Monty Python strike back on YouTube (+video)

The team behind the cult British comedy show Monty Python have launched their own YouTube channel, saying they're tired of being "ripped off" by YouTubers posting clips of their content.

In a tongue-in-cheek clip posted to the popular video sharing website, the comedians say they've come to "take matters into our own hands".

"For three years you YouTubers have been ripping us off," the video begins. "We know who you are, we know where you live, we could come after you in ways too horrible to mention."

But being the "extraordinarily nice chaps" they are, the Pythons decided instead to start their own YouTube channel of free clips.

The video explaining all this has guest appearances from Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam and John Cleese. The Python's sixth member, Graham Chapman, joined the choir invisible in 1989.

The channel has high quality clips of Python content, including better versions of the most viewed illegal Python clips on YouTube.

"No more of those crap quality videos you've been posting. We're giving you the real thing," the video says.

But all this free content comes with a catch.

"We want you to click on the links and buy our movies and TV shows. Only this will soften our pain and disgust at being ripped off all these years."

- © Fairfax NZ News