Funnily enough, I used to work in a 5-star hotel (just as a waiter, nothing special), and this episode was actually used as part of our job training, as a bit of an icebreaker as well as a 'don't do these things' warning to us.
There was a four year gap between the first and second series of FT. And by this time, John Cleese and Connie Booth were practically divorced but still wrote and starred in the second season together. Amazing show, thanks for uploading :)
I think this is my favourite FT - all the character have an element of truth in them and it echoes when Life runs your life and it's not you making the decisions
Thoroughly enjoyed your reaction video. I enjoyed being reminded of episodes of a TV programme I've watched so many times, and you are like someone experiencing watching actually funny comedy for the first time ever!
John Cleese (Basil) and Connie Booth (Polly) had very quietly divorced during the period between S1 and S2. Only because of a casual reference in the standard Cleese humour did the cast realise this and the penny dropped. They still worked together to write the 2nd series. Cleese had done a few projects in-between including Life of Brian
You had some thoughts about why they married in the first place. Actually that was one of the thoughts that Prunella Scales (who plays Sybil) had when she read the script for the first time.
Go Meg. One of my all-time fave episodes.. 'Flying tart'. "Is this a piece of your brain?' RIP Joan Sanderson d.1990. What a performance! In fact the whole second series cranks everything up a notch, if that's possible. We should all be grateful Join and Connie remained on good enough terms to make it all happen. More more more, mighty mercurial one.
When its fawlty towers and Megan on the reaction menu Im here! I wont miss that glorious youtube moment :) This is one of the best in a number of very good Falwty towers episodes..LOVE IT! ..and you react so good to these episodes Megan...I wish it would go one forever..:)
Their was a Comedy series called Love Thy Neighbor that was very funny & some other's were 2 Ronnies, Dad's Army, George & Mildred, Open All Hours, Alf Garnet, & Their was series of comdy films called the Carry on films These are all very funny British comedy & worth checking 😂😂
I remember seeing an American many years ago saying he saw Fawlty Towers on TV and just thought it was a British comedy. And then he said but after visiting British hotels realised it was hard-hitting documentary. But I don't know how these actors could do it without laughing. I wonder how many takes.
"Why did these two get together?" When Cleese offered her the role, that's what Prunella Scales asked him. They worked out some theory of it which I heard but don't think I remember well enough to repeat. I seem to recall that the idea was something like him being from a higher class background and her considering it glamorous, but don't quote me.
I love this show so much here that I can't get enough of seeing these old episodes here! John Cleese had an 85th birthday 🎂 already & he was the best here! Thanks for sharing Megan & Happy Halloween 🎃 to you! 🖤🧡👻
Hi Megan. I hope you are well. Two facts for you. ONE: It took John Cleese and Connie Booth FIVE YEARS to write this second series (and last) of six episodes. TWO: The character of Basil Fawlty was based on a REAL person. The Python team were staying in a hotel in Torquay during the filming of "Monty Python And The Holy Grail," and the owner of the hotel was the blueprint for Basil. Exactly like him by all accounts. Another little fact for you, Joan Sanderson who plays the deaf battleaxe in this, also appears in the Rising Damp episode; "Pink Carnations." Ms. Sanderson had a long career, mostly playing battleaxes, irate women etc, but is probably best known as "Miss Ewell" in the long-running sitcom "Please Sir."
This episode (s2e1) is the funniest of all the Fawlty Towers episodes. Unfortunately that means that all the remaining ones in s2 are not so good. But FT is always miles above other comedy series.
Concerning that they don't express any love between them.... Yeah, we know, that women always want everything to be so romantic.... 🤔🤗 Even before humor....
A small tip concerning the composition of the video: IMHO it looks a little odd, you looking off-screen and away from the video you are reacting to. I would switch them around so you appear to be looking at the video you're reacting to.
r.e. how/why Basil and Cybil got together? In interviews, John Cleese, who co-wrote the show and portrayed Basil, suggested a possible scenario. The backstory goes that Basil likely met Sybil when he was younger, and perhaps more hopeful, but soon became resentful as he realized how mismatched they were. Their relationship might have started with a spark-Basil was probably taken in by Sybil's confidence and sharp wit. However, as time went on, their differences became increasingly apparent, creating the bickering, often hostile dynamic that defines their marriage on the show.
When Prunella Scales asked John Cleese why they got together, I think they agreed that she was lower class and the marriage was a way of her climbing the social ladder.
Joan Saunderson plays the deaf old lady brilliantly.
The bit where Basil is thinking about his life passing by is very, very profound. Time passes way too quickly when you get older.
yes it is! And yes it does...
"Is this a piece of your brain?" is one of my favourite lines in anything made ever.
I think Ballard Berkeley as the Major sometimes get overlooked. Great actor. Great reaction.
Funnily enough, I used to work in a 5-star hotel (just as a waiter, nothing special), and this episode was actually used as part of our job training, as a bit of an icebreaker as well as a 'don't do these things' warning to us.
😂 that's hilarious!
Basil's biggest mistake was giving the money to the major, that was never going to end well.....
There was a four year gap between the first and second series of FT. And by this time, John Cleese and Connie Booth were practically divorced but still wrote and starred in the second season together. Amazing show, thanks for uploading :)
So glad you're watching this episode it's my favourite comedy half hour of all time.
This sort of character is known as 'an old battle axe'
I think this is my favourite FT - all the character have an element of truth in them and it echoes when Life runs your life and it's not you making the decisions
I can definitely see that!!
My fav episode and easily so Alice Richards is such a feisty, frosty, formidable woman, played beautifully by the late Joan Sanderson
This was the episode they played in 2016 as a tribute to Andrew Sachs after he passed away
The actress playing mrs Richards played Sybil in the unaired pilot for the original series.
Thoroughly enjoyed your reaction video. I enjoyed being reminded of episodes of a TV programme I've watched so many times, and you are like someone experiencing watching actually funny comedy for the first time ever!
Hilarious show. Great review. You looked great too :)
John Cleese (Basil) and Connie Booth (Polly) had very quietly divorced during the period between S1 and S2. Only because of a casual reference in the standard Cleese humour did the cast realise this and the penny dropped. They still worked together to write the 2nd series. Cleese had done a few projects in-between including Life of Brian
You had some thoughts about why they married in the first place. Actually that was one of the thoughts that Prunella Scales (who plays Sybil) had when she read the script for the first time.
Go Meg. One of my all-time fave episodes.. 'Flying tart'. "Is this a piece of your brain?' RIP Joan Sanderson d.1990. What a performance! In fact the whole second series cranks everything up a notch, if that's possible. We should all be grateful Join and Connie remained on good enough terms to make it all happen. More more more, mighty mercurial one.
When its fawlty towers and Megan on the reaction menu Im here! I wont miss that glorious youtube moment :) This is one of the best in a number of very good Falwty towers episodes..LOVE IT! ..and you react so good to these episodes Megan...I wish it would go one forever..:)
Aw thank you! I’m glad you enjoy my reactions! 😊
Love to you, Megan :)
Loved this reaction. You have the most amazing laugh and response
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it 😊
Their was a Comedy series called Love Thy Neighbor that was very funny & some other's were 2 Ronnies, Dad's Army, George & Mildred, Open All Hours, Alf Garnet, & Their was series of comdy films called the Carry on films These are all very funny British comedy & worth checking 😂😂
I remember seeing an American many years ago saying he saw Fawlty Towers on TV and just thought it was a British comedy. And then he said but after visiting British hotels realised it was hard-hitting documentary.
But I don't know how these actors could do it without laughing. I wonder how many takes.
"Why did these two get together?"
When Cleese offered her the role, that's what Prunella Scales asked him. They worked out some theory of it which I heard but don't think I remember well enough to repeat. I seem to recall that the idea was something like him being from a higher class background and her considering it glamorous, but don't quote me.
There are hints in some episodes that they do actually love each other, deep down.
I saw every episode with my family as a 5 year old on its first airing! A mere 49 years ago 😂
the taxi was waiting to be paid, she went out and paid him then tried to get served first
Back in 1979 which was the date of this episode... £7.20 + VAT at 15% is the equivalent of about £44.07 today Megan.
I love this show so much here that I can't get enough of seeing these old episodes here! John Cleese had an 85th birthday 🎂 already & he was the best here! Thanks for sharing Megan & Happy Halloween 🎃 to you! 🖤🧡👻
Oh wow I didn’t know he just had a birthday! Thanks Falcom! ☺️ Happy Halloween 🎃
@MeganRuth Welcome Megan.
All genius.
Hi Megan. I hope you are well. Two facts for you. ONE: It took John Cleese and Connie Booth FIVE YEARS to write this second series (and last) of six episodes. TWO: The character of Basil Fawlty was based on a REAL person. The Python team were staying in a hotel in Torquay during the filming of "Monty Python And The Holy Grail," and the owner of the hotel was the blueprint for Basil. Exactly like him by all accounts. Another little fact for you, Joan Sanderson who plays the deaf battleaxe in this, also appears in the Rising Damp episode; "Pink Carnations." Ms. Sanderson had a long career, mostly playing battleaxes, irate women etc, but is probably best known as "Miss Ewell" in the long-running sitcom "Please Sir."
5 years?! That's crazy!! Yeah I can see how she would be type cast a lot aha
No, she just needed to pay the taxi which had brought her to the hotel
This episode (s2e1) is the funniest of all the Fawlty Towers episodes. Unfortunately that means that all the remaining ones in s2 are not so good. But FT is always miles above other comedy series.
😊😊😊😊😊 great laugh ❤.
Concerning that they don't express any love between them.... Yeah, we know, that women always want everything to be so romantic.... 🤔🤗 Even before humor....
A small tip concerning the composition of the video: IMHO it looks a little odd, you looking off-screen and away from the video you are reacting to. I would switch them around so you appear to be looking at the video you're reacting to.
Is this a piece of your brain?!
React to lee evans best comedian ever
r.e. how/why Basil and Cybil got together? In interviews, John Cleese, who co-wrote the show and portrayed Basil, suggested a possible scenario.
The backstory goes that Basil likely met Sybil when he was younger, and perhaps more hopeful, but soon became resentful as he realized how mismatched they were. Their relationship might have started with a spark-Basil was probably taken in by Sybil's confidence and sharp wit. However, as time went on, their differences became increasingly apparent, creating the bickering, often hostile dynamic that defines their marriage on the show.
When Prunella Scales asked John Cleese why they got together, I think they agreed that she was lower class and the marriage was a way of her climbing the social ladder.
In America. Hearing aids cost you around 5000$ Yay America
Stop stop stop stop
Stop talking when the video is on
Polly is actually an American born in New York I think 🤔