British Comedy Guide
Fawlty Towers. Image shows from L to R: Manuel (Andrew Sachs), Basil Fawlty (John Cleese), Sybil Fawlty (Prunella Scales), Polly (Connie Booth). Copyright: BBC
Fawlty Towers

Fawlty Towers

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC Two
  • 1975 - 1979
  • 12 episodes (2 series)

Comedy about a hotel and its owner, a man of infinite rudeness with a rabid dislike of almost all guests. Stars John Cleese, Prunella Scales, Andrew Sachs, Connie Booth, Ballard Berkeley and more.

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Press clippings Page 13

Why is Fawlty Towers so near comedic perfection?

Bill Young tries to find out what makes Fawlty Tower so good.

Bill Young, Tellyspotting, 29th March 2012

David Kelly dies aged 82

Dublin-born David Kelly, who played feckless builder Mr O'Reilly in Fawlty Towers but is perhaps best remembered for riding a motorbike naked in the comedy Waking Ned, has died.

BBC News, 13th February 2012

How Fawlty Towers almost never opened its' doors

As the story goes, in May of 1974, following a now legendary 1972 stay at the Gleneagles Hotel by members of the Monty Python troupe, a pilot script written by John Cleese and his then-wife, Connie Booth, was submitted to the BBC. A clearly unimpressed 'comedy script editor' by the name of Ian Main sent the following memo to BBC Television's Head of Comedy and Light Entertainment.

Bill Young, Tellyspotting, 29th October 2011

A look back at Fawlty Towers

Fawlty Towers is still regarded as one of the best ever sitcoms, even after all this time, but why, exactly, is that the case?

Catriona Wightman, Digital Spy, 17th September 2011

John Cleese says he always loved the Germans

As the xenophobic hotelier Basil Fawlty, John Cleese famously told his staff "Don't mention the war" before goose-stepping in front of his German guests with an arm raised in a Nazi salute. But more than 30 years on Cleese seems finally willing to follow his character's advice and even go further by seeking a rapprochement with the nation he once so ruthlessly lampooned.

Laura Roberts, The Telegraph, 23rd September 2010

Real-life Sybil Fawlty dies aged 95

Beatrice Sinclair ran Torquay hotel used by John Cleese as inspiration for classic sitcom Fawlty Towers.

Steven Morris, The Guardian, 16th September 2010

Book your reservation at Fawlty Towers

The legend of Fawlty Towers lives on around the world. There are a number of hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts and hostels that have adopted the name.

Tellyspotting, 7th September 2010

Basil Fawlty unleashes battering pan on Manuel

​Basil Fawlty is hoping things pan out well for his co-star Manuel in an upcoming play at the King's Theatre in Gloucester following a comical mishap in rehearsals.

Simon Davies, who plays the infamous Spanish waiter, got more than he bargained for when he was smacked over the head with a frying pan last week.

This is Gloucestershire, 3rd April 2010

Prunella Scales, 30 years on from Fawlty Towers

One of Britain's best character actresses, Prunella Scales will inevitably be remembered for one character above all.

Damian Whitworth, The Times, 19th October 2009

Poll: what is your favourite Fawlty Towers moment?

Vote for your favourite moment from Fawlty Towers. Nominations include "The Germans", "Beating the Car", "Manuel and the Rat", "The Kipper and the Corpse", "Basil versus Mrs Richards", "The Hotel Inspectors", "The Builders" and "A Touch of Class".

The Times, 19th October 2009

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