Forty Years of Dead Parrots and Crunchy Frogs: Happy Birthday, Monty Python's Flying Circus!

Forty years ago today, the lads of Monty Python debuted their wonderfully absurdist Flying Circus show on British television. Although it was sandwiched in a terrible spot in the Sunday lineup, it went on to gather a cult following and become a worldwide phenomenon. Thusly did dead parrots, the Spanish Inquisition, Spam, and a whole host of silly walks enter the common parlance.

And now, for something completely similar. Un-coincidentally, IFC will begin airing all four seasons of Flying Circus on Oct. 18 as part of their "Python-athon." IFC will show the 13 episodes of the first season, unedited and uncut, through the rest of 2009 on Mondays at 7:30 pm and Fridays at 11:00 pm. Seasons Two, Three and Four will begin similar broadcasts in 2010.

So while we gear up for that, here's some of our favorite moments (that we haven't already namechecked) from the wacky and wonderful world of Monty Python's Flying Circus:

1. Philosophy Football:

"Nietzsche has just been booked for arguing with the referee. He accused Confucius of having no free will, and Confucius he say, 'Name go in book'."

2. Argument Clinic:

"This isn't an argument!"

"Yes it is!

"No it isn't, it's just contradiction!"

"No it isn't."

3. Upperclass Twit of the Year

Sure, there are certain aspects of this sketch that lend themselves well to the Pythons' oh-so-British brand of humo(u)r, but we like to think that the foibles of the super-rich have a universal charm that extends across the pond.