Hey Bendrr,
Monty Python stuff eh? There's a certain kind of Brit who, while out drinking with his mates, will - after 2 pints - start reciting famous sketches word-perfectly. Sad thing is, most of the mates all join in, too.
Good job I'm not like that. Oh no. Goodness me, no.
Anyway - being the Python anorak I am, here's your answer.
In Roger Wilmuts book "From Fringe to Flying Circus" (Eyre Methuen 1980) on page 213 it says about that sketch:
" ...it is the sheer awfulness of the idea that makes it funny; but it was a bit too much for the BBC. After some negotiation, it was agreed that the sketch could be performed only if the audience were heard to protest against it, and then revolt and climb on the stage to stop it. In the event, the whole exercise looks a trifle forced; for one thing the audience start to shout too soon (and in reality, a shocked audience would react with an embarrassed silence) and, because of fire regulations, only about a quarter of the audience were allowed on stage. This looks rather obvious as it is only one section of the audience which gets up - the rest just sit there laughing. .... The whole incident seems to have been an embarrassment to the BBC"
regards
Duncan
