John Cleese never stops working. 76 years old and on the eve of a much-needed three-week vacation to the West Indies, he can't help but talk about the work he's going to accomplish while away: start planning the follow-up to his recently-released memoir ; explore some ideas for film scripts and stage shows. "I've deliberately not made up my mind about what I'm going to write," Cleese says. "It's like when the Pythons went into the BBC to pitch the show originally. When we were asked what we intended to do we said 'we really had no idea.' I think the very fact that we didn't know enabled us to be more creative."

Best known in America for being one of the original members of the Monty Python, Cleese has worked steadily in TV, film, and on stage for decades. When I caught up with him recently in New York, he was wrapping up a long promotional tour in support of his memoir. We talked about the various projects he's actively working on, including the soon-to-be-announced tour of Australia and New Zealand with fellow Python Eric Idle. But then we got down to business: Cleese's all-time favorite Monty Python sketches and clips, in no particular order:

1. Sir Raymond Luxury-Yacht

This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

An underrated classic from the second series of Monty Python's Flying Circus that begins with a request for plastic surgery and ends in a camping trip. "I love the fact that the whole apparent premise turns out to be wrong," says Cleese.

2. The Two Gaolers from Life of Brian

This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Life Of Brian stands as not just one of the Pythons' best moments, but one of the greatest comedies of all time. Eric Idle and Terry Gilliam ("he's wonderful doing grotesques," says Cleese) are able to turn a line about crucifixions into a gag. "Fantastic parts from Idle and Gilliam and a great punch-line."

3. "The Galaxy Song"

This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Recently a hit for none other then the computer-generated voice of Stephen Hawking, this song and dance number from 1983's The Meaning of Life is one of the great songs in the Pythons' formidable musical catalogue. "My favorite of all Eric's songs. Sweet and full of wonder," says Cleese.

4. Mr. Creosote Exploding

This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

The almost unbearably grotesque Mr. Creosote from Meaning Of Life is one of Monty Pythons' most well loved characters. Cleese agrees: "Terry Jones's finest, over the top skit. Brilliantly directed by him."

5. Brian Telling His Followers He Is Not the Messiah

This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

The late Graham Chapman was the resident leading man within the Monty Python troupe. But he was also wonderful playing hapless characters, conveying an empathy that underscores the message in the dialogue perfectly. More pointedly, Cleese sees the scene as, "a concise summary of organized religion."

6. Upper-Class Twit of the Year

This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

The Pythons excelled at poking fun at British aristocracy. For Cleese, his contempt is undimmed, if channeled through his humor, and the portion of this classic sketch when the Twits attempt to take the bras off the mannequins "is a fine demonstration of upper-class sexuality."

7. Two Guards Being Given Their Orders in Holy Grail

This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

In a scene from Holy Grail that rivals classic comedy like Abbott and Costello's "Who's On First", it's perhaps most remarkable that Michael Palin's King of Swamp castle doesn't lose it. "It's wonderful," says Cleese. "The camera never moves and Michael, Eric and Graham are perfect performing Michael Palin's script."

8. Scott of the Sahara's Fight with a Lion

This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Laurence of Arabia? Hardly. In the Pythons' hands the most sacred Old Hollywood action sequences are the best targets. "A wonderful visual send-up of cheesy TV animal scenes."

9. The Flying Lesson

This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Only in Monty Python's Flying Circus would you be asked to "flap harder" at a flying lesson. "Typical Cleese and Chapman sketch, with people arguing heatedly about non-issues," says Cleese.

10. Nelson's Death

This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart introduces the "evergreen" death of Admiral Nelson. "Almost as silly as the 'Fish-Slapping Dance,'" says Cleese.

Jeff Slate Jeff Slate is a New York City-based songwriter and journalist who has contributed music and culture articles to Esquire since 2013.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io