Americans are a funny lot. (Of course, I am one so I ought to be careful.) Avoiding the generalization ALL, I’ll say that MOST of them have no idea how to process the things that are truly funny. Give them a prat fall or the sound of someone farting and they will laugh hysterically (these being the same lot who sit around watching sports or go to country bars), but if you throw something at them a little more cerebral (ie; requires thought) and they generally deadpan with their best ‘deer-caught-in-headlights’ face. There’s something about British humor that eludes most of these folks (sad for them) but allows me to feel a little superior when faced with their less than 85 I.Q. (happy for me). Living in a small town outside of Dallas, Texas (where the collective intelligence is only slightly that of topsoil) one can only imagine how my family throws the neighborhood curve into a tizzy whenever the poll takers try and figure out the average ‘brain rate.’

Since my level of humor scores a bit higher on the scale, I can appreciate the comedic geniuses known as Monty Python’s Flying Circus. In order to have intelligent conversations about said comedy geniuses, I always have to limit them to my immediate family or friends that visit from other parts of town. Trying to discuss the hilarious opening credits and subtitles to “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” with my redneck neighbor would undoubtedly elicit that deadpan look (though in an effort to actually sound smart, he’d probably say, “Monty Python? I love that guy…!” – ‘nuff said…)

That said, what has impressed me about the members of Monty Python goes much farther than their ability to make me laugh. It is their ability to continue to create a huge income on a British series that lasted a mere 4 seasons back in the 70’s. Over the years they’ve reunited to make a handful of highly successful movies, the most famous being the aforementioned “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”, which has recently been recreated as the hugely popular Broadway Musical “Spamalot” (which is now in the works to become ‘The Movie… of the Broadway Musical… of The Movie’).

Then there is the fact that for the last several years you could own the entire 4 season run of the series in a huge 14-disc set, which is now being set to be re-released (I myself have this at the top of the list of ‘things I really don’t need, but wanna get, but don’t yet cause it’s so darn expensive’). And if that isn’t enough… the little money grubbe… I mean… comedic geniuses… are releasing single “Best of” discs for each of the six members. Their starting with Eric Idle and Michael Palin, and each chooses the skits they considered to be the best Monty Python had to offer. Down the road, we’ll see releases from John Cleese, Terry Jones, the brilliant director Terry Gilliam and the late Graham Chapman.

These little compilations are perfect for those of us on a fixed income (or unemployed) who can’t shell out the beans (or cash) for the more complete “Megaton Set.” Along with the “Personal Best” sketches, each disc will include the members “Personal Second Best” choices (ie; more sketches) and a Trivia Question featurette by Monty Python expert Kim “Howard” Johnson.

These wonderful little single DVDs will hopefully hold me over until I can get the “Complete” set (at which time I will donate these to my unsuspecting and clueless neighbors, in the hopes it will unlock some dormant ‘intelligence gene’ thereby allowing me at least one person I can converse with around here about something other than Nascar (which I don’t get) and hunting (which I don’t WANT to get…)

Starring: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin
Extras:
Eric Idle - Eric Idle’s Personal Second Best, The Eric Idle 15 Question, 15-Ton Megaquiz from Kim “Howard” Johnson
Michael Palin – Michael Palin’s Personal Second Best, The Michael Palin 15 Question, 15-Ton Megaquiz from Kim “Howard” Johnson
Specifications: Full Screen, Dolby Digital Stereo
Studio: A&E
Release Date: 8/30/2005
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give both Eric Idle's Personal Best & Michael Palin's Personal Best a B+.