Fall 2009 TV: IFC's Python-a-thon kicks off tonight

Perhaps you are a Pythoniac from way back (guilty as charged), perhaps you enjoyed the comedy group's reunion on Jimmy Fallon earlier this week (missed it), perhaps you have no idea what I am talking about (you didn't hang out with the smart kids in study hall, obviously). Those of us who can recite the Dead Parrot sketch in our sleep ("Remarkable bird, the Norwegian Blue, idn'it, ay? Beautiful plumage!") should be psyched—and well, we are because what else is on, anyway? Football, Mad Men? IFC gives the seminal comedy outfit its due tonight with the first installment of the six-part Monty Python: Almost the Truth (Lawyer’s Cut) a behind-the-scenes history of the series (October 18–23 at 8pm) which includes incredible background on the group and the origins of the show, the evolution of the sketches, in-fighting and its eventual disintegration. There are remarkable interviews with John Cleese (who reveals that his family name was Cheese before his father changed it), Terry Gilliam and the gang—archival interviews with Graham Chapman are even enlightening. The Python party continues with episodes from the original season one starting tonight at 10:30pm with Python films sandwiched in between at 9pm—tonight it is Live at the Hollywood Bowl. I would write more, but I need a few minutes to practice my silly walk.

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Watch Monty Python's team on stage in a recent Q&A discussion.