Going Back To Classics - Fawlty Towers

A Blast From The Past - Fawlty Towers

Hi. Pat here again and today, we are closing off the week with a British TV classic, featuring Fawlty Towers!

This show is definitely a lot older than the previous two shows I have mentioned, premiering in 1975 and finishing in 1979.

What's it About?

Once again, we are going to borrow from our good friend Wikipedia to provide us with a lovely synopsis of this British classic.

Fawlty Towers is a BBC television sitcom that was first broadcast on BBC2 in 1975 and 1979. Twelve episodes were made (two series, each of six episodes). The show was written by John Cleese and Connie Booth, then married, both of whom also starred in the show.

In a list drawn up by the British Film Institute in 2000, voted by industry professionals, Fawlty Towers was named the best British television series of all time.

What Makes It So Unique?

British shows tend to have this unique and bizarre chemistry that play between each character and it certainly holds true for one of the Britain's most oldest TV shows. We have a sarcastic, short tempered, and generally annoyed hotel owner, Mr Fawlty who has to put with with the most eccentric of guests and their demands. Coupled with his bossy wife, a Spanish waiter, and one seemingly normal maid, there is never a dull moment within the ceilings of Fawlty Towers. 

My personal favourite moments are of Mr Fawlty's poor and abusive treatment of the Spanish waiter, Manuel and the interesting situations that Manuel's misunderstanding of Mr Fawlty's intentions lead to.

This can be anything from getting the wrong item, delivering the wrong food to the wrong guest, or cooking something that's inedible. Such a simple dynamic of not understanding English can lead to the most hilarious of situations. Even today, no matter how many times I replay these episodes, they never fail to make me laugh.

Another particular element that makes Fawlty Towers so enjoyable is none other than Basil Fawlty himself. I love the moments when he loses all sense of rational thought and cognition, and the peculiar situations he ends up finding himself in.

Granted, his people skills are not of the best but that's what makes Fawlty Towers such an appealing and amusing show. 

All in All

Rocking twelve episodes, Fawlty Towers will provide a short but memorable watch. There is a disclaimer I have to add though. People who dislike mistreatment of others or rude people in general will not find this show as amusing as intended. The sheer craziness of the characters running a seemingly normal hotel is the bread and butter of the show. Sometimes, the silliness of it all can be too overpowered and unbearable and for that, I give this show a 3.5/5. 

Till next time. Peace!

Thanks to Wiki, and gifsoup for the images and synopsis.