Right! Remove This Sketch, Please. It's Silly!

July 2, 2008 4:12 PM

Would the diehard Monty Python fans among you please help me find a particular sketch?

I'm looking for a specific Monty Python sketch that I saw a couple of years ago but can't remember the name of. To make matters worse, I'm not even sure I can trust the bits of it that I DO remember, but hopefully, the hardcore Python fans out there will be able to help me out. What I seemingly remember of the sketch is as follows:

- The first and only time I saw it was as a special feature on a Monty Python "retrospective" type DVD that I rented from Netflix (such as 'The Life of Python' or something like that - sadly, the Netflix DVD descriptions weren't of any help.) To my knowledge, it did not appear on any of the Flying Circus episodes, but I could be mistaken. Note: It is not the Mayday sketch.

- It involved (I think) Eric Idle and Michael Palin and possibly a 3rd member of the troupe. I seem to remember one of them pretending to be blind (although I'm not sure) but I do remember it took place in what I think was a store and one of them kept walking into a circular rack of sunglasses. I want to say both of them were wearing trench coats, but again, my memory is hazy.

- Oddly enough, the other thing I remember is that it seemed to be filmed "on location" as opposed to a set, and that when you looked through the "shop" windows it appeared to be dark outside.

So, that's it. Not a lot to go on, but maybe one of you will be able to provide the name of the sketch and point me towards the DVD in question - or better yet, a YouTube (or similar) link.

Thanks in advance.

posted by Rewind to media & arts (9 comments total)

I vaguely remember this but can't pin it down.

Have a look through here: something might jog your memory...
posted by ninazer0 at 4:56 PM on July 2, 2008

Probably way off base, but was it one of the Vercotti brothers sketches?
posted by Shecky at 4:58 PM on July 2, 2008

Is it the hearing aid/contact lenses sketch?
I've never seen it, just read the text of it from "All the Words," but it does involve being sight-impaired and apparently features Idle & Palin. Apparently part of Fliegender Zirkus, the description of which does mention that a lot of it was shot on location.
posted by juv3nal at 5:13 PM on July 2, 2008

Was anyone topless? I have the DVD series, and was surprised to find a couple of sketches I had never seen before, each one pleasantly featuring a topless female person. I suppose that's why they never made it onto PBS. In this case, the sketch would be in the Python Canon, but not available for general American public viewing, as opposed to being a DVD "special feature" or bonus extra.
posted by Aquaman at 5:22 PM on July 2, 2008

If it helps, you can view your NetFlix rental history.
posted by BryanPayne at 5:34 PM on July 2, 2008

Seconding going through your rental history. I can see mine going back to 2001.
posted by tinkertown at 5:43 PM on July 2, 2008

Hearing aid sketch

The original, from the At Last The 1948 Show (4:27 and onwards)
posted by martinrebas at 5:43 PM on July 2, 2008

I suppose that's why they never made it onto PBS.

Actually, they did make it onto PBS, at least in the '70's, but in those days they put naked pictures of Maria Schnieder (absolute full frontal) into Time magazine in a story about Last Tango in Paris. Anyway, every Monty Python sketch script is archived here. Perhaps this archive will help you find the sketch you seek.
posted by caddis at 5:46 PM on July 2, 2008 [1 favorite]

juv3nal and martinrebas have it. Thanks to all for the help!

If it helps, you can view your NetFlix rental history.

Yeah, I'd tried that only to find there were several Monty Python retrospectives I'd rented and I couldn't remember which one it was. Like the line of thought, though.
posted by Rewind at 6:56 PM on July 2, 2008