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The first show got mixed reviews in the newspapers. I expect the hardcore fans of Python will see it as perfect and fault-free, they will be blinkered and even if the show is average they will see it as brilliant as they won't want to view it any other way. Certain things about Python are odd and are not really funny, in my view. "The Ministry Of Silly Walks", how and why would that be funny? I mean, how much writing and planning goes into a sketch involving men, now old men, doing silly walks? Its embarrassingly stupid if you think about it.

On the issue of Spamalot, just the name of that put me off. I mean did they all sit round and try and come up with the daftest name possible for a show. It is so naff as a title that I wouldn't want to investigate it further.

max_tranmere wrote:

> On the issue of Spamalot, just the name of that put me off. I
> mean did they all sit round and try and come up with the
> daftest name possible for a show.


Eric Idle came up with the name. It was tested in the US for audience reaction before it was adopted as the title as the show. Fortunately for Eric the public liked it as much as he did.

It's interesting that the 'audience test' established that Spamalot was a title that many fans liked. I think its's odd. I am especially surprised the Americans were into it - either the name OR the show itself. I've often wondered how the Americans get ANY of our humour - particularly the obscure stuff.

max_tranmere wrote:

> I think its's odd.


Did you realise it's a play on 'Camelot' ?

JamesW wrote:

> max_tranmere wrote:
>
> > I think its's odd.
>
>
> Did you realise it's a play on 'Camelot'?
>
And because they did a sketch about Spam...

I'm aware it's a play on the word 'Camelot', yes. I didn't know why, specifically, 'spam' was in the title. Whatever the basis of the term I still think its a weird title for a show.

There was a famous sketch from Monty Python's early days which ended with the song "Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam".

Funny the first couple of times but when you have to suffer it for the five hundredth time it begins to grate.

max_tranmere wrote:

> I'm aware it's a play on the word 'Camelot', yes. I didn't know
> why, specifically, 'spam' was in the title.


As Essex Lad and spider have both explained, 'spam' is in the title largely because of a famous Python sketch called Spam.

Another reason is that Spamalot is a stage version of 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' and the film has a line saying "we eat ham, and jam, and spam a lot."

Incidentally, the term 'spam' for certain email and other electronic communications was derived directly from the Spam sketch.

"Incidentally, the term 'spam' for certain email and other electronic communications was derived directly from the Spam sketch."

Really? Are you sure?

See "Etymology" in this article..