To still after all these years find Fawlty Towers funny

[whitesandstorm]

They've been showing the series on Gold I think. It's still funny, unlike lots of comedy from years ago. Just watched the one with the rat and the health inspector. So funny. Anyone not find it so?

Yes, all true. Like I say: far from the worst example of 70s sexism, but a product of it to some extent anyway.

Old women are funny because they're deaf and stupid.
Attractive women are funny because they're unattainable.
Ugly women are funny because they're ugly.

The pythons famously couldn't write for women: you can forgive them and find them funny, but it's not right to say things actually aren't sexist which are just because they're also done by funny people.

Reruns of the show have removed references to niggers and wogs

'A gin and orange, a lemon squash, and a scotch and water PLEASE!'

Yes wizard!! thats my favourite.

I started rewatching last night after this thread. Fantastic show.

Its fab! Never gets old :)

To be fair Original none of the men come off well either in FT - they're all stupid, pompous, ignorant etc etc.

In fact the only voice of reason in the whole series is Polly.

''Too small and dry.''

''Oh, i don't know ... ''

Always has me lolling. Such a quick exchange, blink and you'd miss it. A misunderstanding between a drinks order and someones wife, but so funny.

Flay otters

my absolute favourite bit is right at the end of the Hotel Inspectors, Basil j
is exhausted, all the running around done, the two potential inspectors has been sent on the way, and he walks into reception and finds the three (genuine) inspectors there.

"and what can i do for you three gentlemen?....ARRRGGGHHHH"

'WE have just been to a wedding'......when they find Basil and Manuel on the floor in the lobby of the hotel.

I also really love that one of the old ladies who lives in the hotel was called Gilly Flower in real life. What a fabulous name

'WE have just been to a wedding'......when they find Basil and Manuel on the floor in the lobby of the hotel.

i watched this one last night and i dont know how but before when i watched it i was completely oblivious to the implication that basil and manuel were gay lovers! It was only watching it lat night i realised why those scenes were so funny and not just because he was in his pants with a frying pan!

SurlyCue, that line just kills me every time.

It really is fantastic writing. I love the manuel interactions. I dont know if there was other stuff like FT at the time but the language barrier issues in it just kill me every time. And also when polly tries to protect him.

B: "who did it"
P: "i dont know"
B: "MANUEL!"

YNBU. Fawlty towers is classic even after 40 years. People will still be laughing at it in another 40 years

I just thought of another moment that makes me laugh every time, Basil trying to force the guests to go back to their rooms until he starts the fire drill.

"Is not fire is only bell"

The Waldorf salad is one of my favourites , 'so you take one Waldorf '...

DD (15) discovered Fawlty Towers last year. She loves it.

"...Right, right. Well, stay where you are because, obviously, if there was a fire, you'd all be standing down here like this in the lobby, wouldn't you? I mean, why do we bother? We should let you all burn."

"Who do you think, Henry Kissinger?"

What about the rude boy dining with his mother complaining about the food. His mother says something like "I'm afraid he gets everything cooked the way he likes it at home"
Basil "ahh does he does he"
Mother "he's very highly strung"
Basil "Yes yes he should be"
Brilliant!