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The Navigator

'Brit Wit' sounds absolutely fab

By RICK GERSHMAN
Published January 20, 2006

	[AP — 1987]
	Comedian John Cleese, seen in this 1987 file photo, knows the trick to making a successful sequel: Make sure the first movie is terrible.

I'd like to say my brother and I were entranced by British comedy's brilliance when we stayed up to watch Monty Python's Flying Circus on our local PBS station in Pennsylvania.

But I was maybe 9 or 10 at the time, so I didn't understand all the subtleties of the show's masterfully surreal humor. That's not what kept me coming back for more.

I'm pretty sure it was the boobies.

Okay, it wasn't only the boobies. There was also the swearing. And the geysers of blood that flowed from freshly amputated limbs in one classic sketch. Oh, and the Pythons dressed as old ladies, at least - kicking the crap out of each other.

Sure, these days that sounds like the tamest ever episode of South Park. But that kind of content was hardcore back before cable television and movie rentals.

Television offered only a few options then. You had the three major networks, a couple of independent, snowy UHF stations and - if you were lucky - a PBS station or two.

Back then, the only place you might see a topless woman on American TV was a British comedy show. Monty Python wasn't the only one, but it had the added advantage of being utterly hilarious.

And even a 10-year-old who didn't get the dry wit or pop culture references definitely digged a guy getting smacked upside the head with a huge fish.

I thought back on those days when I learned our PBS station, WEDU, is throwing a British comedy bash tonight at its downtown Tampa studios.

The "Brit Wit Pub Party" is a fundraiser for the station, which relies on community support to provide its programming. So it's a good cause and sure to be much more entertaining than a pledge drive.

Python isn't part of WEDU's current British comedy lineup on Saturday nights, but it does include the brilliant, classic Fawlty Towers.

The mid-'70s sitcom starred the brilliant, classic Python veteran John Cleese, who co-wrote the shows with his wife and co-star, Connie Booth. Heck, I guess that makes her brilliant and classic too.

If you've never checked out the show, you're missing out. It's well-matched on WEDU's Saturday lineup with two other witty British comedies, Are You Being Served? and Keeping Up Appearances.

The BBC's Julius Cain will co-host the event, which features food and drink from St. Petersburg's Moon Under Water British Tavern and "clips and dish" related to British comedies and their stars.

Topping off the festivities is a round of trivia contests and prizes, and someone will win round-trip airfare to New York City and two tickets to see Spamalot! The Tony-winning Broadway musical is based on Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Which, of course, is brilliant.

And classic.

Okay, so maybe I need to learn some new adjectives.

- Rick Gershman can be reached at rgershman@sptimes.com or 813 226-3431. You also can comment on his blog.

The "Brit Wit Pub Party - A Backstage Event" starts at 7 tonight at the WEDU Studios, 1300 N Boulevard, Tampa. Tickets are $25. Reservations may be made online at wedu.org or by calling (800) 354-9338, ext. 2241.

[Last modified January 20, 2006, 16:00:27]