Fawlty Towers: An interesting view

From the episode "Communication Problems" - Basil gets somewhat frustrated about a picky, and deaf, guest.
If you have any favourite clips from the show, let us know and we'll upload them!
All copyrights belong to the BBC.

[@7MatthewJames]

“You call that a bath? It’s not big enough to drown a mouse, it’s disgraceful” “I wish you were a mouse, I’d show you” 😂😂😂

[@vanessalouise8988]

🤣

[@SuperAd1980]

I'm not paying £7.20 per night, plus VAT, for a room without a bath!

[@7MatthewJames]

@@SuperAd1980 there is your bath

[@jocelynayub5027]

@@SuperAd1980 The joys of inflation!

[@meganescriven3198]

"No the radio works you don't" Gets me every time no matter how many times I hear it

[@HalfWomanHalfHobNob]

'I'll see if I can fix it, you scabby old bat' 😂

[@Peace17292]

Excuse me, is this a piece of your brain?😂

[@15smyth]

One of my favourite episodes. "Is this a piece of your brain" 😂

[@charlottemobbs168]

Me and my siblings absolutely died at that line when we were little. It's such a classic series, it's sad to think that the modern generations won't watch it.

[@rjjcms1]

My friend at school kept finding real life opportunities for saying that after seeing it.

[@georgejacob3162]

DOWN the stairs? Say Hello to the earth's core for me!

[@BenBanjo87]

"What did you _expect_ to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window? Sydney Opera House, perhaps? The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically across..." I used to wish some sour-faced customer would complain about their hostel bedroom view, so that I could use that golden line in retaliation!! 😂😂

[@Simon0]

Just hang around in random hotels someone's bound to be upset about the view eventually then you can use your line 😁

[@johnclements2395]

This was on “Only Connect” a few weeks ago and neither team got it.

[@mysticwolf75]

"Because Krakatoa isn't erupting at the moment?" 😁

[@samalvey8168]

​@@mysticwolf75 "Because the room is cold, the bath is too small, the view is invisible and the radio doesn't work."

[@mysticwolf75]

@@samalvey8168 "No, the radio works, you don't". 😃

[@simongee8928]

The script, the timing of the deliveries of the lines and exchange of facial expressions plus the quality of the actors makes this a classic scene up there with the best.

[@rphb5870]

I don't understand why this series only had 1 season, it should at least have had 3

[@simongee8928]

@@rphb5870 Possibly Cleese and Booth, the scriptwriters had other commitments, but also, get out while you're on a run is a good philosophy.

[@0532MOET]

@@rphb5870 It had 2 seasons of 6 episodes, that was pretty normal down here in Torquay

[@rphb5870]

@@0532MOET well it could have had twice as many. John Clease was married to the one playing Polly at the time and got divorced after the second season, but the series could have easily gone on without her, John Cleese more or less carried it on his own

[@0532MOET]

@@rphb5870 Right so maybe there could have been more if it wasn't for that

[@philhartman1948]

"Well may i suggest that you consider moving to a hotel closer to the sea. Or preferably in it." *Hilarious line!* 🤣

[@julianlockwood3040]

So hard to pick a favorite episode, but I think this is mine. Joan Sanderson’s portrayal of Mrs Richards was absolute perfection. Bravo !

[@alastairjhunter3666]

Joan was brilliant in “please sir” if your old enough to remember that.

[@malcolmabram2957]

The psychiatrist was my favourite, especially the scene when Basil tried o look through a window up a ladder.

[@Peace17292]

Nothing beats Basil the Rat.. 😂

[@tonygunk8261]

Joan Sanderson was reluctant to play the part of such a rude character. Thankfully John Cleese talked her into it.

[@malcolmabram2957]

@@tonygunk8261 Gosh, now I realise that she was actually a nice person, not a dragon. Thanks for the update.

[@johnjoyce341]

The interaction and dialogue in this scene is simply brilliant.

[@georgecampbellvideos3517]

The one time we were all on Basil's side 🤣

[@dnhy7951]

I was always on his side.

[@Simon0]

I'm always on Basil's side. Especially when he's trying to make a Waldorf salad 🥗🥗

[@dnhy7951]

@@Simon0 In one sense,I think it was a poor episode.The American walks all over Basil and he doesn't really get any measure of revenge- not even a cream pie in the kisser,nothing.

[@Simon0]

@@dnhy7951 yeah that's true but it's still brilliant mind you every episode is brilliant 🤣

[@leafyutube]

You forgot the rude spoiled kid in the dining room.

[@imanihekima1659]

A bit of trivia: The music heard at 1:58 when Basil switches on the radio is called "Leisure Complex", from the 1973 album by British composer Alan Hawkshaw titled 'Happy Rainbows'.

[@FoodForThought356]

That is trivia on another level, take a bow 😄

[@buggulugs]

No, no, no! It is 'Spill the Blood ' by Slayer.

[@Cosford869]

Thank you for that, I love that sort of seventies background music.

[@DUCKDUCKGOISMUCHBETTER]

How on earth did you know that? I wouldn't begin to how to start looking.

[@imanihekima1659]

@@DUCKDUCKGOISMUCHBETTER Sorry for the late reply. I'm a fan of lots of 1970s tv incidental music that was first released as 'library music' on labels such as KPM & De Wolfe. By chance, I was listening to the Happy Rainbows album and there it was. 😊

[@DrumsTheWord]

Joan Sanderson was one of those special side characters in this series that helped to elevate it to where it is now. She's superb!

[@brianmorley7165]

She was brilliant along with Bernard Cribbens in The Hotel Inspector and the American guy in The Waldorf Salad

[@GothGuy885]

I also liked Stephanie Cole when she played Diana on Waiting for god along with Graham Crowden as Tom

[@SkepticalChris]

Mrs Richards was certainly one of Basil Fawlty's more formidable adversaries.

[@georgecoventry8441]

She was the PERFECT guest to lock horns with Basil Fawlty! You could say it was a match (so to speak) made in Hades...or Bedlam. His line about the Sydney Opera House, etc was magnificent! 😂

[@barneywarner5863]

That is Torquay .. possibly the most understated and funniest lines ever

[@keepyourvisionstoyourself1932]

Well, it's not good enough!

[@ryanbasilio9548]

"Would you like me to get it mended" 🤣🤣🤣

[@mksd1236]

Absolute class acting … and truly brilliant writing.

[@robanderson473]

I love Mrs Richards! Joan Sanderson owned that episode and Communication Problems is my all time favourite Fawlty Towers episode. "Is this a piece of your brain?" nuff said! 🤣

[@Avatar1977]

"You hear that alright, didn't you..."

[@rjjcms1]

Clearly,wily old Basil had sussed her out by then.

[@javierortiz6792]

I run an Airbnb. I can tell you: this happen to me once a year or so.

[@Ragnar924]

This is one time you definitely root for Basil!

[@DylanL1909]

“ and another thing, I asked for a room with a view” “ Deaf mad and blind”

[@thatguyfromcetialphaV]

'I want a reduction on my bill!' 'Why? Because Krakatoa isn't erupting?' LMAO!!

[@disneylover6408]

"No, because the room is cold, the bath is too small, the view is invisible and the radio doesn't work"

[@7MatthewJames]

“I’ll see if I can fix it you scabby old bat”

[@Koshkamitsu]

The funniest three minutes in British comedy

[@bazglsgw1208]

Great scene “you should move to a hotel closer to the sea’ preferably in it” 😂

[@nccountry1412]

See, this is how you reason and argue. A true art. Nowadays people don't do that.

[@fh854]

…

[@commanderkeen3787]

Joan Sanderson (Mrs Richards) and Prunella Scales (Sybil) would later go on to play mother and daughter in another British sitcom called After Henry

[@galebailey5583]

Mrs. Richards: the funniest Karen of all time.

[@dnhy7951]

Funny-funny how?She ain't funny.Basil is funny.She is a bloody nightmare.

[@7MatthewJames]

The original Karen perhaps? 🤔

[@jupitorious7925]

Who's Karen ?

[@dnhy7951]

@@jupitorious7925 'Karen' is Americanease for a narky female who is always moaning and complaining about everything.

[@jupitorious7925]

@@dnhy7951 do we have to bring in American basic culture into such witty comedy.. please

[@justinherbert9146]

She was beyond brilliant in this scene - she would have been a great recurring character -- perhaps as his mother or mother in law.

[@DUCKDUCKGOISMUCHBETTER]

That's a great idea!

[@DUCKDUCKGOISMUCHBETTER]

Can you imagine how great she and the Major could have been as regular opponents. 😂

[@GothGuy885]

I was going to say Sybil's mother in law, but then thought No, it would play better to have it be Basil's mother, which would explain why he allows Sybil to emasculate him so. but Either way would still be funny on the whole.

[@pbrn1729]

This was my all time favorite British Comedy ever!!!!!

[@mjbhiggins]

And this is the best scene!

[@cheesecheese6459]

this whole time I thought it was australian since we have a seaside place called torquay as well

[@DUCKDUCKGOISMUCHBETTER]

​@@cheesecheese6459"What did you expect to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window? Kangaroos kickboxing in the parking lot? Men wearing outback hats fighting crocodiles in a river? Visions of the dream time, sweeping majestically across the..." 😂

[@eldrinod]

It doesn’t get any better than this - this is comedy genius...❤️

[@samalvey8168]

"No, the radio works. You don't."

[@7MatthewJames]

I’ll see if I can fix it you scabby old bat

[@7MatthewJames]

“I’ll see if I can fix it you scabby old bat”

[@robertbrindle9827]

I always liked Joan Sanderson as Doris Ewell in Please Sir!...

[@Ebinisti]

*You heard that alright didn't you?!* 😂

[@cloudstrife1983]

Manaher. He manaher!

[@todaysgrailtomorrowsbeater]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Cal157]

40 years on and still as funny..

[@cremebrulee4759]

Such a great show and such great actors.

[@JessemyBeadle]

I love the low budget sets on these old bbc dramas - so comforting

[@Revheadrev]

Personally, this is my favourite episode. This scene especially.

[@MCDONALD6969]

This is just priceless comedy 🤣 why can't they produce stuff like this in 2023

[@sashaking1115]

Wonder what the new series will be like?

[@justas525]

@sashaking1115 I'm very sceptical about the new series. The magic of original can't be replicated

[@sashaking1115]

@@justas525 I do agree. A third series is very long overdue, not to mention unnecessary

[@smiller8133]

Because a certain "WOKE" patrol will be deeply offended on behalf of those they claim to care about.

[@sashaking1115]

@@gatsbygoodwood2575 also, the magic of the series didn’t just come from Basil. It came from Polly, Manuel, Sybil, Terry, the Major, Miss Gatsby and Miss Tibbs, and the various hotel guests.

[@alonzomosley7]

Its so funny this came up randomly today on YT .I was telling friends only last night I dealt with a Mrs Richards she wanted my picnic table in a public park and expected me to vacate it .I brought with my friends this seen esp the view comments .Basil completely nailed these old bags sense of entitlement,just brilliant .

[@x.x.7646]

"May I ask you what you were expecting to see out of a Torquay hotel window? Sydney Opera House, perhaps? The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebees sweeping majetically?" Forever in my sytem to know what grandiosity is.

[@paulallen1539]

Its over there between the land and the sky. What a line!!

[@AlsatiaZevo]

Can I just say, even though it's a backdrop, the view from that room looks great?

[@josdenis3684]

Unforgettable! Great acting!

[@BalwinderSingh-w9m]

There are actually people like this woman. The character was played by the late Joan Sanderson.

[@karimkekhia4369]

ahhhh this is just sooooo epic….my tummy is hurting and manuel right in the middle of the chaos 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 perfect blend

[@Anna-6yh]

OMG this lady is like most of my B&B guests this Summer 😂😂 and I’m acting like Basil 😂🤣🤣

[@StrongBalloonChris]

*Basil saying what we actually want to be able to say during customer service*

[@mikejohnson7210]

This is my favorite episode.

[@robertlembo]

The first 5 times I watched this scene, I laughed harder than I probably ever have in my entire life 👏😂

[@rosielee9557]

The best ever of Fawlty Towers. 😅😅😅

[@stevebrazilio]

"I expect a reduction" "Why, because Krakatoa's not erupting at the moment". Great script, hilarious!

[@RobinetteBowman]

Brings back childhood memories.

[@robsdad7049]

Got the box set of this on DVD. Everytime I watch it it always makes me laugh. Like the psychiatrists episode, whats that saying, they dont make em like that anymore.

[@ivantheterrible2594]

Turn it on, TURN IT ON!

[@DeclanDoocey-bw4ey]

Love this one very very much Trev Dec singer songwriter xx respect Declan ❤

[@johntaylor6345]

Joan Sanderson was a great actress. She's brilliant in this clip. John Cleese is great aswell. I can't see the sea. It's between the land and the sky. Brilliant writing.

[@flashtheoriginal]

Great scene from the best episode

[@writer125]

John Cleese was hysterical in whatever he did. Thanx for posting this.

[@DeclanDoocey-bw4ey]

This makes me feel happy so much ❤ Trev Dec singer songwriter ❤

[@chrissturgess4323]

Only made 12 episodes...every one a classic

[@martinworld7214]

I dunno , the Psychiatrist episode & Sybill being ill were ok but not classic

[@paulkenney4021]

@@martinworld7214 agree , Sybill being ill got very stupid after 10 minutes

[@davidsedlickas8222]

Legend comedy. John is starting a new series with his daughter.

[@martinobrien7110]

Priceless .

[@TheNzfroggy]

Id love to see the bloopers from this episode! The amazing Joan Sanderson. An acting powerhouse who could command stage and audience alike!

[@GizmoBeach]

I love how Manuel also shows her the way to the bath…like, ta-dah!

[@inquisitor229]

I have to admit I would be just like Fawlty in that job.

[@justmadeit2]

Mrs Richards is a quality woman, respect needed

[@norbertschmitz3358]

Those were the day's.....great time to be alive!

[@markomijailovic718]

This must be the best show of all time

[@louisegoodyear2515]

I'm still belly laughing at the 'Genius' of this great 'farce' nothing to rival it currently or in the future?

[@geirjohannessen8132]

What a preformance.

[@GizmoBeach]

Wildebeests: “Uh-oh, there’s a guest up there. Let’s all sweep majestically, on three…”

[@someoneelse.2252]

She was perfect for that role.

[@stravinsky1300]

Given that they call her *Mrs.* Richards, I have to wonder what happened to her husband.

[@aerialexplorer772]

He ran off with the herd of wildebeests

[@robertthomson1587]

Suicide.

[@buggulugs]

He became a coke freak.

[@sandracraig2345]

Funniest series ever!!! Loved all episodes 👏👏👏👏👏

[@squirreltismw8295]

This never gets old What are you doing? K! 🤣 I wish you were a mouse lmao

[@Mike-hg1fn]

Scabby O’l bat 😂

[@JamesHodgson-v2r]

Still great comedy- this episode and the scene when his car won’t start are my favourites

[@aprilhippie8752]

Theres just something about old school humor that just hits different 🤣🤣

[@dennisosunde2609]

"Manakhiar HE Manakhiarr" - Manuel 🎉

[@bingobriano6021]

Modern comedy writing is so unbelievable behind this stuff. Everyone is terrified of offending people and tries to play it safe.

[@u.v.s.5583]

I wish you were a mouse! I'd show you!

[@davids736]

Superb writing and acting on so many levels. You wouldn't get away with it now because you would trigger people who would complain that it demeans deaf people. Unfortunately, I'm not joking 😢

[@Nomoredrama2000]

- Oh you’re Watt. - I’m the manager! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@7MatthewJames]

Manaher, he manaher

[@paulhallatt4313]

I love it when he calls her a scabby old bat

[@Bonnie6731]

Totally brilliant executed , loved it from being a teenager, even moreso now as a mature woman with hearing aids 😂. Spot on John Cleese & Connie Booth

[@HeadFunny]

"You heard that all right, didn't you?"

[@johnjoyce341]

What makes this even funnier is Basil's sudden realisation that he can insult Mrs Richards as much as he wants and she can't hear him.

[@Cyril29a]

The writing is so good. "Now listen to me!" makes whomever says it instantly dislike-able.

[@deserttrainguy3235]

My favorite episode.

[@soccergalsara]

this is my favourite clip i think

[@leebargwanna6820]

"QUE?!?!"

[@admiralbenbow5083]

This is the best episode no doubt. Sanderson just nails it !

[@johnriggs4929]

We've just booked into a hotel on the Costa Del Sol, and my missus isn't happy with the sea view she requested ... just reminded me of this. She's going down to reception to complain...😅

[@stagna1959]

I love how Basil once only moved his lips, but did not say a words to her. Her responce was exactly the same as always . Did not hear anything, did not understand anything, but was convinced she had right to demand Ritz luxury and service for 7 pounds 20 pence per night. Good lord, how prices jumped up in last 44 years. It was pretty normal hotel room, bath was for average human size and seaside view was lot better than view to back yard, where Manuel hide his rat. Now you cant get a place in dumpster for 7 pounds. Pretty much *** similar room in Tallinn costs 50 euros per night and breakfast is not included. I never took a room in UK seaside town hotel, but pretty sure in UK it is even more expensive. Could be 100 pounds or more per night

[@0532MOET]

The unfunniest thing Basil Fawlty ever said is still 10 times funnier than the funniest thing Charlie Sheen ever said

[@flybeep1661]

Weird comparison.

[@0532MOET]

? Wtf? Someone liked one of my comments? I should have them stuffed

[@0532MOET]

@@flybeep1661 John Cleese bagged the fuck out of Charlie Sheen once, that's what made me think of it, and he was right

[@stephenpowell5912]

I don't understand that comment,

[@miroslavtomic7038]

John Cleese wrote the role of Mrs. Richards specifically for Joan Sanderson, who was his long time good friend and collaborator. She originally declined the role, as she thought that the character was a total opposite to her own character and that she wouldn't be able to pull it off. Luckely, Cleese managed to convince her. Until her death, Sanderson claimed that it was her favorite TV appearance of her entire career.

[@miroslavtomic7038]

I know that many will say that Germans is better episode then this one and in some ways it is. However, literally the only person responsible for the quality success of that episode was John Cleese, whose anti German antics totally stole the show. In this one, he is totally overshadowed by Joan Sanderson, who totally stole the show. Basically, Cleese and all others actors were supporting cast to Sanderson in this one, as literally entire episode revolved around Mrs Richards. I consider this episode to be the only time John Cleese was totally overshadowed by an another actor in this series.

[@chrisholland7367]

"Herds of Wildebeest sweeping majestically across the plain "

[@TonyPamplin]

“Now, listen to me…”

[@miroslavtomic7038]

Despite Basil and Mrs. Richards being at odds in this episode, John Cleese and Joan Sanderson were very good friends and frequent theatre collaborators for many years. Their most notable collaboration came in 1981 in The Great Mupet Caper, where they played husband and wife. Up until this appearance, Sanderson was mostly known as an accomplished theatre and radio actress with only handful of movie and TV appearances, most of which were not very notable. This appearance launched her TV career, which turned out very successful. Her most notable TV role was of Eleonor Prescott in TV show After Henry, which also turned out to be her final role before her death in 1992 during working on the fourth season.

[@miroslavtomic7038]

In After Henry, Sanderson was reunited with Prunella Scales, who played Sybil in Fawlty Towers.

[@miroslavtomic7038]

In fact, in After Henry Sanderson and Scales played mother and daughter.

[@sidensvans67]

The fantastic Mrs Richards .

[@pagrant]

How did these two manage to keep a straight face during this scene