Monty Python Refuses to Cut 'Problematic' Joke From New Stage Adaptation
The iconic joke from Monty Python's Life of Brian apparently doesn't sit well with modern audiences.
Since its inception in 1969, the Monty Python comedy troupe has created several comedy classics for the ages and influenced countless other comedians.
Their signature British humor has found its way into the hearts of millions of fans and is referenced in everything from movies to video games.
They also made a number of feature films, perhaps the most famous being Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979) and Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983).
However, some of the jokes in their repertoire have become somewhat dated and are now considered problematic by modern audiences, such as the iconic "Loretta" joke from Life of Brian, which deals with a rather sensitive subject.
In it, one of the male characters declares that he wants to be a woman and take the name Loretta, which is "his right as a man," and this leads to an argument with the other two characters, which ends with "Loretta" angrily declaring that he is being oppressed.
So when it was reported that John Cleese, a member of the troupe, was going to cut this sketch from a stage adaptation of Life of Brian, fans were quite surprised and disappointed.
However, it eventually turned out to be a false report, with Cleese officially stating that the scene won't be going anywhere.
According to the comedian, they are not going to get rid of a joke that has not received any complaints for over 40 years just because someone might be offended, even though he was strongly advised to do so by many of the actors.
Fans completely agree with Cleese's position on the matter, saying that Monty Python is known for its absurdist humor that pokes fun at everyone, and that if you look closely, the joke itself actually supports transgender rights.
The comedians were ahead of their time with this joke, and there is absolutely no need to remove it.
They praise the work of the troupe and believe that such cult classics should remain intact because cinema, like literature, should not be edited or banned, but should serve as a glimpse into the past.
Especially when it comes to comedy gold like Monty Python.