Unfortunately, due to previous commitments on his part, Ian did not actually direct the first four episodes of Monty Python (although he did direct the filmed portions). The directing duties for the studio portions of these four episodes fell instead to a director named John Howard Davies. According to Chapman, the two directors were very different in style: "John Howard Davies was more clinical and formal and very efficient while Ian gave an atmosphere of being in it and chaotic. But Ian was, nevertheless, efficient as well. Not a lot of credit for the success of the Monty Python series has been given to Ian MacNaughton, which is a shame really, as Ian was a jolly fellow to work with."

MacNaughton was not only responsible for seeing that the shows were produced on time, and on budget, but he was also the point man between the team at the BBC, often taking the heat when things went wrong. However, contrary to many others, MacNaughton does not remember the series having many problems with the higher-ups at the Broadcasting House. In a recent interview with the Beeb he said: "The truth is, a lot of people at the BBC liked (the series) and also a lot of people couldn't understand why people liked it... I knew why people liked it because it was funny... and it still is." He does, however, recall receiving some flak regarding the show's name: "After eight episodes had been shown, I received a letter from a Brigadier somebody-or-other and in this letter the Brigadier said: ŅI am very disappointed with your series. I have watched eight episodes and I have seen no flying and not one single circus act!"

And although many of the show's sketch's refer to the BBC establishment, MacNaughton's view is that many gentleman in "high establishment positions" lay themselves open for jokes and comedy at their expense. "Of course," he adds,"we never meant it nastily." But did director MacNaughton ever worry that they had gone too far with any of the sketches? Macnaughton: "No!"

MacNaughton's memories of working with the Python team are generally pleasant ones with little or no discord. "My worst memory of working on Python was any day that we needed clear skies and sunshine I always stood in the rain... and my best memory is the fact that at the end of every day's shooting, we were all still friends." Ian and Graham Chapman were especially close. Chapman: "Location filming was usually a matter of long stretches of complete boredom occasionally broken-up by short periods of intense activity, and Ian and I could often be found spending many pleasant hours in some local hotel bar marinating our brain cells. Ian and I shared a common bond in our great love affair with ethanol. Usually all it took was him saying, "Hey, hen, how about a drink?" and soon one drink would lead to the inevitable tray." However, Chapman did feel that Ian's matey countenance didn't jibe well with everyone in Python. "I think John was especially put-off by Ian's tendency to be overtly friendly."

However, 30 years on, Ian MacNaughton says he'd do it all over again: "I would have continued directing Monty Python, but we all felt that it was better to stop when we were at a peak than to run the risk of winding down. I feel very happy, not proud, just happy that people today are just as silly as I was."

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