Italian Lesson

The Italian Lesson is a sketch by Monty Python and was shown in the first broadcast episode ("Whither Canada") of Monty Python's Flying Circus on October 5, 1969.
Cast
* Terry Jones: Italian Teacher
* Michael Palin: Giuseppe (a student)
* John Cleese: Mariolini (another student)
* Eric Idle: Francesco (another student)
* Graham Chapman: Helmut (a German student)
Synopsis
After x'ing out one of a series of pigs drawn on a chalkboard, an English instructor of Italian begins his evening class. He sits down on the desk and reviews what they have learnt in the previous session. He asks if anyone remembers the Italian word for "spoon." Shouts of 'Si, si, si' erupt from the class, whom we now see appear to be almost all Italians. The teacher picks Giuseppe. After receiving praise for giving the correct answer ("Il cucchiaio"), Giuseppe profusely thanks the teacher in rapid and fluent Italian. The teacher then gives ways of how to start a conversation. In a heavily British accent he says in Italian, "I am an Englishman from Gerrard's Cross (Sono un inglese da Gerrard's Cross)". He then asks his class to repeat what he had just said, which they do as closely to the teacher's pronunciation as possible. Then he asks Mariolini's place of birth and tells Mariolini that he should say, "I am an Italian from Napoli (Sono un italiano da Napoli)". Another student, Francesco, complains (in Italian) and says he is from Milano. The teacher asks what Francesco said, as he did not understand. Giuseppe explains, but in midsentence he is cut off by Helmut, who stands up and asks for the translation of a German word. The teacher directs Helmut to the German classroom. Once Helmut leaves, Giuseppe continues translating what Francesco said. An argument ensues between Francesco and Mariolini over which Italian city is better, Milano vs. Napoli. After Giuseppe translates this to the teacher, the teacher replies, "Oh, he shouldn't be saying that, we haven't done comparatives yet". The argument continues as yet another Italian student gets up and starts playing the guitar, and the scene ends.

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