the Goons were better and just as popular.

MP was influenced by the Goon Show. 

[bernardo]

I think that Python was/is brilliant, far more so than some others.  I think it's just because it was so surreal so early, with brilliant sketches and innovative devices like using the animations as links, or not ending sketches properly. But ultimately I don't think there is any real explanation of why or how, it's just a matter of personal preference.  We just have to accept the fact that Python fans are intrinsically morally intellectually and culturally superior to non-fans, and that those who dislike Python are intrinsically evil and insane and should be cut in half with a scythe by Terry Gilliam.

[Merlin]

Tartanwiz and Bernardo again.

MP was groundbreaking it was the 'alternative' stuff of its day and some of it was ahead of its time and sometimes beyond rather than near the knuckle. It was 'cult' viewing. We loved it, our parents hated it. There was real talent in the writing and acting. A lot of stuff since has been poor imitation. How many times have you seen stuff since and said "Monty Python did that first"?. It was far superior to what Spike Milligan, for instance, was churning out at the time (Q5,6,7,8??).

I didn't like most of the animation stuff, though.