Monty Python WRITING
Content In this lesson you are going to learn about the comedy group Monty Python Learning Outcomes Learn new vocabulary related to comedy Practice reading comprehension Be able to talk about Monty Python and different comedy styles using new vocabulary www.english-maestro.mn 1
Monty Python Monty Python is a British comedy group that formed in the 1960 s. They are a sketch comedy group that falls in the genre of satirical, surreal humor and dark comedy. Their career has spanned many decades with the majority of their art created in the late 1960 s and through out the 1970 s. The group consisted of six writers who also performed as actors in the show. Monty Python s first television series, The Flying Circus, first aired on national TV in 1969. The show was new, edgy, and completly different from anything else on television at the time. www.english-maestro.mn 2
With the writing and acting taking place exclusively within the group, the creators were able to control the creative process of the show. This has attributed to their success because the creators of the show thought of themselves as writers and not actors. By keeping their egos out of the picture, the team was able to focus on collaborating their writing efforts for the sole purpose of comedy, because no one was trying to be the star of the show. www.english-maestro.mn 3
It didn t take long for their brand of comedy to make its way to the United States and other international crowds. After a successful four series run, the group expanded their comedy to film, books, and theater. Four decades, and several hit movies later, Monty Python is now considered one of the most influencial comedy acts of our time. www.english-maestro.mn 4
Satire in literature dates back to ancient times. In comedy, ridicule, irony, and sarcasm, are used as a means of humoristic value. The genre is wildly used today and can be seen in the writing of such American programs like South Park and The Colbert Report. <Grafik> Another staple in the sketch comedies of Monty Python was their use of surreal humor. This genre focuses on finding comedy through absurd situations, bizarre behavior and illogical events. www.english-maestro.mn 5
Black comedy, is a method of using serious, morbid, taboo, and depressing topics as a theme for humor. It can often be controversial, like the classic Stanley Kubric Film, Doctor Strangelove. This film used themes of nuclear war as a base for comic value. The writers in Monty Python utilized political, military, and biblical figures as characters in their sketches for just this purpose. www.english-maestro.mn 6
The writing team also employed several other techniques to captivate their audience. Among these were a stream of consciousness writing style, addressing the camera (breaking the fourth wall), stop motion animations, cold opens, false endings, and cross-dressing. www.english-maestro.mn 7
1) sketch comedy 2) satire 3) surreal humor 4) dark comedy 5) influential 11) stream of consciousness 12) cross-dress 13) fourth wall 14) humoristic 15) illogical 6) ridicule 7) irony 8) sarcasm 9) captivate 10) cold open www.english-maestro.mn 8
Genre Span Edgy Exclusive Ego Collaborate Influential Absurd Act (noun) Laughable Bizzare Unpredictable Morbid Taboo Controversial Star Brand Decade Consider Experiment www.english-maestro.mn 9
create highlight develop spawn <Graphic> feature tour influence conceive perform structure discard www.english-maestro.mn 10
Writing Write a summary: Who was Monty Python? www.english-maestro.mn 11
1. Laughable Having the quality to make one laugh 2. Cross-dress To wear clothes of the opposite sex 3. Fourth Wall The imaginary wall at the front of a stage 4. Cold Open To start a show with no introduction Monty Python set new trends in modern comedy now reffered to as Pythonesque www.english-maestro.mn 12
Writing Answer the questions When did Monty Python air their first TV series? a) Early 21st century b) End of the 1960 s c) 1971 Monty Python is? a) A writing/acting group b) A person c) A TV show Monty Python is best known for their? a) Serious drama programs b) Mystery shows c) Comedy shows www.english-maestro.mn 13
Writing There are many types of humor. Describe one of them and explain why you enjoy it or not. www.english-maestro.mn 14
Writing Comedy is considered the hardest genre to write. Why do you think that is? Do you agree or disagree and why? www.english-maestro.mn 15
Speaking Practice: Joke telling 1) Do you have a favorite joke? Tell it to a friend. What makes it funny? 2) Now try to write your own, original joke. Was it hard to write? www.english-maestro.mn 16
Writing Complete the sentences below. Use text as a reference. According to the text, is a method of using serious, morbid, taboo, and depressing topics as a theme for humor? a) Dark comedy b) Dead pan c) Satire was Monty Python s first television series a) Life of Brian b) The meaning of Life c) The Flying Circus finds humor through absurd situations? a) satire b) Surreal humor c) Black comedy www.english-maestro.mn 17
Writing True or False Satire is a very old form of writing a) True b) False Monty Python took many years to gain popularity a) True b) False The group considered themselves actors before writers a) True b) False www.english-maestro.mn 18
Writing True or False Comedy is one of the easiest genres to write a) True b) False Dark comedy can often be controversial a) True b) False The influence of Monty Python can be seen today in Modern comedy a) True b) False www.english-maestro.mn 19
Speaking Discuss your opinion 1. What are popular comedy shows/movies in your country? 2. Do you think comedy has gotten better in recent years? 3. Do you have taboo topics in your culture? 4. Who is your favorite comedy actor or writer? Why? www.english-maestro.mn 20
Speaking Match the following words with their definitions sketch influential irony tour concieve sarcasm To travel from place to place A short play or performance An ironic remark The use of words to express the opposite of their literal meaning Having an effect or persuasion To think up www.english-maestro.mn 21