Guest-hosted on BIOGRAPHY by Eric Idle

NEW YORK, FEB. 16, 2000 -- LIFE OF PYTHON, a 2-hour Biography Special on A&E Network, premieres on April 9 at 8pm ET/PT, highlights the hugely influential careers of the six Pythons. Python Eric Idle is the BIOGRAPHY guest host for the evening; while British comedian Eddie Izzard guides us through much of the prolific and varied pre- and post-Python years. To further illustrate the story, graphic artist Pete Frame, creator of Rock Family Trees, has produced a mammoth Monty Python Family Tree.

Sir David Frost and Ronnie Corbett talk about the early TV work of the soon-to-be Pythons, such as the groundbreaking Frost Report and Do Not Adjust Your Set. Robin Williams and Kevin Kline remember late nights in the early '70s spent watching episodes of Flying Circus and discuss more recent collaborations with Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and John Cleese, including A Fish Called Wanda and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.

The BIOGRAPHY Special includes highlights of the most beloved skits from the Python television series and their movies. And wonderful insights into how the Pythons worked - both individually and together.

To pay tribute to the Pythons' contribution to the world of music, LIFE OF PYTHON presents "From Spam to Sperm: Monty Python's Greatest Hits," in which avid Python fan Meat Loaf presents gems from the Python catalogue, ranging from the banality of '"The Spam Song" to the profundity of "Every Sperm Is Sacred." The Pythons discuss their favorites, analyze their musical talents and reveal the inspiration behind such greats as "The Lumberjack Song,' "Sit on My Face," and "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life." A rare chance to see the best of their live performances and clips from Flying Circus and Python feature films.

Michael Palin takes us on a journey into Pythonland in search of the locations where many of the best-known Flying Circus sketches were shot. In the unglamorous back streets of West London he finds the newsagent where John Cleese began "Silly Walks"; the High Street that was once terrorized by Hell's Grannies, the "Bicycle Repairman," Graham Chapman mountain climbing up a street, and others. Placing Monty Python commemorative plaques as he goes, he returns to the location of his favorite sketch, "The Fish Slapping Dance," and finds the very spot in Poole Harbor where he first crawled out of the sea to announce a new era in comedy with the unforgettable...."It's."

A co-production of BBC TV and BBC Sales Company in Association with A&E Network and Python (Monty) Pictures Ltd. A&E Executive Producer is Amy Briamonte. Biography Executive Producer is CarolAnne Dolan.