Show Biz Cats
Python Cats
We’re back to Merrie Olde England this week to examine feline references in that fabled telly series, Monty Python’s Flying Circus.
The Python gents are fond of kitties and salute them in a first season skit called “Confuse a Cat.” In this story, a couple have a cat that refuses to move. Just sits on the lawn and does nothing. The couple call the vet and the vet, after examining the cat, suggests they bring in the “Confuse a Cat” service, which sends a white truck with several men in uniform. These men proceed to set up a stage and perform ridiculous actions that the nice gray cat simply stares at. Finally, the cat goes into the house and the couple are overjoyed and thank “Confuse a Cat” for curing their pet (or rather, for confusing the poor dear to the point of utter boredom).
A cat is mentioned in the skit “Eric the Half a Bee.” A man with several pets seeks a license for his cat. He is told that cats don’t get licenses, only dogs. He insists on a license for his cat, Eric. Later, he asks for a license for his pet bee, Eric. “Are all your pets named Eric?” asks the license man. The customer is offended and cites someone who had an entire menagerie named Abdul.
Another cat reference comes in “The Cheese Shop.” The customer keeps listing cheeses that the cheese of the world shop simply doesn’t have. Yes, he does have some Brie, he says, but when he goes to fetch it, he has to come back to admit the cat ate it.
What, you say? Only mentions of cats? Not enough real cats? We are working hard to find other sightings of real cats as we work our way through viewing the entire four seasons of Monty Python’s Flying Circus. What with cats being so ubiquitous in this green and pleasant land, surely more felines will turn up. But these will do for starters.
And now for something completely different: next week, a review of an entire poetry anthology printed and published in England, devoted strictly to cats!