Monty Python's Flying Circus

The BBC memos indicated the potential of holding off the show until 1971, when Cleese's contract with Paradine expired, but ultimately the situation was resolved, though the details of these negotiations have been lost.

Prior to the show, the six main cast members had met each other as part of various comedy shows: Jones and Palin were members of The Oxford Revue, while Chapman, Cleese, and Idle were members of Cambridge University's Footlights, and while on tour in the United States, met Gilliam.

The first five episodes of the series were produced by John Howard Davies, with Davies serving as studio director, and Ian MacNaughton acting as location director.

From the sixth episode onwards, MacNaughton became the producer and sole director on the series.

Maggie Weston, who worked on both makeup and design, married Gilliam in 1973 and they remain together.

Pre-production of the series had started by April 1969.