The BBC TV series Monty Python's Flying Circus is 40 years old today.

The first episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus was broadcast on October 5, 1969. The show was buried late at night and was moved round the schedules to make way for other programmes. Occasionally it was dropped altogether4, while certain regions of the UK never got to see it at all. Despite all this, the show developed a significant word-of-mouth following; enough for the BBC to commission a second series in 1970.

Eric Idle ponders 40 years.

Relive the memories with the Python's classic sketches enshrined at Youtube.

10 ways Monty Python changed comedy.

Knights of the Round Table, performed by the Star Trek cast.

The Parrot Sketch, performed by Nigerian 419 scammers.

And more Monty Python fun.