Python's Dead Parrot lives on

Monty Python have seen their legendary Dead Parrot sketch voted the best alternative comedy sketch ever in a poll conducted by Radio Times.

11:25 30 November 2004

Monty Python have seen their legendary Dead Parrot sketch voted the best alternative comedy sketch ever in a poll conducted by Radio Times.

More than 1,200 people voted in the poll, which saw Python's equally hilarious Four Yorkshiremen skit bumped into second place.

Dead Parrot, which sees John Cleese and Michael Palin battle it out in a pet show over the fate of a dead bird, received nearly twice as many votes as its nearest rival.

At number three was Little Britain's Lou and Andy by the Pool, followed by Going for English by Goodness Gracious Me and Harry Enfield's Brown Baby.

Despite the worldwide success of the Dead Parrot sketch, however, Cleese said the team had less fond memories of it.

"I get fed up with it. Repetition kills everything. It's not just the parrot, it's the silly walks and all the rest of it," he told Radio Times.

The survey was timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of Amnesty International's fundraiser, the Secret Policeman's Ball, which brought together a host of comedy stars including Cleese.

Speaking of his memories of the Amnesty shows, Palin told the magazine: "John and I worked hard at making each other laugh, and he always won.

"That was the joy of charity shows - you were more relaxed than in a regular theatrical run, and could have more fun with it."

Top alternative sketches

1. Dead Parrot (Python)
2. Four Yorkshiremen (Python)
3. Lou and Andy by the Pool (Little Britain)
4. Going for English (Goodness Gracious Me)
5. Brown Baby (Harry Enfield)
6. Ministry of Silly Walks (Python)
7. One Leg Too Few (Dudley Moore)
8. Papa Lazarou (League of Gentlemen)
9. Two Soups (Julie Walters in Victoria Wood)
10. The Spam Song (Python)