The only two groups of people I envy are those who have never read PG Wodehouse and those who have never seen Fawlty Towers. Because, ahead of them lies the opportunity to explore enduring works of comedy genius. The latter group have a chance to start that journey when the best-ever situation comedy returns, free-to-air, next week.
There will be - no doubt - thousands of words written about the editing of the language used in the episode 'The Germans'. Yes, it's incredibly offensive. Yes, it's also very, very funny. And the butt of the joke is a prejudiced old man, although it's also disparaging to women. My view is that it shouldn't be removed, because the language isn't aimed at the people to whom that language is usually aimed (people of colour). The comedy comes from the complete misunderstanding of the language used. (And, for those that haven't seen the piece removed, it's nothing to do with Germans).
Fawlty Towers - and every episode from A Touch of Class to Basil The Rat - was a brilliant series and stands as the pinnacle of its oeuvre. Twelve, perfect episodes followed by the permanent resistance to reprise.
Never bettered. Not just the best British situation comedy ever, but the best British television programme.
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Saying that there are 2 "phrases" that have stuck with me for years & years and which I use on a daily basis, which just goes to show how things stick with you / get under your skin.
1) In "The Anniversary" when Polly has to impersonate a sick Sybil. Friend Roger says " Syb-ill - get it?" - to which Basil replies..."you"ve not read much Oscar Wilde have you...."
2) When Basil is trying to hang up the Moose head & has to stop to answer the phone......only to find its Sybil asking if he has hung up said head. His reply is the classic - "what is the point, I mean, just what is the point".
Other phrase I also use? "These eggs look like you laid them"
Some of it is watch through the fingers but that's just because it's deliberately cringey rather than dated
Lines I've never used, but I think are some of the funniest in any tv show are Manuel saying, "He try to look in room to see girl, she drive him crazy" and Sybil, "If you're going to grope a girl, at least have the gallantry to stay in the room with her while you're doing it".
Once had a beer with Ken Campbell (Roger), very funny man.
Loved it.
”David Rappaport ladies and gentlemen, not the smallest man in the world, but fucking close.”
I absolutely creased up!😂😂😂
From the dragonfly episode Manuel 'I know nothing - nothing'
I learn it from a book.
Manuel is convinced that he has a special Siberian hamster "only one in shop, special price only £5.00"
and Basil says "It's a rat, don't you have rats in Spain, or did Franco have them all shot", "hamsters are small and cuddly, cuddle this you'll never play the guitar again"
Absolute classic one liners, and as i said so many to choose from.
”You can see the sea. It’s over there between the land and the sky.”
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of Wildebeest streaming majestically across the plains of the Serengeti?
Genious
Seminal example of English comedy and rarely bettered if at all.
Also a part of my upbringing and has left me with quotes that have come in handy many a time.
Excellent thread after the H & M slag the Royal Family debacle.
"Relax Mr Faulty, you'll have a stroke before your fifty, if the good lord had meant us to worry, he would have give us something to worry about"
Basil; "He has, my wife, she will be back in two hours and she can kill a man at ten paces with one blow of her tongue"
Priceless.
The best comedy series are ones that are self aware enough to know when to stop, like The Office or the wonderful Detectorists.
no its not I just uncorked it over there...