Don’t expect any wacky Islam-based skits when Monty Python reunites in the new year.

The British troupe is known for poking fun at all manner of subjects, including religion in films like Monty Python’s Life of Brian. But Monty Python member Michael Palin says making even an innocent joke about Islam puts a comic in the cross-hairs, and he prefers to stay far, far away from that. Religion in general is a far more touchy subject than it was 30 years ago, he says, but one religion makes mockery a dangerous business.

‘Religion is more difficult to talk about. I don’t think we could do Life of Brian any more. A parody of Islam would be even harder. ‘We all saw what happened to Salman Rushdie and none of us want to get into all that. It’s a pity but that’s the way it is. There are people out there without a sense of humour and they’re heavily armed.’

The show must go on all the same, since several Python members told the press that financial reward is a key reason for the upcoming reunion shows.