Very sad news: Python Terry Jones diagnosed w/ Dementia

[Cooley Hurd]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/23/monty-pythons-terry-jones-has-been-diagnosed-with-dementia/

The comedy genius behind Monty Python Terry Jones has been diagnosed with dementia.

The news came as Bafta Cymru announced he had been given a special award for outstanding contribution to film and television.

A representative for the writer and director said: "Terry has been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia, a variant of frontotemporal dementia.

"This illness affects his ability to communicate and he is no longer able to give interviews. Terry is proud and honoured to be recognised in this way and is looking forward to the celebrations."

[LWolf]

1. He's also produced

documentaries; I use his "Medieval Lives" in my classroom, because it brings a bit of Python humor to real history.

[msanthrope]

16. When I taught, I used that, and "Holy Grail." Minus the nuns. nt

[LWolf]

32. That one scene

in "The Monks;" the one showing them happily doing the women...the first time I used this, I was going to fast forward through that part, so I wouldn't get parental complaints. Of course, I clicked the wrong button, and froze the screen on that scene. The students were highly amused, and didn't let me forget it for the rest of the year. So now I just tell them ahead of time that it's there, and they'll have to get over it. Watching middle school students try to "get over" their ingrained need to giggle is entertaining in itself.

That said, the middle ages is a popular unit of study among my students.

[cab67]

20. He had a background in Medieval scholarship.

He read Sir Gawain and the Green Knight for audiobooks several years ago. It was (and remains) brilliant.

[LWolf]

30. I haven't heard his reading;

now I'll have to look for it. That's one I've got in book form, and I read it to my students every year. I'll bet he does a better job, lol.

[Warpy]

26. Historians and archaeologists in the UK are gradually

becoming less obsessed with the good and the great and focusing more on what things were like for the ordinary peasant farmer or artisan. A lot of it (including "Medieval Lives&quot is on You Tube and it's fascinating stuff for those of us who sat in history classes bored to death by all the battles and names of various kings.

[LWolf]

31. My students, of course,

love the fact that a Python was also a scholar. One of the hardest concepts for young people, even for all people, to understand about history is that there are many stories, many perspectives, and historians are constantly sifting through evidence to clarify what we think we know, and that the prevailing story told is usually the one the prevailing powers WANT told. There's always more.

[Siwsan]

2. This is very sad news

I've been a Python fan for decades. It would be impossible for me to pick a favorite movie, episode of their show, or member of their crew.

I can only wish him peace.

[OnDoutside]

3. Very sad indeed. My 10 year old has just discovered Monty Python and adores them.

[a kennedy]

5. ^^^this^^^

and peace to his family and friends, living with someone with this horrible disease can be terribly trying.

[Crunchy Frog]

4. .

[iandhr]

6. Very sad

My favorite Terry Jones moment is when he explains to the village how you tell if someone is a witch.

[Roy Rolling]

8. One of my many favorites, too

Thanks

[Iggo]

12. "Who are you who are so wise in the ways of science?"

[jmondine]

7. I met the Pythons in 1980

Backstage at the Hollywood Bowl. Terry was the friendliest, stopping to chat with 12 year old me for several minutes in spite of bigwig biz types all around. Thank you, Mr. Jones.

[rivegauche]

18. WOW! What a fantastic experience! Lucky. nt

[geardaddy]

9. Mae hynny'n mor drist.

That is so sad.

[jmondine]

10. He also wrote Labyrinth

May he have all the helping hands he needs.

[etherealtruth]

11. Oh no .... it is such a destructive (to the person, their family, their friends)

[librechik]

13. very sad

but how on earth could they tell?

(I hope dear Terry would appreciate that little joke at his expense. I know he was an Oxford don, but he was always the looniest Python)

FYI: SMOKE LOTS OF MARIJUANA! IT CURES/PREVENTS DEMENTIA

[DinahMoeHum]

14. Damn. Damn. Damn.

Spam. Spam. Spam.

[PCIntern]

29. The BEST!!! Nt

[joeybee12]

15. Sucks

[rivegauche]

17. Oh that breaks my heart.

I was the biggest Monty Python nerd ever, in high school. My brother and I used to memorize some of the routines from records (yeah, records) and do them for our friends. He was so hilarious... Dementia is an incredibly cruel disease, my heart goes out to him and his family.

[MynameisBlarney]

19. Oh man

That's horrible.

[niyad]

21. that is so very sad to hear. what a terrible, ugly disease.

[Odin2005]

22. Oh no!!!

[suffragette]

23. Collaborated with Douglas Adams on Starship Titanic

He was the parrot and provided hours of entertainment and frustration in that game.

Parrot kicks in @ the 3 minute mark.
https://m.

[malaise]

24. Too sad

[smirkymonkey]

25. Very sad news.

I wish the best for him and his family.

[MFM008]

27. I grew up watching him

My dad was a big fan of English comedy.
Love and hugs to him and all the guys.

[spiderpig]

28. Probably safe to say that most of our snarks on DU got their snarkiness from Monty Python

We can quote them forever.

Kind thoughts to Terry and his loved ones.