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Hold The Sunset. Phil (John Cleese). Copyright: BBC
John Cleese

John Cleese

  • 85 years old
  • English
  • Actor and writer

Press clippings Page 24

The new series of Very British Problems began this week but seems to have lost its purpose. The show began life as a very witty, observant Twitter account which would blurt out panicked and appalled little tweets about the difficulties of being a repressed British person who's trying frantically to avoid embarrassment in a world full of boors and idiots.

The humour lay in not knowing who was sending the tweets and so we could imagine it was an uptight Englishman in a suit and bowler hat, catching the 8.09 to Waterloo, perhaps resembling a stern-faced John Cleese. Or maybe it's a kindly old lady who makes jam for the Women's Institute and crochets bootees for the church jumble sale, and is quietly horrified at the manners of today's young people. We could imagine what we liked, or slot ourselves into the situations described. But transferring the concept from Twitter to TV has ruined that. Our imaginary and oh-so-typical Brit has been replaced by celebrities. James Corden, Catherine Tate and David Tennant now share their awkward moments and social embarrassments, and there is no longer room for us. We've become observers not awkward, agonised participants.

We all love Christmas but wouldn't like it every day - contrary to what the song says. The luxury of all that food, wine and excitement would soon wear off and leave us longing for an uneventful day at work or a quiet potter around the supermarket. We can only take so much wonder and joy - and that must be the reason why Charlie Brooker is relatively rare on TV.

If I was in charge, he'd be on TV constantly. BBC News 24 would be Brooker 24 and watching would be mandatory. But, as with too much turkey and Prosecco, maybe we'd soon start to groan and wilt: no more, please. I'm full! I can't take another joke. I'm woozy with these witty observations. Another gag will make me gag.

Julie McDowall, The National (Scotland), 14th May 2016

Daughter shares memories of the real Basil and Sybil

As hotel that inspired John Cleese's comedy classic is demolished, a daughter shares her bittersweet (and hilarious) memories of the real Basil and Sybil, her VERY Fawlty parents.

Simon Trump, Daily Mail, 17th April 2016

Fawlty Towers tribute producers 'staggered by vitriol'

The Australian theatre company accused by John Cleese ripping off his television series Fawlty Towers has said it is "staggered by [his] vitriol towards us and our tribute show".

Elle Hunt, The Guardian, 24th March 2016

John Cleese hits out at 'Faulty' show

John Cleese has hit out at Faulty Towers The Dining Experience, the unofficial homage to the legendary TV series written by Cleese and Connie Booth. In an interview he has talked about taking legal action.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 23rd March 2016

John Cleese introduces new Basil Fawlty for live show

John Cleese has finally introduced to the world the new Basil Fawlty. Stephen Hall will be the filling the shoes John made famous in Fawlty Towers, and to be honest, he seems like a good replacement if these press shots are anything to go by. Hall is a well-known funny face in Australia, where the live stage show of the classic BBC comedy series will enjoy its world premiere this August.

Hanna Flint, Metro, 22nd March 2016

Hotel that inspired Fawlty Towers demolished

Retirement homes to replace Torquay hotel whose owner became the template for hopeless hotelier Basil Fawlty.

Steven Morris, The Guardian, 16th March 2016

John Cleese rules out Fawlty Towers musical

John Cleese, who played bumbling British hotel manager Basil Fawlty in the hit 1970s TV series, says a musical version of Fawlty Towers would never work.

ABC News (Australia), 18th February 2016

Eric Idle blogs about touring with John Cleese

It's a kangaroo tour of Australia and New Zealand. I shall be hopping round the antipodes. My companion is the legendary John Cleese, a man who has been making me laugh hysterically for 53 years.

Eric Idle, 6th February 2016

John Cleese slammed over advert by Timothy West

Actor Timothy West, whose wife played the long-suffering Sybil in the classic sitcom, says it was a mistake to recreate the scene of Basil thrashing his car for Specsavers.

Hannah Hope, The Mirror, 4th February 2016

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