British Comedy Guide

Ripping Yarns vs Fawlty Towers

I think Ripping Yarns has aged less than Fawlty Towers, and is much funnier. Shame people don't remember seeing it. Ripping Yarns is better than some bits of Monty Python's Flying Circus. But then quite a lot of Monty was slapdash...

Ripping Yarns at its best was unbeatable. Because a lot of it was set historically it hasn't aged like Fawlty Towers. Eric Olthwaite, Thompkinson's Schooldays, Golden Gordon and Escape from Stalag Luft are solid gold classics. Shame they didn't make more, but the BBC said they were too expensive, however Palin's film The Missionary is like an extended Ripping Yarn.

Fawlty Towers for me, although Ripping Yarns is very good.

Ripping Yarns for me

Quote: Pingl @ November 30 2012, 9:04 AM GMT

Ripping Yarns at its best was unbeatable. Because a lot of it was set historically it hasn't aged like Fawlty Towers. Eric Olthwaite, Thompkinson's Schooldays, Golden Gordon and Escape from Stalag Luft are solid gold classics. Shame they didn't make more, but the BBC said they were too expensive, however Palin's film The Missionary is like an extended Ripping Yarn.

Period more than historical (20th century)...

It does seem strange which shows people go on about only having a few episodes. Fawlty Towers and the The Office it's done to a 'hysterical' degree. Ripping Yarns and Porridge less so.

Rutland Weekend Television for me

Fawlty Towers for me.

Ripping Yarns hits my funny bone.

Is Joan Sanderson the only actor in both?

(Realises) Oh, yes-John Cleese had a walk on part in "Golden Gordon".

I suppose I'd be more likely to stick on Fawlty Towers, but they're both great, no need to pick one over the other.

Because Fawlty Towers gets repeated over and over it does get a bit boring whereas Ripping Yarns as far as I remember has not been shown that many times. Both great at the time and brilliantly written and acted.

Ripping Yarns is enjoyable. For me, Fawlty Towers takes the cake.

Yes, the old was Lennon or McCartney trope is a bit tired, although Fawlty Towers is in many ways vastly superior to the other one.

Yellowbeard.

McCartney

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