British National Treasures You Should Know: Michael Palin

I first discovered Monty Python’s Flying Circus in middle school. Our PBS channel aired re-runs of the iconic comedy sketch show in the late 70’s and I was immediately hooked. These five young chaps were simultaneously surreal, satirical and downright silly. (It was also my first exposure to men in drag.)

Always the fangirl, my thirteen-year-old self couldn’t help but notice the handsome, amiable Python whose characters ranged from timid and socially inept to the unflappable straight man. Michael Palin was all of these things and occasionally hilariously manic to boot.