Monty Python has given the world a whole lot of laughs and countless classic comedy sketches. Most people are familiar with The Spanish Inquisition and The Ministry of Silly Walks, but shockingly many people have not heard of our favorite sketch: The Cheese Shop.

Watch what happens when a desperate customer looking for “a little fermented curd,” walks into a cheese shop that seems to be severely understocked.

John Cleese plays the customer in the sketch, and as it turns out, his original surname was actually Cheese! Reportedly, his father changed it before enrolling in the military, as he felt it was “too embarrassing” Fun fact: The term “Yankees” comes from the Dutch nickname “Jan Kees” which translates into “John Cheese.” Looks like this Brit, is actually a Yank!

The sketch has sparked many inside jokes within the cheese world including Venissimo Cheese listing Venezuelan Beaver Cheese on their website. Some cheese recipes have also been developed based on the idea, despite the fact that there are no beavers in Venezuela. 

It was Graham Chapman and John Cleese wrote the sketch, but Cleese did not think the sketch was funny enough at first. Chapman insisted that it was. They decided to test the sketch on the other Monty Python members and like Cleese, most of them didn’t find it amusing. However, Michael Palin fell to the floor laughing and upon seeing his reaction, they decided to go through with what would go on to become the crowning jewel cheese comedy.

Photo Credit: Image courtesy of Mecha-Blog-zilla

Jamie Ditaranto

Jamie Ditaranto is a senior at Emerson College and an online editorial intern for culture, who enjoys writing, photography, and travel. She finds a way to sneak cheese into just about every meal and is a sucker for free samples.