Monty Python's Terry Jones diagnosed with dementia

**Koreabruce** · 09-23-2016

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-37451043

Sad to hear this. It's a severe form called primary progressive aphasia, which affects his ability to communicate. I always loved what he contributed to MPFC. A very intelligent and funny man. It's at least a small comfort to hear that he's being honored for his achievements and that he'll be present for the ceremony.

I lost an aunt back in 2010 to dementia. I don't wish to see anyone go through this. Good luck in your fight, Mr. Jones.

**ronmac** · 09-23-2016

Well, that sucks. He was arguably the hardest-working of the bunch. He accomplished a lot and should be proud of his legacy.

**notallwhowander** · 09-23-2016

It's tough to hear of such a fine mind dimming.

Again: good luck in your fight Mr. Jones!

**mozo-pg** · 09-23-2016

I would just echo the positive sentiments already offered. So many good laughs.

**rcarlberg** · 09-23-2016

All my heroes are getting old. Thank god I haven't aged a day.

**Sputnik** · 09-23-2016

Blah, that sucks. All those guys are so bright, this just seems extra sad.

Bill

**JKL2000** · 09-23-2016

Very sad - he's done so many great skits and characters - so many laughs from him.

Mr Creosote!

MPFC was central to my childhood thanks to my Dad.

**Yodelgoat** · 09-23-2016

Mr Creosote??? Oh no! He was always one of my favorites - (trying to think of any of them I didnt love...) Time for MP movie marathon in tribute.

**spellbound** · 09-23-2016

Sorry to hear that. Best of luck in your battle with dementia, Mr. Jones. I just remembered my friend and I racing home from a nighttime college course in the 1970s, so that we wouldn't miss a minute of Monty Python on TV.

**syncopatico** · 09-23-2016

Depressing news.

**Staun** · 09-23-2016

Originally Posted by syncopatico

Depressing news.

I think they did this sketch a couple of times but with different people.

**Sturgeon's Lawyer** · 09-23-2016

Pooey.

Pooey pooey pooey pooey.

**ronmac** · 09-23-2016

He has also done great work on historical documentaries. People should be more aware of that. I wish I was able to see some of them.

**Buddhabreath** · 09-23-2016

Sad news indeed! A brilliant comedic mind and a great intellect (being a documentary writer/presenter among other things as ronmac indicated) as well as the author of many classic MPFC sketches from Spanish Inquisitions to Mr. Neutron.

**ThomasKDye** · 09-23-2016

Originally Posted by ronmac

He has also done great work on historical documentaries. People should be more aware of that. I wish I was able to see some of them.

My mother was a Chaucer fanatic who bought all his Chaucer-related books. A true intellect.

**ThomasKDye** · 09-23-2016

In a sad bit of irony... this is basically what aphasia is. I know, because my mother had it, and I constantly thought of this skit while I was caring for her. They just must not have known it existed back then.

**progholio** · 09-23-2016

Originally Posted by ThomasKDye

In a sad bit of irony... this is basically what aphasia is. I know, because my mother had it, and I constantly thought of this skit while I was caring for her. They just must not have known it existed back then.

Wow, sadly ironic alright. My mom had rapidly progressing dementia the year before she passed and my mother-in-law has been suffering from pretty advanced Lewy Body for a few years, seeing the mind deteriorate is a very sad thing.

On a side note, in the mid 90's i had an original band called Mr Creosote, we even started our performances with the "oh shit, it's Mr Creosote!" audio.
We didn't get too far with that one and changed it to Soylent Green and did much better.

**Sputnik** · 09-23-2016

Originally Posted by ronmac

He has also done great work on historical documentaries. People should be more aware of that. I wish I was able to see some of them.

I've seen his Barbarians and perhaps one other, but Barbarians is the one I remember. It was good, a bit campy at times, but I thought it did a good job of going beyond the typical "Barbarian" stereotypes in a fun and entertaining way. Netflix has Medieval Lives available and lists two others that are due for release (Hidden Histories and Ancient Inventions). I've added them to my queue.

Bill

**jake** · 09-23-2016

Terribly sad news - my father-in-law had dementia and we lived with it for abut 15 years - it takes an incredible toll on the care-givers as well as the individual suffering.
I saw a documentary a few years ago about the background to the Monty Python reunion concert to pay off legal fees. Even then it was obvious Terry was not well - a few times he seemed to just zone out and even said that he was having trouble remembering lines and such. At the time I looked at my wife and asked her if she recognised those signs from somewhere - unfortunately it was all too obvious that he was declining mentally.
I wish his family and friends much strength and urge them to create a support network. They are going to need it.

**Progatron** · 09-23-2016

I'm so sad to read this. All of MP are my heroes since childhood. I am one of those annoying people who not only recite Python sketches, but tell you when you get them wrong. Grew up listening to their records, watching Flying Circus episodes, and just generally loving them. Terry Jones is a brilliantly funny and intelligent man, and a talented comedy writer. The stuff he wrote with Michael Palin is legendary. I wish him well.

**frinspar** · 09-23-2016

Sad to hear. That's a hard road for everyone involved.

It's tough to pick a favorite Python, but he is definitely one of the 5 greatest players who wasn't mostly an animator.

'Erik The Viking' is an all-time favorite movie of mine. Time to watch it again and enjoy his work.

**JKL2000** · 09-23-2016

Originally Posted by frinspar

Sad to hear. That's a hard road for everyone involved.

It's tough to pick a favorite Python, but he is definitely one of the 5 greatest players who wasn't mostly an animator.

'Erik The Viking' is an all-time favorite movie of mine. Time to watch it again and enjoy his work.

I never realized (or forgot) that Terry Jones wrote and directed Erik the Viking. My wife and I watched that on our first or second date, when it was newly on VHS.

When I think of his voice, I think of the Crunchy Frog skit!

**frinspar** · 09-24-2016

Originally Posted by JKL2000

I never realized (or forgot) that Terry Jones wrote and directed Erik the Viking. My wife and I watched that on our first or second date, when it was newly on VHS.

My sister worked at a video store at the time that movie came out in theaters. I worked in a movie theater and watched it umpteen times before it left. When it was later released on VHS, it was not sold anywhere I could find here in the US, at least not easily for a 16-year-old before the interwebz, although she had it to rent in her store. She said she would order it through her store from the UK for me. I had no idea the formats were different (PAL there, NTSC here), so when my tape arrived, all I got was snow. It was tragic. I ended up putting duct tape over the copy protection hole and copying the version from her store onto my not-very-cheap-to-order VHS tape. I still have that tape, just because.

When I think of his voice, I think of the Crunchy Frog skit!

I've got a few of the skit compilation CDs and Crunchy Frog is always worth hearing.

**Progatron** · 09-24-2016

I can't help but laugh along with him whenever I see him crack up during the shambolic "Dead Bishop On The Landing" sketch towards the end of Live At The Hollywood Bowl.

I also think he really helped carry them in the fourth series of Flying Circus (sans Cleese), a series I actually love, although not every fan does. He always struck me as the hardest-working guy in the troupe (possibly Gilliam could compete in that category, but in a much different way.)