This skit was in direct satire of the BBC production, "Lillie", about the life of Lily Langtry, which featured all these characters, and was then on the air. Watch that and then come back to this and you'll double your pleasure!
@ShannonFreng PC-approved? I don't know know. Stated otherwise: His iniquities, not being the better parts of his character, are not meant to be admired.
I'm an American from the Midwest and I've heard that term many times. In health class, no less, when learning about STDs in high school. People under 35 or so might not use it anymore.
Minor point: Shaw never drank alcohol. Also Graham did a great job as an Oscar Wilde look-a-like! I'm a fan of Wilde and therefore delighted that Monty Python used him in a sketch.
The original wise ass, Oscar Wilde. And what a hilarious, brilliant and ironically inspired wise ass he was. Legendary! Oh, and the guy could write as well. With this spellbinding and magnificent eloquence, I might add.
"Your majesty is like a stream of bat's piss"............."I merely meant your majesty that you shine out like a shaft of gold when all around is dark"...............Shaw would have been proud of that.
A minor point, but just another example of Monty P always getting it right--The Prince of Wales was a very short man, and here he is just that! There is a wax figure of him on display at Warwick Castle that matches the character here completely, down to the sash and buttons. Well worth a visit!
My fave ever Python sketch. Agree with retread01 about audio version seeming funnier... after each shocking line's delivery there was a pause then audible gasps followed by relieved sighs when each clever riposte was explained. I used to be near tears with laughter; perhaps I imagined it better than I can explain it lol
Fab sketch. I see it as an allegory. These artists and the Sovereign? Wilde wrote about artistic freedom and conceived the artist as being antinomian - i.e. "as being above the law," so to speak. And that is clearly happening here: Oscar, George, and James are slapping one another with lilies in front of the King - for whom one feels rather sorry: for Him to be at their mercy, incapable to keep up with their duel of wits.
Huge M.P. fan however, just a small point of history, Queen Victoria reigned for Oscar Wilde's entire life. Her heir to the throne (Edward VII) would not have been referred to as "your Majesty" until after her death in 1901.
@free0fight... "..this sketch makes fun of his witty remarks." Really. Thanks for clearing that up for all of us. We didn't know what it was about or who any of the WORLD FUCKING FAMOUS writers they were imitating.
Comparing the level of wit and sophistication in a Python skit, to the American equivalent attempt with "Saturday Night Live" makes me embarrassed to be American.
+kewkabe It's not about nationality, Monty Python have plenty of substandard British equivalents too, they did do arguably the best sketch show of all time. SNL's main appeal is not really pythonesque at all anyway, it's the revolving cast. If you're referring to a similar skit on SNL I'm not aware of it. There used to be a pretty decent Australian sketch show that ripped off The State a lot though, it happens.
Not sketch comedy, but I think the Simpsons have done fairly well in the wit category over their run. There have been numerous mathematicians writing for them (including Al Jean, who was in Harvard at age 16), so these are thinking people, like the Oxford & Cambridge-educated Pythons. I may be wrong, but I doubt that is the norm rather than the exception on SNL writing staffs..
Even my dad knew the words! I had the cassette but there was something clever about the LP (I had my own cassette player but not my own record player)... two grooves on one side with two different quarter records?
Yes it is quite ironic that Chapman plays Oscar, lol. I do like how they are able to do a comedy skit involving Oscar Wilde that doesn't use any reference to him being homosexual. Very funny.
What episode is this from? I thought I had seen them all, but I do not remember this one. I know it is not from the 4'th season as Cleese is in the sketch.
Real life exchange:
Whistler: "I walked past your house today, Oscar"
Wilde: "Thank you."
'It was one of Shaw's"
"You bastards!"
How's that for a riposte? 😂
@@luisreyes1963 COME ON SHAWY!
The two funniest words ever from this show . "You bastards!"
The brilliance of this show hasn't faded even after 50+ years
This skit was in direct satire of the BBC production, "Lillie", about the life of Lily Langtry, which featured all these characters, and was then on the air. Watch that and then come back to this and you'll double your pleasure!
Thanks ☺️
Except that Lillie didn't air until about five years after this skit, and wasn't on the BBC (it played on LWT)..
There is only one thing better than watching this video and that is not watching this video.
I wish I hadn't written that.
yeah, that one
died hard, Wilde!!
maha-haha
You did bowlwinkle, you did.
Graham is the perfect Oscar Wilde. This is a great sketch!
One poof portraying another one. 😆
'Your Majesty is like a dose of clap.....'
Must remember that for when I am knighted.
I'll just say its one of charles'.
Charles who?
Say instead it is one of Phillip's
@@kenns9well know we know Charles who
Been a fan of Python since it first hit PBS in the 70's. My mom HATED that I watched this show, but I snuck and watched it anyway! VIVA LA PYTHON!
this is one of the best sketches ever!
The best part is Jones going for the handshake at the end
i love the fact that Graham is doing Wilde (you know what i mean nudge nudge)
Is your wife into ... photography?...
Look, are you insinuating something?
Buggered if I know what you're talking about.
Bloody brilliant, forever. Now this is timeless comedy.
Happy! 160th Oscar ... Thank you! for your wonderful plays, prose, and ever-lasting charm and wit.
...Nothing compares 2u! ;-)
@ShannonFreng Well, no, because whatever unmakes character is a point of departure from truly reflecting what is worthy about the self.
@ShannonFreng PC-approved? I don't know know. Stated otherwise: His iniquities, not being the better parts of his character, are not meant to be admired.
"There is only one thing worse than playing squash together, and that is playing it by yourself." - Truer words have never been spoken.
One of the greatest comedy sketches ever, senastional
Still hysterically funny 40 years later. That's Wit with a capital "T".
There is only one thing worse than being talked about,and that is the five people who disliked this.
Just superb, an original classic
Graham Chapman does an absolutely brilliant Oscar Wilde.
I love Wilde. And this sketch was brilliant.
I love Monty Python and Oscar Wilde. Therefor, this consists of awesome and nothing other than awesome.
The chery on the top is Terry Jones moving to shake Palin's hand.
This is one of my fav sketches for some reason
The timing in the Matching Tie and Handkerchief version is beautiful.
The funniest line EVER in Monty Python... "You bastards."
I'm an American from the Midwest and I've heard that term many times. In health class, no less, when learning about STDs in high school.
People under 35 or so might not use it anymore.
"Your Majesty is like a dose of clap."
Don't dare say that to King Charles III! 🤫
"I sodding did NOT!!!!" Great scene- thanks for posting.
"Pain in the Dong...." 🍆
Try saying that at your next party. 😅
"IT SODDING WAS NOT!"
hilarious moment, especially coming from oscar wilde
Minor point: Shaw never drank alcohol.
Also Graham did a great job as an Oscar Wilde look-a-like! I'm a fan of Wilde and therefore delighted that Monty Python used him in a sketch.
who says hes drinking alcohol? Could just be tonic...
The original wise ass, Oscar Wilde. And what a hilarious, brilliant and ironically inspired wise ass he was. Legendary! Oh, and the guy could write as well. With this spellbinding and magnificent eloquence, I might add.
My favourite ever Python sketch - Brilliant
"Your majesty is like a stream of bat's piss"............."I merely meant your majesty that you shine out like a shaft of gold when all around is dark"...............Shaw would have been proud of that.
A minor point, but just another example of Monty P always getting it right--The Prince of Wales was a very short man, and here he is just that! There is a wax figure of him on display at Warwick Castle that matches the character here completely, down to the sash and buttons. Well worth a visit!
His smiling is obviously part of the role, not an indication that he was about to burst out laughing.
I adore this on so many levels
this is one of the funniest EVER..... EVER
"There is only one thing worse than playing squash together, and that is playing it by yourself." *Silence* Hahaha.
Thank you! I am a BBC fan from the U.S.
My fave ever Python sketch. Agree with retread01 about audio version seeming funnier... after each shocking line's delivery there was a pause then audible gasps followed by relieved sighs when each clever riposte was explained. I used to be near tears with laughter; perhaps I imagined it better than I can explain it lol
Cada vez me gusta mas .Grahm esta fascinante 😆😂😃
There is only one thing in the world more awesome than nothing other than awesome. And that is something other than awesome.
Probably my second favorite Monty Python sketch.
I wish I had written this skit : )`
But you will sidDkid, you will!!!
TheMeridian808 LOL! Thank you, Meridian! Jelly doughnut?
sidDkid87 with the cream on the top, of course, right!!!
bob duncan like stream of bat's piss - cheers!
bob duncan LOL! This *never* gets old
By far one of their most underrated sketches.
Why is this sketch so awesome
There's only one thing better than watching a video of yourself on youtube: commenting on it.
another masterpiece.
Graham Chapman was the prolonged Oscar Wilde.
I love the pretentious laughter... so genius.... so Graham Chapman..
c'mon shawry
haha, thanks a lot! I got to do research on Oscar Wilde for a school project, and this cracked me up!
24 it. Now. Sam.
Es lindo cuando al final Jones le da la mano al pobre Shaw 😆😂😃
I've heard this many times on "Matching Tie and Handkerchief" but this is the fist ti. Great stuff.me I've seen it
I wish I had said that
I like the play on words.
Fab sketch. I see it as an allegory. These artists and the Sovereign? Wilde wrote about artistic freedom and conceived the artist as being antinomian - i.e. "as being above the law," so to speak. And that is clearly happening here: Oscar, George, and James are slapping one another with lilies in front of the King - for whom one feels rather sorry: for Him to be at their mercy, incapable to keep up with their duel of wits.
1:12
Awww Oscar... they can't all be gems...
Classic!
"Come on Shawry!"
"Let's have a bit of the ol wit then Bern"
I love that line.
QUE PRONUNCIACIÓN TAN EXQUISITA DE PARTE DE GRAHAM. ..ES UNA CLASE DE INGLES.Y DE FONÉTICA. EXTRAORDINARIO ARTISTA CHAPMAN 😆😂😃😬😈😉
Wonderful stuff :)
Huge M.P. fan however, just a small point of history, Queen Victoria reigned for Oscar Wilde's entire life. Her heir to the throne (Edward VII) would not have been referred to as "your Majesty" until after her death in 1901.
+1
+atomicrooster56 Thanks for pointing this out.
+atomicrooster56 what are you, the president of the pedantic society?
He is the President of the Pedants' Society, if you don't mind.
anonUK I can't take this seriously now knowing such a faux pas has been made
@ricarleite You are absolutely right!
Superb!
Palin always cracks me up
It sodding was not! lol
"It was SHAW!!"
@TubeTolo Fortunately*
There's only one thing worse than a video with a top comment, and that is a video without a top comment.
@Ballyhook He lost it when he went to study at Oxford, and the English accent stuck.
So freaking true!
@axellllle I agree.
@free0fight... "..this sketch makes fun of his witty remarks." Really. Thanks for clearing that up for all of us. We didn't know what it was about or who any of the WORLD FUCKING FAMOUS writers they were imitating.
It’s the dragged-out canned laughter that does it for me.
…and the body language.
"Come on Shaw--y"
Comparing the level of wit and sophistication in a Python skit, to the American equivalent attempt with "Saturday Night Live" makes me embarrassed to be American.
What about Dave Chappelle? Everybody gets their inspired genius once in a while, including us yanks!
Nice reply.
+kewkabe It's not about nationality, Monty Python have plenty of substandard British equivalents too, they did do arguably the best sketch show of all time. SNL's main appeal is not really pythonesque at all anyway, it's the revolving cast. If you're referring to a similar skit on SNL I'm not aware of it. There used to be a pretty decent Australian sketch show that ripped off The State a lot though, it happens.
Not sketch comedy, but I think the Simpsons have done fairly well in the wit category over their run. There have been numerous mathematicians writing for them (including Al Jean, who was in Harvard at age 16), so these are thinking people, like the Oxford & Cambridge-educated Pythons. I may be wrong, but I doubt that is the norm rather than the exception on SNL writing staffs..
Katherine Nelson I think you're over analysing it just watch and if it's funny to you great if not find what is
Brilliant
I know this sketch well but I have never seen it until today! ;)
Eh ?
It was on Matching Tie and Handkerchief. I too knew every word but had never seen it before.
Even my dad knew the words! I had the cassette but there was something clever about the LP (I had my own cassette player but not my own record player)... two grooves on one side with two different quarter records?
@BobbyReed
Carried away by the witty fling, Oscar cried:
"I wish I had said that."
"You will, Oscar, you will," came Whistler's lightning thrust.
There's only one thing worse than a stream of bat piss, and it's the 4 blokes who disliked this video
Perfect vignette of Oscar.
I thought I have seen all MP sketches. Unfortunately I was wrong!
After he says: "You bastards!"
It is barely noticeable, but if you see it a a couple of times, it will pop out.
"We've got him, Jim"
Yes it is quite ironic that Chapman plays Oscar, lol.
I do like how they are able to do a comedy skit involving Oscar Wilde that doesn't use any reference to him being homosexual. Very funny.
@movement26 so true
What episode is this from? I thought I had seen them all, but I do not remember this one. I know it is not from the 4'th season as Cleese is in the sketch.
You did James, you did
@Aeoen
When Oscar started going to Oxford he quickly began speaking with an English accent because the other boys made fun of his Irish accent ^___^
@wingnutofcoolness I did'nt type it like that!
he sodding was not
@fyeJack ...true...
is jones playing the PoW?
Where exactly?
Come on Shawry!
Shawy! Shaaaaawy!
My favorite python sketch ever.
Shaw: You bastards!
Yep. Irish writers Shaw, Wilde, makes me proud. Monty Python forever
Shaw: "THPPPFFFTHHHH!"