September 7

Monty Python's Flying Circus began its run on the BBC with the airing of its first episode on the 7th in 1969. Everyone seems to have his or her favorite sketch, whether it is The Spanish Inquisition, The Dead Parrot or The Cheese Shop. The show illustrated the wisdom of the time-honored adage: It’s all very funny until someone puts an eye out and then it’s hilarious. Their contribution to modern letters however ranges far beyond the sophomoric sketch comedy for which they are so widely known. The lasting contribution to the world that The Pythons have made is giving all mere mortals the key to successful writing. All you have to do is follow their instructions and your success is assured. The first step is to get a decent dictionary so that you have all the words. That done, your success is lurking just around that corner over by the door to the basement because all that you have to do after getting the book is put the words in the right order. That isn’t too hard, right? So get busy, I want to hear those typewriter keys chattering away right after you finish reading this.