Series 4, Episode 45: Appeal on Behalf of Extremely Rich People

VOICE OVER

Michael Palin

SIR PRATT

Graham Chapman

The sketch:

Voice Over: and caption: 'THERE NOW FOLLOWS AN APPEAL ON BEHALF OF EXTREMELY RICH PEOPLE WHO HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM'

(at a large leather-topped desk with an elaborate table lamp)

Sir Pratt: Hello. I'd like to talk to you tonight about a minority group of people who have no mental or physical handicaps and, who, through no fault of their own, have never been deprived, and consequently are forced to live in conditions of extreme luxury. This often ignored minority, is very rarely brought to the attention of the general public. The average man in the street scarcely gives a second thought to these extremely well-off people. He, quite simply, fails to appreciate the pressures vast quantities of money just do not bring. Have you at home, ever had to cope with this problem...

(cut to a rich young yachting type surrounded by girls in bikinis)

or this...

(cut to a rich woman loading her chauffeur with all kinds of expensive parcels)

or even this...

(cut to a still of Centre Point)

I know it's only human to say, 'Oh this will never happen to me', and of course, it won't. I'm asking you, please, please, send no contributions, however large, to me.

(We see the last bit on a TV in Mrs What-a-long-name-this-is-hardly-worth-typing-but-never-mind-it-doesn 't-come-up-again 's-living-room. Ding-dong of doorbell. A cupboard door opens, and the middle-aged man we saw in first scene comes out. He has no iguana on his shoulder.)