John Cleese has come under fire after publicly questioning why the BBC has not aired Monty Python “for a couple of decades”.
The 83-year-old English actor, comedian, and screenwriter, turned somewhat controversial political commentator, is well-known for his roles as Basil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers, as a performer on The Frost Report, and for appearing in several Harry Potter, James Bond, and Shrek films.
But to the majority of people, he is most famous for being one of the founding members of the six-piece Monty Python comedy troupe.
Alongside fellow members Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Graham Chapman, Cleese starred in the troupe’s popular TV sketch series Monty Python and the Flying Circus, as well as five films and a number of touring stage shows.
Flying Circus originated on the BBC, but according to Cleese – who is set to present a show on right-wing news channel GB News in 2023 as he wants to “promote proper argument” – the show hasn’t appeared on the network it quite a considerable amount of time – “a couple of decades”, he seems to think – and it appears as if he was a bit in the dark as to why this is the case.
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So he took to Twitter for some answers and to call the broadcaster out.
Can anyone ( including BBC employees ) tell me why the BBC has not shown Monty Python for a couple of decades ?
Cleese asked his 5.6 million Twitter followers: “Can anyone (including BBC employees) tell me why the BBC has not shown Monty Python for a couple of decades?”
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While it may seem like a simple question for the comedian to ask at first, many people picked up on what was likely Cleese’s intended critiquing, derogatory, and politically-inclined tone, and were quick to explain to him the reason the BBC has not aired any repeats of the sketch show.
Monty Python’s Flying Circus may have originally aired on the BBC between 1969 and 1974, but the rights to it were later sold to streaming platform Netflix in 2019, along with the rest of the comedy troupe’s movies, collections, and specials.
With Netflix owning exclusivity, this therefore prevents the show from being broadcast on any other channels – including the BBC.
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Some people couldn’t believe Cleese apparently wasn’t aware of this.
Coz the BBC sold the license for the show to Netflix. I don't work for the BBC but it's pretty easy to find out, John.
Others took to mocking Cleese for questioning this when there is a good chance he already knows the answer and just intended to stir the pot.
“You know why though John, they don’t own the broadcasting rights do they,” one person wrote, “Can you tell us why you’re asking a question in very bad faith? Is it because you want attention again? Do us all a favour and be quiet mate.”
Some used this as an opportunity to call Cleese – who has aligned himself as a vocal critic of “woke culture” – out on his intent to voice his political views and his upcoming GB News show.
One even dubbed him a “faded light bulb”.
can anyone (including john cleese) tell me, why john cleese has a show on rightwing tv?
Get your grandkids to teach you how to Google, John.
— Laura Shortridge-Scott 🐈💙🏴 (@DiscordianKitty) December 28, 2022
You decided to give the exclusive rights to Netflix, you faded light bulb. Please try performing something actually funny since the 1980s and you might get a better deal. Fierce Creatures wasn't it. https://t.co/wygqMBT0Rf
UK’s best and worst parcel delivery companies named following new research
Emily Sergeant
Some eye-opening new research has revealed the best and worst parcel delivery companies in the UK ahead of Christmas.
With the festive season fast approaching and many already in the process of Christmas shopping, Citizens Advice has released its annual parcel league tables, ranking the UK’s five major delivery companies in order from best to worst based on their overall performance.
From chasing missing parcels, and battling arduous complaints systems, to even having accessibility requests ignored, Citizens Advice found through its latest research that more than a third (37%) faced issues with their most recent delivery – which works out to roughly around 15 million people, a new record.
The research – which was carried out in a ‘snapshot’ one-month period – reveals that the rate of parcel problems remains at the highest levels seen in half a decade.
Now in its fifth year, the charity’s league table looks at the top five delivery companies by parcel volume and measures their performance against criteria to determine who is the best.
The criteria each company is measured against includes customer service, delivery problems, and how well they meet accessibility needs, such as people needing louder knocking or longer to answer the door.
This year’s parcel league table shows Royal Mail scored the highest with 3.25 out of five stars overall, while Yodel slips to the bottom with just two out of five stars.
UK’s top 5 parcel delivery companies
Royal Mail – 3.25 out of 5 stars
Amazon Logistics – 3 out of 5 stars
DPD – 2.5 out of 5 stars
Evri – 2.5 out of 5 stars
Yodel – 2 out of 5 stars
Citizens Advice found through its new research that accessibility was the worst performing area overall, and this is despite Ofcom’s new condition requiring firms to give disabled consumers the opportunity to report their accessibility needs.
There was also customer service failures, with almost half (47%) of the people who had a problem with their initial delivery going on to have further issues trying to resolve the problem.
Research found that the most common problems customers faced with their last delivery include the driver leaving before they had time to get to the door (29%), their parcel being left in an insecure location (24%), and parcels arriving late (24%).
The UK’s best and worst parcel delivery companies have been named / Credit: Evri (Press Picture)
“Ofcom has passed the parcel of responsibility for long enough,” commented Dame Clare Moriarty, who is the Chief Executive of Citizens Advice.
“We’ve been doing the work of the regulator for five years now by holding parcel companies to account and speaking up for consumers who are bearing the brunt of persistently poor service.
“Our league table has tracked parcel problems from warehouse to doorstep. We continue to see millions of people chasing lost parcels, having their accessibility needs ignored and hitting a brick wall when they try to complain.
“The question now is whether the regulator will take tougher action to improve the parcel market once and for all.”
Featured Image – Amazon (Press Picture)
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Tesco unveils Britain’s favourite Christmas meal deal – is yours on here?
Thomas Melia
Supermarket giant Tesco has announced brand-new data revealing Britain’s favourite Christmas meal deals.
But has yours made the cut?
Of course, Christmas is famed for its food, especially the Christmas dinner, but nowadays, the days leading up to the big day have also become filled with foodie feasts, and nothing proves this more than the popularity of the Christmas meal deal – something which Tesco, arguably, knows how to do better than anyone else.
Tesco has been actively tracking the nation’s everyday eating trends all year long, and now that the festive season’s here, shoppers favourite Christmas meal deals have been announced.
It seems meal deal lovers are eager to get into the Christmas spirit, with the best-selling main being the Tesco Turkey and Trimmings Sandwich.
Tesco has unveiled Britain’s favourite festive meal deal / Credit: Tesco plc | The Manc Group
This roast dinner-inspiredbutty has been purchased over 2.5 million times between October and December 2024, and it was so popular, in fact, that it was chosen almost three times as often as this year’s runner up – Tesco Jingle Brie Sandwich.
To pair with this much-loved sandwich is the classic Mccoy’s Flame Grilled Steak Crisps, which are championing the snack category overtaking last year’s champion, Egg Protein Pot, which finished third this year.
And if you’re wondering what beverage Brits are pairing with their lunchtime combinations, it’s none other than Coca-Cola 500ml.
This will come as no surprise to any avid meal deal fans, as this drink has worn the crown as the nation’s favourite drink, not just during Christmas but the whole of 2024 itself.
Tesco top 10 festive meal deal mains (October – December 2024)
1.
Tesco Turkey & Trimmings Sandwich
2.
Tesco Jingle Brie Sandwich
3.
Tesco Yuletide Half ‘N’ Half Sandwich
4.
Tesco Christmas Wrapped Up
5.
Tesco Festive Chicken & Trimmings Sub
6.
Tesco Ho-Ho-Hog Wrap
7.
The Gym Kitchen Chicken Bacon & Stuffing Sandwich
8.
Tesco Cracking Currywurst Sub
9.
Tesco Finest Festive Chicken & Bacon with Gravy Mayonnaise Dip
“Turkey isn’t just for the big day, our customers love bringing festive flavours to their lunchtimes even as early as October,” commented Sarah Bryer, who is the Product Development Manager for Tesco Meal Deal.
“With the crowd-pleasing Turkey and Trimmings Sandwich back again, this year’s line-up of Meal Deal mains has something to suit both traditionalists and those looking for something new with the addition of our Honey Ham, Red Leicester and Festive Chutney Sandwich, Finest Brie and Bacon Brioche Bagel, and Tesco Plant Chef Festive Feast Wrap.“
Emily Sergeant -
28th December 2022 
