An Interview With Prunella Scales - Fawlty Towers Special Features

[@alwaysblake148]

Her performance in Fawlty Towers is legendary. Perfect in every way.

[@dangeroreilly2028]

"What is that racket?" "It's Brahms. Brahms' third racket."

[@ImadSul12]

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

[@teveve31]

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.

[@newshound2521]

@@teveve31 private school most likely

[@-Tidgy]

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.

[@davepowell7168]

​@@-TidgyReceived pronunciation is surprisingly unpopular with commoners.

[@EricTheBlue61]

​​@@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.

[@juliamcintyre5012]

She's just a fabulous lady and an excellent actress..

[@davidewhite69]

“In a moment my little piranha fish" one of the greatest husband/wife banters in the history of TV

[@danw1374]

Basils other one was "My little nest of vipers" lol

[@Knappa22]

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.

[@alexmorgan3435]

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.

[@petyrkowalski9887]

She was utterly brilliant as Sybil. Poor Basil was always terrified of her.

[@ELLIOT1311]

Petyr Kowalski owww I know

[@asherrich2666]

Like Manuel was scared of Basil’s quick temper

[@alexmorgan3435]

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.

[@oliverdots]

The expertise of their skills

[@MrMoggyman]

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.

[@clarissamcpigeon7857]

Sybil's overuse of "... I know!" was so legendary that Prunella reprised it in other roles.

[@roseault6335]

She us stunningly beautiful and clever!!!!

[@nathelondon3719]

She raised Sybil from the page and turned her into an iconic, unforgettable role.

[@jasonhurd4379]

Such an attractive lady. So quiet and soft-spoken. She seems almost shy.

[@Nimmy..]

U find grannys attractive😂😂😂

[@munimathbypeterfelton6251]

Quite the opposite of Cybil Fawlty.

[@TonyEnglandUK]

I had such a crush on her when Fawlty Towers was first shown. She just had .... something.

[@forgottenpalace4472]

Yes, she still looks great.

[@David_P132]

@@TonyEnglandUK Exactly!

[@dlittlester]

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.

[@stephenwilliams1269]

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.

[@dontbefatuousjeffrey2494]

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.

[@SJMJ91]

I found Prunella Scales adorable in Fawlty Towers and even now despite being in her 80s, she's still a beautiful woman.

[@slushg3326]

SJMJ91 She has Alzheimer’s now it’s so depressing. This interview is from some years ago.

[@finalgirl9474]

She's beautiful because she's in her 80s, not in spite of that. Elderly women are lovely. :)

[@sandrajovic9304]

sj, I agree 👍

[@futball24]

I always thought she was hot back then.

[@roseault6335]

Is she really in her 80s!? Shes more beautiful than most young women!!!!!

[@SuperAna1954]

I love her work and I wish her all the best, now as she is not in a good condition. Bless her. Thank you.

[@tomservo5347]

I have the utmost respect for a lady married to the same man for over 50 years-especially in this line of work.

[@vacuumelite2065]

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

[@TLH442]

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.

[@vacuumelite2065]

@@TLH442... splendid. 12 portions. Enjoy. Woven into the bedlam are some touching moments. 😊

[@tomzeeh6618]

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.

[@KB4QAA]

Prunella is such a great actress and adorable.

[@MikeFloutier]

Lovely lady, thanks so much for sharing this; we love watching her with husband Timothy West in the "Canal Journeys" programme, which is delightful.

[@PeterBDSBDS]

I still find Prunella attractive. Those were excellent times!

[@ELLIOT1311]

PeterBDS13 BDS13 god she was classy in Fawlty towers .

[@josdenis3684]

Supreme actress and such lovely person ❤

[@TheCarruthers85]

That is a brilliant backstory to the marriage.

[@danheilman7729]

Pru is so great. I wish her the best as she struggles through old age.

[@terencehennegan1439]

There was a Romanticism to Fawlty Towers that took its audience to a fun place. The best comedy show of all.

[@andrewp4172]

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.

[@TerryClarkAccordioncrazy]

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.

[@louiem2]

Prunella Scales, you are fantastic :)

[@alexmorgan3435]

" 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.

[@Phillyfan45]

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.

[@marcmitchel25]

First off-Fawlty experience I've had of the dear lady. Absolute pure class.

[@ThatGaz]

Love Prunella

[@TheMotorman1981]

I have always liked her hair

[@fQsfHi]

I'd say there is 99% per cent chance that it's a wig. Those were very popular in early 70's.

[@mejustme683]

@@fQsfHi it looks quite similar to her hair in this

[@HaydnGuite-c4s]

A very fine actress and a thoroughly decent person. No one else could've played Sybil Fawlty like Prunella did. It's amazing to think that this lady, Connie Booth and of course John Cleese are all still with us. Let's treasure her while she's still around Love you Miss Scales ❤ 😊

[@cryptomonkey6142]

I saw Prunella Scales live on stage in a one woman show playing Queen Victoria, she was brilliant. 😊

[@danheilman7729]

She could not be any more adorable. Scene-stealer extraordinaire.

[@majortom6382]

Absolutely us a classic...and paased in to our kids for viewing....they love it so much, that they know many lines by heart

[@jamesf8651]

Absolute genius john cleese what a great comedy, just could of done with a few more series😄

[@seangentile5586]

Everyone did an excellent job.

[@oscresson]

This is how I will remember her. Wonderful.

[@klauspendolo1393]

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

[@brianperry]

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...

[@markwillies4330]

As well as an interview by list of questions creature

[@diadigi1]

Soooo funny that she starts with „I really don’t know” 😁

[@carlozabbia1157]

A perfect cast and perfect writing.

[@U2WB]

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.

[@capitalistdingo]

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.

[@davidraymondbennett]

What a lovely woman. She was brilliant in the show.

[@EdVanMeyer]

Great series and great actors and writing

[@pauloliver1842]

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....

[@frankhogan7541]

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.

[@swingmanic]

She's simply lovely here!

[@joanborger702]

I have always loved her. What a lovely person she is.

[@ianbentley7276]

lovely classy lady.

[@haroldofcardboard]

incredible woman!

[@NoahSpurrier]

She was perfect in her role.

[@kdee8166]

Prunella was perfect and played the part brilliantly. Still the funniest sitcom ever that I never tire of watching - uniquely English I think.

[@RadicalCaveman]

I'm glad to see she's much nicer in real life!

[@franziskakre8309]

Her voice in real life is much better too. Great actress!

[@jasonking6892]

Great in Hobsons Choice

[@paulhubbard252]

There's so much in every episode It seems longer than most sitcoms when it comes on now I can't help but watch it I lost count many moons ago

[@dublinjazz1]

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.

[@jspud10]

Interviewer is rubbish! Prunella is graceful and handled it well.

[@withonelook1985]

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 didn't like the way the video alternated between colour and black and white, what's that all about?

[@haroldofcardboard]

@@withonelook1985 agreed.

[@sandrajovic9304]

Shut up Jason...she's always well mannered cuz she wouldn't think he's rubbish. He's a normal guy and probably nervous.

[@michaelmerriam1979]

@@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.

[@daleywhaley]

Brilliant insight, thank you for sharing.

[@pattyperkins5007]

She is so gracious much like a Southern lady.

[@peteowen3539]

I’ve come back to it after a long break and dug the dvds out. Actually I had to buy series one again as I couldn’t find it. The whole thing is superb, although I have a slight preference for Series One. That is absolutely out of this world.

[@AntonHu]

Totally lovely lady and a great actress. In the 90s, I saw her one-woman show on Queen Victoria and realised then what a great professional she was.

[@michaeldevaney5728]

An extremely refined and shy lady

[@bobbylee2853]

She’s one of a kind, just as her name.

[@johnkehoe646]

Simply the funniest female comedy character ever

[@ncf1]

she's amazing.

[@soldtobediers]

Only thing that held me. my wife & my kids together in those days of PBS. The The Towers pace really moved the air just as Prunella had stated. ''Now there are artists who'll wrest us up & will place us into themselves & into their works. These are the one's who'll continue to wrest us up... far & beyond their appointed rests in peace. Seek after these ones who'll continue... but seek even more for the very Author of them all.'' ~William Gilpin 3522

[@sell196]

fantastic , everyone in the serie !!! a pcc of art !!!

[@drsprof6295]

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.

[@aivopark]

Love her.

[@BillyBronco73]

She's frightfully posh.

[@katycheeseburger]

See I’m not so would’ve said she’s fuckin posh.

[@victorm1559]

Love this woman ❤️

[@martinloney6322]

I loved it when she laughed in the interview.

[@nickdavidelijah]

wonderful actress and never knew that was her accent!

[@AGAZAH]

Great questions.

[@londoner6376]

Curious interviewer...from another planet..

[@pauljohnson2982]

She's lovely!

[@mikereseigh]

Maybe I'm alone but I thought Sybil was really cute and attractive.

[@thesceptic1018]

Love! including the suppressed yawn at 6.30

[@RonRicho]

I love her!!

[@chrisnewman7281]

She’s the complete antithesis of her character

[@IBIZABIKE]

Beautiful lady

[@TheBee87bee]

Sweet ,charming and lovely lady! Rest in Peace darling Prunella.

[@Jeffelson]

She's not dead...

[@Ericwvb2]

She's 89 years old but unfortunately suffering from dementia. She's not dead!

[@benters3509]

God bless her!

[@groovo1]

4:18

[@SeanWaters-z1g]

You can definitely hear Sybil Fawlty on the Pongwiffy audiobooks she narrated! 🎧🤣

[@0mnicide]

Interviewer looks exactly like the chef from the show.

[@0201-n6d]

I saw her in Room at the Top (1959) in a short episode were she was young 20-something sweet girl playing the receptionist. Totally different from cold and tough Sybil character.

[@andrewescalona8447]

PRUNNA YOU ARE A BEAUTIFUL LADY AND STILL GOING STRONG

[@QXZJX]

Brilliant actress❤

[@bowedebrand2088]

Shes sooo sweet!❤❤

[@marccurcio1]

Did she always have big hair, or did she just take home all the wigs from the set?

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

Flying Tart! lol

[@mobiustrip1400]

BASIL! BASSSIL! yes dear...

[@claudiojunior9618]

I'll still be watching faulty towers in 2080.

[@NathanElcoate]

She's beautiful in every way.

[@yiannakisyiannakou4819]

Pru is a fine lady and actress!!!

[@arlichar11]

shes so lovely

[@neisham7478]

she’s so eloquent

[@michaeldevaney5728]

She seems a really shy lasy and very refined so much different from her part in the sitcom she is unusually shy

[@MyraMarks]

Why does this keep alternating between colour and black-and-white?