John Cleese: How to Irritate People
- ISBN: 0-7697-1656-3
- Color
- Running Time: 65 minutes
- Sound: Dolby 2.0
- Performers: John Cleese, Michael Palin, Graham Chapman, Connie Booth, Goodie Tim Brooke-Taylor, Gillian Lind
Anyone can make themselves unpopular – but it takes a past master like John Cleese to be really irritating! Starring fellow Monty Pyhton alum, Michael Palin and Graham Chapman.And now for something completely rare. This 1968 television special is essential for connoisseurs of British humor and, of course, Monty Python completists. A pre-Python John Cleese teams up with Michael Palin and Graham Chapman (with invaluable assistance from co-Fawlty Towers creator Connie Booth and Tim Brooke-Taylo
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The slightly less-than-best of Cleese and Chapman,
This collection of skits has some hilarious moments, such as when three pilots torture their passengers by pretending something has gone terribly wrong; and Cleese portrays the most overly-solicitous date in the world with excruciating thoroughness.
Overall, however, this may disappoint some fans. Many of these skits lack the polish and genius of the Python series. One skit about an obsessive waiter was reworked and vastly improved on the Python series (you can also check it out in their film AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT). It comes off as a collection of out-takes, held together rather thinly with its documentary theme. The anger that is frequently present in Cleese’s sketch writing also prevails over the humor throughout, making this a collection heavier on hostility than wit.
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|Mostly killer, some filler, but still worth a watch,
Second thing to note about this film: I found it to be an acquired taste. It may take multiple viewings for you to appreciate it. Whether or not you want to take multiple viewings is up to you. It also helps if you have friends who like to quote movie lines…this one has GREAT potential for quoting, and that’s really 80% of the value, probably.
All that said, there’s some hilarious material here. Obviously “Airline Pilots” is amazingly hysterical, and “Silly Job Interview” is not too far behind. But other gems include the son home for Easter (“It’s been so long since we last had you home for Easter.” “I was home last Easter, mother.” “Yes, but that was 12 months ago, dear…”), the dad who irritates his son enough that he gets the TV, John Cleese thinking of every possible way to get out of his date at the restaurant (“You know what I think? I think you’re mad because I made you sit there…”), Mrs. Morris on the quiz show (“I’m 103! Today! And I have over 3,000 children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren!”), the pepperpots at the cinema, (“Who’s that?” “Charlton Hitler…”) the incredibly long intro to the talk show, and the closing sketch “Topic”, a political discussion show where the host prevents all input from the guest (the pike used at the end is AWESOME! I want one!)
I have loaned this to several of my college friends, essentially all of whom have loved it. The filler material (which, because of the length of these sketches, seems endless) is a little bit too much of this video to the extent you’ll want to fast-forward at some spots, but what’s good is delightful. I definitely recommend it.
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