"Election Night Special" is a Monty Python sketchparodying the coverage of United Kingdom general elections, specifically the 1970 general election, on the BBC by including hectic (and downright silly) actions by the media and a range of ridiculous candidates.
This sketch was featured in Episode 19 of the Monty Python's Flying Circus TV series, first broadcast on 3 November 1970. A somewhat different version of the sketch (leading into The Lumberjack Song) was also featured on the Monty Python Live at the Theatre Royal Drury Lanealbum.[1] A longer edit of the Drury Lane version also appeared on the promotional flexidisc Monty Python's Tiny Black Round Thing. The sketch also provides the basis for an item in Monty Python's Big Red Book in the form of a mock pamphlet for the Silly Party, which alongside characters from the original sketch, also names both Paul Fox and Ian MacNaughtonas Silly Party candidates.
Throughout the sketch, the linkman (John Cleese) and other commentators appear in a fixed sequence, either giving variations on their original statement or simply repeating it, as results are coming in from various constituencies. The election is mainly contested by two major parties, the Sensible Party and the Silly Party, though third-partycandidates (a candidate for the Slightly Silly Party and a Very Silly Independent candidate) make their appearance.
Candidates and their vote totals
The sketch focuses on election results from the following three constituencies:
Party Candidate Votes % Swing
Leicester
Silly Party Jethro Q. Walrustitty 32,108 51.2% Hold
Sensible Party Arthur J. Smith 30,612 48.8% Defeat
Total valid votes 62,720 100.0%
Luton
Silly Party Tarquin Fin-tim-lin-bin-whin-bim-lim-bus-stop-F'tang-F'tang-Olé-Biscuitbarrel 12,441 57.7% Gain
Sensible Party Alan Jones 9,112 42.3% Loss
Slightly Silly Party Kevin Phillips-Bong 0 0.0% Pathetic Defeat
Total valid votes 21,553 100.0%
Harpenden
Sensible Party James Walker 26,318 50.0% Gain
Silly Party Mr Elsie Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzip 26,317 50.0% Loss
Very Silly (Independent) Malcolm Peter Brian Telescope Adrian Umbrella Stand Jasper Wednesday (pops mouth twice) Stoatgobbler John Raw Vegetable (whinnying) Arthur Norman Michael (blows squeaker) Featherstone Smith (whistle) Northcott Edwards Harris (fires pistol, then 'whoop') Mason (chuff-chuff-chuff-chuff) Frampton Jones Fruitbat Gilbert (sings) 'We'll keep a welcome in the' (three shots) Williams If I Could Walk That Way Jenkin (squeaker) Tiger-drawers Pratt Thompson (sings) 'Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head' Darcy Carter (horn) *****cat (sings) 'Don't Sleep In The Subway' Barton Mainwaring (hoot, 'whoop') Smith 2 0.0% Spoiler