Norwegian Blue

A bird that has ceased to be, rests in peace, and is an ex-parrot.

The 'Norwegian Blue' is a fictional species of parrot central to the Monty Python sketch originally titled the 'Pet Shop sketch.' It was created by John Cleese and Graham Chapman for the eighth episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus, which first aired on 7 December 1969. The sketch satirizes poor customer service, depicting a conflict between Mr. Praline (played by Cleese) and a shopkeeper (Michael Palin). While parrots are not native to Norway, the bird is described as deceased yet claimed by the proprietor to be merely 'pining for the fjords' or 'stunned.' This non-existent creature became the focal point of one of the most famous arguments in comedy history regarding whether the bird was dead or simply resting.

Quick Facts

First appearance: Monty Python's Flying Circus (7 December 1969)

Lore & Background

The lore of the Norwegian Blue stems from its role as a catalyst for absurdity. In the original script, the bird was nailed to its perch, yet the shopkeeper insisted it was alive. Mr. Praline attempted various methods to revive it, including banging 'Polly Parrot' on the counter. The conflict escalated through a series of euphemisms for death: 'is no more,' 'has ceased to be,' 'bereft of life,' and 'an ex-parrot.'

The shopkeeper's denial led Praline to seek a refund from the proprietor's brother in Bolton, Lancashire. There, he found the exact same store, with the same man wearing a false moustache claiming the location was Ipswich. When challenged on the geography, the shopkeeper falsely claimed 'Bolton' was a palindrome for 'Ipswich,' ignoring Praline's correction that the reverse of Bolton is 'Notlob.' The sketch concludes only when a no-nonsense Colonel (played by John Cleese) bursts in to order the scene stopped.

Reader's Guide

To understand the Norwegian Blue, one must recognize it as the subject of a satire on denial. Key moments include the listing of euphemisms and the geographical confusion regarding Bolton and Ipswich. Fans should note that while the TV version ends with the Colonel, live performances vary significantly. In 1976, Michael Palin broke character by bursting into laughter during the 'pining for the fjords' line, which was captured in Pleasure at Her Majesty's. The parrot also appears in derivative works, such as South Park (where Kenny replaces the bird) and political speeches by Margaret Thatcher in 1990, who used the phrase 'this is an EX-party' to describe the Liberal Democrats.

Did You Know?

The sketch was not originally inspired by a 'Car Salesman' sketch from How to Irritate People.
In early drafts, the frustrated customer was not trying to return a faulty toaster.