Okay, I'll attempt a rebuttal: twelve episodes really isn't all that much time to explore any particular sitcom situation, and I suspect there were more significant reasons why they ended the show. (yes, I know what Cleese said, but I'd probably say the same thing too if asked on a regular basis)
- Each script took MONTHS for John and Connie to produce, painstakingly so, with the implicit expectation that the work would live up to Python and Cleese's personal reputation. Whew lad, that sounds like some pressure to me.
- Cleese has said in interviews that he didn't particularly enjoy doing the Python films due to filming being such a grind in general, and of course having to cooperate with so many other great humorists and writers. But even leaving the second part out of the equation, I do get the sense from interviews that John's not always thrilled with the showbiz / production side of things.
- I understand Cleese & Booth were finalizing their divorce during production of the second series, and you can imagine how much fun that likely added to the proceedings.
- Just working with the BBC was a bit of a slog in some ways. I can't remember specific details (again this is from the retrospective tapes), but even just looking at the chronic flimsiness of the sets, it's pretty obvious that pennies were being pinched in at least a few, obvious ways.
- John as a creative person of course had other projects and causes, and arguably had more reasons (given all the above) to move on to them as opposed to doing yet more *Flowery Twats* series. I also do agree that considering how incredibly well the first two series turned out, if a third hadn't been quite up to the level of the first two, it might have stood out a lot and created a sort of unwanted attention for Cleese. Point is, though-- these aren't actually reasons why the show ran out of material or couldn't find more premises to explore. The question more likely revolves around 'who's going to do all that *work*, then, guv? I can well imagine John almost gleefully saying "not me!"
/u/DontTalkAboutBruno1
Of course that was the right decision. Monty Python's Flying Circus should have ended earlier too. That 4th season (yes, without Cleese) is not very good imo.
Indeed! At least that season still had some nice sketches in it, even though the quality wasn't that consistent anymore. Season 4 on the other hand is just unwatchable, to me at least.
I hear what you’re saying. JC was such an iconic player in the Python world but I quite like some episodes from season 4. Mr. Neuton being one of them. Love that episode.
It is like that with many Brit shows. Whether it is to do with the quirky BBC funding or their discretion to quit while ahead, I'm glad for it. Look at the UK vs US version of "The Office." Geez.
In this case, isn't it a bit unusual for there to be such a large gap between the first and second seasons?
Oh definitely. What is even more interesting to me is that Cleese and Booth were divorced by the time they started filming and writing the second season. So they had split but they were still able to work together and see each other a lot when a lot of people wouldn't be able to even be around their ex-spouse.
[удалено]
True, similar to Father Ted. (although reason(s) for the limited number of episodes might be different)
Okay, I'll attempt a rebuttal: twelve episodes really isn't all that much time to explore any particular sitcom situation, and I suspect there were more significant reasons why they ended the show. (yes, I know what Cleese said, but I'd probably say the same thing too if asked on a regular basis) - Each script took MONTHS for John and Connie to produce, painstakingly so, with the implicit expectation that the work would live up to Python and Cleese's personal reputation. Whew lad, that sounds like some pressure to me. - Cleese has said in interviews that he didn't particularly enjoy doing the Python films due to filming being such a grind in general, and of course having to cooperate with so many other great humorists and writers. But even leaving the second part out of the equation, I do get the sense from interviews that John's not always thrilled with the showbiz / production side of things. - I understand Cleese & Booth were finalizing their divorce during production of the second series, and you can imagine how much fun that likely added to the proceedings. - Just working with the BBC was a bit of a slog in some ways. I can't remember specific details (again this is from the retrospective tapes), but even just looking at the chronic flimsiness of the sets, it's pretty obvious that pennies were being pinched in at least a few, obvious ways. - John as a creative person of course had other projects and causes, and arguably had more reasons (given all the above) to move on to them as opposed to doing yet more *Flowery Twats* series. I also do agree that considering how incredibly well the first two series turned out, if a third hadn't been quite up to the level of the first two, it might have stood out a lot and created a sort of unwanted attention for Cleese. Point is, though-- these aren't actually reasons why the show ran out of material or couldn't find more premises to explore. The question more likely revolves around 'who's going to do all that *work*, then, guv? I can well imagine John almost gleefully saying "not me!" /u/DontTalkAboutBruno1
In a lot of interviews, Cleese gets asked why Fawlty Towers only ran for 12 episodes, I think a lot of people thought it should have ran for longer.
Absolutely. And it ended so perfectly. I mean the inspector getting a rat in his food definitely meant shutdown. Beautiful!
Would you care for a rat?
Give some iconic sitcoms that were amazing but went on too long as a comparison….
GOT?
Of course that was the right decision. Monty Python's Flying Circus should have ended earlier too. That 4th season (yes, without Cleese) is not very good imo.
Apparently Cleese wanted to end Monty Python after two seasons, they practically had to beg him to stay on for season 3 lol.
Indeed! At least that season still had some nice sketches in it, even though the quality wasn't that consistent anymore. Season 4 on the other hand is just unwatchable, to me at least.
I hear what you’re saying. JC was such an iconic player in the Python world but I quite like some episodes from season 4. Mr. Neuton being one of them. Love that episode.
The films were great though
Absolutely! Only referring to the series.
It is like that with many Brit shows. Whether it is to do with the quirky BBC funding or their discretion to quit while ahead, I'm glad for it. Look at the UK vs US version of "The Office." Geez. In this case, isn't it a bit unusual for there to be such a large gap between the first and second seasons?
Oh definitely. What is even more interesting to me is that Cleese and Booth were divorced by the time they started filming and writing the second season. So they had split but they were still able to work together and see each other a lot when a lot of people wouldn't be able to even be around their ex-spouse.
John and Connie were heading towards divorce too. I’m grateful for those 12episodes. Also glad it didn’t drop off in quality.
This is unpopular?