And now for something completely different: PBS will bring Monty Python back to its airwaves next year in a series of new specials focusing on each member of the legendary comedy troupe.

In addition, the network announced Wednesday (July 13) will make all 45 episodes of "Monty Python's Flying Circus" available to its stations starting next spring. PBS first picked up the rights to the BBC series in the 1970s, exposing American audiences to the brilliant and hugely influential work of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam.

The six specials, which will air under the umbrella title of "Monty Python's Personal Best," will each focus on one member of the group. Clips from the "Flying Circus" and the Monty Python movies will be mixed in with new footage.

"PBS jumped at the chance to be the exclusive home to six new Monty Python specials," says John F. Wilson, co-chief programming executive for PBS. "American audiences first discovered the Pythons' upper-class twits, Lumberjack Song and dead parrot on public television, and we're looking forward to introducing more 'persistently silly' antics from these beloved characters."

Each of the five living Pythons will write and produce the special focusing on him, and they'll work together for the special on Chapman, who died in 1989.

PBS also announced Wednesday that Rupert Everett ("My Best Friend's Wedding," "Shrek 2") will star as Sherlock Holmes in a "Masterpiece Theatre" production of a Holmes mystery set to air in October, and that Helen Mirren will reprise her role as Detective Superintendent Jane Tennison in a new "Prime Suspect," set for next year.