Prunella is a wonderful actress that has graced stage, film and television for many years giving magnificent performances. I wish her and her family well. Thank you Prunella.
Unfortunately she has now reached that stage of Alzheimer's where she apparently now has essentially no short-term memory retention (although, the most recent interview I read with Samuel West indicated that she can at least still recognise her sons and their children). She was a brilliant woman and has a very devoted husband. It must be terribly hard for them all, but at least we have her wonderful performances (especially Sybil and Mapp) to remember her by.
Hotel management. It's sooo accurate. I have this 'homestay'. Often don't know who I'm talking to. Just go with John. My wife accusing me. I just laugh.
Why does this interview keep changing from colour to B & W? Just curious, not complaining - she gives a very good interview and her contribution to the show was immense.
I have seen both ‘Fawlty Towers’, and the US equivalent, ‘Amanda’s (by the Sea)’. Beatrice Arthur plays the role of Amanda Cartwright. Her son, Marty (played by Fred McCarren), a graduate of hotel management school. Marty was a avid surfer, and skin diver. Bea was the same domineering character as that of Sybil. The US show lasted 13 episodes (in 1983). Prunella’s portrayal was far superior.
To remind us that Fawlty Towers was made just as viewers were upgrading from b&w to colour; an era when, it seemed, the Mary Whitehouse brigade were in retreat before Progress. The reversion to b&w effectively consigns this gem of a series (and the post-Puritan culture which made it possible) to the archives.
I disagree. Just because she doesn’t behave like Sybil doesn’t mean a thing. It’s called acting and pretending. She has always come across as uncomfortable in this type of interview, which is another thing entirely. However, her personality shone through in two things for me. (1)She was one of several names who were crossword addicts and her delight in the clues and the English language was a delight. (2)She also wrote about a Prom concert with music by Olivier Messiaen in it that she said she was interested in. The Proms liked celebrity stuff like that in their publicity. I feared she was doing the let’s be different line, but when I came out from that concert I crossed her path. Like a complete goon I grinned moronically at her. She smiled kindly at me. I think she was used to tongue tied fans who remember her, vaguely in my case, from Marriage Lines, onwards, but there must be some who saw her in Hobson’s Choice from 1954.
What sheer quality. Love how she asked John Cleese “Why did they get married?” And him saying “I was afraid you’d ask that!” It shows attentiveness to detail from both of them - it was important to Prunella that Sybil was real and had a backstory. No wonder the series is such a sublime hit - look at the callibre of the actors and creators.
Why did she stay with Basil or indeed Basil with Sybil? They appeared a couple with little in common. There must have been some attraction between the two of them initially because they re married presumably for many years, although it is never explored in the scripts or the characters allowed to pursue their back story save for a few cutting remarks eg when Basil talks about them enjoying good times laughing and joking and Sybil says "But not at the same time". And then Sybil is all over one of the young male guests with an open shirt, hairy chest and a medallion who Basil thinks resembles an ape which he then does his famous ape impression. Maybe their relationship has reached the stage of many marriages that become stale, devoid of romance.
Why did she stay with Basil or indeed Basil with Sybil? They appeared a couple with little in common. There must have been some attraction although it is never explored in the scripts. Maybe their relationship has reached the stage of many marriages that become stale, devoid of romance.
And her real accent reminds me of the way George Martin spoke, the fifth Beatle. I don't know if it's just me or they came from the same region or social class.
Which actually isn't an accent. If you speak like the Queen (or now the King) you have no accent as that's the original and proper way English is spoken.
@@teveve31runella Scales came from Surrey and went to a private school. Her mother was also an actress so I guess she has spoken like that since childhood. George Martin on the other hand, was from slightly more humble beginnings in Holloway, North London and only learned to talk posh when he was in the Fleet Air Arm.
this is clearly a spliced video. The person asking the questions was not anywhere near Ms. Scales when she was answering the questions. It feels like an interview done and then redubbed with a separate interviewer.
@@CamcorderSteve I know this is old, and I agree with what you're saying, but to be fair to the interviewer, one reason for the splicing and cutting back to him is that dear Prunella was suffering from neurological issues that made interviewing difficult for her, and they were at pains to have something to cut back to so that it wouldn't be obvious when she had difficulty completing a thought.
What a wonderful lovely lady Prunella is. She played the battle axe Sybil to total perfection. With all the problems that Basil created, there were times when I just wanted to hug her and tell her it was all going to be ok. So sorry to hear that she has Alzheimer's disease. A truly talented lady.
" Mr O'Reilly I have seen more intelligent creatures than you lying on their backs at the bottom of ponds." Best put down from any woman on screen ever. Period.
O’Reilly: “Oh I love a woman with spunk!” Sybil: “Oh you DO DO YOU??” Basil: “Oh God…” When she wails him with that umbrella before her classic insult, it stood up to any Basil/Manuel interaction.
The test of a great comedy to me is if you find yourself laughing out loud when you're watching it by yourself. Fawlty qualifies in spades. Prunella was great. One of my favorite moments is episode 1 when she orders Basil to turn off that racket. "Brahms Third Racket!" My best to her and her great actor husband, Timothy West.
Enough about how Prunella got the job as Sybil...how did the interviewer got his job ?!? That story must be something....and then Prunella, she’s looking amazing for her age
I guess she should have been interviewed by someone older, bit more 'cred'...this guy seemed to be overwhelmed by Prunella.........and so it should be...
It very much was a classic, and is a classic. I watched the shows when they were brand new, and they haven't lost any of their entertainment value to this day.
i can well understand what connie booth has to offer,but for me, prunella did it for me. i was 9 when this was out , but i'm pretty sure i only watched it on 1st repeat. prunella is 1sexy lady, and i ain't y 9y old no more. ...LOVE U PRU....
In Ireland RTE 2 Came Into Being in November 1978 That's When I First Saw Fawlty Towers I was 11 at The TIme. Glad To Know John And Andrew were Such Pals offscreen Right Up To Andrew's Death in 2016.
I was 14 when this first came to screen. In spite of the ballistic, addictive comedy, I always had a soft spot for the two old birds. Prunella, clearly loved them. xx
The episode, The Germans in the restaurant. They were sitting at a back table oblivious to the chaos and that's kind of conspicuous because you're wondering these older women are having seemingly a normal conversation when such bizarre idiocy is occurring in the restaurant. I didn't know they were regulars but I have to go through all of the 12 episodes now. It was my Christmas present to myself to watch these episodes late at night on December 25th 2022. Good present to give myself, love those people.
I've never seen Prunella being interviewed before, so I don't know her real personality. She seems like a lovely, humble person, but the interview is rather awkward and she seems very uncomfortable. I don't know the interviewer either. A good interviewer will often have follow up questions to an answer, and sometimes a lively dialogue will ensue from just one question. However he just asks a question, gets the answer, and moves straight on to the next question. It's so stilted. Having said all that, Fawlty Towers was pure genius, and Sybil is an absolute legend. There wasn't an ounce of camera time wasted in any episode.
the interviewer is Joe Mace he was a presenter on a Show called LIVE&KICKING in the early 2000s whenever i turned on I remember he never looked directly into camera when he presented to all the viewers at home. That used to irritate me as I was one of the viewers. they must have thought he was useless because he only lasted 1 year on the show and I think he got replaced by Fearne Cotton. So you're fair to agree with me cold and stiff sounds about right.
I was always caught between wanting to support her character or John’s. I was never sure whether I wanted Basil to get away with what he was doing or for her to put a stop to his nonsense. They defied the typical hero and villain roles and it made the show so much fun by amplifying the comedy. Loved the show.
I remember waching Fawlty Towers when the series was first broadcast. I'd never laughed so much in my life. Only laughed as loud years later when I went to see 'Life of Brian' at the Odeon in Leicester Square.
Yes I remember it being the funniest show of all time on its first broadcast and it's still the same now. Even when you know all the lines, it never gets old.
Sybil was so brilliantly portrayed. No one could have done it better. I’m thrilled to know that Prunella is nothing like her; it just shows what a consummate actress she is.
She's just a fabulous lady and an excellent actress..
Her performance in Fawlty Towers is legendary. Perfect in every way.
"What is that racket?" "It's Brahms. Brahms' third racket."
Prunella is a wonderful actress that has graced stage, film and television for many years giving magnificent performances. I wish her and her family well. Thank you Prunella.
Unfortunately she has now reached that stage of Alzheimer's where she apparently now has essentially no short-term memory retention (although, the most recent interview I read with Samuel West indicated that she can at least still recognise her sons and their children). She was a brilliant woman and has a very devoted husband. It must be terribly hard for them all, but at least we have her wonderful performances (especially Sybil and Mapp) to remember her by.
I love her work and I wish her all the best, now as she is not in a good condition. Bless her. Thank you.
Pru is so great. I wish her the best as she struggles through old age.
I have always liked her hair
I'd say there is 99% per cent chance that it's a wig. Those were very popular in early 70's.
@@fQsfHi it looks quite similar to her hair in this
What a lovely woman. She was brilliant in the show.
A perfect cast and perfect writing.
Absolute genius john cleese what a great comedy, just could of done with a few more series😄
Soooo funny that she starts with „I really don’t know” 😁
I have always loved her. What a lovely person she is.
She was perfect in her role.
Love this woman
❤️
Hotel management. It's sooo accurate. I have this 'homestay'. Often don't know who I'm talking to. Just go with John. My wife accusing me. I just laugh.
Curious interviewer...from another planet..
Brilliant actress❤
BASIL! BASSSIL!
yes dear...
PRUNNA YOU ARE A BEAUTIFUL LADY AND STILL GOING STRONG
Great questions.
Why does this interview keep changing from colour to B & W? Just curious, not complaining - she gives a very good interview and her contribution to the show was immense.
Don Fox because this was filmed in the early 2000s and that technique was all the rage back then.
I'll still be watching faulty towers in 2080.
shes so lovely
How lovely she is here.
I have seen both ‘Fawlty Towers’, and the US equivalent, ‘Amanda’s (by the Sea)’. Beatrice Arthur plays the role of Amanda Cartwright. Her son, Marty (played by Fred McCarren), a graduate of hotel management school. Marty was a avid surfer, and skin diver. Bea was the same domineering character as that of Sybil. The US show lasted 13 episodes (in 1983). Prunella’s portrayal was far superior.
Een geweldig persoon, zelfs het voetbal op sport, moest toen wijken voor Fawlty Towers !
I can hear no grace of Sybil's.speaking voice in her own speaking voice. That's the hallmark of a good actor.
Extremely different from cybil in the sitcom she is extremely shy and quiet
She deserves a better thumbnail 😁
Basil!
Why does this keep alternating between colour and black-and-white?
It´s not a bad interview, but I would have loved to see, *what Ali Plumb would have made out of it...*
Her stiff upper lip delivery was excellent!
Sadly Manuel passed away so young.
This is your wife
A comedy genre the like of which we shall probably never see again in this mind numbingly 'woke' world.
Luckily you did not mention the war.
Why that second camera? Why on wrong side? Eye-line flipping about and completely unnecessary and unflattering. Such a shame!
Really! Why keep changing the colour.
To remind us that Fawlty Towers was made just as viewers were upgrading from b&w to colour; an era when, it seemed, the Mary Whitehouse brigade were in retreat before Progress. The reversion to b&w effectively consigns this gem of a series (and the post-Puritan culture which made it possible) to the archives.
She is wonderful he screwed up
She was great as Sybil, but in real life she seems to be terribly boring, not much of a personality.
I disagree. Just because she doesn’t behave like Sybil doesn’t mean a thing. It’s called acting and pretending. She has always come across as uncomfortable in this type of interview, which is another thing entirely.
However, her personality shone through in two things for me.
(1)She was one of several names who were crossword addicts and her delight in the clues and the English language was a delight.
(2)She also wrote about a Prom concert with music by Olivier Messiaen in it that she said she was interested in. The Proms liked celebrity stuff like that in their publicity. I feared she was doing the let’s be different line, but when I came out from that concert I crossed her path. Like a complete goon I grinned moronically at her. She smiled kindly at me. I think she was used to tongue tied fans who remember her, vaguely in my case, from Marriage Lines, onwards, but there must be some who saw her in Hobson’s Choice from 1954.
What sheer quality. Love how she asked John Cleese “Why did they get married?” And him saying “I was afraid you’d ask that!” It shows attentiveness to detail from both of them - it was important to Prunella that Sybil was real and had a backstory. No wonder the series is such a sublime hit - look at the callibre of the actors and creators.
Why did she stay with Basil or indeed Basil with Sybil? They appeared a couple with little in common. There must have been some attraction between the two of them initially because they re married presumably for many years, although it is never explored in the scripts or the characters allowed to pursue their back story save for a few cutting remarks eg when Basil talks about them enjoying good times laughing and joking and Sybil says "But not at the same time". And then Sybil is all over one of the young male guests with an open shirt, hairy chest and a medallion who Basil thinks resembles an ape which he then does his famous ape impression. Maybe their relationship has reached the stage of many marriages that become stale, devoid of romance.
She was utterly brilliant as Sybil. Poor Basil was always terrified of her.
Petyr Kowalski owww I know
Like Manuel was scared of Basil’s quick temper
Why did she stay with Basil or indeed Basil with Sybil? They appeared a couple with little in common. There must have been some attraction although it is never explored in the scripts. Maybe their relationship has reached the stage of many marriages that become stale, devoid of romance.
The expertise of their skills
Sybil's overuse of "... I know!" was so legendary that Prunella reprised it in other roles.
“In a moment my little piranha fish" one of the greatest husband/wife banters in the history of TV
Basils other one was "My little nest of vipers" lol
Wow. I cant believe her accent. I have been watching " fawlty towers " for 40 years and never knew she spoke like the queen. What an actress! Amazing
And her real accent reminds me of the way George Martin spoke, the fifth Beatle. I don't know if it's just me or they came from the same region or social class.
@@teveve31 private school most likely
Which actually isn't an accent. If you speak like the Queen (or now the King) you have no accent as that's the original and proper way English is spoken.
@@-TidgyReceived pronunciation is surprisingly unpopular with commoners.
@@teveve31runella Scales came from Surrey and went to a private school. Her mother was also an actress so I guess she has spoken like that since childhood. George Martin on the other hand, was from slightly more humble beginnings in Holloway, North London and only learned to talk posh when he was in the Fleet Air Arm.
Interviewer is rubbish! Prunella is graceful and handled it well.
this is clearly a spliced video. The person asking the questions was not anywhere near Ms. Scales when she was answering the questions. It feels like an interview done and then redubbed with a separate interviewer.
I didn't like the way the video alternated between colour and black and white, what's that all about?
@@withonelook1985 agreed.
Shut up Jason...she's always well mannered cuz she wouldn't think he's rubbish. He's a normal guy and probably nervous.
@@CamcorderSteve I know this is old, and I agree with what you're saying, but to be fair to the interviewer, one reason for the splicing and cutting back to him is that dear Prunella was suffering from neurological issues that made interviewing difficult for her, and they were at pains to have something to cut back to so that it wouldn't be obvious when she had difficulty completing a thought.
What a wonderful lovely lady Prunella is. She played the battle axe Sybil to total perfection. With all the problems that Basil created, there were times when I just wanted to hug her and tell her it was all going to be ok. So sorry to hear that she has Alzheimer's disease. A truly talented lady.
She us stunningly beautiful and clever!!!!
She raised Sybil from the page and turned her into an iconic, unforgettable role.
Such an attractive lady. So quiet and soft-spoken. She seems almost shy.
U find grannys attractive😂😂😂
Quite the opposite of Cybil Fawlty.
I had such a crush on her when Fawlty Towers was first shown. She just had .... something.
Yes, she still looks great.
@@TonyEnglandUK Exactly!
" Mr O'Reilly I have seen more intelligent creatures than you lying on their backs at the bottom of ponds." Best put down from any woman on screen ever. Period.
O’Reilly: “Oh I love a woman with spunk!”
Sybil: “Oh you DO DO YOU??”
Basil: “Oh God…”
When she wails him with that umbrella before her classic insult, it stood up to any Basil/Manuel interaction.
The test of a great comedy to me is if you find yourself laughing out loud when you're watching it by yourself. Fawlty qualifies in spades. Prunella was great. One of my favorite moments is episode 1 when she orders Basil to turn off that racket. "Brahms Third Racket!" My best to her and her great actor husband, Timothy West.
That is a brilliant backstory to the marriage.
Enough about how Prunella got the job as Sybil...how did the interviewer got his job ?!? That story must be something....and then Prunella, she’s looking amazing for her age
I guess she should have been interviewed by someone older, bit more 'cred'...this guy seemed to be overwhelmed by Prunella.........and so it should be...
As well as an interview by list of questions creature
I still find Prunella attractive. Those were excellent times!
PeterBDS13 BDS13 god she was classy in Fawlty towers .
It very much was a classic, and is a classic. I watched the shows when they were brand new, and they haven't lost any of their entertainment value to this day.
I found Prunella Scales adorable in Fawlty Towers and even now despite being in her 80s, she's still a beautiful woman.
SJMJ91 She has Alzheimer’s now it’s so depressing. This interview is from some years ago.
She's beautiful because she's in her 80s, not in spite of that. Elderly women are lovely. :)
sj, I agree 👍
I always thought she was hot back then.
Is she really in her 80s!? Shes more beautiful than most young women!!!!!
i can well understand what connie booth has to offer,but for me, prunella did it for me. i was 9 when this was out , but i'm pretty sure i only watched it on 1st repeat.
prunella is 1sexy lady, and i ain't y 9y old no more. ...LOVE U PRU....
In Ireland RTE 2 Came Into Being in November 1978 That's When I First Saw Fawlty Towers I was 11 at The TIme. Glad To Know John And Andrew were Such Pals offscreen Right Up To Andrew's Death in 2016.
Prunella is such a great actress and adorable.
Prunella Scales, you are fantastic :)
I was 14 when this first came to screen. In spite of the ballistic, addictive comedy, I always had a soft spot for the two old birds. Prunella, clearly loved them. xx
The episode, The Germans in the restaurant. They were sitting at a back table oblivious to the chaos and that's kind of conspicuous because you're wondering these older women are having seemingly a normal conversation when such bizarre idiocy is occurring in the restaurant. I didn't know they were regulars but I have to go through all of the 12 episodes now. It was my Christmas present to myself to watch these episodes late at night on December 25th 2022. Good present to give myself, love those people.
@@TLH442... splendid. 12 portions. Enjoy. Woven into the bedlam are some touching moments. 😊
I have the utmost respect for a lady married to the same man for over 50 years-especially in this line of work.
There was a Romanticism to Fawlty Towers that took its audience to a fun place. The best comedy show of all.
Love Prunella
lovely classy lady.
She's frightfully posh.
See I’m not so would’ve said she’s fuckin posh.
I've never seen Prunella being interviewed before, so I don't know her real personality. She seems like a lovely, humble person, but the interview is rather awkward and she seems very uncomfortable. I don't know the interviewer either. A good interviewer will often have follow up questions to an answer, and sometimes a lively dialogue will ensue from just one question. However he just asks a question, gets the answer, and moves straight on to the next question. It's so stilted.
Having said all that, Fawlty Towers was pure genius, and Sybil is an absolute legend. There wasn't an ounce of camera time wasted in any episode.
Why the heck is the interviewer so incredibly cold and stiff?
He is just being British. I don't think there is anything wrong in that, is there?
the interviewer is Joe Mace he was a presenter on a Show called LIVE&KICKING in the early 2000s whenever i turned on I remember he never looked directly into camera when he presented to all the viewers at home. That used to irritate me as I was one of the viewers. they must have thought he was useless because he only lasted 1 year on the show and I think he got replaced by Fearne Cotton. So you're fair to agree with me cold and stiff sounds about right.
I was always caught between wanting to support her character or John’s. I was never sure whether I wanted Basil to get away with what he was doing or for her to put a stop to his nonsense. They defied the typical hero and villain roles and it made the show so much fun by amplifying the comedy. Loved the show.
Simply the funniest female comedy character ever
Flying Tart! lol
I remember waching Fawlty Towers when the series was first broadcast. I'd never laughed so much in my life. Only laughed as loud years later when I went to see 'Life of Brian' at the Odeon in Leicester Square.
Yes I remember it being the funniest show of all time on its first broadcast and it's still the same now. Even when you know all the lines, it never gets old.
Supreme actress and such lovely person ❤
She could not be any more adorable. Scene-stealer extraordinaire.
Basil !
Who onearth is the school kid
interviewing???
HE NEEDS TO SMARTEN UP
AND ...NOT .....SHOUT .!!!!!
I'm glad to see she's much nicer in real life!
Her voice in real life is much better too. Great actress!
A beautiful woman and actress.
This interview is perfect from her side but spoilt by the awful interviewer who has no talent whatsoever.
Everyone did an excellent job.
She's simply lovely here!
She’s one of a kind, just as her name.
incredible woman!
4:18
Lovely lady, thanks so much for sharing this; we love watching her with husband Timothy West in the "Canal Journeys" programme, which is delightful.
Thanks for this ! When was this interview conducted ? She has aged considerably but was still a very attractive woman.
Absolutely us a classic...and paased in to our kids for viewing....they love it so much, that they know many lines by heart
Prunella unforgettable but the interviewer was truly forgettable.
Interviewer looks exactly like the chef from the show.
She looks exactly the same, except older. Same clothes, same hair...
I saw Prunella Scales live on stage in a one woman show playing Queen Victoria, she was brilliant. 😊
She is so gracious much like a Southern lady.
She’s the complete antithesis of her character
Why these black and white shots? Totally unnecessary! Something wrong with the cameras?
Prunella was perfect and played the part brilliantly. Still the funniest sitcom ever that I never tire of watching - uniquely English I think.
An extremely refined and shy lady
Beautiful lady
Great series and great actors and writing
Boring interview, put a smile and laughter when interviewing such legendary actress.
Maybe I'm alone but I thought Sybil was really cute and attractive.
Sybil was so brilliantly portrayed. No one could have done it better. I’m thrilled to know that Prunella is nothing like her; it just shows what a consummate actress she is.