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For decades, the Beatles have auctioned off pieces of their history. Last year, one of John Lennon’s guitars sold for nearly $2.9 million. Just three years before that, rare handwritten setlists from their early days made their way to the auction block. In 2015, the band’s first-ever record contract, signed in 1961, sold for $75,000. The latest Beatles memorabilia to be sold off isn’t just a piece of history — it’s a piece of toast.

George Harrison’s unfinished breakfast toast from 1963 was sold in a private sale to Joseph O’Donnell,...

With her sophomore feature “Dead Lover,” director and co-writer Grace Glowicki deploys a minimalist approach to a familiar, high-concept premise. The film follows a lonely gravedigger (also Glowicki) who uses experimental science to bring her foppish lover back to life after he’s killed at sea. On paper, “Dead Lover” partly evokes Universal’s beloved 1931 “Frankenstein” adaptation, but because Glowicki shot the film entirely on a Toronto soundstage, it more closely resembles an experimental theater production than a bog-standard low-budget horror film.

The in-studio backdrop all but demands bountiful creativity from Glowicki’s small cast and crew, which “Dead Lover” exhibits in spades. Cinematographer Rhayne Vermette frequently spotlights actors so they’re bathed in darkness, which renders the film’s varied environments, from a graveyard to the open waters, suggestive playgrounds, with only set pieces to fill in a handful of blanks. This staginess not only lends a lively quality to the production,...

Robert Eggers will tackle the long awaited Labyrinth 2, and it’s now been announced. A bit more information here.

It’s been an exciting week for Robert Eggers. His remake of Nosferatu has been hugely successful, and it was recently confirmed that his next film will be Werwulf, due out at the end of 2026. Even got through the spell checker, that.

But there’s more! According to Deadline, the filmmaker has closed a deal to write and direct a new Labyrinth film for TriStar Pictures.

The original Labyrinth is a much loved cult classic from 1986. It saw the great Jim Henson direct from a screenplay by Monty Python member Terry Jones.

The story follows sixteen year old Sarah, played by Jennifer Connelly, who must navigate a treacherous maze in order to save her baby brother from The Goblin King, Jareth, played by David Bowie. Throughout her journey, Sarah encounters...

Monty Python isn’t exactly known for creating the most festive content, with the possible exception of the first five minutes of Life of Brian, and the “Christmas in Heaven” musical number that wraps up The Meaning of Life.

But, oddly enough, one Python member secured their role in the troupe by finding a creative use for an old holiday tradition.

Back in 1968, Terry Gilliam was having trouble getting work. He had previously made photographic comic strips for a magazine called Help!, including one in which a horny John Cleese hits on his kid’s Barbie doll.

When Help! went under, Cleese told Gilliam to get in touch with the people making Do Not Adjust Your Set, a children’s comedy series featuring Eric Idle, Michael Palin and Terry Jones, which had become a surprise hit with adults. Gilliam later wrote that he was only hired because producer Humphrey Barclay “took pity on me,...

Here’s what Taika Waititi has been doing in the shadows: preparing to receive a career honor from the Producers Guild.

The PGA today set the Oscar winner for its 2025 Norman Lear Achievement Award, which recognizes a producer or producing team for their extraordinary body of work in television. He’ll pick up the prize during the 36th annual Producers Guild Awards on February 8 at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles.

“Taika Waititi has profoundly transformed the television landscape with his imaginative work as a producer, bringing to life groundbreaking series What We Do in the Shadows, Our Flag Means Death and Reservation Dogs,” Producers Guild of America Presidents Stephanie Allain and Donald De Line said in a joint statement. “His remarkable ability to explore cultures through a lens of humor and humanity makes these narratives not only relatable but also deeply engaging for audiences.”

Piki Films co-founder Waititi...

It's always a delight to see someone as peculiar as Aubrey Plaza make it big. Known for her deadpan affect and zany antics, Plaza has made a name for herself in the industry through both her comedic and dramatic roles. Indeed, though she is best known for her sardonic sense of humor and stony expression, she's shown us her range in recent years, mobilizing her natural intensity for a fascinating assortment of roles. From starring in Francis Ford Coppola's divisive "Megalopolis" to voicing a cat named Tardar Sauce in "Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever," Plaza's projects run the gamut.

Plaza's fans know that her talk show appearances are just as delightful as her films and television shows. Remember when she got up on the desk and licked Stephen Colbert's face? Or when she went full witch for Seth Meyers? But, as wonderful as Plaza's public persona is, we're...

Get the latest scoop on everything you need to know about today’s Jeopardy! episode airing on Friday, 13 December 2024 including the Final Jeopardy, contestants and today’s winner!

Today’s Final Jeopardy 12/13/2024 (TV Props) – Friday, 13 December 2024

Following his unexpected death in 2001, he was referred to as the ‘Monty Python’ of Science Fiction

Today’s Final Jeopardy Answer – Friday, 13 December 2024

The Final Jeopardy Answer is: Douglas Adams

Final Jeopardy Explanation – Friday, 13 December 2024

Following his unexpected death in 2001, Douglas Adams was often referred to as the “Monty Python of Science Fiction.” Adams was widely known for his distinctive blend of humor and wit in the science fiction genre, particularly with his groundbreaking series “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.” His work in integrating absurdist humor and satirical commentary into the contexts of space and futuristic scenarios drew comparisons to the surreal and anarchic style of the comedy group Monty Python, of which he was once a collaborator.

Whether he likes it or not, Terry Gilliam is smack-dab in the middle of a Monty Python feud. While Eric Idle and John Cleese are doing the public mud-slinging, Gilliam and his offspring are at the heart of the conflict. Idle can’t believe the Python comedians don’t have more money in the bank, blaming Gilliam’s daughter, Holly (who runs the group’s business affairs), for financial mismanagement.

“Python is a disaster,” Idle tweeted earlier this year. “If you put a Gilliam child in as your manager you should not be so surprised. One Gilliam is bad enough. Two can take out any company.”

Oof. Cleese has fired back on multiple occasions, including earlier this year.

“I have worked with Holly for the last 10 years, and I find her very efficient, clear-minded, hard working, and pleasant to have dealings with,” Cleese tweeted. “Michael Palin has asked me to...

Americans likely know David Frost best as the TV host who took on Richard Nixon in the landmark interview that served as the basis for Ron Howard’s Frost/Nixon — a film that earned rave reviews from everybody except those who went in thinking it was a sequel to Michael Keaton’s harmonica-playing snowman movie.

Frost also had a huge impact on the comedy world, thanks to his 1960s satirical news program The Frost Report, which, along with the Frost-hosted That Was the Week That Was, inarguably paved the way for future news parodies such as The Daily Show and Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update.”

The Frost Report’s supporting cast included Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett (who later starred in The Two Ronnies) as well as a young performer named John Cleese. The show’s writing staff also included future Monty Python members Graham Chapman, Michael Palin and Terry Jones.

Shangri-La Frontier is an ongoing anime about a fully immersive VR game. Throughout the video game, Sunraku attempts to battle many of the game's most powerful and unique bosses. Each of the game's area bosses, like the Clown Spider, is a testament to the series' creativity. These bosses beautifully highlight the game's more unique qualities and its diverse number of enemies.

Every boss in the anime showcases unique imagination and innovation. They each have separate gimmicks that allow their fights to stand out and be engaging. Many area bosses have some of the most original battles in the anime. Each of Shangri-La Frontier's Area Bosses is brilliantly designed, like the Mud Digger, but some feature much more unique compositions than others.

The Ravenous Python is a Giant Snake It is the First Area Boss Sunraku Defeats

The Ravenous Python is the first area boss that Sunraku faces, and he brazenly chooses to do it alone.

While The Walking Dead franchise has introduced some iconic characters to viewers, the show has also created some legendary weapons. The original show's relatively simple premise concerned a world suddenly dealing with a zombie apocalypse, without ever using the word "zombie." The best characters in The Walking Dead have adapted to the new world, creating lives and communities against this dangerous backdrop, which brings out the best and the worst in humanity. The Walking Dead was so successful and there was so much potential in the concept that there are now several Walking Dead spin-offs, with more on the way.

The many Walking Dead spin-offs each introduce new characters and their ways of dealing with walkers. However, more importantly, they show time passing, which affects how the characters survive and how the core communities each work differently. In the earlier Walking Dead seasons, the walkers were a new threat, and...

Monty Python are obviously known for their hilarious sketches, classic movies and petty social media squabbles, but they’ve also produced a number of musical bangers over the years. There’s “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” “Every Sperm Is Sacred” and the timeless romantic ballad known as “Sit on My Face.”

One of the most famous Python tunes is, of course, “The Lumberjack Song,” in which a rugged woodsman sings about how he loves chopping down trees and wearing women’s undergarments, all backed by an increasingly befuddled chorus of Canadian Mounties for some reason.

Whether or not the song holds up today is a matter of some debate. On the one hand, it regressively mines laughs from the idea of gender curiosity. On the other, it clearly was intended to lampoon antiquated depictions of the masculine ideal. Was any of this stuff considered back when the song was being written?...

As a writer, John Cleese is mostly known for penning Monty Python sketches, Fawlty Towers episodes and, most recently, unnecessarily cruel social media posts about his oldest friends. He’s not generally known for being a comic book writer, but for some reason, Cleese once co-authored a Superman comic. As a career move, this was less expected than a Spanish Inquisition.

Cleese seems like an odd choice to write a Superman story, considering that his only previous superhero experience was the “Bicycle Repair Man” sketch from Monty Python’s Flying Circus.

Nonetheless, Cleese and Python scholar Kim “Howard” Johnson penned an “Elseworlds” comic, 2004’s Superman: True Brit, which imagined what would have happened had the Man of Steel’s ship crash landed in Britain, rather than America. It was pretty strange.

How strange? Well, at one point a young Kal-El, or “Colin” as he’s known in True Brit, accidentally...

Unless Frank Sinatra somehow rises from the grave and can convince them all to show up at the same live telethon, the surviving members of Monty Python likely aren’t going to be patching things up anytime soon. And as long as they keep giving interviews, journalists are seemingly going to keep asking them about the group’s perpetually-simmering tension.

Eric Idle, who has a new book out all about the making of Spamalot, recently chatted with the AARP. When asked about his friend, former Beatle and Life of Brian backer George Harrison, Idle shared that the former Beatle once gave him some invaluable life advice. “He cheered me up when my first marriage was breaking up by telling me I was going to die,” Idle explained. “Which is good advice. Fuck it. Every day you’re lucky.”

On the subject of the Beatles, Idle was asked whether or not...

The Tony Awards are being handed out Sunday night.

Ariana DeBose is hosting the live broadcast from the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York. The ceremony airs live from 8-11 p.m. Et/5-8 p.m. Pt on June 16 on CBS and streams on Paramount+ in the U.S. (See the red carpet photos.)

Among the noteworthy winners so far are Daniel Radcliffe and Jeremy Strong, who both took home their first Tonys, and Dede Ayite, who became the first Black woman to win a Tony for best costume design of a play.

Set to perform at the ceremony are the casts of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, Hell’s Kitchen, Illinoise, Merrily We Roll Along, Stereophonic, Suffs, The Outsiders, The Who’s Tommy and Water for Elephants.

Presenters will include Utkarsh Ambudkar, Nate Burleson, Cynthia Erivo, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Josh Gad,...

Two of the more anticipated star turns on Broadway this season — Steve Carell making his debut in the Lincoln Center Theater revival of Uncle Vanya and The Sopranos alum Michael Imperioli returning to the New York stage in Circle in the Square’s An Enemy of the People — got no love from Tony Award nominators today, and the West End hit Patriots, written by The Crown‘s Peter Morgan, barely registered on the roster, with only one nom for lead actor Michael Stuhlbarg.

Even more empty-handed than Patriots was The Wiz, the cheery, if rote, revival of the beloved Black retelling of The Wizard of Oz. Despite a star turn by Wayne Brady, it’s possible that Tony nominators saw the Broadway revival for the uninspired road show it is.

Other shows with zero nominations included I Need That starring Danny DeVito, the Barry Manilow-Bruce Sussman musical Harmony,...

John Cleese has adapted three episodes of Fawlty Towers into a play, which will premiere in the West End in May.

Fawlty Towers is often, quite rightly, cited as one of the best sitcoms ever made. Starring John Cleese, Prunella Scales, Andrew Sachs and Connie Booth, it was written by Cleese and Booth who, according to the DVD commentaries, took six weeks to plot and write each episode.

The show was based on a real hotel the Monty Python team stayed at, with Basil Fawlty based on its proprietor Donald Sinclair, after whom Cleese later named his character in Rat Race.

According to the British Comedy Guide, Cleese has adapted three episodes for the stage as a play which will premiere at the Apollo Theatre in the West End in June. Caroline Jay Ranger will direct.

The episodes are The Hotel Inspector and The Germans from Series 1 and Communication Problems...

The Monty Python legend and director of 12 Monkeys and Brazil will be receiving his first Aardman Slapstick award for visual comedy next month. Ask him anything here

Terry Gilliam has directed 13 feature films including 1981 fantasy adventure Time Bandits with Sean Connery and John Cleese, 1995’s sci-fi thriller 12 Monkeys with Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt and 2005 fantasy adventure The Brothers Grimm with Matt Damon and Heath Ledger. It all started, of course, with 1975’s Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the first Monty Python film, which Gilliam co-wrote and starred in along with his fellow Pythons, as well as directing.

Although American-born, Gilliam renounced his American citizenship in 2006. He was nominated for an Oscar for best original screenplay for 1985 sci-fi dystopian dark comedy Brazil and a Golden Globe for best director for 1991 fantasy comedy-drama The Fisher King. In 1998, he won a Bafta for outstanding contribution to cinema and, in...

This March, stand-up, actor and Off Menu podcaster James Acaster can be seen in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire alongside Dan Aykroyd, Carrie Coon, Stranger Things’ Finn Wolfhard, and Paul Rudd. In the sequel to the Ghostbusters revival, Acaster plays boffin Lars Pinfield, a scientist described by writer-producer Jason Reitman as an “Egon Spengler type”.

One month later in April, Acaster fans will be chuffed to know that the mash king is back on the big screen in Andy Riley and Curtis Vowell’s historical comedy Seize Them!

Seize Them! is a who’s-who of British comedy, with a cast including Derry Girls, Bridgerton and soon-to-be Doctor Who guest star Nicola Coughlan, Sex Education and Living’s Aimee-Lou Wood, Ghosts and Saltburn’s Lolly Adefope, plus a Spaced reunion in the form of UK comedy stars Nick Frost and Jessica Hynes. See the first trailer below.

The film is the story of...

This past week saw the release of The Book of Clarence, a movie about a down-on-his-luck guy who hits upon a get-rich-quick scheme that leads him into a heap of trouble. It’s a classic topic for a movie, but it is treading on more controversial ground than usual. Because in the case of this story about a hustler getting in over his head, the hustle happens to be set around Israel and Palestine during the life and times of Jesus of Nazareth. In fact, that is Clarence’s whole scheme: He sees Jesus and decides to get into the messiah business.

This is not the first film to portray the story of one of Jesus’ fictional contemporaries. Monty Python’s Life of Brian attracted protests, controversy, and endless talk show guest slots over its portrayal of a man who was definitely not the messiah, just a very naughty boy.

John Cleese is poking fun at former President Donald Trump and comparing him to Adolf Hitler.

The 84-year-old Monty Python alum then immediately apologized after receiving some backlash on social media.

“Five ways that Hitler was preferable to Trump,” he began his post.

Keep reading to find out more…

“1. He fought for his country

2. He never used a teleprompter

3. He was nice to dogs

4. He wrote his own books

5. He never played golf

6. He wasn’t a big fat slob.”

“Five ways Trump is preferable to Hitler,” he then continued.

“1. He doesn’t practice genocide

2. He has nicer hair

3.

4.

5.”

Almost immediately, he then wrote: “I would like to apologize for my last tweet. It was a very bad joke, especially on Boxing Day.”

Find out which star was just cast as a young Trump in an upcoming movie.

Five ways that Hitler was preferable to Trump

1. He fought for his...

British director and actor David Leland has died aged 82, according to his long-time agency, Cassaroto Ramsay & Associates

The theater, film and TV star passed away on Christmas Eve (December 24), surrounded by his family.

Leland’s career spanned over five decades. He is known for writing two films about British suburban madam Cynthia Payne, the BAFTA-nominated Personal Services in 1987 and the Cannes Film Festival hit Wish You Were Here.

The former was directed by Terry Jones and starred Julie Walters, while Leland directed the latter himself, with Emily Lloyd starring.

Leland won the BAFTA for Best Original Screenplay for Wish You Were Here and the film won the Fipresci prize at Cannes.

He is also noted for serving as co-showrunner of Showtime series The Borgias and for giving Pierce Brosnan his first stage opportunity in the British premiere of Tennessee Williams’ The Red Devil Battery Sign at The Round House, which Leland directed.

British comedian and actor John Cleese has sparked controversy after comparing Donald Trump to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

In a message posted on X, the A Fish Called Wanda, Fawlty Towers and Monty Python actor wrote that there were five ways in which Hitler was preferable to Trump, who is seeking re-election to the White House.

“1. He fought for his country 2. He never used a teleprompter 3. He was nice to dogs 4. He wrote his own books 5. He never played golf 6. He wasn’t a big fat slob,” wrote Cleese.

He continued by listing five ways Trump is preferable to Hitler, writing “1. doesn’t practice genocide 2. He has nicer hair,” and leaving the other three spaces empty.

The message, which has been viewed more than one million times, prompted hundreds of below-the-line responses, with many criticizing comedian Cleese for the comparison, and others writing it was clearly meant in jest.

Cleese...

Robert De Niro's extensive filmography is defined by his versatility, but he is best known for his roles in crime and mafia movies. De Niro's collaborations with Martin Scorsese, such as "The King of Comedy" and "Raging Bull," showcase his incredible ability to portray complex and intense characters. "The Godfather Part II" solidified De Niro's stardom and is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time, with De Niro's portrayal of the young Vito Corleone standing out as his best performance.

Known as one of the greatest actors ever, Robert De Niro has an extensive filmography, though some movies stand out as his best. De Niro has been a working actor for 60 years, beginning in the 1960s with minor roles in low-budget films. His work on the film Mean Streets in 1973 earned him significant praise, kicking off a five-decade partnership with director Martin Scorsese and...

“Just think,” Sir Lancelot (Taran Killam) muses as he celebrates his gay wedding at the end of Monty Python’s Spamalot. “In a thousand-and-eighteen years time, this will still be controversial.” Killam puts special emphasis on the “eighteen,” an addition to the script that nods to the supposed ways in which Spamalot remains relevant nearly two decades after the Tony-winning musical adaptation of Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam’s 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail tore up the 2004-2005 Broadway season.

The construction of the joke suggests that not much has changed—either for good or ill—in the past decades. That’s hardly true, because when Hank Azaria delivered the punchline in 2005, gay marriage wouldn’t be legalized in New York State for another six years. It’s surprising how much of Spamalot’s humor, especially the gay jokes, now feels rooted in an earlier time. Even peppered...

There’s no more appropriate reason to put Monty Python and the Holy Grail back in theaters than the celebration of a comically off-year anniversary. That is exactly what’ll happen this December, when the 1975 comedy classic returns to the big screen to celebrate its 48th-and-a-half anniversary.

The film will screen in select theaters across the country on Dec. 3, with additional showings scheduled for Dec. 6. For those who simply cannot help themselves, select theaters will be showing a special “Quote-a-Long” version of the film, while offering a safe space for...

Donkey Kong is a Nintendo character that has been part of videogame pop-culture just as long as Nintendo's main mascot character, Mario. Yet, Donkey Kong isn't talked about as often despite debuting in the same game together. Whatever the reason for this, one thing that no one can deny is that Donkey Kong himself has endeared himself in the hearts and minds of multiple generations of gamers, going back to the days when the only notable videogame characters were him, Mario, and Link.

Since Donkey Kong appeared in the Chris Pratt-starring Super Mario Bros movie (fitting given the characters' history) and was voiced by Seth Rogen, the film's phenomenal success may mean a Dk spinoff or adaptation could be on the table. Even with or without his history with Mario, fans would flock to the theaters to see him if Donkey Kong were to appear on the big screen.

A lost pre-Monty Python comedy series called A Complete and Utter History of Britain has been recovered by ITV after being mis-catalogued for decades. The series was a spoof documentary of the British Isles and was filmed as a seven-part series, but only the first two episodes were thought to have survived past its original broadcast. A Complete and Utter History of Britain laid the groundwork for Monty Python's later work, as it parodied British history in a similar vein to their movies and shows.

A decades old British comedy show featuring Monty Python’s Michael Palin and Terry Jones is recovered after it was thought to be long lost. Jones and Palin were two of Monty Python’s six founding cast members, which also included Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gillam, and Eric Idle. As a comedy troupe, Monty Python begin their act through the sketch comedy show...

Taran Killam, the former Saturday Night Live player and Hamilton cast member, will play Lancelot in the Broadway revival of Monty Python’s Spamalot, with Alex Brightman taking over the role in January following Killam’s limited engagement.

The casting rounds out the principal roles for the production, which begins previews at the St. James Theatre on Tuesday, Oct. 31, with an official opening on Thursday, November 16. Killam will play Lancelot from the first preview until January 7.

Brightman, who’ll take over the role on January 9, played Lancelot at the Kennedy Center staging earlier this year, but is currently starring in Broadway’s The Shark Is Broken, which closes Nov. 19.

The new Lancelots join a Spamalot cast that includes James Monroe Iglehart as King Arthur, Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer as the Lady of the Lake, Michael Urie as Sir Robin, Christopher Fitzgerald as Patsy, Ethan Slater as the Historian/Prince Herbert, Jimmy Smagula as Sir Bedevere,...

The Winter King finally gets King Arthur right after years of mediocre adaptations, offering a refreshing take on the myth as a historical drama. The show's success with critics breaks a bad streak for Arthurian series, becoming the first since BBC's Merlin to receive a 'Fresh' rating on Rotten Tomatoes. By stripping back on magical elements and focusing on story and characters, The Winter King distinguishes itself from recent Arthurian shows that leaned heavily into fantasy.

Warning: Spoilers for The Winter King episodes 1-4 below!The Winter King finally gets King Arthur right after 11 years of middling to bad adaptations. King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table is one of the world's most famous myths and has been adapted and reinterpreted a dizzying number of times. On the big screen, there have been fantasy epics (Excalibur), grim and gritty blockbusters (2004's King Arthur) and even legendary comedies...

Fear and Loathing meets South Park in a screwball horror novella from the twisted mind of Christopher Brett Bailey. Part romance, part buddy comedy, part bizzarro body horror, I Saw Satan at the 7–Eleven is a dark-as-night tale from a phenomenal new name in literary fiction.

Two miles north of Hell, a nameless deadbeat narrator spots Satan buying soy milk at the 7–Eleven. Satan’s a washed-up has-been, who’s totally lost his edge. That is until he falls in love with our narrator, and the two embark on a debauched misadventure, by turns slapstick, violent, whimsical, dreamlike and tender.

Outside in the parking lot, Satan was polishing his windshield. Satan drove a Corvette, obviously. I went outside, kept my distance, eyeballed him wiping dead bugs from his wing mirrors. Clocking me, he struck a rebel pose, one foot up on the bumper, and called out, “I’m not a hippie.

Eve Hewson Will Not be doing karaoke today. “I have to be really, really hammered to do karaoke,” the actress explains, walking through New York’s Central Park. “I would really have to be a whole bottle of tequila deep.” Not that she is opposed to such things (“I mean, I am Irish”), but it’s 10 a.m. on a Wednesday, and up until very, very recently, sober public singing — or sober singing of any kind, really — was a complete nonstarter. “Absolutely not,” she says. “Hard no. It was absolutely my biggest fear.

In January 2009, during a midnight screening at Sundance, Michael Jai White knew he had something special in Black Dynamite. Nine months later, the Blaxploitation spoof’s limited theatrical release and minimal box office gross didn’t stop its immediate fate as a cult classic. Demand for a sequel soon followed, and so White, as co-writer of the film, penned a direct sequel that struggled to get off the ground due to creative differences with a producer.

Consequently, White went back to the drawing board and pursued an idea he had at the same time as Black Dynamite’s conception. If that action-comedy paid homage to Blaxploitation films through parody, then it would only make sense to take a similar approach with other genres. So, White revisited his earlier ideas for three other genre exercises including a horror movie, a kung fu movie and a Western. That Western is now known as Outlaw Johnny Black,...

No Spaced. No The League of Gentlemen. No Smack the Pony or Goodness Gracious Me or The Royle Family or Brass Eye, or Red Dwarf or Father Ted or anything that belongs to the last century (side note: the late 90s were an incredible time for UK comedy). These are the 40 finest British comedy TV shows that have arrived since the year 2000, as nominated by our writers. Add in your favourites below, and it’s a party.

What’s cheering about this lot, apart from the fact that as comedies, they should all technically cheer us up, is how different they are. There’s the surreal chaos of Year of the Rabbit, and the sweet warmth of Lovesick, the Pythonesque bonkersness of Yonderland, the satirical might of The Thick of It and much more. Something for everyone, you might say.

And to make sure there was enough space to include a wide enough selection,...

It's nothing short of a miracle that anything nearly as weird as "Monty Python's Flying Circus" became a pop culture phenomenon. In the BBC television series that ran from 1969 to 1974, comedians Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin, along with animator Terry Gilliam and frequent co-stars Carol Cleveland and Connie Booth, obliterated all sense of sanity on the airwaves.

Their sketch comedy show — which had neither circuses, pythons, nor a character named "Monty" — crafted off-the-wall sketches about every strange thing they could think of. Silly walks, Hungarian phrase books, and how not to be seen were just the tip of the very absurd iceberg, and the comedy troupe's absolute dedication to defying convention remains, to this day, a gold standard to which any comedian can aspire.

Monty Python didn't stay on the airwaves forever. The troupe created four feature films together over the course of twelve years,...

What does it take for the Emmy-nominated crew behind “Saturday Night Live” to build sets from start to finish? Thirty-six hours, plus “dedication and expertise,” according to production designer Andrea Purcigliotti.

By the time Purcigliotti and fellow production designers Leo Yoshimura and Keith Raywood receive their script, it’s often late on a Wednesday night after the cast has gone through a table read. Then it’s off to the races. The sets need to be ready for shooting by 8 a.m. on Friday.

For a spoof on the famous levitation scene in “The Exorcist,” the team had to figure out how to get Jenna Ortega to rise from a bed without special effects. The solution was hydraulics, but they had little time to properly outfit the bed.

“We built the lift with hydraulic motors that went under the bed and lifted up a small portion,” says Yoshimura. “So, it...

Neil Gaiman shares failed attempts to respond to a studio note on an earlier Good Omens adaptation, highlighting the challenges in bringing the book to screen. Gaiman's desire for creative control led him to withdraw from television projects, setting the stage for his current success in overseeing Good Omens as a TV show. Terry Gilliam's proposed Good Omens movie would have taken a different direction, with potential casting choices and plot changes, but the TV show's faithfulness to the source material has contributed to its success.

Good Omens co-creator Neil Gaiman has revealed his failed attempts to respond to a studio note on earlier plans for a live-action adaptation of the book he co-authored with Terry Pratchett. Long before Prime Video released their critically acclaimed television adaptation, Monty Python alum Terry Gilliam had plans to make his own Good Omens movie dating as far back as the 1990s. Funding...

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We all know "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" to be one of the funniest films of all time. What the film gets less credit for is being remarkably ingenuous in its use of limited resources. They may be regarded as a legendary comedy troupe now, but when they were creating their take on the King Arthur legend, they only a few hundred thousand pounds to work with. Adjusted for inflation, it still wouldn't even be £3 million five decades later. "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" is a rather expansive film, as each knight of the Round Table has their own storyline that sends them to various places.

So, how were they able to have such a large scope with so little money? Clever framing, specific set decoration, and the beauty of a historical location. The vast majority of "Holy...

Monty Python’s Spamalot is heading back to Broadway this fall. The revival, which follows a sold-out run at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., begins previews Tuesday, October 31, at the St. James Theatre, with an official opening night of November 16.

“I’m thrilled to see Spamalot back on Broadway,” said Eric Idle, who wrote the show’s book and lyrics and co-wrote the music with John Du Prez, in a statement. “More than ever, it seems we need a good laugh and it’s inspiring to see audiences still embracing this, the most happy of shows I have ever worked on. So put the News Cycle on Rinse Cycle and take a couple of hours to relax with the Lady of the Lake, King Arthur and the Knights Who Say Ni because we’re not dead yet!”

The show will mark the first production from the Kennedy Center...

"Barbie" is a hilariously clever and entertaining comedy that goes beyond simple laughs to offer social commentary and satire. The film draws inspiration from cinematic legends like Jacques Tati and Charlie Chaplin, using visual comedy to explore themes of feminism and gender roles. While "Barbie" satirizes both the matriarchal fantasy of Barbieland and the goofy patriarchy of the Real World, it ultimately ends on a sentimental note about mother-daughter love and the role of Barbie in a child's imagination.

It kind of goes without saying… Barbie is one of the funniest comedies to come out of the Hollywood system in quite some time. If you spent your weekend celebrating the unofficial Barbenheimer holiday, you’re probably privy to the comical genius that is Barbie. Amazingly clever, entertainingly smart, and oftentimes with Dad joke corniness, Greta Gerwig’s new feature film is nothing short of hilarious.

Although the common notion pervades...

Harrison Ford's tenure as Indiana Jones has officially come to an end, with the actor calling Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny the final outing for his adventuring archaeologist. Few franchises are as closely associated with one actor as this one, and with Ford turning 81 shortly after Dial of Destiny's release, it's safe to assume that Indy has hung up his fedora for good.

It may be surprising, then, to learn that the actor has actually played the part six times (seven if you count his voiceover work on the Disneyland ride), despite there only being five movies in the franchise. The sixth comes from the short-lived Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, where he stepped in for an extended cameo. It's a weird appearance, not only because of Ford's presence but because of the odd mixture of ideas and people associated.

Related: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny's Ending,...

Warning: Contains Spoilers for I'm A Virgo

The iconic Boots Riley returns to screens with I’m A Virgo, a funny, surreal, and rousing story that features a surprising ending. Although Boots Riley was a hip-hop legend for decades before Sorry To Bother You’s 2018 release, that indie satire established him as a major cinematic talent. Sorry To Bother You blended comedy, sci-fi, and surrealism to satirize race relations, corporate culture, and contemporary capitalism. Riley’s follow-up, Amazon's I’m A Virgo, sees the filmmaker return to this fertile creative ground for the story of Cootie, a 13-foot-tall Oakland native. Cootie’s coming-of-age and his introduction to American life are chronicled in I’m A Virgo season 1.

Like Sorry To Bother You’s infamous ending, I’m A Virgo’s ending is likely to leave some viewers confused. Cootie spends most of I’m A Virgo season 1 developing friendships with Jones, Felix, and Scat while tentatively romancing Flora,...

A stage production of Monty Python's Life of Brian is in the works, but long-time member Eric Idle says he's uninvolved and suggested that his song "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" has been cut.

Idle took to Twitter to correct a news story originally written by The Daily Mail, which claims that a Life of Brian stage show will open in London in 2024. The report says that Idle and fellow Monty Python member John Cleese are putting the production together and that the film's famous song will appear during the show. However, Idle said that he has "nothing at all to do with this production or adaptation," and that Cleese "has cut the song." Fans voiced support for Idle in the replies.

Related: How Monty Python Inspired Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

I have nothing at all to do with this production or adaptation,. Apparently Cleese has cut the song.

Another actor from the Harry Potter film adaptations has defended author J.K. Rowling's transphobic comments.

On Twitter, actor John Cleese criticized those who spoke out against Rowling's controversial comments about the transgender community. "If I do not agree with some of the Transgender arguments, this apparently makes me transphobic," he tweeted. "So...if they do not agree with some of my opinions, does that make them Cleesephobic? Or does the hatred only flow in one direction?" While known as the co-founder of Monty Python, Cleese also portrayed Nearly Headless Nick in the first two Harry Potter movies: The Sorcerer's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets.

Related: Why Fans Take Issue With the Name 'Cho Chang' in Harry Potter

I've asked this question before... If I do not agree with some of the Transgender arguments, this apparently makes me transphobic So...if they do not agree with some of my opinions,...

For centuries, actors have endured a unique position in society. After dazzling audiences with their talent on the silver screen or stage, many talented individuals move behind the camera to become directors. With this transition comes great respect from those who recognize their performances as an actor and their skills in directing films that capture hearts and minds worldwide in spectacular fashion.

Related: Top 10 Richest Actors in the World [2022]

We wanted to know which actors make up some of our favorite director-actor combinations. So we dove into IMDb’s extensive collection of movie ratings, searching for insight into history’s best actor-directors based on viewer opinion alone. What follows is ten beloved actor-directors who saw success on either side (or both!) throughout various stages throughout showbiz’ past decade: Charlie Day, Zoë Kravitz, and Chris Pine, among others, all turn out award-winning feature productions utilizing decades worth of experience knowing precisely...

(Welcome to Tales from the Box Office, our column that examines box office miracles, disasters, and everything in between, as well as what we can learn from them.)

Particularly in light of his recent output, it's hard to think of a more remarkable career than that of Nicolas Cage. The man has had insanely high highs such as his Oscar-winning performance in "Leaving Las Vegas" and his starring role in blockbuster hits like "National Treasure." He's played a Marvel Comics superhero (Ghost Rider), he's starred in more direct-to-video movies than anyone can possibly recall, and he's turned in some legendarily wacky performances (see: "Vampire's Kiss"). He even battled himself in the summer of 1997.

The point is, Cage has had an amazing career that has recently revived itself in a huge way as of late thanks to stellar performances in movies like "Pig" and "The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent." Yet,...

The National Lampoon’s Vacation series is a beloved comedy franchise, but it has been up and down in terms of quality. The series kicked off in 1983 with National Lampoon’s Vacation, starring Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo as Clark and Ellen Griswold taking their kids Rusty and Audrey on a road trip to Walley World. Chase and D’Angelo reprised their roles in three direct sequels – European Vacation, Christmas Vacation, and Vegas Vacation – before Randy Quaid took the lead role of a made-for-tv spin-off, Christmas Vacation 2, and Ed Helms played an older Rusty taking his own family to Walley World in 2015’s nostalgic legacy sequel, simply titled Vacation.

Like many comedies of their era, the Vacation films haven’t aged well. For example, Clark is constantly flirting with other women despite the fact his wife is never anything less than loving and supportive. But, for the most part, the Vacation films are...

John Cleese has been given short shrift on social media after he complained about the BBC not running repeats of Monty Python – after apparently forgetting who owned the licensing rights to the influential comedy show’s library.

While the former six-piece comedy troupe’s popular TV sketch series Monty Python and the Flying Circus originated on BBC in 1969, it was later sold to Netflix in 2019, along with the rest of their movies, collections and specials.

However, this appeared to be news to Cleese, one of Monty Python’s founding members.

“Can anyone (including BBC employees) tell me why the BBC has not shown Monty Python for a couple of decades?” Cleese asked on Twitter, Tuesday 27 December.

Many mocked the controversial comedian for his question, with one responding: “Because they don’t own the license, John Cleese.

“If you’d been brighter, John, you’d have retained your own rights, but you’re not,...

John Cleese has been given short shrift on social media after he complained about the BBC not running repeats of Monty Python – after apparently forgetting who owned the licensing rights to the influential comedy show’s library.

While the former six-piece comedy troupe’s popular TV sketch series Monty Python and the Flying Circus originated on BBC in 1969, it was later sold to Netflix in 2019, along with the rest of their movies, collections and specials.

However, this appeared to be news to Cleese, one of Monty Python’s founding members.

“Can anyone (including BBC employees) tell me why the BBC has not shown Monty Python for a couple of decades?” Cleese asked on Twitter, Tuesday 27 December.

Many mocked the controversial comedian for his question, with one responding: “Because they don’t own the license, John Cleese.

“If you’d been brighter, John, you’d have retained your own rights, but you’re not,...

Steps star Ian “H” Watkins has responded after thousands of fans found that they had been blocked by him on Twitter.

For the past few days, many have been tweeting their bewilderment on realising that the singer appeared to have blocked them.

Some who were blocked said they didn’t even know who Watkins was. One person tweeted: “I too have been blocked by H from Steps. And I have no idea who H is or who Steps are.”

The move led to the hashtag “BlockedByHFromSteps” trending on Twitter, with Watkins eventually explaining in a since-deleted post: “I recently signed up for a clean-up of ‘bots’ and ‘phobes’. Apologies if the blocking offended… I didn’t do this manually! Merry Christmas.”

On Wednesday (28 December), the star shared an old photo of himself behind a desk and laptop, with the caption: “Very busy day at the office… #blocked.”

He had also...