Monty Python Sketch-writing Game

From: swb@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Steve Buffum)

Date: Thu, 11 Jun 1992 16:29:38 +0000

How many people does it take to screw in a Monty Python sketch?
In reading the "threads" of alt.fan.monty-python, it seems that an unlimited
number of people, much as the infinite number of monkeys with typewriters,
can develop a sketch of unerringly high quality of low comedy (or is that
low quality high comedy?).

To this end, I announce the first non-annual Monty Pythonesque
Sketch-writing Roleplaying Game.  The mechanics are simple: each player
receives and initial sketch premise and sends me 5-10 lines of dialogue
or action (including gratuitous animation sequences, interruptions,
or Biblical refernces).  Then I take those lines and send them to the
next person in line WITHOUT WHATEVER WAS WRITTEN BEFORE.  If you want
coherence, play the William F. Buckley Pontification Roleplaying Game.

Players can earn points in several different categories:

I) Gratuitous Points

This is the most common category, and covers excess in any one of
a number of categories: Gratuitous Sexual Reference, Gratuitous Political
Reference, Gratuitous Poking-Fun-At-Religion, etc.  Examples of Gratuitous
Points would be:

Paid political broadcast from the Liberal Party
	Terry Jones stripping while explaining agricultural policies
	Virtually any animation sequence

You may earn 1-3 points for being exceptionally gratuitous.  Every
Monty Python sketch includes a large amount of gratuitousness.

II) Non-sequitur Points

An especially meaningless non-sequitur can add untold spice to a
lackluster sketch, but it must be brief:

"Burma!"
	"Why did you say Burma?"
	"I panicked."

Non-sequitur points are dangerous, because if the non-sequitur is
gratuitous (i.e., adds no humor) it can COST you points.  You may earn from
-3 to 3 Non-sequitur points for each reference.

III) Droning points

The most dangerous type of Point, the Droning Point is earned by
having a character launch into a diatribe, most likely ignored by the other
characters.  Examples include:

Eric Idle in the Travel Agent sketch
	Miss Ann Elk in general

These Points are notoriously difficult to earn because Droning by
definition is very boring, and being especially boring can cost you points.
Again, Droning can earn from -3 to 3 points

IV) Continuity Points

It would be Really Neat (tm) if the sketches actually develop some
sort of continuity (that is, they build instead of wandering around).  I
do not expect to award many Continuity Points because each player does not
really know what came before the few lines he has received.

V) Transition Points

Monty Python sketches are notorious for having no endings or not
leaving good openings for the next sketch.  Anything that leads from one
place to another well can earn an unspecified number of points.  A sub-
category here would be the "interruption" point, awarded for things akin
to Terry Gilliam's one-word Viking interruptions.

VI) Lemon Curry Points

Each few "episodes", there will be a number of secret topics, which,
if mentioned, will earn a completely arbitrary number of Lemon Curry Points.
As soon as a number of people earn these points, the secret topics will
change.

VII) Arbitrary Points

Finally, there are many elements of a good sketch not covered in any
of the categories above.  I reserve the right to award points arbitrarily.

Anyone interested in taking part in the admittedly disorganized and
thoroughly pointless game described above should write me at the address
below.  As soon as I have enough interested parties, the sketches will begin.
In order to try and impose a semblance of structure to the entropy, please
include up to three obligatory MP quotes and/or a short original "Pythonesque"
sequence so that I may arbitrarily judge how to order the players.  Also,
give me some rough idea of how many concurrent threads you would like to
participate in.