Monty Python’s Flying Circus Premieres October 18 at 11:30 pm During Network’s "Python-A-Thon"
New York, NY – October 5, 2009 – Expanding on its celebration of the world’s most iconic comedy troupe, IFC announced today that Monty Python’s Flying Circus, the original sketch comedy show that redefined the face of comedy forty years ago, will join the network’s "Python-a-thon" week and continue airing through 2010. The network acquired all four seasons of the series (45 episodes) directly from Python (Monty) Pictures Ltd.
During "Python-a-thon," IFC will air one episode of its Original six-part docu-series Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer’s Cut) each night from 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT, October 18-23. Following each original episode, IFC will present a feature Python film such as Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Monty Python’s Life of Brian or Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT, and an episode of Monty Python’s Flying Circus at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT.
IFC will air all thirteen episodes from the show’s first season through the remainder of 2009 on Mondays at 7:30 p.m. and Fridays at 11:00 p.m., unedited and uncut. Seasons two through four will begin airing in their entirety on IFC in 2010.
Forty years ago, Monty Python’s Flying Circus aired its premiere episode on BBC TV, igniting a comedic revolution. Setting the bar for satire, slapstick, and outright silliness, The Pythons have since elevated themselves to iconic status, from comedy troupe to cultural phenomenon. IFC is now the U.S. destination for Monty Python’s dead parrots, cross-dressing lumberjacks, loonies, upper class twits, and spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, baked beans, spam, spam, and spam, as well as such signature sketches as the Ministry of Silly Walks, The Spanish Inquisition, The Fish-Slapping Dance, The Cheese Shop, The Argument Clinic, and Nudge, Nudge, Wink, Wink, Know What I Mean?
"The addition of Flying Circus completes IFC’s ’Python-a-thon’ celebrating The Monty Python troupe and their indelible mark on comedy and entertainment," said Jennifer Caserta, executive vice president and general manager, IFC. "We are thrilled to be the exclusive home of this amazing presentation and are committed to providing viewers with even more hilarious Python comedy into 2010."
IFC will pay further tribute to Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin when the network hosts a historic Python reunion and a special screening of the theatrical version of Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer’s Cut) on October 15 at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York City. The theatrical version features interviews and footage culled from the six-hour documentary presented in 111 minutes.
ABOUT IFC
Operating under the mantra "always, uncut," IFC (The Independent Film Channel) recommends and creates genre-bending content that indulges the alternative culture obsessions of our influential audience and makes it available across multiple platforms: on-air, online and On Demand. In pursuit of what’s new, next and relevant, IFC creates original non-traditional comedies like The Whitest Kids U’ Know and Z Rock and irreverent non-fiction such as The IFC Media Project. IFC’s original programming airs alongside a comprehensive independent film library of award-winning titles and cult classics, as well as content inspired by music, web, gaming, animation, news, culture and more. IFC broadens the audience for independent culture through its exclusive live coverage of notable film and music events like the Independent Spirit Awards and South by Southwest. The network’s On Demand offering, IFC Free, gives audiences the opportunity to watch premieres of IFC’s original series. IFC Media Lab Studios offers financing, professional development and distribution opportunities for aspiring film makers. IFC is a subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC.
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Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media is a leading producer of targeted, multiplatform content for global distribution, creating and managing some of the world’s most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands, including AMC, IFC (The Independent Film Channel), WE tv, Sundance Channel, IFC Entertainment and VOOM HD Networks. Through IFC Entertainment, Rainbow Media also owns and manages the following: IFC Films, a leading U.S. distributor of independent and foreign film with a unique day and date distribution model, "IFC In Theaters," that makes films available to a national audience by releasing them simultaneously in theaters as well as on cable’s On Demand platform; IFC Festival Direct features titles acquired from major international film festivals and initially offers them exclusively through On Demand; IFC Productions, a feature film production company; and IFC Center, a state-of-the-art cinema in the heart of NYC’s Greenwich Village. Rainbow Media also operates Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, an advertising sales company; Rainbow Network Communications, a full service network programming origination and distribution company; and 11 Penn TV, a company that manages Rainbow Media’s NYC studios and post-production facilities.