Ripping Yarns

The series charting the history of the best of British comedy investigates Michael Palin and Terry Jones's post-Python parody of pre-war Boys' Own adventure comics, which captured the decline of the British Empire at a time when punk rock offered Anarchy in the UK and the country was facing political unrest.

Ripping Yarns is a neglected gem amongst the many jewels proffered by the genius talents of Jones and Palin - the story of the series having a bittersweet ending, the break-up of their decade-long writing partnership, but also the birth of two incredibly successful solo careers.

Comedy Connections uncovers the fact that the BBC actually wanted a variety show from Michael Palin, but it evolved into Ripping Yarns and how hurt Michael Palin felt when director Terry Hughes took a promotion inside the BBC and left the programme. Terry Jones reveals his regret that Michael Palin only played the straight man parts, and how the ambition of the series - to be like little films - would eventually lead to its downfall, costs leading to the programme being abandoned half-way through the second series.