Monty Python's Flying Circus
Monty Python’s Flying Circus (known during the final series as just Monty Python) is a British surreal sketch comedy series created by and starring the comedy group Monty Python. The first episode was recorded at the BBC on 7 September and premiered on 5 October 1969 on BBC One, with 45 episodes airing over four series from 1969 to 1974, plus two episodes for German TV.
Underground comix
Film and television began to reflect the influence of underground comix in the 1970s, starting with the release of Ralph Bakshi's film adaptation of Crumb's "Fritz the Cat", the first animated film to receive an X rating from the MPAA. Further adult-oriented animated films influenced by underground comix followed, including "The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat" and "Down and Dirty Duck". The influence of underground comix has also been attributed to films such as "The Lord of the Rings" (1978) and "Forbidden Zone" (1980). The popularity of "Monty Python's Flying Circus", which featured the animation of "Help!" contributor Terry Gilliam, has also been attributed to the prominence of the underground comix scene.