description Dead Parrot Overview
Dead Parrot is a comedy sketch from Monty Python's Flying Circus, first broadcast in 1969 on BBC One. John Cleese portrays a customer attempting to return a recently purchased 'Norwegian Blue' parrot to a pet shop owner played by Michael Palin, who insists the bird is merely resting despite clear evidence that it is dead. The sketch, largely written by Cleese and Graham Chapman, builds on escalating euphemisms for death. It is one of the most widely recognized sketches in British comedy.
insights Ranking position
Dead Parrot ranks #1 of 556 in the Sketch ranking, ahead of The Spanish Inquisition.
help Dead Parrot FAQ
Who performs the "Dead Parrot" sketch?
The "Dead Parrot" sketch is a famous 1969 routine performed by the British comedy group Monty Python. It features John Cleese as a frustrated customer attempting to return a dead bird to a pet shop owner played by Michael Palin.
What type of bird is featured in Monty Python's "Dead Parrot" sketch?
The deceased animal in the sketch is a "Norwegian Blue" parrot, which the shopkeeper insists is merely resting. John Cleese disputes the pet shop's denial, pointing out that the bird has been nailed to its perch.
When did the "Dead Parrot" sketch first air?
The sketch originally aired in 1969 during the first season of the television show "Monty Python's Flying Circus". It was featured in the eighth episode of the series, famously titled "Full Frontal Nudity."
What are some of the famous euphemisms used in the "Dead Parrot" sketch?
Throughout the argument, John Cleese uses a barrage of creative euphemisms to prove the parrot is dead, stating it has "ceased to be" and is an "ex-parrot". The shopkeeper, conversely, claims the bird is just "pining for the fjords."
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