<Dd> Mr Praline: I thought you'd never ask . </Dd> <P> On the Rhino Records' compilation Dead Parrot Society, a live performance from The Secret Policeman's Ball in 1976 has Palin cracking up while Cleese declares "Pining for the fjords? What kind of talk is that?" The audience cheers this bit of breaking character, but Palin quickly composes himself and Cleese declares "Now, look! This is nothing to laugh at!" before proceeding with the sketch . This version is included in the book and CD set The Best British Stand - Up and Comedy Routines, along with a transcript of the sketch and the Four Yorkshiremen sketch . </P> <P> In his appearance on The Muppet Show, Cleese appears as a pirate attempting to take over a spaceship during a "Pigs In Space" sketch . At the end of the sketch, he demands of the smart - mouthed talking parrot on his shoulder, "Do you want to be an ex-parrot?" </P> <P> In 1989's The Secret Policeman's Biggest Ball, a benefit for Amnesty International, the sketch opens similarly, but ends very differently: </P>

The pythons' dead parrot was pining for this place