Checking if my lab Philips Hue lamp is on and turning it on if needed:

gistfile1.py

#!/usr/bin/env python

import json
import requests
from settings import host, key

data = requests.get('http://%s/api/%s/lights/2' % (host, key)).json()
lamp_on = data['state']['on']
print data
if not lamp_on:
  payload = { u'on': True }
  requests.put('http://%s/api/%s/lights/2/state' % (host, key), data=json.dumps(payload))