Fawlty Towers (1975-1979)

Twelve episodes were enough to give this series the status of the ultimate British sitcom. The hotel in Torquay is said to have been inspired by a real hotel where everything went wrong.

Basil Fawlty is a snob who wants to target the upper class. However, he lacks the self-control that comes with a higher position, and shows himself with his rage outbursts. His wife Sybil is more capable, but has an insufferable side with that preachy tone and those sawy telephone calls ("I kneee..."). Polly is more sympathetic and sometimes plays along with his plans. In real life, John Cleese and Connie Booth were married, and they wrote the series together. The funniest side character is Major Gowan, a demented relic from the time of the British Empire.

The intrigue is built around difficult to sustain lies, misunderstandings and mix-ups. An attempt to solve a problem usually leads to a bigger problem. Legendary episodes include The Builders, Gourmet Night, The Germans, Waldorf Salad and [i]Basil the Rat[ /i].

Translated from Dutch · View original

BBC action? Isn't that the club that had to pay a hefty compensation to Cliff Richard for his alleged pedophilia? Holy shit!

Anyway, for years all seasons in the house (still on VHS) and still regularly watched by me. Razor-sharp humor that is unsurpassed to this day. John Cleese also never quite reached that level after that.

Translated from Dutch · View original