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!
Ironically enough, they didn't have to resort to too much effort, to create one of their best skits (they used virtually their regular voices, there was no physicality involved, and no great stretch in costuming--such as drag)
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.
@@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.
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.
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
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..
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.
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.
"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.
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?
@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.
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.
@BobbyReed "That's good, first-rate, a lovely bit of colour; but that, you know," he went on, jerking his finger over his shoulder at another picture, "that's bad, drawing all wrong . . . bad!" "My dear fellow," cried Whistler, "you must never say that this painting's good or that bad, never! Good and bad are not terms to be used by you; but say, I like this, and I dislike that, and you'll be within your right. And now come and have a whiskey for you're sure to like that."
I keep thinking that the real Oscar was like Stephen Fry (or somebody else with equal wit, but he just fits here) on Twitter, and these poets - including Graham's Oscar - are his Twitter followers, desperate to impress him by their own wit ;) The ratio of wits is very similar...
Real life exchange:
Whistler: "I walked past your house today, Oscar"
Wilde: "Thank you."
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.
'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!"
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
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!
The best part is Jones going for the handshake at the end
Still hysterically funny 40 years later. That's Wit with a capital "T".
One of the greatest comedy sketches ever, senastional
Bloody brilliant, forever. Now this is timeless comedy.
this is one of the best sketches ever!
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?
I love Monty Python and Oscar Wilde. Therefor, this consists of awesome and nothing other than awesome.
Graham Chapman does an absolutely brilliant Oscar Wilde.
"There is only one thing worse than playing squash together, and that is playing it by yourself." - Truer words have never been spoken.
Ironically enough, they didn't have to resort to too much effort, to create one of their best skits (they used virtually their regular voices, there was no physicality involved, and no great stretch in costuming--such as drag)
this is one of the funniest EVER..... EVER
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...
Happy! 160th Oscar ... Thank you! for your wonderful plays, prose, and ever-lasting charm and wit.
...Nothing compares 2u! ;-)
Does your gratitude extend also to his iniquities? I'm surprised they left that alone.
@@ShannonFreng Well, no, because whatever unmakes character is a point of departure from truly reflecting what is worthy about the self.
@@MerseyrockReally? Your rather cryptic answer is nothing, if not profound. Is that what is referred to as a PC-approved response?
@@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.
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!
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.
This is one of my fav sketches for some reason
I love Wilde. And this sketch was brilliant.
"I sodding did NOT!!!!" Great scene- thanks for posting.
"Pain in the Dong...." 🍆
Just superb, an original classic
"Your Majesty is like a dose of clap."
Don't dare say that to King Charles III! 🤫
There is only one thing in the world more awesome than nothing other than awesome. And that is something other than awesome.
The chery on the top is Terry Jones moving to shake Palin's hand.
The timing in the Matching Tie and Handkerchief version is beautiful.
"There is only one thing worse than playing squash together, and that is playing it by yourself." *Silence* Hahaha.
Probably my second favorite Monty Python sketch.
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!
I adore this on so many levels
My favourite ever Python sketch - Brilliant
Why is this sketch so awesome
There is only one thing worse than being talked about,and that is the five people who disliked this.
"IT SODDING WAS NOT!"
hilarious moment, especially coming from oscar wilde
There's only one thing better than watching a video of yourself on youtube: commenting on it.
Graham Chapman was the prolonged Oscar Wilde.
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
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
Thank you! I am a BBC fan from the U.S.
By far one of their most underrated sketches.
1:12
Awww Oscar... they can't all be gems...
His smiling is obviously part of the role, not an indication that he was about to burst out laughing.
haha, thanks a lot! I got to do research on Oscar Wilde for a school project, and this cracked me up!
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
Yep. Irish writers Shaw, Wilde, makes me proud. Monty Python forever
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.
another masterpiece.
After he says: "You bastards!"
It is barely noticeable, but if you see it a a couple of times, it will pop out.
I love the pretentious laughter... so genius.... so Graham Chapman..
c'mon shawry
"Come on Shawry!"
I like the play on words.
I've heard this many times on "Matching Tie and Handkerchief" but this is the fist ti. Great stuff.me I've seen it
There's only one thing worse than a video with a top comment, and that is a video without a top comment.
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.
Cada vez me gusta mas .Grahm esta fascinante 😆😂😃
"Let's have a bit of the ol wit then Bern"
I love that line.
I wish I had said that
It sodding was not! lol
"It was SHAW!!"
Palin always cracks me up
So freaking true!
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
Es lindo cuando al final Jones le da la mano al pobre Shaw 😆😂😃
Superb!
There's only one thing worse than a stream of bat piss, and it's the 4 blokes who disliked this video
QUE PRONUNCIACIÓN TAN EXQUISITA DE PARTE DE GRAHAM. ..ES UNA CLASE DE INGLES.Y DE FONÉTICA. EXTRAORDINARIO ARTISTA CHAPMAN 😆😂😃😬😈😉
"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.
Classic!
Very witty.
My favorite python sketch ever.
Shaw: You bastards!
"We've got him, Jim"
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.
You did James, you did
@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.
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.
Shaw: "THPPPFFFTHHHH!"
Perfect vignette of Oscar.
“Oscar Wilde was married 😏”
-Will McKenzie
he sodding was not
"Does anyone know of any undergraduate Aristocratic, blonde young men I can bugger"
"You bastards!":DDD
By the way, Palin almost busted out laughing.
Come on Shawry!
Me parece que Graham no keria sentirse guacho de Cleese. ..Pero en la 4 temporada fue libre al no estar Cheese. 😈😆😘😲💕💕💕
@BobbyReed "That's good, first-rate, a lovely bit of colour; but that, you know," he went on, jerking his finger over his shoulder at another picture, "that's bad,
drawing all wrong . . . bad!"
"My dear fellow," cried Whistler, "you must never say that this painting's good
or that bad, never! Good and bad are not terms to be used by you; but say, I
like this, and I dislike that, and you'll be within your right. And now come
and have a whiskey for you're sure to like that."
@ricarleite You are absolutely right!
I keep thinking that the real Oscar was like Stephen Fry (or somebody else with equal wit, but he just fits here) on Twitter, and these poets - including Graham's Oscar - are his Twitter followers, desperate to impress him by their own wit ;) The ratio of wits is very similar...
Jane Xemylixa Fry played Wilde in a film
Brilliant
Some people got VERY rare sense of humor..
@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 ^___^
Shawy! Shaaaaawy!
COME ON SHORY!
4 people are like a dose of clap
I never saw this Monty Python-very witty.
This sketch is like a stream of bats piss ..
Wilde is superior because Wilde dressed better.
@phemyda94 OMG! I'M LAUGHING RIGHT NOW AT THAT PART! OVER AND OVER AGAIN!
"You bastards."