Friday 13 June 2014
Final Monty Python stage show broadcast live and exclusively on Gold
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Gold announces landmark TV broadcast of final Python live show from The O2 Arena
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Up to three hour programme will be shown on Sunday 20th July
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Five part series commissioned to celebrate the best of Monty Python's Flying Circus
The UK's leading comedy channel Gold, part of the UKTV network, has announced that it will be broadcasting the final ever performance of the Monty Python Live (mostly): One Down Five to Go stage show directly from The O2 on Sunday 20th July 2014.
The ground-breaking event will begin with a live back stage programme (produced by Phil McIntyre Television) and will culminate with the Python's final ever stage show (produced by Hipgnosis), aired on the channel for up to three hours live on the night.
Richard Watsham, UKTV Director of Commissioning said,
It's a huge step in Gold's evolution to be part of such a significant national event and to be broadcasting it live so that everyone can be there. Monty Python is arguably the most influential comedy group the country has ever known and it's a matter of great pride that they've trusted us with celebrating their very last night together.
Eric Idle, on behalf of The Pythons said,
What could be finer at the end of a long life in comedy, than a chance to reunite with old pals and say goodbye to all our fans in one final mad musical show. We are very excited that not only do we get the chance to screw up on stage, we get a chance to screw up live on TV too."
Monty Python Live (Mostly) sees the five stars reunited on stage for the first time in the UK in over 40 years, at the London O2 Arena for ten memorable nights from 1-5, 15, 17-20 July 2014. After selling out the initial run, the seating capacity of the shows has been increased, meaning more tickets are now available from www.montypythonlive.com.
In addition to the transmission of the final night of the Monty Python Live (mostly): One Down Five to Go performance, Gold has also announced a special five part series, due to air later in the year, to provide the ultimate Monty Python season.
The as yet untitled series, also produced by Phil McIntyre Television in association with Python (Monty) Pictures Ltd, will celebrate the nation's favourite Monty Python's Flying Circus sketches and the effect that they have had on the comedy world. It will include the very best footage from their TV programmes and insights from some of the biggest names in comedy on the extraordinary influence of the Pythons.
The broadcast on Gold on Sunday 20th July is the first time in UKTV's 21-year history that an event of this magnitude will be aired live on the channel. It is hoped that those who watch the live show from the comfort of their homes, will also share their experience with others through the staging of 'Python' parties to celebrate both the content and the sense of the national event.
Phil McIntyre Television has also worked with Gold this year on new commission Porridge: Inside Out, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the hit British sitcom. It performed 124% above slot average reaching two million individuals.
For the live event and the series, the Commissioner is UKTV's Director of Commissioning, Richard Watsham and the Executive Producer for UKTV is Hilary Rosen. For Phil McIntyre Television, the Executive Producer is Lucy Ansbro, Series Producers for the Phil McIntyre shows are Lindsay Jex and Martin Dance. The live show will be directed by Aubrey Powell and produced by Fiz Oliver.
For more information please contact:
Kerry Parker, Head of Network Communications
Nicola Rowley, Group Publicity Manager
Follow Monty Python:
montypythonlive.com
twitter.com/montypython
facebook.com/MontyPython
ENDS
Notes to Editors
About Gold (Sky 110, Virgin 126, TalkTalk 408, Top-Up TV 20)
Dedicated to celebrating the best of British comedy, Gold is the nation's favourite comedy channel. Much-loved comedy series such as Only Fools and Horses, The Vicar of Dibley and Outnumbered sit alongside successful commissions including Porridge: Inside Out, Yes, Prime Minister, The Comic Strip Presents: Five Go To Rehab (starring Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders) and Bring Me Morecambe and Wise. The perfect tonic to make you laugh whatever the time of day, Gold shows universally funny content that everyone can enjoy.
http://gold.uktv.co.uk@goldtvchannel
About UKTV
UKTV is the multi-award winning media company that reaches over 42 million viewers per month.
UKTV's ten imaginative channel brands - Watch, Dave, Gold, Alibi, Eden, Yesterday, Drama, Really, Home and Good Food - include the most watched non-PSB channel, the most watched channel in the Factual genre and the most watched channels in the Lifestyle genre (Pay and Free). The company's most recent financial results showed a record-breaking year-end revenue of £262m, and operating profit at £71m.
UKTV has a truly innovative model, curating brand-defining commissions, high-profile acquisitions and the very best of BBC and Channel 4 content, and embracing technology to deliver inspired channels to audiences through Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, BT TV, TalkTalk, YouView, plus direct On Demand digital services. The network distributes its highly valued programmes to 200 territories around the world and supplies Sky with more hours of HD content than anyone else.
Now celebrating its 21st year at the forefront of digital television, UKTV - an independent commercial joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. (SNI) - is proud to be the only British broadcaster to be recognised by Best Companies.