Monty Python Kilimanjaro sketch available to view online

Friday 21st July 2007

I’ve just stumbled across a video clip from the classic ’70s comedy Monty Python.The clip is a sketch about a proposed expedition to Kilimanjaro, in which the organiser - a typically Pythonesque oddball, played by John Cleese - sees two of everything.

Like most Monty Python’s TV sketches, I have to confess this one leaves me cold; I thought the movies were great, but the TV series has never worked for me. Nevertheless, I thought I’d give you the link because:

a) I know a lot of people adore Monty Python and it is, after all, a sketch about Kilimanjaro; and

b) The central ‘joke’ of the sketch is that John Cleese, because he suffers from a condition that makes him think there are two of everything (a condition known as ‘pluralsy’ perhaps?), also believes there are two peaks to Kilimanjaro. When this is discovered, the audience howl with laughter. But of course, as everyone who’s climbed Kilimanjaro will know, there are two peaks to Kilimanjaro (indeed, three if you count the lesser summit of Shira Ridge). Which means that the central premise of the joke, rather like the sketch itself, falls flat.

Still, the sketch is still of interest, if only to those who enjoy dated 70s comedies. You can view it by visiting the YouTube site.

Kilimanjaro from space >>