Fans Want the Statue Honoring Monty Python’s Terry Jones to Be Fully Nude
While most news about Monty Python these days tends to involve bitter financial disputes and long-simmering tensions blowing up on social media, there’s at least one recent Python-centric story that’s unquestionably heartwarming. And no, we don’t mean John Cleese’s decision to quit Twitter (which he’s already reneged on, by the way).
There’s currently a crowdfunding campaign to raise money to pay for a statue honoring Terry Jones, which is to be erected on the promenade in Colwyn Bay, Wales where the late Monty Python member lived until he was nearly five. Jones, of course, passed away in 2020 due to complications of a rare form of dementia, which he was diagnosed with in 2015 — although his death still hasn’t stopped him from booking acting jobs.
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The GoFundMe campaign, dubbed “A Python on the Prom,” seeks to raise £120,000 for the bronze sculpture. Run by Jones’ family and the Conwy Arts Trust, the campaign was officially launched in Colwyn Bay at a press event featuring Sir Michael Palin and Not-Sir Terry Gilliam.
The other surviving Pythons have lent their support, as well. Eric Idle has been promoting the campaign on social media, as has Cleese, who remarked, “I am so delighted that Terry is being immortalized in bronze, although I would have preferred that he be immortalized by not dying. Still, bronze is better than nothing.”
In addition to the Pythons, the campaign has been supported by other notable British celebrities, including Steve Coogan and Emma Thompson. “Terry Jones was a comic genius to whom I largely owe my survival,” Thompson stated. “Laughing with him got me through school. I will always be grateful."
Although no details about the final design have been included in the GoFundMe page, it does note that “to best reflect a life spent in silliness, it would be fitting for Terry to be represented in character.” Okay, but which character? The SPAM restaurateur? The Whizzo chocolate guy? They’ll have to bump up the crowdfunding goal if they want enough bronze to replicate Mr. Creosote from The Meaning of Life.
The overwhelming consensus amongst fans seems to be that the statue should portray Jones as his nude organist character, which appeared in a number of sketches in Monty Python’s Flying Circus, including “Blackmail.”
Gilliam pointed out that going with the nude organist could boost local tourism, because “people will come here just to rub the bare bottom for good luck.”
At this moment, the campaign has reached nearly half of its total goal. And presumably that number will immediately skyrocket if they confirm that the sculpture will feature partial nudity.
Although, a statue depicting Jones angrily throwing a typewriter at Cleese would be pretty cool too.
You (yes, you) should follow JM on Twitter (if it still exists by the time you’re reading this).
