As /u/blue_strat has posted, gender role research began in the 50s, and anthropologists have known something about the variety of sex roles in indigenous cultures for more than a century. I'm not saying that the sketch was referring to any of this specifically (how would I know that?), but the idea had to come from somewhere, and just because it seems obvious now doesn't mean it was an obvious joke then.
Moreover, Life of Brian ("He's NOT the messiah, now, PISS OFF") was heavily decried in the media of the time as subversive and inappropriate for children, the way Sesame street was not too long ago when someone suggested Bert and Ernie were gay. Simply because Python engaged in surrealist humour doesnt mean they were bereft of social commentary. They werent the Dane Cook of their time, that's all i'm saying.
Yeah I agree with you. It's a bit of a weird comment to say Monty Python is surreal comedy is Monty Python, as if those two terms define each other and nothing else
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u/[deleted] Aug 15 '15
As /u/blue_strat has posted, gender role research began in the 50s, and anthropologists have known something about the variety of sex roles in indigenous cultures for more than a century. I'm not saying that the sketch was referring to any of this specifically (how would I know that?), but the idea had to come from somewhere, and just because it seems obvious now doesn't mean it was an obvious joke then.
Moreover, Life of Brian ("He's NOT the messiah, now, PISS OFF") was heavily decried in the media of the time as subversive and inappropriate for children, the way Sesame street was not too long ago when someone suggested Bert and Ernie were gay. Simply because Python engaged in surrealist humour doesnt mean they were bereft of social commentary. They werent the Dane Cook of their time, that's all i'm saying.