Cheese and Onions

It was today back in 1969 that the BBC aired the first episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus.

It's a tenuous link but this little trivia nugget has reminded me to add a post about The Rutles.

After the Python TV series came to an end in 1974, Eric Idle went on produce the short-lived Rutland Weekend Television.


It was on RWT that, with the help of regular musical contributor Neil Innes, The Rutles made their first appearance. Their performance film (in the style of 'A Hard Day's Night') of 'I Must Be In Love' plus Idle's association with Saturday Night Live led to the making of the successful TV Mock-umentary 'The Rutles - All You Need Is Cash'.

I've just bought this on DVD for a bargain £2.99. Idle's story of the rise and fall of the 'Prefab Four' is very sharp, knowing and funny. It's also good to hear all these old Innes songs again. Did The Beatles ever write a song that is better than 'Cheese and Onions'? I don't think so.

Whilst rewatching 'All You Need Is Cash', I had forgotten that amongst the story of Rutlemania it featured 'You Need Feet' by Bernard Bresslaw!

For Bill Nelson Anoraks only: I also found the fleeting reference to 70's band Be Bop Deluxe that was noted by an eagle-eyed contributor to the Bill Nelson Message Board.