Monty Python announced the start of a partnership with YouTube, creating the first official Monty Python Video Channel on the internet. This marks the first ‘official’ usage of Python sketches on the online video site. Until now, the site was full of unofficial uploads.
As the Monty Python team puts it: “To all the fans who’ve for some unknown reason have sat, progressively losing their eyesight, squinting at their computer screens, watching The Dead Parrot Sketch, or missing the climax of The Fish Slapping Dance all because you’re too damned cheap to buy the shiny new DVD box set, you who have gawped at grainy bootlegged Python snippets only to be left unfulfilled by the ripped-off rubbish posted on YouTube… Well loyal Python fan, strain no longer! Now you can save your eyesight and join the Monty Python YouTube Channel, where you can enjoy high quality Python lounging in your knickers.”
Although the Monty Python ‘channel’ is for free, they want something in return: “None of your driveling, mindless comments. Instead, we want you to click on the links, buy our movies and TV shows and soften our pain and disgust at being ripped off all these years.” Python on YouTube features 24 videos, but more clips are promised in the future.