John Cleese On How To Irritate People

This "lost" British comedy featuring most of the Monty Python troupe looks to be about a quarter-century old special, which is hosted by John Cleese, and includes ex-Pythoner's Michael Palin and Graham Chapman. Loosely arranged around the concept of irritating people (for some, Monty Python reruns would adequately serve that purpose), the show is comprised of some half-dozen skits which are sometimes laugh out loud funny, sometimes not, and almost always too long. The targets, not surprisingly, are some legendary irritants: parents, people who talk in theaters, salespeople, waiters, and talk-show hosts. The one jewel in this somewhat dull comic crown comes near the end of the show: Cleese and Palin play airplane pilots who get on the p.a. system and torture the passengers with vague suggestions of imminent danger. Alas, it's too little, too late. Loyal Pythoners will, of course, be rabid in their desire to see this; however, general audiences will likely be bored. An optional purchase. (Available from most distributors.)