Dead Parrot

The "Dead Parrot" sketch (alternatively and originally known as the "Pet Shop" sketch) is a popular sketch from Monty Python's Flying Circus. It portrays a confrontation between disgruntled customer Mr. Eric Praline (played by John Cleese), and a shopkeeper (Michael Palin), who hold contradictory positions on the vital state of a Norwegian Blue parrot. The sketch aired in the eighth episode of the television series.

Over the years, Cleese and Palin have done many versions of this sketch for various television shows, record albums, and live performances.

Spoiler warning: Plot or ending details follow.

Mr. Praline enters a pet shop, complaining that the parrot he has recently purchased at the location is, in fact, dead. The shopkeeper denies this and points out the beauty of its plumage, further suggesting that the bird is merely asleep. Praline is unconvinced, especially when shouting and the offer of a lovely fresh cuttlefish fail to evoke a response.

Praline takes the parrot out of the cage and thumps its head on the counter, then tosses it up in the air and watches it plummet to the floor. The shopkeeper remains unconvinced, claiming that it is now stunned, and that it is pining for the fjords.

Praline points out that the only reason that the parrot had been sitting on its perch in the first place was that it had been nailed there. The shopkeeper counters that it was simply to stop it escaping. Praline disagrees in these words:

"'E's not pinin'! 'E's passed on! This parrot is no more! He has ceased to be! 'E's expired and gone to meet 'is maker! 'E's a stiff! Bereft of life, 'e rests in peace! If you hadn't nailed 'im to the perch 'e'd be pushing up the daisies! 'Is metabolic processes are now 'istory! 'E's off the twig! 'E's kicked the bucket, 'e's shuffled off 'is mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisible!! THIS IS AN EX-PARROT!!"

The shopkeeper admits defeat, claims that he is right out of parrots, and offers a slug. The dialogue continues:

Praline: Pray, does it talk?

(pause)

Shopkeeper: Nnnnot really.

Praline: WELL IT'S HARDLY A BLOODY REPLACEMENT, IS IT?!!???!!?

The action then moves to Bolton, or possibly Ipswich, or maybe even Notlob (Bolton spelled backward). Much play is made of the location, including the suggestion that the confusion between the towns is due to a pun, or possibly a palindrome.

At Graham Chapman's memorial service, Cleese began his eulogy by stating that Graham Chapman was no more, that he had ceased to be, that he had expired and gone on to meet his maker, and so on. The congregation was somewhat scandalized, but Cleese justified his eulogy by claiming that Chapman would never have forgiven him if he had not delivered it exactly as he did.

See also: Monty Python's Flying Circus