If You Like Monty Python...: Here Are Over 200 Movies, TV Shows and Other Oddities That You Will Love

by Zack Handlen

From their perfectly insane television show to their consistently irreverent and riotous movies, Monty Python has owned the zany and absurd side of comedy since their debut. Their influence can be felt in every comedy show that followed them, from Saturday Night Live and Second City television, to The Kids in the Hall , not to mention all the laughs writ large on the silver screen, where their brand of absurdity opened the doors for such people as Jim Carrey who made a name for themselves by pushing the funny even further.

This is the first book to look at everything influenced by the Pythons, but also at those who came before them – from the classic British comedies to the Marx Brothers, and everything in the Python universe, from Fawlty Towers and A Fish Called Wanda to Spamalot and Brazil . If You Like...Monty Python is a book for any fan who has graduated from the Ministry of Silly Walks and wants more.

Genres: Pop Culture, Humor

170 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2011

Reviews

[Jazzy Lemon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good selection of shows, although some errors, and in some cases too 'American'.

[Reza Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were some typos in this book as well as some factual inaccuracies but for the most part it makes for interesting reading even though some of the choices aren't to my taste.

[Cale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, according to their list, I'm pretty well on in related movies/TV's and other materials. I've seen 55 of the 75 recommended movies, 14 entire runs and 7 significant portions of the 50 TV shows listed, and 18 of the 46 other oddities recommended.

The book is interesting and gives a little bit of reasoning behind why their recommendations are related, although a number of them seem a bit of a stretch. But still, in general the quality of the recommendations is pretty good, and the bibliography at the back is a useful tool to help fill out my Netflix queue and track down the rest where I can.

[Brendan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started reading this, but his discussion of the plot of everything he recommended grew tedious in five pages. I wanted to hear why I should try other media, not hear the plots for all of them. So I flipped through and found the appendix at the back. That list was exactly what I needed and I copied it to have later.

Also, his list about Monty Python quotes and when to use them was a little forced. His attempt to be humorous there fell a little flat in my opinion.

[Fishface · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read that led me to a lot of TV and movie viewing -- even a radio show -- that I plan to seek out. I was surprised, bordering on hurt, that the author neither mentioned my all-time favorite sketch comedy show, FRIDAYS, nor cut loose with the peculiar brand of zaniness I happen to know he possesses. Well, maybe he's saving it for an updated edition.

[John Hutchens · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting book that explores the comedy genere. Fun and light hearted to read

[Hassan AlHejaili · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is type of books made to read on the toilet. It doesn't say any thing about the genre, comedy, neither say much about Monty Python.
Easy read! there is nothing to get from it.