Michael breaks up! Dead parrot.

[TheBestCommenterEVER]

there's no one on earth who could keep a straight face with john cleese yelling at you like that

[CCNuck]

I just love that Cleese is actually laughing at Palin laughing. You can tell there's such a fondness, haha.

[smegweevil]

I've heard it hundreds of times and I still burst out laughing!

[taurusgirl65]

1:28 to 1:33 this would make a nice music beat or a loop replay.

[wahaya2]

Cleese tells another story about performing this sketch live where after a slug is offered as a replacement for the parrot, and Cleese asks whether it talks, where Palin is supposed to say 'not really' he instead said 'it mutters a bit' - which made Cleese laugh so much he eventually had to ask the audience for the next line because he'd totally forgotten where they were in the sketch.... that one makes me giggle XD

[Zimnyification]

"If there were some kind of Olympic sport for parrot bashing, John would win it hands down."

lmao

[Tube11ize]

when Margaret thatcher quotes the dead parrot you can see in the crowd the people who know what shes on about and the people who had never seen python sketches/films just from facial expressions and clap speed,I bet Margaret was thinking "why are these gits laughing at me i`m been serious"

[tramac1964]

@Tube11ize I get the impression that the woman wouldn't have recognised a joke if it slapped her with a wet fish

[RHLoony]

"pinin' for the fjooooOOoOrds !?!"

Oh! My stomach hurts :'-D

It is nice to see them laughing during the sketch!

The Python's are simply the best!!!

[Proxylfc]

thatcher had never even heard of the sketch. it was her advisors who made her use it. Trying to make it seem like she had a sense of humour i suppose.

[Fortevn]

The second time Cleese said "Pinnin' for the FjOOOOOORDS?" he chuckled as well.

[Jornev]

First time I've heard John Cleese break as well.

[Stevie2Sxc]

i love they don't even try to hide the laughter, they just roll with it. I especially love the little chuckle in John voice on the "pining for the fields, what are you talking about?" you can just hear him breaking up off-screen

[acgabbers]

'There should have been an olympic sport of parrot bashing'

[xmtsystems]

7 people bought a Norwegian Blue

[arayaslayer666]

i started cryin when he said "pinin for the fjoooooooooOOORRDS?!?"

[spacecowboy5000]

I had no idea the old Battleaxe used something from the parrot sketch. Huh, go figure...

[kcmonsod]

where does this interview come from? where can one get the rest of it?

[antonswitajewski]

i think its hilarious when people are doing a sketch and one person breaks up, and instead of waiting for that person to get control of himself, the other just makes it worse for them and tries to make them laugh harder.

[Soilwar]

The second "paining for the fjoooords?!" was so mean, haha! But at least John Cleese - the ultra-professional - had to laugh as well. :D

[blunklaura]

Ohhhh Michael Palin's soooooooooooo adorable !!!!

[aniboker]

Seven gumbies watched this video...

[kairakia]

"What kind of talk is thahahahat..." That is the only time in my life I have EVER heard John Cleese break up in the middle of a sketch. Covers it well though. Unlike Michael. xD

[fillip27]

@kairakia i'd love it if the camera had of caught cleese's face at " thahahahat" moment!

[worldviolist]

I love the look on Michael's face at about 2:09-2:10, it's like this look of abject terror because he knows he's about to break up at "pining for the fjoooooords???"

[trishf]

What is funnier??? Noooooooooooothinnnnnnnnnnnnnn­gggggggggggggggggg.

[lomax343]

By far the funniest bit of this is Maggie - who didn't get it at all.

[Tareltonlives]

@lomax343 It's even funnier when they've done so many great jokes at her expense. God bless that old stupid bitch.

[peterburd]

"This is nothing to laugh at!"

And Cleese is breaking up too.

[Seattlecarnut]

How can anyone not laugh at this, eh? It's funny!

[Sulfur81]

paiiiniiinngg fuuurr diii fjeeeåårddss

[dharmaseed]

"Look, this is nothing to laugh at!"

[sid1662]

Beautiful treasure of a moment!

[someamerican]

Priceless!

[shniggle99]

oh...my...god. hes soooooo fuckinggggggg CUUUUUUUUUUUUTE

[DeFubz]

I love how John deliberately repeats his high-pitched "pining for the fjords?" just to make Michael laugh again :D

[11DNA11]

I really love it when Cleese is just working his ass off to make Palin laugh after the first signs of bursting into laughter :D

[DabbooDear]

Omnomnom Michael Palin <3

[AnonymousPsych]

Thatcher quoting Python?! Blimey, I've seen it all now...

[KanzlerM]

Like Tim Conway and Harvey Kormann...

[xemily91]

I'm impressed that Michael lasted that long! I was gone at the 'ello polly! line!

I love that little look at 2:25ish. <3

[CCNuck]

@xemily91 Oh my goodness yes that look at 2:25 is so stinking funny, this sweetly evil little "Oh you brat, I AM going to get you for this" expression. I have to admit I'd keep rewinding it to see that look, heeheehee.

[TimeExtention]

has him died ?

[blunklaura]

where can i find more vids like this,please?

[gbraae]

Well, must say Cleese isn't making it easy on Palin lol "pIIIIIning for the fIIIIIords!!!???" Michael is adorable, though.....

[ZachValkyrie]

I'd like to see Stephen Colbert hosting that event!!!

[sardonicbard]

You can hear John start to chuckle right around 2:30

[salmonico]

Wow, that Thatcher douche doing some Python lines is quite scary.

[gr8deals2do]

Palin is laughing at 2:14 :-DDD

[tomsega]

I never really loved the parrot sketch, no more than a number of others, anyway. I think it's popularity owes to it being the Python sketch that fits most the mould of other classic, working class, slightly more typical comedies, such as Porridge, etc etc.

[Notebooked]

I always thought it was because the surrealism of it was easily quoted -- 'It's dead, that's what's wrong with it' -- instead of having to know it to get the effect across. With the parrot sketch, it was easy enough to get the surrealism across -- with others, not so.

[tomsega]

There's obviously a fair amount of surrealism in there, as ever with Monty Python, but it does seem to me the most Only Fools and Horses, Porridge, or Are You Being Served sort of sketch, and that to me seems why its popularity rings out a bit more. Bearing in mind Monty Python was a bizarre late night cult program when it first came out. I prefer seeing this sketch in the And Now For Something... film when it goes straight into the Lumberjack song afterwards!!

[mollydebdavis]

What documentary is this a part of?

[jesperjnielsen]

The best sketch EVER!!!!

[maryjanenobody]

I looooove that there is an entire section of my university literature textbook devoted to Monty Python, with this sketch in it.

Monty Python <3

Michael Palin is sooo adorable!!

[blahblahhuh1]

pinin' for the fieOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLDS?­!?!?!

[flugel76]

fjords. Not fields.

[Shadow07Warrior1989]

Parrot Bashing!!!

[Pirlinetor]

Fantastico Micheal Palin che, dopo essersi messo a ridere, lancia un'occhiata "da duro" al pubblico... salvo ridere di nuovo dopo pochi secondi XD

[Hrrpttr854]

What is this from? I can't find it anywhere

[lickstickly]

amnesty international shows, they are still performed every year to this day

[Hrrpttr854]

@lickstickly thanks, but i was refering to the discussion of it - michael palin, etc

[sandprof]

I would challenge anybody to keep a straight face between 2.13 and 240 - impossible. JC must have lived in the US as he says carnferince at 2.54

[AshLuvsJonnyStew]

OMG this is too good...my two fave Pythons at it! LOVELY!

[goji1986]

What video is this from? It can't be the new DVD set that came out earlier this year cuz this was posted in '06.....???

[bilgeratjim]

"beautiful plummage"!!!

[MissKateUK]

My two fave Pythons, I wish I'd been there that night.

[MoveOverCasanova]

is this from hollywood bowl?

[cymru1991]

No its not I'm afraid- it's from an amnesty international gig "at her majesty's pleasure"- check the description :)

[MissT681]

"This is nothing to laugh at!" rofl

[mozzwold]

i wish theyd panned over to cleese when he said what sort of talk is that cos you can hear hes laughing i wanna see his face!

[dingo976]

my favorite has to be the time mike tricks john, they start the sketch as normal and then mike just says "ok, heres your money back" john wasnt in on it and it was bloody hilarious!!!

[dharmaseed]

Oh God, is that available anywhere? I'd love to see that!!

[Donnoliel]

I love how that gets a bigger laugh then the sketch!

[EuskaltelEuskadi]

mike got his own back later though cos he told john that the slug muttered a bit and so they both ended up laughing whilst the audience shouted the lines!

[cyancyancyann]

i want to find the version where he said it mutters a bit.. do you where i could find it??

[EuskaltelEuskadi]

I don't think it's on here. but you can get a dvd of the whole thing I think

[lloydmitchellnineone]

the one in drury lane?

[InvisibleAutoMail]

"Pinin' for the fjooORDS?"

Last straw for poor Mike, I'm afraid.

Lol, best video I've seen in a long time.

[depeche10188mode]

lmao XD I would nvr be able to do a sketch with any of the montys without laughing my ass off XD

[dharmaseed]

Oh, that's lovely! John did the voice twice just to watch Michael break up again.

[LoverOfVenom]

I could never do a sketch with John Cleese like that without laughing.

[schizo123]

haha, michael palin reminds me of pilate from life of brian when he tries to stop laughing at 2.22 ^^

[pippin420]

"intercontinental......interco­ntinental buttocks" lol

"bigus dickus" lol

[depeche10188mode]

lmao that one is my fav sketch! and the fish liscence =P

[Leviathan451]

pinin' for the fjords?!

[AutumnxMeadows93]

Michael just hit the top chart of adorableness<3333

O my God, I love him!

[DabbooDear]

@AutumnxMeadows93 He Was Gorgeous When He Was Younger Aswell

[LittleMissGiggles506]

i could never act with with monty python on stage, i would totally break out laughing every 2 seconds or so!!!!

[PepperPhoenix]

"This is nothing to laugh at!"

Is it just me or is John trying to make him worse? :D The high pitched voice and everything.

Either way, hilarious.

[MasterToku]

It sounds like he's on the brink himself.

[octochan]

that certainly sounds like something he'd do. getting people to laugh is what he does for a living. getting his mates to corpse on stage - bonus!

[saqib09]

@PepperPhoenix He obviously did.

[lithkitty]

I"there should be some olympic sport, parrot bashing he'd win, hands down, look at that!" python rocks! <3

[richintalent]

This made me snork my coffee! PRICELESS!!!

[Emogirlgr8]

Margret Thature aint got nottin on the Pythons!!!

[headlikeanorange]

I want SO badly to see John's face the first time Mike laughs!

[SgtPepper303]

@headlikeanorange Yeah lol and you can hear his voice crack when he says "what kind of talk is that?!"

[Niespodziewanie]

Hahahaha :D

[Bollthorn]

"Pining for the fjooOOOOOOORDS!?!?!?!!?"

[graaar]

Python fans-

We should compile a database of people to subscribe to/videos to watch for others! Message me with suggestions! When there's enough, I'll post a video compiling the list of things every python fan must watch on youtube :D

[lithkitty]

I'm in! :D

[mgabbard]

Priceless! Pure comedy genius!

[JGTMTE]

I performed this sketch with a friend at our schools sort of Fete thing... about a week later in assembly we got an award for it because people thought it was so good :-) I was Cleese hahaha, we both started laughing like this on the final night but managed to get away with it by saying "This is nothing to laugh at!" as well :-P the next year we did The Argument Sketch and won the talent contest again.

[trublgrl]

You know, this sketch WAS donated to "Comic Relief", in the sense that ANYONE may perform it IF the proceeds of the performance are given to Amnesty International. (I read this in somethign called the "Red Nose Book" or somethign like that) so, I think everyone should do it and pass along some money to help people in need!

Congrats on your award-winning performance!

[ApostelAvIngenting]

if it would have been me on stage instead of Palin I would not crack up... I would fall over struggling to breathe :P

[Laqez]

The way Mr. Palin says "Plu-mage" is priceless!

[szymonch]

Margaret Thatcher - excellent!! :)

[idontlikenicknames]

I cracked up at Michael cracking up :D so adorable

[smalltalkNchips]

i dont think margaret thatcher is human

[hoplav]

lol 1:30 Mike's commentary

:look at that! bonk bonk bonk..

[sureenakay]

michael is adorable here

[Sofkuu]

MICHAEL'S LAUGH xDD LOL! Love it!! I can imagine myself into that.... xD "Pining for the fjords??!!!!!" "*CRACKS UP*"

[a1mint]

Thatcher... lol.

[PhilippaRM]

OMG this is just too funny ahahaha

[grtcornholio]

I hardly laugh about the sketch itself anymore, but Michael's cracking up is really addictive. I think it's possibly because he's surprised how John is able to keep a straight face while performing outrageously well :)

[kotwbutach2410]

ive got exactly the same impression. michael's cracking up is addictive :)

[weirdloopyloo]

Does anyone else have the desire to vomit at the guy drowning in Brll Cream at 3:19?

[Zeitgeist74]

Yeah, actually the whole Tory convention and Margaret Thatcher make me shiver with nausea. Whugh! :(

[sannaol]

This is so great. I would have liked to see Mike comment on his laughter there or see him see himself there on the TV

[Puxliak]

Mike is so lovely here! When he starts to laugh it`s awsome!!

Love Monty Python!

[BottomLoverWOOF]

what is this from?

[Shegtill]

Michael's laugh is priceless XD

[shmivv]

This /always/ makes me smile.  "THIS IS NOTHING TO LAUGH AT!!"

[iluvcheezitsheyhey]

You know, I still love Ian Holm in the role of Bilbo Baggins in LOTR, but but Michael would have done a very good job also. I love when he cracks up!

[TheOdderOne]

Another instance of rare Python improv: "This is nothing to laugh at!" Amazing.

[AfatPasty]

Fuckin Thatcher...

Python ftw!

[sandprof]

It is "the" funniest sketch ever written -the "stairway to heaven" if you will of comedy and I have never seen a better version of it. Can anybody name a funnier sketch?, he asks expecting the answer no

[mustaine75]

LucaTanz, there is no "fields", but "fjords"...

[LucaTanz]

Michael's Look at 02:23 is awesome ^^

It's just impossible NOT to laugh when John Cleese screetches the line "pinin for the fiiiiiiiiiieeellds?" like that. Priceless!

But instead of Michael, who's regaining control at 02:40, i would've laughed TWICE as hard when John Cleese said "this is nothin' to laugh at"! lol!

[kibethewalrus]

fjords btw ;)

[Valnatron]

What does "pinning for the fjords" mean?

~~ Valnatron

[squigglycircle]

Pining for the fjords.

Longing for the Norwegian landscape of long, narrow bays with steep sides, created in a glacially carved valley that is filled by rising sea water levels.

Must be where the bird got its plumage.

[iluvcheezitsheyhey]

now that's funny! I actually used to think it was "pinin' for the fiance", like a girlfriend, before I found out it was fjords...

[sandprof]

still need to wipe me minces and blow me I suppose every time I watch this - especially at 2.00 onwards - pity we can not see Cleese laugh - but you can here it in his voice

[Sukriti]

Yeah, when he says, "what kind of talk is that", right?

[freeindeed7]

thank you for posting this! what a great performance. so great to see him break up, too! can't blame Michael for laughing...the parrot bashing got me. :D

[Venya9]

Olympic sport of parrot bashing XD Now that's genius.

hahahaha love it when John says the "PINING FOR THE FIOOOOORDS" and Michael just cracks up :D Always makes me laugh.

Michael is so adorable :)

[BethGoth15]

Yeah every time I shout "Cough! Cough, my darling! Cough like you've never coughed before!" but of course he can't hear me lol. He is so beautiful when he laughs.

[Sukriti]

I know... I was crackin up myself when i saw this... HE's the cutest EVER!

Its hilarious when John has to repeat "PININg FOR THE FIELDS?" cuz Mike's cracking up///

Priceles.,..

Goodbye for now.  I have to watch this video 50 million times.

[Kiami1]

I agree with MillebilleKrokodille I cant help but laugh when he cracks up, and John Cleese tries to make it part of the sketch. Michael is so adorable when he giggles!

[OArcia91O]

I LOVE this video! It's hillarious when Michael Pailin starts laughing and John Cleese is trying to make it a part of the sketch, even though everyone know it's not! :)

[deaconredwhiteandblu]

Happy Birthday Cleesey!!!! 68! whod have thought?

[MillebilleKrokodille]

I get in such a good mood every time I see this one.

Just love when Michael can't keep a straight face, when John screeches "Pining for the FIOOORLDS?!" That made me laugh, he is adorable at this point. He just gets your sympathy, being so positive and smiling always.

Would have loved to see Johns face as well, when Michael cracks up.

5 stars and an absolute favorite :)

[carrianne1985]

hahaha!that is great!michael giggling is so adorable, it is sad that the camera didn't film john cleese laughinig as well.

[Jitter]

I love when John screeches "PINING FOR THE FIORDS?!" and Michael can't help but giggling. But, then...he recovers, only to have Johnscreech the same thing at him AGAIN..and just loses it :)

[Gazzar]

Good recovery Michael

[weirdloopyloo]

oh god those tory guffaws "oh yes very good ma'am".

[taxmonkey123]

Where can I see the sketch without the background voices.

[janekimmsdfl]

All true, all true. Which live performance was this one?

[janekimmsdfl]

Nevermind.

[Jitter]

Pleasure at Her Majesty's

[Southeastsaddler]

1979 - Secret Policeman's Amnesty Show at Her Majesty's Theatre, London.

[Southeastsaddler]

1976, I meant 1976!

[ericthehalibut]

doodlebugamy speaks the truth. Sweet Moses, is he ever adorable.

[doodlebugamy]

Anyone who says they don't fancy michael palin is lying

<3

[42Fern42]

Same here about Palin-crush XP

And gee, isn't it great to see them enjoying tehmselves as much as the audience (or rather, with them!)

[aliciabrissou]

i have a crush a michael palin too and i dont think theres ANYTHING wrong with that

[BethGoth15]

I love seeing my men laugh!!! LOL! ("My men" is a phrase I use for the men I fancy lol.)

[jimmys2007abc2]

Thats Sad...

[BethGoth15]

What's sad?

[jimmys2007abc2]

You calling John Cleese and Michael Palin.....'Your Men', seems a bit delusional too be honest

[BethGoth15]

I have a crush on Mike, what's wrong with that?

[jimmys2007abc2]

....A goth with a crush on michael palin....well you've broken away from the goth stereotype....good luck with that

[CF1975]

I always regeretted he is not about 25 years younger...

[falvalisious]

love it!!as a britt i gotta!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[swimminglyfilms]

ugh margaret thatcher.....

[jimmys2007abc2]

She actually makes me want too be sick...

[merrywrath]

I remember my dad renting the video of "Her Majesty's Pleasure" and watching the Dead Parrot Skit. I was about four or five years old and my dad reassured me the parrot wasn't real. In the mid 1980's, this and "Holy Grail" were my introduction to Monty Python. Twenty years later I'm still a big fan!

[PalinLover]

Michael is soooo cute when he starts laughing!!!! Love it!

[MirageOfHappiness]

XD

It's hilarious to watch Michael break up^^

[mikethedevil]

heheheh X 10000000

[19ThePurplePython93]

Im 14 :P and this is pretty much my life as well....

watching Monty Python. That's it! it's just fantastic xD Michael, John and the others are just comic geniuses ^^

Michael cracking up in this is priceless, he's so cute ^.^