Communist Quiz Skit
The " Communist Quiz Sketch ", also known as the "World Forum", is a sketch by the British comedian group Monty Python . It exists in two slightly different versions. The first is from the 12th episode of the second season of their 1970 television program Monty Python's Flying Circus , the second is part of the 1982 stage program Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl .
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Flying circus version
The sketch begins with a political talk show called "World Forum". The moderator ( Eric Idle ) explains by way of introduction that this is a unique highlight in television history, because we are honored to be able to welcome the following guests on this evening: Karl Marx ( Terry Jones ), Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov alias Lenin ( Michael Palin ), Che Guevara and Mao Zedong .
Suddenly the presenter asks Marx the first question: "Which English football team is nicknamed" The Hammers "?" The confused Marx cannot answer and so the next question for Che is: "In which year was Coventry City the last time to win the FA Cup ?" This question cannot be answered even when the quizmaster releases it for everyone, which he does As he admits afterwards, it is not surprising, as it is a trick question : Coventry City has never won the FA Cup! In order for the first round ends in a draw, because no one could make points, the second round will now begin with a ten-point question to Lenin, the title of the song with the Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson at the Song Contest '59 participated call, should. Lenin cannot answer, but Mao operates his buzzer and knows the answer: " Sing little birdie ". That earns him 10 points.
Nevertheless, it continues with a special round in which Marx can win a living room furniture. His chances of victory do not seem bad, because this time the questions are asked about his self-selected specialty, the labor movement. Marx can easily answer the first two questions about the bourgeoisie and the class struggle . Now he is visibly satisfied and only has to answer the last question in order to win: “Who won the Cup final of 1949?” Marx stuttered out some slogans of the class struggle, but he lost because it was the Wolverhampton Wanderers . The sketch ends with the announcement for next week, in which "four heads of state from Africa and Asia against the Bristol Rovers ".
Hollywood Bowl version
The version from Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl has a few small differences, some of which are due to the limitations of the stage show, and some are an adaptation to the American audience. Terry Jones plays Marx, John Cleese Lenin, Michael Palin Guevara and Terry Gilliam play Mao in the Flying Circus, played by a Chinese who is not part of the regular cast, the moderator is again Eric Idle. The first two questions are identical, then the $ 10 question goes to Lenin, who this time asks about Jerry Lee Lewis' biggest hit. Again Mao's answer comes: “ Great Balls of Fire! ” The special round for Marx is identical in the text, but Marx reacts to his defeat with a disappointed “ Oh, shit! ". He is thrown a teddy bear and is then pushed off the stage by the presenter, who adds that nobody leaves his show empty-handed, so Marx's hands would be cut off.