In case you missed it: The Great Life of Brian Debate

[trof]

This first appeared on BBC in November of 1979 but I just discovered it.

"On the edition of 9 November 1979, hosted by Tim Rice, a discussion was held about the then-new film Monty Python's Life of Brian, which been banned by many local councils and caused protests throughout the world with accusations that it was blasphemous. To argue in favour of this accusation were broadcaster and noted Christian Malcolm Muggeridge and Mervyn Stockwood (the then Bishop of Southwark). In its defence were two members of the Monty Python team, John Cleese and Michael Palin."

Cleese and Palin hold up their end well, and the Bishop and Muggeridge come off as pompous asses.
Enjoy

http://videosift.com/video/Life-of-Brian-Debate-Saturday-Night-Sunday-Morning-1979

[lastlib]

1. K & R! Bookmarked.

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. And, as a follow-up, the satire on it the next week or so

by Not The Nine O'Clock News - the British equivalent of Saturday Night Live at the time. Pamela Stephenson, Mel Smith and Rowan Atkinson.

[trof]

3. Many...MANY thanks, muriel.

I read about this.
Thank you for the clip.
trof

BTW...'volestrangler' would be an excellent name in a Python sketch.
Or did they use that?

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. Oh yes, that's where it's from:

Well, from John Cleese - I'm not sure if they ever said it in a Python sketch: http://www.amazon.com/Golden-Wing-commander-Muriel-Volestrangler-F-R-H-S/dp/0413567907

But he did nick it (slightly modified) from a BBC radio comedy of the sixties (for which one of the writers was Marty Feldman):

Recurring characters included actors Binkie Huckaback and Dame Celia Molestrangler (Paddick and Marsden) playing old-fashioned cinema idols Fiona and Charles, declaring their love for one another in stilted nonsensical dialogue.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/roundthehorne/

[zappaman]

4. If you like this, I recommend the 6 part documentary on Monty Python

One entire hour is devoted to LIFE OF BRIAN.
And you can get it from Netflix Instant.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1422182/