Tax on Thingy / Vox Pops


(Animation leads to an oak panelled, Civil Service committee room. A politician is addressing three officals.)

Politician (John Cleese): Gentlemen, our MP saw the PM this AM and the PM wants more LSD from the PIB by tomorrow AM or PM at the latest. I told the PM's PPS that AM was NBG so tomorrow PM it is for the PM. Give us a fag or I'll go spare. Now, the fiscal deficit with regard to the monetary balance, the current financial year excluding invisible exports, but adjusted of course for seasonal variations and the incremental statistics of the fiscal and revenue arrangements for the forthcoming annual budgetary period terminating in April.

First Official (Graham Chapman): I think he's talking about taxation.

Politician: Bravo, Madge. Well done. Taxation is indeed the very nub of my gist. Gentlemen, we have to find something new to tax.

Second Official (Eric Idle): I understood that.

Third Official (Terry Jones): If I might put my head on the chopping block so you can kick it around a bit, sir...

Politician: Yes?

Third Official: Well most things we do for pleasure nowadays are taxed, except one.

Politician: What do you mean?

Third Official: Well, er, smoking's been taxed, drinking's been taxed but not... thingy.

Politician: Good Lord, you're not suggesting we should tax... thingy?

First Official: Poo poo's?

Third Official: No.

First Official: Thank God for that. Excuse me for a moment. (leaves)

Third Official: No, no, no - thingy.

Second Official: Number ones?

Third Official: No, thingy.

Politician: Thingy!

Second Official: Ah, thingy. Well it'll certainly make chartered accountancy a much more interesting job.

(Cut to vox pops.)

Gumby (Michael Palin): (standing in water) I would put a tax on all people who stand in water ... (looks round him) ...Oh!

Man In Bowler Hat (Terry Jones): To boost the British economy I'd tax all foreigners living abroad.

Man In Suit (Eric Idle): I would tax the nude in my bed. No - not tax. What is the word? Oh - 'welcome'.

It's Man (Michael Palin): I would tax Racquel Welch. I've a feeling she'd tax me.

First Business Man (John Cleese): Bring back hanging and go into rope.

Second Business Man (Michael Palin): I would cut off the more disreputable parts of the body and use the space for playing fields.

Man In Cap (Michael Palin): I would tax holiday snaps.

(Freeze frame.)




Continue to the next sketch... Semaphore Version of 'Wuthering Heights'