Fiction    From 7/12/1969 

Dead Parrot Sketch

One of the most famous of the sketches in the television comedy series 'Monty Python's Flying Circus'. Written by Graham Chapman and John Cleese, and performed by Cleese and Michael Palin. Initially performed in the 8th episode of the 1st series, first aired 7 December 1969.

An angry customer complains to a pet shop owner that he has been sold a parrot that: ''is no more", "has ceased to be", "bereft of life, it rests in peace" etc. Wait for the ads to go away and you can watch it here.

Margaret Thatcher (who was not known for her sense of humour) was reportedly mystified when quotes from it were included in one of her speeches. She had never heard of the television show, let alone seen the sketch. After finally being shown it, she was even more bewildered, and is supposed to have asked: 'This Monty Python, is he one of us?'. To avoid further confusion she was told he was a big Thatcher fan.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Dead Parrot Sketch

Commemorated ati

Dead Parrot monument

Created by artist John Reardon, in homage to the Monty Python's Flying Circus...

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Mrs Catherine Smithies

Mrs Catherine Smithies

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Martin Spencer

Martin Spencer

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Stables at Camden Goods Depot

Stables at Camden Goods Depot

The excellent Camden Railway Heritage Trust tells you all you need to know about this Goods Depot.  The horses and stables have their own page from which our picture comes.

Building, Animals, Property

1 memorial
British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection / Cruelty Free International

British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection / Cruelty Free International

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1 memorial

Previously viewed

Austin Friars & the Queens

Austin Friars & the Queens

EC2, Austin Friars, Austin Friars House

To commemorate the visit by Their Majesties Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands to the Dutch Church in Austin Friars ...

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David McFall

David McFall

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William Caslon - EC1 - second position

William Caslon - EC1 - second position

EC1, Chiswell Street, 24 or 21 - 23

Since the plaque is unchanged we thought that, rather than show a second photo of the same plaque, it would be more interesting to show h...

London County Council

London County Council

Prior to the LCC London matters were run by church parishes. The LCC was the first directly elected strategic local government body for London. Replaced by the Greater London Council, covering a la...

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272 memorials
L. A. Malempre

L. A. Malempre

From Mapping Sculpture we learn that Louis Auguste Malempré was born Belgium in about 1820. He had various addresses in London from 1854 on. Died London, probably at19 Lower Philimore Place, a subs...

Person, Sculpture, Belgium

1 memorial