The Dirty Fork

The Dirty Fork is a sketch from the television series Monty Python's Flying Circus. It is notable for being the first Monty Python sketch wherein the characters react to the audience "booing" them. Graham Chapman and Carol Cleveland are enjoying a night out at a pleasant French restaurant when Chapman politely asks the waiter to replace his dirty fork. This request cascades to an avalanche of tragedy that ends up with the restaurant manager commiting suicide at the couple's table. After a title card reading "And now the punchline," Chapman quips, "Good thing I didn't say anything about the dirty knife!" when the audience starts to boo and the players protest in return.

The Dirty Fork sketch originally appeared in How to Irritate People, but aside from minor details of casting and set dressing, was substantially the same sketch.