I have my reasons.

Why do I keep trying to watch Monty Python? I can't get into it, and I have never enjoyed it. I can appreciate its influence on sketch comedy, of course. I am very aware Monty Python opened the door for the sketch comedy shows I love: The Kids in the Hall, SNL (the Farley years), Portlandia, I Think You Should Leave. Very occasionally, I'll remember about it and try again. It's always extremely dissatisfying.

I do have a favourite Monty Python sketch, actually. Here, I've illustrated it: 

What is it about this show? And why am I coming back to it yet again? 

All my life, I've been vaguely familiar with the idea that there is "British humour." Although it was always out there, it didn't cross my mind to seek it out or understand it.  When I did eventually fall in love with certain British shows, such as the IT Crowd, or The Mighty Boosh, I didn't really pick up on the cultural context that set them apart. They were just part of the entertainment soup of whatever I was watching at the time.

Recently, I stumbled on a British comedy panel/game show type of show called Taskmaster, and I have been losing my mind over how good it is. The offhanded wit, the good-natured ribbing, and the sheer absurdity, are causing me to look at these comedians and ask, "Where have you been all my life?"

So, I'm off the deep end appreciating British comedy, which has brought me once again back to considering watching Monty Python. Uggghhh. It's just so overrated, and I want to feel justified in saying it.

Many Monty Python sketches are considered to be iconic, and I would hope that is because they are funny. I can explore this further with an open mind, but at the same time, I do have a theory. My theory is that The Kids in the Hall is, hands-down, much funnier than Monty Python. Full stop.

Where Python falls flat, The Kids in the Hall delivers. Sure, some could argue that you can't really compare the two, because the more dated predecessor has to be understood from a specific lens. That's an interesting point, and that also explains why the Beatles' sound doesn't hold up against Canadian music from the 1990s. That is a sarcastic analogy, it should go without saying. Although, please enjoy the musical stylings of Sloan.

Monty Python doesn't hold up, and I will maintain that it is totally overrated. My plan to prove this is simple. I will find out what those classic sketches are, and watch them one by one. Each time I do, I expect that I will be reminded of an even better Kids in the Hall sketch. I will post them together in the ultimate showdown. 

Premise!