How to Irrate People pre-dates Python (from the David Frost era). It was written by and starred John Cleese and other later Python buddies Graham Chaman and Michael Palin. As well as Goodies star, Tim Brooke Taylor. Who John had worked together with for Sorry, I'll read that again a BBC radio program.

 

It contained many Python like sketches and one that was actually used later in show 5 of the first series of MPFC as was with a little re-casting. (This was the Silly Job Interview sketch [Click here and here for pictures from the MPFC version].). As well as other Pythonesque milestones, such as an explaination of what a Pepperpot is.

 

A few of the sketches in MPFC reflect on the Pythons' previous works. This is true to this tape which contains the sketch that Dead Parrot sketch was based on.

It stars Mike as a car salesman who refuses to admit that there is something wrong with his customer (Graham)'s car even as it falls apart in front of him. It was based on a humorous (and true) anecdote Mike once told Cleese and Chapman. "Well, bring it in. Bring it in, I'll have a look at it. It's lunchtime at the moment."

It contains a sketch very much like Spot the brain cell starring John as a game show host and Tim Brooke Taylor as a pepperpot. As well as an obvious predecessor of the Dirty Fork sketch, starring Mike as a suicidal Hindu waiter.

 

Oh, and by the way, a pepperpot is:

Graham Chapman's word for a irritating, screeching middle aged woman, played by the Pythons in drag. The word comes from their chubby body shape, like a pepper pot.