16: Monty Python -- Enough
| 16: Monty Python -- Enough |
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Description
This comic refers to the classic British sketch comedy group, Monty Python (active primarily during the 1970s and early 1980s) whose humour style was frequently based on surreal jokes that did not make sense. Their sketches are so popular that, as noted in the comic, many fans can repeat the dialogue word-for-word, and often do. This comic points out the inherent irony of repeating a surrealist sketch, as surrealist humour primarily depends on presenting something the audience does not expect. By repeating the sketch verbatim among those who have already seen it, the listeners know and expect the punchlines and jokes. This is akin to a common ironic concept of a teenager who wants to rebel against conformity by doing all the things his friends are also doing.
The Monty Python sketch in question here is the "Knights who say Ni" sketch about a group of knights who protect certain sacred words, including the word "Ni" (pronounced like "knee", but shortened and with more staccato). The image text references the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail in which the Knights sketch appeared.
The comic suggests that readers continue in the surreal traditions of Monty Python, and provides and example: The character in panels 3-6 interrupts his retelling of the the sketch with what appears to be an appology for running a woman over with his car, before returning to the sketch. The surreal humour is that the character dismisses the significant and serious comment he has just made by returning to the sketch as if nothing happened.
The image text refers to how fans of Monty Python can go for long periods of time simply quoting the sketches, as one person quotes a sketch, another recognizes it and says another quote without context, assuming everyone will recognize it. Perhaps a more contemporary version of this might be Simpsons or Family Guy quote frenzies.
