Which Member Of Monty Python Are You?

The influence that Monty Python’s surreal humor has had on comedy is hard to put into words. Their impact on the world of comedy is comparable to the impact that the Beatles had on the world of music. Almost every single comedian, comedy writer, and comic actor – especially if their sensibility is quite absurdist and they work in sketch – will cite the Pythons as a major influence on their work. Their style of humor has led to the term “Pythonesque” finding its way into the common lexicon. The Pythons revolutionized sketch comedy with their loose structure and stream of consciousness style. They basically did to comedy what James Joyce and Virginia Woolf did to literature – they loosened it up in order to dig deeper. The list of funny people they’ve influenced is endless: David Cross, Sacha Baron Cohen, Seth MacFarlane, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Seth Meyers, Matt Groening, and many more. Each member of the Monty Python troupe – Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin – brings something unique and hysterical to the table. But which one are you? Which member of the Python gang do you most resemble? Take this quiz to find out!

Question 1

Was the parrot dead or resting?

The “Dead Parrot” sketch is quite possibly the most iconic of all the Monty Python sketches. The premise is very simple. A man discovers that the pet parrot he has bought is dead, so he brings it back to the shop he bought it from for a refund. But the shopkeeper insists the parrot is resting. What do you think?

Question 2

Who is your favorite Monty Python character?

Like with any great sketch show, Monty Python’s Flying Circus gave the world of comedy a number of iconic and memorable recurring characters. There’s too many to count, as the writers came up with such random and brilliant concepts and the performers pulled them off perfectly, but of the most famous and absurd, which is your favorite?

Question 3

Do you have commitment issues?

Are you the kind of person who struggles to settle down with just one partner and therefore move from partner to partner in pursuit of a happiness you may never find because of your inherent commitment problem? Or perhaps you’re not, and you are able to settle down and commit your life to one person. Do you have commitment issues?

Question 4

What’s your favorite part of Life of Brian?

Life of Brian is Monty Python’s religious satire about a man who was born at around the same time as Jesus Christ and is subsequently mistaken for the Messiah. Despite controversy and accusations of blasphemy, it’s consistently ranked among the greatest films of all time. But what’s your favorite thing about it?

Question 5

Do you prefer Brazil the place or Brazil the movie?

Brazil is a beautiful, exotic country in South America. Rio de Janeiro is the capital city, and it’s the home of some terrible slums, but also some beautiful landmarks, and Fast & Furious 5, too. The movie Brazil is a dark, twisted, and kinda silly adaptation of Orwell’s 1984. Which do you prefer?

Question 6

What’s your favorite thing about Monty Python’s Flying Circus?

Monty Python’s Flying Circus was the BBC sketch series that started it all and gave the Pythons a more widespread and mainstream level of success. Other titles that the BBC rejected for the series included Whither Canada?, The Nose Show, Ow! It’s Colin Plint!, A Horse, a Spoon and a Basin, The Toad Elevating Moment, and Owl Stretching Time. It doesn’t really matter what the title is, it’s all Pythonesque stuff. What’s your favorite thing about Flying Circus?

Question 7

Is it the Judean People’s Front or the People’s Front of Judea?

The whole point of Life of Brian is that it lampoons organized religion and part of the satire with the Judean People’s Front bit is that in organized religions, they kick off and get angry over confusion about the smallest differences that don’t really matter. But seriously though, is it the Judean People’s Front or the People’s Front of Judea?

Question 8

What’s your favorite sketch in The Meaning of Life?

The Pythons themselves consider The Meaning of Life to be their weakest film. John Cleese called it “a bit of a cock-up” on their part in comparison to Holy Grail and Life of Brian. The fans generally agree with that. But there are some gems in there. What’s your favorite sketch in The Meaning of Life?

Question 9

Do you say it how it is?

Eric Idle is one of the most audacious people who ever lived. He has the balls to mess with people and say it how it is. When a woman sent in a letter to ‘warn’ the Pythons that one of the members was gay, Idle sent back a jokey letter saying they had found who it was and stoned him. When the BBC tried to censor the word ‘masturbation,’ Idle told his boss, “Everyone masturbates. Don’t you masturbate, sir?” He’s crazy! Everyone should be like that, but some people are too polite. Do you say it how it is?

Question 10

Do you like experimental or traditional movies?

This depends on what your visual taste buds enjoy. Some people like experimental films because they challenge the norms and you have no idea what you’re watching and that’s exciting. But some people do like to know what they’re watching or they get frustrated. Do you like experimental or traditional movies?

Question 11

What’s your favorite art form besides sketch?

Obviously if you’re into the Pythons, then sketch comedy is most likely your favorite art form. However, you can’t just stop at sketch. Even the Pythons didn’t stop at sketch. They moved on to other mediums and enjoyed long careers in other things. Besides sketch, which is your favorite art form?

Question 12

Do you prefer 'Monty' or 'Python'?

Monty Python is such an iconic name and brand now that you lose sight of the fact that the guys had to come up with it, and it's a pretty random thing to come up with. Gwen Dibley and Baron Von Took were also considered as names for the classic comedy troupe. The name Monty Python was settled on because one member thought the Lord Montgomery reference was funny and another thought the slimy, slithery python image was funny. Which of the two component words do you prefer?

Question 13

Would you tour America as a tribute to Graham Chapman?

The surviving Pythons agreed that on the ten year anniversary of their fallen brother Graham Chapman, they would tour the United States as a tribute to him, as that was where he had made his home later in his life. However, when it actually came to it, certain members of the troupe were more committed than others. Do you think a tour of America as a tribute to Chapman was a good idea?

Question 14

Do you consider yourself to be young or old?

This isn’t really a question of age, it’s more of a question of how you feel. Some people can be 80 and feel 18, whereas others can be 25 and feel 50. Of course, some people can actually feel the age that they are. But how old do you feel? Do you consider yourself to be young or old?

Question 15

Are you a member of the LGBTQ community?

In the days when the Pythons first started performing, there was a serious stigma surrounding LGBTQ people. Society was inherently homophobic and people refused to allow it. Of course, we are slightly more progressive now and luckily more and more people feel safe enough to come out publicly about it. Graham Chapman was open about being gay even back then, and the other Pythons were fine with it. Why can't everyone be like that? Anyway, are you a member of the LGBTQ community?

Question 16

Who is your favorite character from Monty Python and the Holy Grail?

Between the third and fourth series of Flying Circus, the Pythons wrote a silly little comedy that was a spoof of the legend of King Arthur, and today that film is an absurdist masterpiece that ranks among the greatest comedies ever made. From the humor derived from a small budget to the anti-climax of them not actually finding the Holy Grail, it's a master class in hilarity. There's so many great characters in it. Which of these is your favorite?

Question 17

Do you like a drink?

For some people, alcohol makes everything better. However, a lot of people are able to see through the fact that it’s a chemical and the good feeling you get is just and illusion and it really just makes everything worse. But if you can ignore that, you can enjoy a drink. Do you?

Question 18

Which of these is your favorite movie genre?

The Pythons play around a lot with movie genres. Monty Python and the Holy Grail tackled the Arthurian legend and medieval films, while Life of Brian went for Biblical religious epics like Ben Hur, and don’t even start with Terry Gilliam’s weird steampunk fantasies. So, which of these is your favorite?

Question 19

Which cause do you feel most strongly about?

The Pythons are a great bunch of guys. Beyond their impact on the world of comedy and all the smiles they brought to their audience’s faces, they’ve also used their public image to fight for charitable causes, be it writing against it or organizing fundraising events. Which of these causes do you feel most strongly about?

Question 20

Do you like Monty Python’s stream of consciousness style?

Terry Jones likened the looseness of Monty Python’s sketches to giving the performers room to “breathe” in the comedy. No longer were they restricted to keeping things short and ending with punchlines every five seconds. They could go on for ages to really explore the comedic opportunities of every sketch. Do you like this?

Question 21

What’s your favorite Terry Gilliam movie?

Ever since he left the Pythons, Terry Gilliam has enjoyed a long and seasoned career as a Hollywood filmmaker. He has even managed to stay out of the mainstream and only do movies he cares about, that suit his weird sensibility. Which of these is your favorite of his movies?

Question 22

Which part of England do you prefer?

England is not anywhere near as big as America. It has about a sixth of its population and it’s a tiny little island in comparison. But still, there’s a bunch of different regions, all with their own aesthetic and identity and dialect. Which of these is your favorite of them?

Question 23

Who do you admire most as a performer?

Since the Monty Python troupe have influenced everyone from Bob Odenkirk and David Cross to Trey Parker and Matt Stone, it might be hard to imagine that they were influenced by some performers themselves who predated them and made their own unique mark. Which of these performers do you admire the most?

Question 24

Is it funny when men play women in comedy?

Among the Monty Python troupe, Terry Jones was known as “the best Rat-Bag woman in the business,” since he always played middle-aged women characters in their sketches in Flying Circus, and the infamous role of Brian’s mother in Life of Brian. It’s like Fred Armisen in SNL. But is that funny?

Question 25

Are you the straight man?

Are you the voice of reason? This means the one who steps in when things are getting “too silly” and is a comic foil for the wackier antics of those around him. This provides juxtaposition and a voice for the audience. It can provide extra humor, too, in a meta sort of way. But of course, you still need the wacky people doing their thing. So, are you the straight man?

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