Life of Python Life of Python Life of Python is the name of two documentaries, both intended to mark 20 years of the Monty Python team in 1989, but broadcast the following year after the death of team member Graham Chapman on 4 October - the eve of the 20th anniversary. The first version was broadcast in the US on the Showtime network on 16 March 1990, with the UK version finally airing on the team’s 21st anniversary on 5 October 1990, as part of the BBC’s "Omnibus" documentary series. Produced by Tiger Television in collaboration with Devillier-Donegan Enterprises, the documentaries take in
Monty Python in three, Chapman in two, and Gilliam in one. Idle did not participate in the Amnesty shows. Notwithstanding Idle's lack of participation, the other five members (together with "Associate Pythons" Carol Cleveland and Neil Innes) all appeared together in the first "Secret Policeman's Ball" benefit—the 1976 "A Poke in the Eye"—where they performed several Python sketches. In this first show, they were collectively billed as "Monty Python". (Peter Cook deputised for the errant Idle in a courtroom sketch.) In the next three shows, the participating Python members performed many Python sketches, but were billed under their individual names rather than