American Reacts Fawlty Towers S01E01 A Touch of Class

[@NeilusNihilus]

Don't worry if we can't see the full picture, we have all seen Fawlty Towers, it's the reaction we are here for. This is perfectly fine as it is if it works.

[@primalengland]

You just preempted everyone’s comment. 👍

[@normiron736]

Agreed

[@markmorris7123]

I dont mind about the picture. But I haven't seen all of fawlty towers, and I'm not here to just watch someones face react to something.. I watch him to learn stuff...

[@NeilusNihilus]

@@markmorris7123 What do you except to learn from watching a Fawlty Towers ep? The history of Britain?

[@branthall1787]

@@markmorris7123 Then watch the episodes yourself online...?

[@stewartcohen-jones2949]

For me this is the greatest of all sitcoms. None better. To say it gets better is the biggest understatement in comedy. 12 episodes of pure gold. The speed and timing of this show is like the inner workings of a very expensive Swiss clock.

[@Uvray]

This and Rising Damp.

[@nedludd7622]

"Yes, Minister" and "Absolutely Fabulous" for two. If you want an American comedy series, the best is "Dream On", it was on HBO.

[@cpmahon]

Really pleased that you've watched a full episode. Adjusted for inflation £200 would be about £1440/$1800 today.

[@gotham61]

In September 1975 when this originally aired, a UK pound was worth a little over $2 USD, so it's really more like $3000

[@jerryhayes9497]

The Basil Fawlty character is based on a real hotel owner named Sinclair, whom John Cleese described as the rudest man he ever met.😂😂 But he also realised a person like that would make a great comic character for a sit-com

[@Lar308]

I met a real life Basil Fawlty when I was staying in a hotel in France while on a motoring tour. After a night out on the town (can't remember where) I could not remember my hotel room number so asked the guy at the desk to check my room number for me. He muttered something not very flattering in French and reprogrammed my key and told me what my room number was but he in my view deliberately programmed my key for somebody else's room. I then to my horror barged in to somebody else's room while they were sleeping causing them alarm. I should have made a complaint but we were leaving early the next morning so I had no time.

[@anthonynesbitt3011]

Don't worry about the small screen, most of us have seen theese shows a thousand times already, especially here in the UK, so we still understand what's going on, and fans of Fawlty Towers remember every episode down to the smallest detail. My only bug bear is, perhaps you could drink from a normal sized bottle, and not a fuel can witch completely obscures what little screen we can see. Other than that, great to see you reacting to full episodes, hope it don't get pulled.

[@andreaslindblom9140]

Me thimks the "small can" is for not get discovered by the ebutuoy gazpacho´s!!🤔What the fudge do I know! Cheers from Sweden!! 🤪

[@no-oneinparticular7264]

😂 😂

[@annedunne4526]

Yes I agree. It was the huge bottle that obscured the screen.

[@CowmanUK]

​@@andreaslindblom9140 exactly, same reason he sometimes shifted himself in front of the screen. Purposely done for a reason. Ironically, he blocks it to prevent it being blocked.

[@obikenobi1906]

fuel can hahaha

[@no-oneinparticular7264]

Make sure you look at the sign outside the hotel at the start of every episode . It always is a hilarious anagram of the name Fawlty Towers....so clever.

[@Duff1701]

Flowery Twats!

[@vilebrequin6923]

Those towels need urgently laundering!

[@reinholdmueller4882]

Fawlty Towers has 12 episodes and they are getting better and better, but "the Germans" and "Basil the Rat" are my favorite episodes.

[@jj9nf]

Ees no rat, ees khamster!

[@Harpy-Mark-Tomlinson]

Gourmet evening is my favourite. I was rolling with laughter when he thrashed his car because it wouldn't start.🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@mikerochburns4104]

Kipper and the Corpse is my favourite. When they walk in on the dude blowing up his blow-up doll 😂

[@smithge4uk]

The Psychiatrist is a corker too.....'There's enough material there for a whole conference'

[@stevenlagoe7808]

There isn't one bad episode of Fawlty Towers. If you enjoyed this one, especially now you have an idea of the characters, you'll LOVE the other eleven. Fingers crossed the Copyright Gods smile on you!

[@davidz3879]

True, but I'd say s2 e5, the Anniversary is the least good ep.

[@margaretflounders8510]

@@davidz3879 Me too didn't like it at all..

[@stevenlagoe7808]

@@davidz3879 I agree. My least favourite also.

[@wobaguk]

They have a way of pulling everything together beautifully in the last minutes of the episode, that is really a touch of class.

[@Youtube_Stole_My_Handle_Too]

I laughed at this almost fifty years ago. When people can still laugh at it, this must mean it's a classic.

[@BrianMac2601]

It's totally absurd, but totally hilarious. As a hotel worker I can definitely see the parallels lol.

[@ibanonymous2644]

An actress plays he's wife in the show but he's real wife is the actress who plays the housekeeper/waitress (she's American) and he also co wrote the show with her.

[@thatsthat2612]

How tf did I not know he was married to her 😂

[@TelfordO]

Just 12 episodes were made, i must have seen them all more than 30 times each.

[@powjj]

It was a great way to show it. Well better than translucent that everyone else does. Looking forward to the rest of them!

[@c_n_b]

Agreed!

[@Obi-J]

Hi Connor. Keep an eye out for the hotel sign right at the beginning of each episode, the letters spelling Fawlty Towers are rearranged each time.

[@frank4792]

Will never get sick of watching Fawlty

[@stevecrane6163]

English nobility in order of rank - Royal Duke, Duke, Marquiss, Earl, Victount, Baron and Baronet. The major, Ballard Berkley was a British film star in the 1930-s-50's but his role in Fawlty Towers made him famous again.

[@Xerrand]

But a male Earl, Duke or Royal Duke would still just be addressed as "Lord whatever" wouldn't they? I have very seldom heard those actual ranks used publicly. They're always just called a Lord.

[@raphaelperry8159]

This is a perfect example of the farce as a theatrical form. frequent misunderstandings, characters dashing in and out of doors constantly, everything happening very quickly etc.

[@alanleys]

FINALLY full episodes. ~ Good job, Connor. The episodes get better too. 🙂

[@marvelstarwarsgeek1511]

Love the way Basil goes from being rude and brusque to Melbery until he finds out who he is and then goes into total creep and fawning mode so funny 😂 Basil is such a snob 😅

[@tonybaker55]

Glad you are enjoying the whacky comedy of Cleese and Booth.

[@shadowside8433]

The funniest bit is where Basil opens the suitcase and discovers the bricks - he has to use just about all his 5 senses to 'prove' to himself that they are actually bricks as he bangs them together and smells them.... hillarious.

[@ariadnepyanfar1048]

The sound level between you and the show is excellent. Don’t worry about the partially obscured picture, in theory all of we the audience have seen it before. When I was a child of about 8 I occasionally got so embarrassed for Mr Fawlty I’d hide behind the couch, and one episode it was so excruciating I hid out in the corridor, just waiting for it to be over. As an adult I can see his wounds are all self inflicted, and riotously funny.

[@jkpole]

A GOLD MINE of humor and you had the picture JUST RIGHT... Keep up the great work you do.... With thanks

[@joyfulzero853]

BTW Connie Booth, who plays the waitress, was John Cleese's wife at the time and the co-creator and co-writer of Fawlty Towers.

[@Stevenc1984]

Loved it, thanks for getting a full episode. Make sure you do Only Fools and Horses too!

[@craigmorris4083]

Just two things, one is that you must pay particular attention to each episode from it's beginning to it's end, and that the paper boy is terribly important.

[@andreduarte8372]

How? I've been rewatching these since the 90s and never noticed, is he the one who messes around with the sign outside?

[@craigmorris4083]

@@andreduarte8372, spoiler alert . . . . . Yes, the paperboy is the one that is messing with the signs. It's his revenge for the way he was treated in the first episode.

[@andreduarte8372]

@@craigmorris4083 Thank you! How incredible that there are still new details to be found even after all these decades.

[@TerryD15]

He owns the Hotel. John Cleese wass inspired to make this show after spending a couple of days in a UK south coast hotel while filming and the owner was a grumpy, inefficient harridan who hated being interrupted by his customers.

[@stevehanham9266]

Best comedy series ever! Glad you enjoyed it. Looking forward to more. Regards from across the pond. 😊😎🎸🇬🇧🇺🇦

[@cookiesroblox6759]

Yes More Faulty Towers Connor.. loved watching you react to this.. this programme is a classic & you'll get everyone's vote for more x

[@johnhewett9483]

you are the only reviewer who has managed to show the full show instead of meaningless clips... great job

[@StuartJ]

Finally! A full episode. Can't wait until you get to series 2, episode 1.

[@MsCheesemonster13]

It really works watching it like this. 👍 Thanks for the full episode.

[@AS-uy1nx]

so awesome you're watching Fawlty Towers. Classic!

[@dannycheesums]

Was awesome watching this along with you while I had lunch today bro. I live in England and love this show although it’s a little too close to home - my parents are basically Basil and Sybil hahaha

[@slashdisco]

Connor watching an actual episode of something instead of WatchMojo clips?! I'M DEAD!!! Way to go, can't wait to get into this!

[@Uvray]

Long before the days of the internet I saw a letter to a newspaper here in the UK from an American. He said he'd seen Fawlty Towers on TV and thought it was just a comedy show. But then he said he visited England and realized it's a documentary.

[@Blue-qr7qe]

Beautiful - 'glad you enjoyed this. Fawlty is an aspiring middle class character who despises his own social status. He is a snob, destined to fail at becoming somithing more. But he won't let that stop him. The show is a joy. I hope you'll react to the entire series. 'Really cool reaction - i enjoyed it a lot. Thanks -

[@scipioafricanus5871]

26:41 Duke is the highest title in the Peerage hierarchy, and "Lord" is a catch-all title for all the other titles in the Peerage which after 1) Duke, is as follows: 2) marquess, 3) earl, 4) viscount, 5) baron.

[@Salfordian]

£100 back in 1975 works out at £719.10 today or $885.72

[@seancorker5815]

You’ve just watched what most people believe is the best sitcom ever made in this country. It’s just genius from start to finish.

[@muppster84]

Best show ever, its said that John Cleese actually became burnt out and a bit crazy from playing this role 😂

[@dav7444]

Seen it so many times - don't worry. Glad you enjoyed it

[@bernadettelanders7306]

We were lucky in Australia to watch Faulty Towers and so much British comedy. Even though like others, I’ve watched each episode stacks of times, I still love it and laugh 😂

[@MrFalconhead]

Lmao we already cant see much and then you pull out the biggest bottle of water i have ever seen and take a swig, blocking the whole lot for a sec XD *edit Also its only 12 episodes unfortunately, you will love it it only gets better lol :)

[@keithwatkins7908]

Great that you enjoyed a classic comedy, that never ages.

[@bencodykirk]

Oh I think it has aged, but in a good way. Not only can we laugh at Basil, Manuel, etc. but we can also laugh at the 70s fashion and technology (or lack thereof!). It's really great to see someone so young enjoy something so old. Not enough of that anymore.

[@lingual1360]

The series gets better and better!

[@lightplane]

Connie Booth, who plays Polly, was married to John Cleese at the time. They wrote the show together. They said they had so much fun getting Basil into tighter and tighter situations. Best comedy ever made.

[@AbsolutePernilla]

"Is this a piece of your brain?" is my all time favorite line. Not this episode but the best episode. Enjoy your Fawlty Towers experience. It never leaves you, even after you check out....

[@robertmckinnon6564]

My favourite line is when the major was talking about an ex-girlfriend - "I took her to see Inidia.....at The Oval"

[@robertmckinnon6564]

sorry, India

[@fredrikjelkefors9336]

Sidney operahouse prehaps😂😂😂

[@elunedlaine8661]

You should check the hotel name at the beginning of each episode, it changes

[@iankelly5387]

This is classic English 1970's innocent comedy!!!

[@worthalook4870]

Classic. Certainly in my top 5 along with Only Fools And Horses, Blackadder, Open All Hours and Rising Damp

[@VaultedSound]

McJibbin, you need to go straight to S02E03 "Waldorf Salad" after this. Featuring an american guest with his English wife. One of the best episodes!

[@dannjp75]

Farty Tower Flay Otters Fatty Owls Warty Towels Flowery Twats All been used as signs in the opening credits 😂😂

[@Cobalt-Jester]

I hope you stick with it. Don't worry about the picture size or anything like that. Most of your UK viewers have seen this show numerous times. It's one of the all time greats. There's only a hand full of episodes, 12 i think over 2 seasons. It's really easy to bingewatch. This is the perfect opening episode it sets up all the characters and setting while still being very funny. Most first episodes sets things up and then in episode 2 we get into the good stuff. But as this only had a small number of episodes it really does get right into the comedy from the start. And, as with every sitcom, it gets better and better. But unlike other sitcoms it ends before it starts getting tired and repetative.

[@binkbonusgbr]

Spot the additional film set through the double doors in the dining room. It's meant to be the kitchen but I believe it's the bar area.

[@John-i8k9n]

The exterior scenes were of the clubhouse of a golf course in Devon. Sadly the building has been demolished and replaced by a housing estate. Someone suggested putting some kind of plaque to commemorate the site but the local council refused permission.

[@eikthesheik]

Yes! Do them all!!! 😁😁😁😁

[@AllenFreemanMediaGuru]

When Basil has his awkward moment waiting for Manuel, he mentions the weather is good for the wheat. Cleese said that rich people often mention the wheat.

[@dazparry1580]

One of the episodes has an american guest who doesnt put up with basil's crap. I'll be watching. 👍

[@SB-wq6nr]

The highest grade is duke/duchess, followed by marquess/marchioness, earl/countess, viscount/viscountess and baron/baroness. Dukes and duchesses are addressed with their actual title, but all other ranks of the peerage have the appellation Lord or Lady. Non hereditary life peers are also addressed as Lord or Lady.

[@soltierney535]

I had a Spanish friends that told me they loved watching this show when they were a child back in Spain, It was dubbed into Spanish so I asked how did they handle the manuel character coming from Barcelona and not understanding anyone, they just made him Mexican instead lol..

[@Phildough]

Don't wanna be that guy but he was an Italian waiter called Paolo in the Spanish dub.

[@stewedfishproductions7959]

@@Phildough Actually, both of you are correct, depending where in Spain @Sol Tierney's friends come from. Because, the Spanish dub of the show broadcast in Spain, the character was changed to an Italian from Naples called Paolo. But In the Catalan TV3 channel (based in Barcelona) version, Manuel's origin was changed to Mexico City and the character has a Mexican accent. By the way, the French version also gives his nationality as Mexican!

[@Phildough]

@@stewedfishproductions7959 Cool, did not know that!

[@stewedfishproductions7959]

@@Phildough - Then you might like this too? In the UK original storyline for "The Anniversary", he wants to make Spanish 'paella'. But when dubbed as playing Paolo, it is changed to Italian 'lasagna', he hopes to cook.

[@Steven-eg8be]

Duke is higher than Lord. Duke ranks under Prince. But some dukes are royal, like Prince William and The Grand Duke of Luxembourg for example, while other dukes are noble.

[@squirepraggerstope3591]

Only 2 series ever made and the episodes just keep getting even better.

[@franchk8372]

So good and funny watching Fawlty again after all these years. Thanks! 💙

[@Nekotaku_TV]

Yeeees! One of the best things ever shown on TV. Glad you're doing it.

[@frozengamer3030]

Yes finally

[@wildwine6400]

Duke is far higher than a Lord. Duke/Duchess is as high as the noble titles go besides a prince/princess or king/queen i believe but they can be a Duke or Duchess aswell ofcourse as an extra title

[@paulmurphy5648]

There are only 12 episodes Conner. I think you will enjoy Fawlty Towers. We, in the UK, have seen them many times so this format is fine. Please do the full episodes of Blackadder next...

[@robertobrien5709]

Don't worry about the not having the full screen, everyone in the U.K has probably watched Fawlty Towers at least 50-100 times each so know every shot and what is happening and would still be able to watch along blindfolded and not miss a moment.

[@megdelaney3677]

Thank you! Love Fawlty Towers!

[@Nefarioso]

All the times Basil is attempting to put up the painting, he never once has a hammer and nail.

[@ClassicWorld19]

Love that you're doing these, Connor!! :D

[@oc888]

This was not actually filmed in Torquay but at a country club in Buckinghamshire ( the outside building used as the front of Fawlty Towers in the credits) the inside stuff filmed at bbc television centre and the scenery was very wobbly as they had a low budget to spend

[@linkspeaks]

this is probably the best sitcom ever made

[@gloriahoulihan8717]

When you take a drink it blocks the picture Connor.Your body is covering a lot of the picture too. All the best.

[@glenn20081965]

Series 2 Episode 1 Communication Problems with the wonderful Joan Saunderson is the funniest ever.

[@robinfereday6562]

Pure genius in all aspects I will watch it till the day I die

[@felixbetula8772]

Hello. Good though it is, I'm almost certain that you've been watching a recently censored version. When Sybil is going out, I recall that Basil originally said "Drive carefully, dear. Don't go over any landmines or anything." Changing times!

[@jonowhitney5515]

Great reaction..please watch them all. Perfect layout

[@neuralwarp]

In descending order, there are about 25 dukes, 30 marquesses, 200 earls, 150 viscounts, and 900 barons. Lord could be any of them, but it usually only means barons. Under lords are baronets then knights (Sir).

[@lovisalindstrom7920]

This is like the greatest comedy serie of all time. I have them all on VHS and watched them thousands of times in my life. Super bra!!! Love Sweden. A stressed and high strung character with wonderful co stars, a recipe for funny possibilities.

[@nem447]

What makes it even more impressive is that it's recorded in front of a live studio audience.

[@jessovenden]

This is possibly the best comedy series ever made. It’s very old and we’ve all seen it before. I think I’ve seen it about 15 to 20 times. We don’t care about your screen, I think I first saw it on a black and white tv 📺 Subscribing now.

[@101steel4]

An absolute classic.

[@davidcooks5265]

Connor this is up your street 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 keep up the good work 🤠

[@smithpm81]

and the picture looks fab, do this for the whole series

[@robertkarlsson7157]

Thanx, we in sweden cant see the original video👍🤣

[@Johnboyy76]

Connor, it was an honour (yeah it's got an 'o' in it) and a privilege to watch that with you. I've watched many many videos with you and watched you learn and yeah, I've leant too. I'm British though so my education was quite good so not a lot is new to me, but we've definitely learnt together over these last few years. I've watched you react to A LOT of British comedy and it's safe to say that 'you get it now'. That is why it's going to be such a joy watching Fawlty Towers with you because it's one of the best. I look forward to every episode and every one already has a pre-emptive like.

[@usecode___7453]

When he kisses her and she aks what hes doin and he sais "well kissing you my dear" her "well don't" absolutely kills me even seeing it for the tenth time

[@jakedee4117]

Duke is higher than Lord, there's a whole bunch of old rules about this sort of stuff called the order of precedence.

[@lifelongcollector1737]

You stopped the episode before the last scene had actually finished.

[@petermitchell6348]

There is one member of staff that appears to do nothing, but give orders. His wife!

[@free_gold4467]

She actually manages the hotel.

[@nedludd7622]

"half a bottle of Beaujolais" in the dining room at 13:45.

[@davidrowlands441]

Every episode is brilliant.

[@Bareego]

Loved the choice of paintings, haha.

[@eddiezweers4158]

@10:58 Because Basil Fawlty is the hotelier of 'Fawlty Towers'. He owns the damn place, that's why! 😂🤣😂

[@Duff1701]

The actress Connie Booth playing Polly Sherman in the show is American!

[@timranachan3224]

Wait till you see "The Americans ", Waldorf Salad anyone?

[@johnhood3172]

British People have seen this series so many times we have lost count, I never get tired of it , one of funniest scenes was when got angry with his car and hit with a tree branch , if you want more of John , may I suggest you try to see his movie CLOCKWISE, also very funny. Regards JH