Monty Python's Flying Circus (TV Series)

Live from the Grill-o-Mat (1970)

John Cleese: The Announcer, Mr. Cutler, Mr. Eric Praline, Ken Clean-Air Systems, Colonel Type

Photos 

Quotes 

• Toastmaster : Gentlemen, pray silence for the President of the Royal Society for Putting Things on Top of Other Things.

  Sir William : Thank you, gentlemen. The year has been a good one for the society. This year, our members have put more things on top of other things than ever before. But I should warn you, this is no time for complacency. No, there are still many things, and I cannot emphasize this too strongly, *not on top of other things.* I myself, on my way here, saw a thing that was not on top of another thing in any way.

  [cries of "shame!'] 

  Sir William : Shame indeed. But we must not allow ourselves to become too despondent. For we must never forget that if there was not one thing that was not on top of another thing, our society would be nothing more than a meaningless body of men that had gathered together for no good purpose. But we flourish. This year our Australasian members and the various organisations affiliated to our Australasian branches put no fewer than twenty-two things on top of other things.

  [applause] 

  Sir William : Well done all of you. But there is one cloud on the horizon. In this last year our Staffordshire branch has not succeeded in putting one thing on top of another.

  [more cries of "shame!] 

  Sir William : Therefore I call upon our Staffordshire delegate to explain this weird behaviour.

  Cutler : [timidly]  Er, Cutler, Staffordshire. Um... well... Mr Chairman, it's just that most of the members in Staffordshire feel... the whole thing's a bit... silly.

  [cries of outrage] 

  Sir William : Silly? SILLY?

  [pauses and thinks] 

  Sir William : Silly! I suppose it is, a bit. What have we been doing wasting our lives with all this nonsense? Right, meeting adjourned for ever.

• The Announcer : Oh, uh, there you are. And you've got the note. Jolly good. Well, um, that's all the items that we have for you this week. And, uh, what a jolly lot of items, too, eh? Um... Well, the same team will be back with you again next week with another menu full of items. Um, I don't know if I shall be introducing the show next week. As I understand, my bits in this show have not been received quite as well as they might. But, uh, never mind. The damage is done. No use crying over spilled milk. I've had my chance. And I've mucked it. Anyway, there we are. I'm not really awfully good with words, you see. I'm more of a visual performer. I have a very funny... If I may say so myself... A very funny, funny walk. I wish I'd been in that show. I'd have done rather well. But anyway, there we are. Show's over, and, uh... We'll all be... They'll all be back with you in the end next week.

  [He tries not to cry] 

  The Announcer : Sorry. I do beg your pardon, I don't like these... blatant displays of emotion. I wish it would say "The End".

  [End title card comes up]