Perhaps the biggest reason people are excited about the reunion shows, is because of the fact it is a full reunion. It has been a long time since all five surviving members of Monty Python were all in the same place at the same time, and it also goes without saying that it's been even longer since this occurred with all six. In the case of previous mini reunions, there have often been a number of others to fill the gap left by those Pythons who were not present. One time all five were present together was at the 1998 Aspen comedy festival, in which the Python's were given an American Film Industry award. Despite taking place after the death of Graham Chapman, six men walked out on stage. Much to the audience's amusement the surviving members were joined by fellow British comedian Eddie Izzard. He was soon sent sent packing however, and Chapman's urn was brought on instead. And then knocked over. Perhaps the closest since then however, was at the 2002 Concert For George; a memorial performance for Monty Python's most famous fan (and financial backer), Beatle George Harrison. Here Michael Palin sung his most classic tune I'm A Lumberjack, complete with full accompaniment. Frequent musical collaborator Neil Innes was back on piano duties, Carol Cleveland returned as his not so impressed love interest, and the front row of choral Mounties was none other than Pythons Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle ... and Hollywood superstar Tom Hanks.
