Ha! I've only just realised this thread is nearly two years old! (I was trying to find the thread about Terry Jones that the OP mentioned)
Talk about being late to the party.
... and talking of Python precursors: a mention for 'At Last The 1948 Show', which is where the 'Four Yorkshiremen' sketch originated. (Often mis-attributed to Python).
Yes! It was brilliant, just brilliant. I was about 9 or 10 and it was the absolute highlight of my week. Don't forget Denise Coffey as the evil Mrs Black. And weren't the Bonzos in it as well, or is that my mind playing tricks?
Back on topic my favourite Python at the time was Cleese, but...