Fawlty Towers.

Mutant z · 08-04-2018 3:51pm #1

I have watched some of the repeats of this classic sitcom on RTE and i have to say i find it a lot funnier than what passes for comedy today does anyone else find that it has stood the test of time quite well and like Only Fools and Horses is among the greatest classic comedy series its also notable that only 12 episodes were produced which is significantly fewer than other series.

ignorance is strength · 08-04-2018 10:01pm

I think it's aged badly. Watched it repeatedly as a kid, but, on viewing them now, can't help but grimace at the low-brow slapstick, redeemed somewhat by the Monty Python gene in some of the writing.

NIMAN · 08-04-2018 10:02pm

One of the most perfect comedies ever IMHO

theoneeyedman · 08-04-2018 10:08pm

NIMAN wrote: »

One of the most perfect comedies ever IMHO

This.

I watched several episodes on the reruns over Easter, still holds up fantastically well. So much going on each episode, many strands happening and intertwining. There is slapstick of course, but much else going on too. I'm only delighted that they have left it alone and not 'updated' it or rewritten it, as they have done with say Porridge.

Modern comedy is written differently, audiences will not invest any time to let a story line develop, they are used to the Big Bang Theory with its laugh every 15 seconds or whatever.

NIMAN · 08-04-2018 10:11pm

theoneeyedman wrote: »

, they are used to the Big Bang Theory with its laugh every 15 seconds or whatever.

There's a laugh every 15sec in TBBT?

Not in the episodes I ever saw!

ScouseMouse · 08-04-2018 10:14pm

NIMAN wrote: »

One of the most perfect comedies ever IMHO

Don't mention the war!

Tell me how · 08-04-2018 10:22pm

ignorance is strength wrote:

I think it's aged badly. Watched it repeatedly as a kid, but, on viewing them now, can't help but grimace at the low-brow slapstick, redeemed somewhat by the Monty Python gene in some of the writing.

You must be strong as an ox!

Think it's classic. Definitely falls in to category of wouldn't get made now in PC times.

theoneeyedman · 08-04-2018 10:28pm

NIMAN wrote: »

There's a laugh every 15sec in TBBT?

Not in the episodes I ever saw!

There is a forced laugh/joke/canned laughter every 15/20 seconds.... I find it quite distracting TBH, but I guess it reminds people that it's a comedy.

Westernyelp · 08-04-2018 10:32pm

NIMAN wrote:

There's a laugh every 15sec in TBBT?

There's a laugh track played every 15 seconds more like

madmaggie · 08-04-2018 11:36pm

I could watch it time and time again. It's got so much going on, apart from the obvious slap stick and often daft plot lines. That said, my favourite is Dad's Army, often with daft plot lines, but with many layers.

Spanish Eyes · 08-04-2018 11:38pm

I agree with others, it is timeless as is Only Fools too. (and of course Fr Ted).

Hilarious most of the time. Modern comedy is not funny. At all.

pjohnson · 08-04-2018 11:41pm

Canis Lupus · 08-04-2018 11:45pm

I made me cry with laughter as a child and now that I'm older I still find it wonderful and revisit the show from time to time. It never gets stale.

elperello · 08-04-2018 11:51pm

Cleese is a genius.
I still enjoy FT.
I got a present of the full set on dvd some years ago and love watching them again.

Also enjoyed Hold the Sunset, in a different way.

shaunr68 · 08-04-2018 11:55pm

ScouseMouse wrote: »

Don't mention the war!

You started it!

jaxxx · 09-04-2018 12:02am

Only John Cleese can make beating a car with a tree branch hilarious!

Funnily enough I was watching it on some channel (can't remember which) last night or the night before. Anyway before it started, the channel narrator said some disclaimer along the lines of "this program contains language from some time ago that some people may find offensive". This was then repeated in a written disclaimer as the theme played on the opening. In all my years watching on TV, I have never seen that before.

I was just flabbergasted. Has the world become so pc and left-wing that we have to censor old comedies now? Quite frankly I find it pathetic. I cannot recall any scene in Fawlty Towers that would actually necessitate such a thing, except perhaps the Germans episode with Basil doing his 'impressions' but even still.

Duckworth_Luas · 09-04-2018 6:57am

I once had a Spanish flatmate in the UK who loved Fawlty Towers.

It was being repeated on TV at the time and while watching it together Manuel appeared on screen.

He told me that this Italian idiot waiter was his favourite character.

He got very confused when, in English, Manuel claimed to be from Barcelona and not Naples.

He had only ever watched it dubbed into Spanish. In Spain they changed the character to an Italian so as not to offend people.

ArmaniJeanss · 09-04-2018 7:43am

jaxxx wrote: »

Funnily enough I was watching it on some channel (can't remember which) last night or the night before. Anyway before it started, the channel narrator said some disclaimer along the lines of "this program contains language from some time ago that some people may find offensive". This was then repeated in a written disclaimer as the theme played on the opening. In all my years watching on TV, I have never seen that before.

I was just flabbergasted. Has the world become so pc and left-wing that we have to censor old comedies now? Quite frankly I find it pathetic. I cannot recall any scene in Fawlty Towers that would actually necessitate such a thing, except perhaps the Germans episode with Basil doing his 'impressions' but even still.

Its the 'difference between wogs and ****' explanation from the Major which gets the warning.

KaneToad · 09-04-2018 8:22am

madmaggie wrote: »

That said, my favourite is Dad's Army, often with daft plot lines, but with many layers.

Never saw the appeal of this. Found it deeply unfunny. I always saw it as appealing to British viewers only due to its militarism/triumphalism..

silverharp · 09-04-2018 10:52am

I think Fawlty Towers is a bit dated at this stage though still very good, maybe its the fact there are so few episodes there is only so often you can watch them. If I could only take one series in this genre to a "desert Island" it would have to be only fools and horses.

pickarooney · 09-04-2018 10:55am

Duckworth_Luas wrote: »

I once had a Spanish flatmate in the UK who loved Fawlty Towers.

It was being repeated on TV at the time and while watching it together Manuel appeared on screen.

He told me that this Italian idiot waiter was his favourite character.

He got very confused when, in English, Manuel claimed to be from Barcelona and not Naples.

He had only ever watched it dubbed into Spanish. In Spain they changed the character to an Italian so as not to offend people.

Surely they changed him to an Italian as the entire gag is based on the repeated linguistic misunderstandings between him and Basil and a Spanish waiter speaking Spanish to another Spanish speaker would render this completely null?

Tell me how · 09-04-2018 11:06am

pickarooney wrote: »

Surely they changed him to an Italian as the entire gag is based on the repeated linguistic misunderstandings between him and Basil and a Spanish waiter speaking Spanish to another Spanish speaker would render this completely null?

I think they could still have understood the premise that it was an English hotel owner speaking to a Spanish waiter but that the insinuation that Manuel was incapable or less intelligent as a Spanish waiter was probably expected to tick off viewers hence the change to Italian.

Ironically, for most of Spain now, they'd probably fully buy in to an unintelligent waiter from Barcelona given the whole Catalonia scenario.

loyatemu · 09-04-2018 12:28pm

My kids all love it and laugh hysterically at every episode. I don't think many other 70s or 80s sitcoms stand up as well (Blackadder perhaps - Only Fools is good but turned into a bit of a soap opera in later series).

I don't know how many times I've seen them but I still find them funny and will always watch them if I'm flicking around and they're on Dave.

I think it's aged badly. Watched it repeatedly as a kid, but, on viewing them now, can't help but grimace at the low-brow slapstick, redeemed somewhat by the Monty Python gene in some of the writing.

Is this a piece of your brain?

Mutant z · 09-04-2018 12:37pm

I can watch any episode of it over and over and laugh harder than anything i have ever seen of Friends and The Big Bang Theory that monty python like scene of dont mention the war is a true classic.

pickarooney · 09-04-2018 3:13pm

Tell me how wrote: »

I think they could still have understood the premise that it was an English hotel owner speaking to a Spanish waiter but that the insinuation that Manuel was incapable or less intelligent as a Spanish waiter was probably expected to tick off viewers hence the change to Italian.

Ironically, for most of Spain now, they'd probably fully buy in to an unintelligent waiter from Barcelona given the whole Catalonia scenario.

I don't see how that could work at all. So many of the jokes are dependent on his 'hilarious' accent, misunderstandings and lousy puns.

Look at the very first scene of the series -
https://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/view_episode_scripts.php?tv-show=fawlty-towers&episode=s01e01

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8vHASPezsY

They have Fawlty mistakenly use French in order to force the joke.

It must have been a hell of a job to translate that to Spanish and keep any semblance of humour, even with an Italian waiter.

Lorelli! · 09-04-2018 5:31pm

ignorance is strength wrote: »

I think it's aged badly. Watched it repeatedly as a kid, but, on viewing them now, can't help but grimace at the low-brow slapstick, redeemed somewhat by the Monty Python gene in some of the writing.

You know nothing!

only messing!

Ah I think Faulty Towers was/is great.

mcmoustache · 09-04-2018 7:18pm

ArmaniJeanss wrote: »

Its the 'difference between wogs and ****' explanation from the Major which gets the warning.

It's one of the funniest exchanges in a very funny episode. Here it is in case anyone missed it or saw a version in which it was cut.

The Major: Strange creatures, women. I knew one once... striking-looking girl... tall, you know... father was a banker.

Basil: Really?

The Major: Don't remember the name of the bank.

Basil: Nevermind.

The Major: I must have been rather keen on her because I took her to see... India!

Basil: India?

The Major: At the Oval... fine match, marvellous finish... now, Surrey had to get thirty-three in about half an hour... she went off to powder her... powder her hands or something... women... er... never came back.

Basil: What a shame.

The Major: And the strange thing was... throughout the morning she kept referring to the Indians as ****. "No no no," I said, "the **** are the West Indians. These people are wogs." "No, no," she said. "All cricketers are ****."

Basil: They do get awfully confused, don't they? They're not thinkers. I see it with Sybil everyday.

The Major: I do wish I could remember her name. She's still got my wallet.

Basil: As I was saying, no capacity for logical thought.

The Major: Who?

Basil: Women.

The Major: Oh yes, yes... I thought you meant Indians.

It's hard to see something like this being broadcast on prime time today.

johnnyyesno · 09-04-2018 7:41pm

KaneToad wrote: »

Never saw the appeal of this. Found it deeply unfunny. I always saw it as appealing to British viewers only due to its militarism/triumphalism..

Have to agree, some great character actors in it especially Arthur Lowe but it rarely raises more than a chuckle from me. I could never warm to any of Jimmy Perry and David Crofts shows. It Ain't Half Hot Mum was like Dads Army transplanted to India but even less funny, Windsor Davies was good in it though.

Jimbob1977 · 09-04-2018 7:45pm

The moose. Japanese is it?

No. Canadian, I believe

jk23 · 09-04-2018 7:49pm

O’Reilly: “Mr Fawlty if the good lord...”
Mr Fawlty: “is mentioned once more I will move you closer to him!”

That episode with David Kelly as the Irish builder is one of the best ever!!

lertsnim · 09-04-2018 7:50pm

Bought it on DVD years ago. I love it and will watch it anytime I spot it on television.

robindch · 09-04-2018 9:57pm

For anybody who liked Fawlty Towers, John Cleese basically reprised the role in the 1986 film, Clockwise about a neurotic school head teacher whose trip to Norwich does not go to plan:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clockwise_(film)

Watched this again last year and it's (almost) as fresh as ever, though the wikipedia plot summary is perhaps the dullest piece of text in the English language.

Tell me how · 09-04-2018 10:11pm

ArmaniJeanss wrote:

Its the 'difference between wogs and ****' explanation from the Major which gets the warning.

This episode is on Gold right now.
Sky 110

loyatemu · 09-04-2018 11:18pm

robindch wrote: »

For anybody who liked Fawlty Towers, John Cleese basically reprised the role in the 1986 film, Clockwise about a neurotic school head teacher whose trip to Norwich does not go to plan:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clockwise_(film)

Watched this again last year and it's (almost) as fresh as ever, though the wikipedia plot summary is perhaps the dullest piece of text in the English language.

I rewatched Clockwise recently, it's pretty dated but very funny. Cleese's character is a bit more sympathetic than Basil, but similarly uptight.

A Fish Called Wanda from a couple of years later is also great with the added bonus of fellow Python, Michael Palin and a great performance from Kevin Kline.

Duckworth_Luas · 10-04-2018 12:29am

pickarooney wrote: »

Surely they changed him to an Italian as the entire gag is based on the repeated linguistic misunderstandings between him and Basil and a Spanish waiter speaking Spanish to another Spanish speaker would render this completely null?

Actually the complete opposite. Apparently having him as an Italian was not funny enough, maybe because no such stereotype of Italians exists in Spain.

Later, in Catalonia, they dubbed Manuel in a Mexican accent and the show became a phenomenon. They later followed suit in Castilian.

Funnily enough, in Basque, he always been from Barcelona.

thebull85 · 10-04-2018 12:37am

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

I agree with others, it is timeless as is Only Fools too. (and of course Fr Ted).

Hilarious most of the time. Modern comedy is not funny. At all.

Curb your enthusiasm is good, you should give it a watch.

shaunr68 · 10-04-2018 12:50am

KaneToad wrote: »

Never saw the appeal of this. Found it deeply unfunny. I always saw it as appealing to British viewers only due to its militarism/triumphalism..

I've heard it all now. Dad's Army, militaristic and triumphalist!

:D:D

It's hardly a Leni Riefenstahl production...christ on a bike!

AllForIt · 10-04-2018 1:00am

I love the episode where Polly dresses up as Sybil in bed pretending to be sick, cracks me up every time when she hits the concerned friend. Such farce. Other stand out episodes for me are the old woman with the hearing problem and the American who wants a Waldorf salad but didn't get it because they had run out of Waldorfs.

thegreengoblin · 10-04-2018 5:53pm

Great thread. I was a huge fan of Only Fools and Horses, The Office is a classic..but Fawlty Towers will always be my favourite.

There are so many layers to it, every time I watch an episode I see something new. And most importantly, I always laugh my head off. Basil muttering under his breath, the madcap way he would run from one place to another almost crashing into the walls. The chemistry between him and Sybil was perfect. Major was a howl. The cartoon violence with Manuel leaves me in stitches!

Hard to pick one favourite episode but the Kipper and the Corpse springs to mind. I saw the Germans episode at the weekend for possibly the 20th time and I'd never get sick of it.

madmaggie · 10-04-2018 11:24pm

It's a Siberian Hamster.

loyatemu · 10-04-2018 11:26pm

thegreengoblin wrote: »

Hard to pick one favourite episode but the Kipper and the Corpse springs to mind.

"...this is a hotel, not the Burma Railway! I mean it does actually say 'Hotel' outside, you know. Perhaps I should be more specific. What about 'Hotel for people who have a better than 50 per cent chance of making it through the night?'"

Basil's rants are a thing of beauty - the one about the view out of the window is just genius:

Basil: "You can see the sea! It's over there between the land and the sky!"
Mrs Richards: "I'd need a telescope to see that."
Basil: "Well might I suggest you move to a hotel closer to the sea. Or preferably in it."

bodhrandude · 10-04-2018 11:35pm

ScouseMouse wrote: »

Don't mention the war!

I Know, I know, I know.

bodhrandude · 10-04-2018 11:51pm

The Bernard Cribbins episode for me, Basil writing directions for the Post office on a piece of paper for Mr Hutchison the Spoons Inspector. Its the way Cribbons utters what he reads on the note P OFF, that always gets me.

valoren · 11-04-2018 8:59am

It's one of my blind spot comedies. I should love it but I can't. Having thought about it, I think I put myself in Basil's position and empathise with him a lot i.e. a frickin idiot who believes he is surrounded by the frickin idiots

. So when his blood pressure goes through the roof and his complete lack of patience manifests itself it does so for me as well if that makes any sense. There in lies the genius of it i.e. it's so well written and performed you become immersed in it deeply.

AndrewJRenko · 11-04-2018 8:30pm

"Oh you're two doctors?"

Melodeon · 11-04-2018 9:08pm

"Oh, what a terrible dream!"

the purple tin · 11-04-2018 11:58pm

Fawlty Towers, Steptoe & Son, Porridge, they don't make em like that anymore.

elperello · 12-04-2018 2:33pm

the purple tin wrote: »

Fawlty Towers, Steptoe & Son, Porridge, they don't make em like that anymore.

Three classics for sure but I believe the British comedy is alive and well.

When really tight writing and a great cast get into the hands of a good director the magic is still there.

Three more recent ones that stand out for me are Gavin and Stacy, Phoenix Nights and Catastrophe.

loyatemu · 12-04-2018 4:15pm

I don't think anything has been done recently that's as relentlessly funny as Fawlty Towers.

Also most of the better sitcoms of recent years have been shown late night (e.g Peep Show, Phoenix Nights, The Office). The so-called "family sitcom" shown at prime-time has been in poor health for years.

Tell me how · 12-04-2018 4:30pm

loyatemu wrote:

Also most of the better sitcoms of recent years have been shown late night (e.g Peep Show, Phoenix Nights, The Office). The so-called "family sitcom" shown at prime-time has been in poor health for years.

Absolute Snow White PC narrative required for primetime.

As with shows you've listed. Think that's why shows like IASIP didn't get much on terrestrial TV as was on at near midnight.

DEFTLEFTHAND · 12-04-2018 4:32pm

I'd say Fawlty Towers, Ony Fools' and Fr Ted are the only comedies I can watch over and over again and still always laugh.

Far superior to anything on British or Irish Tv today imo.

Fawlty Towers.

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