CLTV

Before we get all entangled in politics and other “serious” news this week, take a moment to celebrate an important cultural anniversary. Forty years ago, the first episode of Monty Python’s Flying Circus first aired on the BBC.

Starring John Cleese, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, Terry Jones, Michael Palin and animator Terry Gilliam. The show’s influence was enormous — some critics have called Monty Python the Beatles of comedy — and changed the way comedy artists and other performers approach their audiences. Monty Python pioneered the practice of teams of entertainers writing and performing their own material, as well as the acknowledgment, even celebration, of life’s absurdities through sheer, unrestrained silliness and surreal situational comedy.

Boundary-pushers from the get-go, the group’s popularity grew slowly at first, but by the time their syndicated TV show ended in 1974, they were countercultural heroes of a sort, and phrases and skits from the show had become part of the cultural vernacular. Members of Monty Python went on to make films such as Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Life of Brian, inspired the hit Broadway musical Spamalot, and, in Gilliam’s case, became a respected film director. Graham Chapman died of cancer in 1989; during occasional reunions, the other members of the group often come on stage holding an urn that supposedly contains Chapman’s ashes. Rather than go on and on about these comedic and cultural heroes, here are two of their most famous TV sketches. Note: Monty Python has its own YouTube channel.

— John Grooms

Hell yeah. Tell 'em senator.

We miss you bro:

Live Review: Mos Def + Jay Electronica

Amos' South End, 9 p.m.

August 12, 2009

The Deal: Hip-hop's favorite MC-turned-leading- (more like supporting-) man, Mos Def, comes back through the Queen City with lots of new music and Jay Electronica riding shotgun.

The Good: What a difference a year makes for Jay Electronica. Last year he put on an awkward performance when he opened for Talib Kweli and Nas, but this time, he flashed a welcome confidence and humongous stage presence while performing tracks that were new to most of the crowd who weren't big fans before. Electronica did everything from read some local rappers flyer to the audience, to jumping in the thick of it to personalize one song to an audience member who wasn't a believer in his skills ...

... and forever changing the way you think of the Price is Right theme:

Mos Def was Mos Def, displaying the total package as a hip-hop artist, being able to switch from spitting, to singing, to even jumping on drums for a few times:

Although a lot of the show was new material from The Ecstatic ...

... he made sure longtime fans weren't left out, running through his classics and even some Black Star tracks. Mos also did his part to remember Michael Jackson, sporting the loafers and semi-high water pants, biting some dance moves and even covering "Billie Jean" in his nearly 2 hours on stage. Thank God the opening acts kept it brief.

The Bad: The "intermission" was a killer and the crowd did everything from boo to chanting Mos Def's name in the near-hour-long gap in between Jay Electronica finishing and him coming on. Electronica going acapella on a lot of tracks went from adding emphasis to just being overdone and the multiple grassy knoll references were a head scratcher. Mos Def's stage show was far from seamless. First he and the light guy couldn't get on the same page at all, stopping multiple times to plead for the lights to be turned on, off or another color. Then there was confusion between him and his 2 DJs a few times about how things should go. Mos also let his frustration with a few intoxicated fans requests get to him multiple times rather than just ignoring screams for "Mathematics" and other hit songs. In the latter part of the show, "Mighty Mos" began to lose his mighty voice, stopping short on some notes.

The Verdict: Good show, not great. Jay Electronica proved he's far more than just Erykah Badu's baby father and actually one of the nicest MCs I've ever heard that can tour without ever dropping an album or single. Mos Def just pulled more tools out of his belt, showing that while he may still be a little rusty from the time off, he's still a great performer.

— Mike McCray

Hip-hop legend — and damned good actor — Mos Def pays Charlotte a visit this Wednesday, Aug. 12, for a performance at Amos' Southend. So, have your ass in the house.

Here's a little clip of the man in action, doing a song called "Umi Says":

Hip-hop superstar Consequence — who happens to be an artist on Kanye West's GOOD record label — will be making an appearance at Pop Life tonight. So you need to bring your ass.

The event is free, starts at 6 p.m. and is going down at Apostrophe Lounge (1440 S. Tryon).

And in case you've never heard of the cat, check out this videos of him in action: