First of all, I hope it won't be considered an act flaming to say some of the reviewers here seem to want to shame anybody who might have an interest in the pre-history of Britain's comedic centerpiece, Monty Python's Flying Circus. As a forty-seven-year-old American I can assert that, in the late nineteen-sixties, re-packaged David Frost specials used to pop up on TV on my side of the Atlantic and I can well remember how riotous these little glimpses of British comedy seemed. David Frost must be the Kevin Bacon of mid-twentieth century British comedians, because Peter Sellers, Marty Feldman and, as is evidenced by this movie which shows his name prominently in its credits, Monty Python were all within six degrees of him. (Frost's comedic coup was his series of Nixon interviews, of course. Frost was the Western World's court jester.) In any case, this movie (which, from what I can tell, was either a TV special from the start or a collection of best bits from a series) has three members of what was about to become Monty Python. It also has Connie Booth, who, besides being John Cleese's wife, worked with him very closely on the scripts for FAWLTY TOWERS. What is historically interesting is the narration. Cleese appears before each skit, prefacing it in much the same way MAD Magazine prefaces each article. A year later, when Monty Python had its first episode, gone were the prefatory explanations. The prefaces made me realize how grounded in Baby-Boomer idealism Monty Python was. A skit Cleese says is about how irritating parents can be is really a pretty cold delineation of the alienation between the World War Two generation and its offspring. The grown children are so engrossed in watching TV they won't even look at the parents and the parents are so unable to appreciate their children's alienation that they act as if there's nothing drastically wrong. MONTY PYTHON splashed the fact that things were drastically wrong across the screen in every episode. Here, in a just barely pre-Python world (specifically, 1968) there is a certain bowing to TV conventions which highlights, for me, the sadness of a world in which World War Two was very much a living memory. HOW TO IRRITATE PEOPLE is one step removed from the "How Not To Be Seen" skit. The rage which informs Python is under the surface here. At least one of the skits here is performed unchanged in MONTY PYTHON (the job interview), at least one other is, for my money, as good as anything Python would do, but made a little more human because of its mood of genuine (if dark) camaraderie at the end (the airplane skit) and in all the skits I saw serious precursors of skits which would come later. Palin has all his shtick in place, Cleese has his delivery and Chapman is, if anything, livelier here than in Python. (I particularly like his actor-asking-star-of-show for a compliment.) This also shows me that, for all the energy, the members of Monty Python had powers of observation. Seen here more as actors than clowns, we see master comics building up to the height of the satire they are about to achieve.
26 Reviews
Before the Flying Circus, there was this... and I think we can all agree that John Cleese knows how to be irritating
TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews18 October 2007
Before the Flying Circus, before the movies, before the Python team was complete, they put together this... well, half or so of them, did, anyway. This is a series of sketches(more than one of which were later re-done on the show) all based around the concept that the title describes. Cleese has Chapman and Palin with him, and they manage to put a lot of good skits on the screen. It's not as refined and well-done as the show and the movies, but it's a good look at the Pythons roots(and what admirable roots, at that). It runs for an hour and less than ten minutes, and it does so quite smoothly. The jokes are never far away, and some of them are utterly hilarious. The pacing is pretty much spot-on, if some skits perhaps go on for longer than they ought to. The material never feels tired or bland(if some of it is overused). The performances are energetic, enthusiastic and just plain *work*. It's not as far-out and bizarre as the show and the movies are, but it's still satisfying and entertaining. The bits are all different, and this has the first appearance by(and the spoken definition of, coining that as their name) "pepperpots", who would be seen countless times on the Circus. The whole production is presented as a documentary with Cleese as the host, introducing each segment and occasionally making jokes in-between them. For any fan of the team, I would say that this is worth the hour. I recommend this to any fan of the Pythons, Cleese and British comedy in general. 7/10
Must-See for all Python fans !
Batkid18 September 2007
I bought this recently on VHS at a Half-Price bookstore and, man, does it really blow you away with it's insane humor.
It is so hilarious and truly creative all at the same time. The title basically speaks for itself. John Cleese hosts and appears in the sketches along with regular Python members Chapman, Palin and his wife/co-star Connie Booth.
I've seen it at least three time and now want to see it again sometime next month.
The only reason I give it eight out of ten stars is because it does go over a little too long, but that's forgivable due to it's overall excellent comedic value.
It is so hilarious and truly creative all at the same time. The title basically speaks for itself. John Cleese hosts and appears in the sketches along with regular Python members Chapman, Palin and his wife/co-star Connie Booth.
I've seen it at least three time and now want to see it again sometime next month.
The only reason I give it eight out of ten stars is because it does go over a little too long, but that's forgivable due to it's overall excellent comedic value.
A bit flat, but hidden gems inside
DrQuuxum22 March 2002
The show as a whole fell kind of flat. The acting seems a bit uninspired at times, and there isn't that Python-ish chemistry that later appeared.
However, two sketches do stand out; the "Airline Pilots" sketch, where Chapman, Cleese, and Palin take turns abusing their passengers; the other being the "Management Training Course Interview" where Cleese gets Brooke-Taylor to perform some humiliating stunts.
However, two sketches do stand out; the "Airline Pilots" sketch, where Chapman, Cleese, and Palin take turns abusing their passengers; the other being the "Management Training Course Interview" where Cleese gets Brooke-Taylor to perform some humiliating stunts.
Take the program for what it is
Floydiac26 March 2002
Many people may be disappointed with the material on the program because it is not typical Python. People need to take into account that this is before the incorporation of Idle, Jones and Gilliam. Also, it is a precursor for what was eventually to become one of the funniest sketch comedy shows ever broadcast.
A Must see-A Hidden Gem in the crown of British Comedy
dhsb581 August 2004
How to Irritate people is an instructial comedy of just how to do it by the comedians of the time, John Cleese (python),Graham Chapman (python),Connie Booth (Wife of Python & Infamous waitress),Tim Brooke Taylor (Goodie/ISIHAC) & Michael Palin (python)
The Program itself features some excellent sketches.If you have not seen this you will find out that you have missed a lot.
It's recently had a new lease of life on DVD, and i would definitely purchase it at a mere £5.99.
Sketeches that feature are the classic "Airplane Sketch" & "Pepper-Pots". Undoubtabley the stealer of the show is the "Game show sketch"
If you have seen "At last the 1948 show" you will certainly like this.Python fans also..though each sketch does have a punchline!
The Program itself features some excellent sketches.If you have not seen this you will find out that you have missed a lot.
It's recently had a new lease of life on DVD, and i would definitely purchase it at a mere £5.99.
Sketeches that feature are the classic "Airplane Sketch" & "Pepper-Pots". Undoubtabley the stealer of the show is the "Game show sketch"
If you have seen "At last the 1948 show" you will certainly like this.Python fans also..though each sketch does have a punchline!
50% of Python's members at their best
giantcowofdoom15 July 2001
This film from 1968, a year before Python did its first show, is hilarious. It was done by John Cleese, Connie Booth, Graham Chapman, and Michael Palin, all From Monty Python's flying Circus. There Python Genius for comedy shines in this film. Additional material was provided by the hugely funny Marty Feldman. Wile a few of the Sketches are a little slow, many are some of the funniest ever recorded. Some Particularly good sketches are the ones with the old women, the airline one ("The wings are not on fire"), and the last sketch on the tape, to name few. Defiantly worth a look for any Python Fan, or for any one looking for a good laugh.
Monty Python - The Early Years
Listmstr25 July 1999
The core of the group was there: Cleese, Palin, and Chapman.
It's a series of sketches designed as an instructional programme in which Cleese brings the audience through Beginning Irritating People Techniques (interrupting someone's television watching to find out what they want for dinner. And do they want peas or lima beans with that. And what do they want to drink with that. Oh, so sorry, we're out of that, we have (list of beverages with explanations about quality of said beverages)), followed by Intermediate Irritating People Techniques (telling someone who's just brought his car for the fourth time in for repair that everything is fine and refusing to look at it to make sure) and Advanced Irritating People Techniques (hinting around endlessly about how one is without transportation instead actually asking for what one wants in the first place, a ride home).
It's funny. It's very funny. Because you see other people using Advanced Irritating People Techniques and you just have to laugh because they don't even realize that they're using an Advanced Irritating People Technique. Almost all the way through the video you're thinking about people that you know personally who are experts at the Irritating People Technique being illustrated. And then you might realize that you yourself might do some of these things...
It's a series of sketches designed as an instructional programme in which Cleese brings the audience through Beginning Irritating People Techniques (interrupting someone's television watching to find out what they want for dinner. And do they want peas or lima beans with that. And what do they want to drink with that. Oh, so sorry, we're out of that, we have (list of beverages with explanations about quality of said beverages)), followed by Intermediate Irritating People Techniques (telling someone who's just brought his car for the fourth time in for repair that everything is fine and refusing to look at it to make sure) and Advanced Irritating People Techniques (hinting around endlessly about how one is without transportation instead actually asking for what one wants in the first place, a ride home).
It's funny. It's very funny. Because you see other people using Advanced Irritating People Techniques and you just have to laugh because they don't even realize that they're using an Advanced Irritating People Technique. Almost all the way through the video you're thinking about people that you know personally who are experts at the Irritating People Technique being illustrated. And then you might realize that you yourself might do some of these things...
Brilliant
dwelfusius12 June 2006
I can't believe what I see.A rating of 5/10 on IMDb...is this because it is an American site or..?..this is probably one of the most hilarious films ever made and if there are people that fail to see that,I seriously question these people..I'll admit the set-up of the movie can seem quite odd,or the fact that it actually isn't a movie but more a collection of sketches,but that doesn't change one bit to th fact that this movie is a pearl amongst swines..I know that some sketches may be a bit long-threaded..but in my opinion the other sketches make up for this flaw..who can keep a straight face while watching the quiz sketch.."What do horses eat?Meat.No.Other horses?..No,what do horses eat?Lobsters."..or the airplane sketch"Ladies and gentlemen,there is no reason to be alarmed". I just want to point out that despite the fact some of the sketches don't match up to the certain standard we possibly created for Monty python material,this movie is certainly worth seeing and deserves more than a 5 on 10.
Even for Python films, this isn't necessary viewing
planktonrules19 December 2008
This is a harmless mock documentary made just before the TV series "Monty Python's Flying Circus" debuted. It stars John Cleese, but Michael Palin and Graham Chapman are on hand as well as a few others. But, most importantly, this is not a Python production and the chemistry of the later television show is not evident here since it lacks many key actors/writers. Most will find the show mildly interesting at best or even a tad dull because it lacks the crazy humor and polish of later productions.
Die-hard Python fans will fall into one of two camps--those who love the show but are reasonable people who can admit this is far from great and those who see EVERY production any Python member participates as pure gold (these are known as "the Kool-Aid Drinkers"). I love the Monty Python series having seen it innumerable times, but I just can't recommend this show unless you are really curious or really bored.
Die-hard Python fans will fall into one of two camps--those who love the show but are reasonable people who can admit this is far from great and those who see EVERY production any Python member participates as pure gold (these are known as "the Kool-Aid Drinkers"). I love the Monty Python series having seen it innumerable times, but I just can't recommend this show unless you are really curious or really bored.
Everything you didn't like about Monty Python in one package!
Islandoutfitter14 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Painfully slow paced and tedious. Horrendously bad taste, racist Michael Palin in brownface playing an Indian waiter in one sketch. Horrifying men in drag portraying women as vacuous and petty. I'm amazed they got any further than this in show business with this abomination. Thankfully, they came to their senses somewhat and came up with better material than this embarrassing tripe.
Far funnier than Monty Python
Ecnerwal6 January 2002
This is a brilliant satirical comedy, made by John Cleese, Michael Palin and Graham Chapman before Monty Python, and it is a lot funnier. It is not too bizarre, the material is very original and the characterisations are far stronger.
It basically consists of John Cleese talking about ways to irritate people, and showing sketches as examples. The sketches are hilarious, and nearly every character can be linked to someone you know. Particularly good are the annoying 'pepperpots' who sit behind you in the cinema, talking and commenting, the mother who uses emotional blackmail to persuade you to spend more time with her, the dodgy car salesman, who refuses to admit there is a fault with the car, and the job interviewer, who gets you to perform absurd tasks.
All in all it is one of the funniest collection of sketches ever made.
It basically consists of John Cleese talking about ways to irritate people, and showing sketches as examples. The sketches are hilarious, and nearly every character can be linked to someone you know. Particularly good are the annoying 'pepperpots' who sit behind you in the cinema, talking and commenting, the mother who uses emotional blackmail to persuade you to spend more time with her, the dodgy car salesman, who refuses to admit there is a fault with the car, and the job interviewer, who gets you to perform absurd tasks.
All in all it is one of the funniest collection of sketches ever made.
Exactly what it says
earnail8 April 2002
This is a pleasing spinoff of Monty Python (featuring at least one MP sketch that I know of - the interview) in which John Cleese does a remarkable job of sticking to the point (irritation). Some of the non-Monty Python actors seemed out of place to me for that reason, but you can't hold that against them.
In general, a very amusing discourse on a totally pointless topic (that's a good thing).
In general, a very amusing discourse on a totally pointless topic (that's a good thing).
Pre-Pythonisms
Fuzzbomb11 August 2003
Here's an oddity - made the year before Python with most of the cast and the assorted Goodie. Truth be told it's not all that funny, and features an extremely offensive scene with Palin as an Indian waiter, but there are moments of interest, such as seeing an extended range of Cleese's acting abilities, the extremely funny airline sketch, and noting how Connie Booth hardly aged between this and Fawlty Towers...
Not Dire
caspian197821 December 2003
Lets not forget what we are watching here. This is a Python like tv episode of early sketch comedy. For a present audience, yes, it has many gaps and holes with very little if no comedy. But don't forget, this was produced in 1968! Before Laugh In and seven years before SNL! For what Python was doing then, was not only genius what probably the funniest act on television to the date. So, before you act critical, think again. This is what motivated much of the sketch comedy we see on television today.
Funniest Monty Python besides Grail! Game SHow was the best!
Sam102314 November 2001
Irritating - take notes
Bernie44447 December 2023
As with most movies the bad guy viewer never relates to the bad guy in the film, as an irritating person will not recognize his/her self in this skit. It is wasted on the target people.
This is a one hour and eight-minute presentation. The presenter John Cleese gives us a variety of irritating people in irritating situations. He gives no clue as to how the victim can rectify the situation.
Each sketch may be a tad long or overdone but it is much better than not getting a chance to laugh with John Cleese.
Do not overlook the other significant people that you know so well: John Cleese Tim Brooke-Taylor Graham Chapman Michael Palin Gillian Lind Connie Booth Dick Vosburgh
Worth putting on the shelf next to Fawlty Towers.
This is a one hour and eight-minute presentation. The presenter John Cleese gives us a variety of irritating people in irritating situations. He gives no clue as to how the victim can rectify the situation.
Each sketch may be a tad long or overdone but it is much better than not getting a chance to laugh with John Cleese.
Do not overlook the other significant people that you know so well: John Cleese Tim Brooke-Taylor Graham Chapman Michael Palin Gillian Lind Connie Booth Dick Vosburgh
Worth putting on the shelf next to Fawlty Towers.
Funny-no, irritating-YES.
cobram-16 October 2004
Maybe this will be funny if you've been in a coma since Johnson was in the White House. The skits drag on and on and on ad nauseam with little or no punch line. If you're into historical references, then watching this will give you an idea of what some of the Python troop were like before they were funny. If you're really into Python, and the casts' individual projects, treat this as if you are watching a learning exercise that helped them learn from their mistakes. This will however leave you wondering if some of the cast members haven't make pacts with the devil, they don't seem to have aged all that much since this dog was made.
Cleese sure does irritate here and it's not all that funny either
policy13426 December 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Every comedian today has been inspired by Monty Python in some way but if you look at this hour long show it's a wonder why Monty Python were ever successful. This was made a year before "Flying Circus" minus the two Terries and Eric Idle.
There are some amusing skits here and there like the "Fake consideration" skit with Cleese going on and on of making sure that Connie Booth (his sweetheart at the time) is comfortable but they only produce mild giggles and to that the "Indian Restaurant" skit is embarrassing is understatement to the max.
The "Job Interview" which was recreated in "Circus" truly doesn't work with an actor other than Graham Chapman and it's a darn shame that I saw this after "Circus" because it has tainted that absolutely hilarious skit. If I had seen this first I might have felt differently but I think that it is so poorly timed and executed that it's a wonder they did indeed recreate it in "Circus".
So if you want to preserve the memory of "Monty Python's Flying Circus" as the truly innovative and the most hilarious comedy series ever, please do not watch this. It's a waste of time.
There are some amusing skits here and there like the "Fake consideration" skit with Cleese going on and on of making sure that Connie Booth (his sweetheart at the time) is comfortable but they only produce mild giggles and to that the "Indian Restaurant" skit is embarrassing is understatement to the max.
The "Job Interview" which was recreated in "Circus" truly doesn't work with an actor other than Graham Chapman and it's a darn shame that I saw this after "Circus" because it has tainted that absolutely hilarious skit. If I had seen this first I might have felt differently but I think that it is so poorly timed and executed that it's a wonder they did indeed recreate it in "Circus".
So if you want to preserve the memory of "Monty Python's Flying Circus" as the truly innovative and the most hilarious comedy series ever, please do not watch this. It's a waste of time.
Yet to break the conventions
kevinsspam200231 July 2003
Python's genius was in identifying and breaking the norms of TV, just as the Beatles broke those of music and Godard, film. But this pre-Python program follows the conventions. Rather than sketches being interrupted by the army, they build up to a conventional punchline. Sketches are self-contained; characters from one sketch do not appear in another threatening each other to stop using their lines. Credits flash on the screen as they would anywhere else. Very conventional comedy from some comedians who would soon help break the conventions, but haven't yet.
If this had been included as an extra on a Python DVD, it would have been a great one. But since you have to buy it as its own title, it doesn't fare as well.
If this had been included as an extra on a Python DVD, it would have been a great one. But since you have to buy it as its own title, it doesn't fare as well.
Like a hour-long version of Miss Anne Elk
wgreview-114 July 2022
Not so much funny as ... irritating. The Pythons learned very quickly that a very little bit of this goes a long way. Probably the worst Python-related project: even The Meaning of Life has better material than this. A few of the sketches were reused or reworked for Flying Circus.
Uneven
irish238 December 2008
There are some truly funny bits in this video, but not enough.
The humor is gloriously Python, complete with "pepperpot" ladies with their outrageous voices. Each actor does very well, with Graham Chapman a real standout.
Unfortunately the material is very uneven and goes too long without laugh lines. When the lines do come, it's harder to get into the swing of things because you've gone so long without anything to build up to them.
This isn't helped by lack of audience reaction. They would've been far better served by using fake applause à la Python than by using the live audience, which (especially at the start) seemed befuddled by what was going on.
I made it through an hour but then felt I'd had enough. It was just taking too much time to get to anything funny. A severely edited version might be more successful, but that certainly won't be happening!
The humor is gloriously Python, complete with "pepperpot" ladies with their outrageous voices. Each actor does very well, with Graham Chapman a real standout.
Unfortunately the material is very uneven and goes too long without laugh lines. When the lines do come, it's harder to get into the swing of things because you've gone so long without anything to build up to them.
This isn't helped by lack of audience reaction. They would've been far better served by using fake applause à la Python than by using the live audience, which (especially at the start) seemed befuddled by what was going on.
I made it through an hour but then felt I'd had enough. It was just taking too much time to get to anything funny. A severely edited version might be more successful, but that certainly won't be happening!
Not very bloody good (5/10)
outsider-219 June 1999
Its funny but nowhere near as close to the genius of the Monty Python sketches. If you're a Monty Python fan like myself whos watched every episode about 12000 times, you won't be doing any harm in checking this out.
Jolly good, jo-lly good, Mrs Morris!
dbennett7918 December 2001
This is really the Python's First Film, although it's missing a few of the real Pythonites (namely, the cartoon guy.) Many of the sketches in this are reminiscent to sketches from the TV series, including my favorite, which I call the dead car sketch: a man comes into an auto repair shop, insisting that his car has trouble. The proprietor insists that there's "never no trouble with those." The car's owner goes on to prove that the car has trouble, but the shop's owner just wants to go to lunch. Sound familiar? It reminded me of the famous "Dead Parrot" sketch. My other favorite from this show was the "Airline Pilots" sketch, about what really goes on in the cockpit during a flight. ("The wings are not on fire.") and ("The skrill must be released!") A must-view for any Monty Python fan or budding irritator. Believe it or not, I came away with some knowledge on how to deal with bullies. First, react in certain organized ways... (OOOH! Ahh. Well, I never! >smack smack smack<)
Lacks ... Humor.
Hotoil6 February 2003
This show seems to have been aimed at a more conventional crowd than Cleese, Chapman and Palin's work with Monty Python. In fact, it has very, very little of the subversive and hilarious wit they displayed in that comedy troupe. The premise doesn't give much room for anything but Cleese portraying an intentionally annoying character (a noisy father disrupting his TV-watching children, an overly considerate date, a loud middle-aged woman in a movie theater) and noticeably bothering a character usually portrayed by Michael Palin. The characters don't have anything very funny about them, they are very straighforward and do nothing but annoy or get annoyed in the exact way you would expect based on Cleese's narrated set-up. There aren't any twists. There are very few moments when you get any hint of how brilliant these guys could be on their television shows and movies as Monty Python. In fact, it's kind of annoying seeing such talented men wasting away in such an unfunny piece of work - even if you're a Python fan, theres nothing really necessary about 'How To Irritate People', though the dedicated will inevitably check it out since theres almost always a copy by the Flying Circus videos at any rental store.
See also
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