Rating: 
Summary: A great collection, even if only half is live
Review: "Live at the Hollywood Bowl" makes this whole thing worthwhile, and I love the new ones that they added (Michaelangelo, the Four Yorkshiremen, Neil Innes' songs, etc.), but it disappointed me that the "Dead Parrot" sketch was edited out (I know it was performed there because I've read it in many sources). The atmosphere of the concert was just one of complete fun and the troupe seemed to be very enthusiastic about their performing (as they always are).
"Live at Aspen" is great, it offers a very humorous retrospective about the group and it's development from TV to records to film, etc. The only low spot is the person at the start who pretends to be in the group, I don't know his name and he's not funny. From there it picks up and goes strong, especially the joke with Graham Chapman's "ashes." Very Pythonesque and extremely funny; just shows they haven't lost their touch in 30+ years.
"Parrot Sketch Not Included: 20 Years of Monty Python" is funny, but of course we've seen all the sketches many times. Steve Martin, I think, is great as the host; of course, he's always great, and he's been funnier certainly, but even his worst is better than most comedian's best in these post-Python days. He's not overly-obnoxious, that's his schtick anyway, so it's funny, especially when he can't remember their names.
The first German episode is classic; the Bavarian restaurant sketch alone makes it worth watching, as well as the Silly Olympiad and the Lumberjack Song sung in German.
All in all, a must for any Python fan, not just for those (like me) who have everything they've ever done.
Rating:
Summary: A great collection, even if only half is live
Review: "Live at the Hollywood Bowl" makes this whole thing worthwhile, and I love the new ones that they added (Michaelangelo, the Four Yorkshiremen, Neil Innes' songs, etc.), but it disappointed me that the "Dead Parrot" sketch was edited out (I know it was performed there because I've read it in many sources). The atmosphere of the concert was just one of complete fun and the troupe seemed to be very enthusiastic about their performing (as they always are).
"Live at Aspen" is great, it offers a very humorous retrospective about the group and it's development from TV to records to film, etc. The only low spot is the person at the start who pretends to be in the group, I don't know his name and he's not funny. From there it picks up and goes strong, especially the joke with Graham Chapman's "ashes." Very Pythonesque and extremely funny; just shows they haven't lost their touch in 30+ years.
"Parrot Sketch Not Included: 20 Years of Monty Python" is funny, but of course we've seen all the sketches many times. Steve Martin, I think, is great as the host; of course, he's always great, and he's been funnier certainly, but even his worst is better than most comedian's best in these post-Python days. He's not overly-obnoxious, that's his schtick anyway, so it's funny, especially when he can't remember their names.
The first German episode is classic; the Bavarian restaurant sketch alone makes it worth watching, as well as the Silly Olympiad and the Lumberjack Song sung in German.
All in all, a must for any Python fan, not just for those (like me) who have everything they've ever done.
Rating:
Summary: And Now For Something Not Completely Live!
Review: A&E has done a great service to Monty Python fans the world over by finally releasing rare, out of print, or otherwise unavailable Python material. Disc # 1 starts with Monty Python Live At The Hollywood Bowl. The group opens with the song "Sit On My Face" wearing long aprons and, when they turn to go off stage, reveal their bare buttocks! This is followed by Graham Chapman, playing Colin 'Bomber' Harris, who wrestles himself to a pinfall. The Crunchy Frog skit concerns the Whizzo Chocolate Company and their choice of chocolate-covered confectionaries, such as anthrax ripple and cockroach cluster. This sketch is highlighted by Terry Gilliam throwing up in his policeman's hat and then being forced to wear the hat! The Custard Pies sketch involves demonstrating the history of physical comedy with pratfalls and pie throwing, with Terry Jones getting the worst of it. Truly, this is Monty Python at their subtle best. The concert ends with a rousing version of the Lumberjack Song. That concert is followed by Monty Python Live At Aspen, hosted by comedian Robert Klein. The group members talk about their early days at the BBC and their transition into movies. For their film work in particular, they receive an American Film Institute Star Award. Since this show was taped in 1998, Graham Chapman sadly had passed away. An urn supposedly containing his ashes represents him and also gets the biggest laughs at the event!Disc #2 starts with a 1989 retrospective of the group, hosted by Steve Martin. Steve talks about Monty Python for a few minutes, followed by an hour of sketches from their classic TV series. This is very much a hit or miss affair, as some of their weaker skits are included and some of their best sketches are not shown in their entirety. Steve Martin appears at the end of the hour, opens a door to find the Pythoners huddled in a closet, and then promptly shuts the door on them. That retrospective is followed by Monty Python's German Episode #1. Apparently, German TV paid for the Pythoners to perform two episodes of their series in Germany! Naturally, the sketches are in German with English subtitles. It's surreal to hear the Lumberjack Song sung in German! Some of this footage appears in various collections, particularly the Olympic events and the Little Red Riding Hood sketch. It's great to finally see the 45 minute German show in its entirety. For completists, Monty Python's German Episode #2 is included in A&E's "The Life Of Python" boxed set. With 2 DVDs clocking in at 4 1/2 hours, "Monty Python Live!" is an essential addition to every Python fan's collection.
Rating:
Summary: And Now For Something Not Completely Live!
Review: A&E has done a great service to Monty Python fans the world over by finally releasing rare, out of print, or otherwise unavailable Python material. Disc # 1 starts with Monty Python Live At The Hollywood Bowl. The group opens with the song "Sit On My Face" wearing long aprons and, when they turn to go off stage, reveal their bare buttocks! This is followed by Graham Chapman, playing Colin 'Bomber' Harris, who wrestles himself to a pinfall. The Crunchy Frog skit concerns the Whizzo Chocolate Company and their choice of chocolate-covered confectionaries, such as anthrax ripple and cockroach cluster. This sketch is highlighted by Terry Gilliam throwing up in his policeman's hat and then being forced to wear the hat! The Custard Pies sketch involves demonstrating the history of physical comedy with pratfalls and pie throwing, with Terry Jones getting the worst of it. Truly, this is Monty Python at their subtle best. The concert ends with a rousing version of the Lumberjack Song. That concert is followed by Monty Python Live At Aspen, hosted by comedian Robert Klein. The group members talk about their early days at the BBC and their transition into movies. For their film work in particular, they receive an American Film Institute Star Award. Since this show was taped in 1998, Graham Chapman sadly had passed away. An urn supposedly containing his ashes represents him and also gets the biggest laughs at the event! Disc #2 starts with a 1989 retrospective of the group, hosted by Steve Martin. Steve talks about Monty Python for a few minutes, followed by an hour of sketches from their classic TV series. This is very much a hit or miss affair, as some of their weaker skits are included and some of their best sketches are not shown in their entirety. Steve Martin appears at the end of the hour, opens a door to find the Pythoners huddled in a closet, and then promptly shuts the door on them. That retrospective is followed by Monty Python's German Episode #1. Apparently, German TV paid for the Pythoners to perform two episodes of their series in Germany! Naturally, the sketches are in German with English subtitles. It's surreal to hear the Lumberjack Song sung in German! Some of this footage appears in various collections, particularly the Olympic events and the Little Red Riding Hood sketch. It's great to finally see the 45 minute German show in its entirety. For completists, Monty Python's German Episode #2 is included in A&E's "The Life Of Python" boxed set. With 2 DVDs clocking in at 4 1/2 hours, "Monty Python Live!" is an essential addition to every Python fan's collection.
Rating: 
Summary: How are the German episode & "Parrot" live?
Review: A&E mishandles the Python once again. It's great to put together Hollywood Bowl and the Aspen reunion show to constitute a "live" title, but the German episode (which should have been on the lacking Life Of Python disc 2) and "Parrot" shouldn't even be on this set. Some Secret Policemen's Ball bits would have been more appropriate, but I'm sure there's a rights issue there. As for "Parrot": is it worth paying 2-disc price for clips you've seen and a 5-second gag of all 6 pythons from 1989? A&E should have taken the redundant clips off their Complete Series discs and just added the original bits from "Parrot." Oh well, I still bought it all anyway.
Rating:
Summary: And Now For Something Not Completely Live!
Review: A&E has done a great service to Monty Python fans the world over by finally releasing rare, out of print, or otherwise unavailable Python material. Disc # 1 starts with Monty Python Live At The Hollywood Bowl. The group opens with the song "Sit On My Face" wearing long aprons and, when they turn to go off stage, reveal their bare buttocks! This is followed by Graham Chapman, playing Colin 'Bomber' Harris, who wrestles himself to a pinfall. The Crunchy Frog skit concerns the Whizzo Chocolate Company and their choice of chocolate-covered confectionaries, such as anthrax ripple and cockroach cluster. This sketch is highlighted by Terry Gilliam throwing up in his policeman's hat and then being forced to wear the hat! The Custard Pies sketch involves demonstrating the history of physical comedy with pratfalls and pie throwing, with Terry Jones getting the worst of it. Truly, this is Monty Python at their subtle best. The concert ends with a rousing version of the Lumberjack Song. That concert is followed by Monty Python Live At Aspen, hosted by comedian Robert Klein. The group members talk about their early days at the BBC and their transition into movies. For their film work in particular, they receive an American Film Institute Star Award. Since this show was taped in 1998, Graham Chapman sadly had passed away. An urn supposedly containing his ashes represents him and also gets the biggest laughs at the event! Disc #2 starts with a 1989 retrospective of the group, hosted by Steve Martin. Steve talks about Monty Python for a few minutes, followed by an hour of sketches from their classic TV series. This is very much a hit or miss affair, as some of their weaker skits are included and some of their best sketches are not shown in their entirety. Steve Martin appears at the end of the hour, opens a door to find the Pythoners huddled in a closet, and then promptly shuts the door on them. That retrospective is followed by Monty Python's German Episode #1. Apparently, German TV paid for the Pythoners to perform two episodes of their series in Germany! Naturally, the sketches are in German with English subtitles. It's surreal to hear the Lumberjack Song sung in German! Some of this footage appears in various collections, particularly the Olympic events and the Little Red Riding Hood sketch. It's great to finally see the 45 minute German show in its entirety. For completists, Monty Python's German Episode #2 is included in A&E's "The Life Of Python" boxed set. With 2 DVDs clocking in at 4 1/2 hours, "Monty Python Live!" is an essential addition to every Python fan's collection.
Rating: 
Summary: Worth it, if only for the Hollywood bowl
Review: An almost excellent collection of Python, the Hollywood Bowl segment being the best of the bunch. Some of it, decidedly isn't "live" however. (Insert dead parrot joke here.)
Rating:
Summary: Not Much Info On This Title Yet...
Review: But I ordered it anyway & the rating is based on what it appear to be -- from the artwork, a combination of the Live At The Hollywood Bowl film and the reunion at the Aspen Denver Comedy Fest of a few years back. Should be pretty worthwhile - have always enjoyed the Bowl film simply for the greatest hits of the Flying Circus combined with the energy and audience interaction of the live show. Hopefully we'll get some interesting extras as well! The reunion will be interesting to see, as I missed it at the time, but always enjoyed Cleese's statement that "There
will be no Monty Python reunion as long as Graham Chapman insists on remaining dead."
The manufacturer's site says it also includes the The original 1972 MONTY PYTHON'S FLIEGENDER ZIRKUS #1 "lost" German episode, not seen since its original airing in West Germany. In German with English subtitles. As well as 20 YEARS OF PYTHON: PARROT SKETCH NOT INCLUDED, a special hosted by Steve Martin. Huzzah!
Rating:
Summary: Not Much Info On This Title Yet...
Review: But I ordered it anyway & the rating is based on what it appear to be -- from the artwork, a combination of the Live At The Hollywood Bowl film and the reunion at the Aspen Denver Comedy Fest of a few years back. Should be pretty worthwhile - have always enjoyed the Bowl film simply for the greatest hits of the Flying Circus combined with the energy and audience interaction of the live show. Hopefully we'll get some interesting extras as well! The reunion will be interesting to see, as I missed it at the time, but always enjoyed Cleese's statement that "There
will be no Monty Python reunion as long as Graham Chapman insists on remaining dead."
The manufacturer's site says it also includes the The original 1972 MONTY PYTHON'S FLIEGENDER ZIRKUS #1 "lost" German episode, not seen since its original airing in West Germany. In German with English subtitles. As well as 20 YEARS OF PYTHON: PARROT SKETCH NOT INCLUDED, a special hosted by Steve Martin. Huzzah!
Rating:
Summary: Great shows, but poor video quality and combinations
Review: I bow to no one in my devotion to Monty Python, but I do have a few concerns about this set. First, the film quality for "Live at the Hollywood Bowl" is terrible and in dire need of restoration. Second, truth in advertising: only two of four pieces on this set are live, and "Live at Aspen" is more of an interview/retrospective than a performance. The second disc, containing the "Parrot Sketch Not Included" retrospective and Episode 1 of "Monty Pythons Fliegender Zirkus", has nothing live to it at all. Third, one unfortunate result of the selection on these discs is that certain filmed pieces, done for the German episodes and recycled for "Live at the Hollywood Bowl", appear as many as three times in the set, which makes consecutive viewing a bit maddening. Having said that, the first German episode has always been one of my favorites, one I'm glad to have on DVD, and I've enjoyed audio recordings of live Python concerts, so I do like having "Live at the Hollywood Bowl", whatever the quality.
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