Fawlty Towers Episode Ranking

[@johnbellamy3406]

Very interesting video James. It seems incredible that there were only 12 episodes made. The episode you put last is one of my favorites. I saw the actor that plays the American tourist just this week in The Omen, he has a small part in it. I like the way it takes to task the messed-up English attitude to service and hospitality. It's bad enough today but I can imagen it was really bad in the 70s. I don't know if you know about the back story of how John Cleese got the idea for the series. ... by experiencing a very rude hotel manager at a hotel that the Monty Python crew were staying at. It brings to mind the many times I stayed at places in England whilst I visited from Sweden when I lived there. Places that treated you, the guest, as if you've no rite to be there. One place I stayed at in Devon made a big point of informing everyone with big signs that "CCTV was in operation throughout the premises." To this day I can't work out if the statement was meant to reassure me or repel me. I asked about it at the reception desk and was curtly answered with "What do you think?!". Straight out of Fawlty Towers.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Hi John, thanks for watching this one. Yes I do know the story of the Pythons in the hotel, with the guy hiding the bag behind the wall in case it had a bomb in it. I know exactly what you mean about the Waldorf Salad episode, it is a very clever one but with this video I was strictly going for the belly laughs, and that one mostly leaves me wincing (in a good way). The satire is handled fantastically well. I'm sure the UK has the rudest hotel and bar serving staff in the world. Now I think of it, Angelina had that run-in with the gormless serving girl at the Waterwitch didn't she....sometimes it takes a sharp-tongued American to put us in our place I think.

[@johnbellamy3406]

@@jamesgriffithsmusic It is without doubt a truly great comedy show...That bit with the whipping the car with the branch... I mean, we've all been there.. so I guess that is why it resonates with us. There were many people from Chile in Sweden when I lived there, fleeing the Pinochet régime. They came to Sweden to live in a Socialist country. I'll always remember one lady that I worked with from Chile who spoke quite poor Swedish. She actually said "qué" when you spoke to her, and it wasn't unusual that she would walk away in the opposite direction after you pointed to the other. I found it frustrating at the time but can now look back and laugh about it as if I was the up-tight English man in the situation. I've just reminded Angelina of the exchange in the Waterwitch. It made her smile but to be honest it's probably a daily occurrence for her. Don't get her started on 'Human Recourses'... "...what do you mean I can't fire his ass?!"

[@jonbolton3376]

I'm sure the actor did plenty of other stuff, but The Omen is the only other thing i know him from as well.

[@simonvanthoff]

Thanks James for this video! It inspires me to watch all 12 again in my autumnvacation now 👍🏻 Maybe after seeing all twelve again my no 1 will change, but from memory it is for now the brilliant "communication problems". One of the things in this episode that's really a wonder to behold, besides the supreme acting of the deaf lady, is how two seemingly totally unrelated subjects (the annoying picky deaf Mss Richards & Basil's bet on the horse) is so brilliantly woven together into one continuing story with (I think) the most brilliant last minutes of the whole serie: where the money is found and all storylines comes together so immaculately. Wow, what a timing, what an acting, what a script, what a directing! Kind regards, greetings from The Netherlands, Simon Ps I loved your two Beatles ranking videos! Always wonderful to hear how other people listen to music and tell their memories and experiences of it. By the way, I just uploaded here on my channel two McCartney classics myself, for piano solo (Blackbird & Here Today) 🎹😊

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Glad you're enjoying the channel! Will check out your McCartney piano vids.

[@calicosilver]

Brilliantly hilarious show, James!! This brought back a lot of memories. I need to share this with an old friend who loves this show. Thanks. Jeff

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks Jeff! Great that you know this series - I hope your friend enjoys my countdown!

[@calicosilver]

@@jamesgriffithsmusic James, he’d already enjoyed your video by the time he received my text about it! 😀

[@XjunkieNL]

Hi James. It's amazing, you show one photo and I can picture the complety episode. For me the greatest comedy show ever, so many classic moments. One of my favorites quotes is when Basil is hit by the fire extinguisher and asks Sybil if he you should move the Hotel a little to the left :) Cheers. /Paul

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Hey Paul great to hear from you. So cool that you are a Fawlty fan. Ha, yes I love that line about moving the hotel to the left. Also love the one about 'moving to a hotel closer to the sea...or preferably in it'. Cheers!

[@qoquaq]

Communication breakdown is just brilliant.

[@CookieMusic43]

Great video James, I love Flowery Tauts but I'm glad there were only 12 episodes as I didn't want to see the quality diminish. I tend to agree with you on your no. 1 choice and you showed a screenshot of the funniest moment in the 2 seasons. Now for something weird, I filmed my contest entry into Beth's (Miss 80's movies 7 music) contest at the weekend and it too is a non music video. It'll be up in the next day or two.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Agreed Richard, 12 eps was definitely enough. Did you know there was only meant to be six though? The second season was made quite a few years after the first one, and was a come-back of sorts. Will look forward to your entry into Beth's contest.

[@jimquinn5316]

Absolutely Brilliant video James - Great to revisit all the classic episodes again . Probably the funniest TV I have ever seen ...

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Cheers Jim! Definitely my favourite comedy series though there are a couple of other contenders....perhaps I'll get to those.

[@samglendenning9884]

Fantastic video James! Fawlty is one of my fav ever Sitcoms; I got the Blu-Ray set with both seasons for my b’day earlier this year 😀👍 I watched episodes over & over; it just has the rewatch factor to it! My fav episode has got to be ‘Communication Problems’; I love the scenes between Basil & the Major in that episode; where Basil keeps the betting money hidden from Sybil and of course it goes all horribly wrong 😂🤦‍♂️ I say ‘Waldorf Salad’ might be my second fav episode; but nevertheless it’s a great Comedy series I will never ever get tired of! Hope you well bud; great ranking!

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Cheers Sam! I do like Waldorf Salad, it pained me to put it in last place. I've watched every episode of this series probably at least a hundred times over the years...

[@FatCityVinyl]

Full confession, I have never seen an episode of Fawlty Towers, at best perhaps a snippet here or there in flipping between channels. It definitely aired here though as I recall, and brings back memories of all those UK TV series that would pop up on our schedules here, as a lingering cultural vestige of our links with Britain. Something that seems to have been much reduced and barely remembered in recent decades. Along with watching TV itself, I suppose, in favour of KZbin, games and apps which is the entertainment my kids have mostly grown up with. Nice you've all been enjoying watching it together. Cheers James!

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Hi Doug! Ha ha, I knew there's be at least one person who said they'd never seen it. All I can say is...you need to!

[@johnbellamy3406]

You need to fix that Doug. You've no idea what you've missed.

[@FatCityVinyl]

@@johnbellamy3406 It was on in syndication for years here if I recall, funny I never really stopped to watch it...

[@invisibleray6987]

When the VHS came out in the 80s EVERYONE had them, I don't like watching more than 1 episode at a time, because the stress level of Basil takes its toll on me

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Fair point.

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

Love this show!!!

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Superb, Chris!

[@nicksvinylbutty5488]

What a wonderful video james,watching this and reminiscing about each episode,has certainly cheered me up no end. I adore good old British comedy classics,Faulty Towers,Steptoe & Son,Hancock's half Hour,Porridge,Reginald Perrin,Rising Damp and I could name loads more plus good old radio comedy. Also a big fan of hammer house of horror and Basil Rathbone as sherlock Holmes 👍👍👍 I hope you do another one of these reviews James....all the best.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Cheers Nick, glad it hit the spot! I just couldn't resist making this video even though it was off-topic for the channel a bit. Did you know that Richard McCook is a bit Hammer Horror fan?

[@Elephant_Pavilion]

The show looks great on Blu Ray! You’ve made me want to get it out again and watch them all!

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Get watching!

[@Elephant_Pavilion]

@@jamesgriffithsmusic Been watching with the John Cleese commentary turned on, its interesting how there was a 4 year gap between series 1 & 2.

[@gettinhungrig8806]

Psychiatrist has always been my favourite too. Favourite moment, when he falls back on the ladder. And there's an Aussie in it! Anniversary stands out as clearly different from all the others and while still fantastic ranks at 12 for me.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

The ladder scene is hysterical. I love Sybil's walk after she's slapped Basil across the face. Then the Manwell scene afterwards...'I tell her you try to see girl in room, she drive you crazy!'/

[@pc31thevinylpoliceman]

and I quote ‘I knew a woman once Faulty, took her to see India…………at the Oval. I wonder if dge’s still got my wallet!’

[@johnheaton5667]

Great video....difficult to rate such classics!!!

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

True John, but I gave it my best shot.

[@s.wstudioproductions5977]

Nice one James, hard to pic a favourite, although I think your last 6 are the best episodes

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks Sean! Long live Flowery Twats.

[@dixielandfarm]

Funny, I LOVE the Waldorf Salad episode because I think we really understand why Basil is like the way he is (same with the builder episode)... as a small business owner I sympathize more and more with Basil and his dealing with customers.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Maybe you need to go the distance and open a hotel. Dixieland Towers?

[@jonbolton3376]

I've loved the show since i was 4 or 5 in the mid 80s. Earlier i tried to do an episode ranking, so i understand the difficulty you must had. I love every episode. I knew my two favourites, the other 10 were the hard part. Before seeing your ranking, i'll list my own so i can compare the two. 12 A Touch Of Class 11 The Wedding Party 10 Waldorf Salad 9 The Psychiatrist 8 The Rat 7 The Germans 6 The Hotel Inspectors 5 The Builders 4 The Kipper And The Corpse 3 The Anniversary 2 Gourmet Night 1 Communication Problems

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks Jon. It was pretty difficult!

[@matthewmedley8532]

The hanging gardens of Babylon episode is my favourite. Absolutely brilliant! Great series.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Herds of Wildebeests sweeping majestically...!

[@keenear6341]

Gourmet night and the American guy one are the best of the best for me Nice random ranking video

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Thanks Adam. Did you know the American was in 'Return of the Jedi'?

[@keenear6341]

@@jamesgriffithsmusic yeah that's right he is He's apperers in a good few 70s-80s films and TV shows

[@dylanblonde]

Completely random but great! I remember spending birthday money on the vhs's which had interviews with John Cleese before every episode. Would subject my parents to watching basil the rat repeatedly. You did an episode years ago called comfort records, while for me Faulty Towers is comfort tv.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Great to hear from you! What happened to your videos in the attic??? Yes, Fawlty Towers is definitely comfort TV. There's a few other series that hit the spot for me in that way. I recently got a box set of every episode of 'Bergerac', which reminds me of Saturday evenings watching the show with my mum in the eighties.

[@dylanblonde]

@@jamesgriffithsmusic We moved to Somerset and the attic here is home to a family of bats! I keep telling them they need to move on as I've got KZbin videos to be making but they aren't the least bit interested. I will need to find another suitable location but these kind of decisions take time. I'm going to look up Bergerac as not heard of that one. I'm currently enjoying the Sherlock Holmes radio broadcasts from the 50's and 60's. Don't know why?!

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Good grief, not aware of Bergerac? Where were you between 1981 and 1991, lol.

[@dylanblonde]

@@jamesgriffithsmusic Ha ha, for the most part learning to walk, talk and write my name. There's no excuse though, I should have made time for Bergerac 😀

[@BeatUpRecordsCDs]

I have never liked the episode Brazil the Rat. Good review on all 🙂

[@6758pasi]

Never watched the series in full. Seen some episodes, don't know how many. Basil was always trying to tolerate his guests with gritted teeth which of course made more funny to see him knocked down from his pedestal. The ones that i can think of as being top British comedy series are Wooster and Jeeves and Coupling. I could add Black Adder the WWI series. Oddly enough i've never watched the other series. "Don't mind him, he's from Barcelona". Pasi

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

You need to watch the whole series Pasi, what a treat to have not seen it yet.

[@anotherfatbeardedmantalkin5893]

Finally I get to this. Farce is a difficult thing, and I don't always get on with it. As you mentioned, exasperation and frustration can overtake your ability to enjoy the farcical nature of the comedy. Some episodes take the farce too far for me, which takes them beyond the needed believability. The episodes with Basil totally flipping out my least favourites, the car thrashing scene in Gourmet Night is one I find far less funny than most do. I love the sad and broken Basil, not the hyper and angry Basil. The Wedding Party is just excruciating, and perhaps the most dated of all the episodes. It is probably the one episode which is far closer to the Brian Rix's bedroom farces than any other, and I'm not a fan of those....But I might be mixing up some scenes from the Psychiatrists. 70s smuttiness has not aged well. I have to put the Builders as my favourite, but that's mainly because one of the builders is played by Michael Cronin, who's a friend of the family. It was weird growing up watching him in as Mr Baxter in Grange Hill, as he wasn't the slightest bit like the character. It's been a while since I've been to see his in a performance, I'm not sure if he's retired or just slowed down. Well done for doing this, as I've said many times there is absolutely no way I could ever sit down and decide on my ranking of anything. So kudos to you. Yes Minister or Porridge next?

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

ha ha, I'lll think about it! It's funny you say the farce of 'Wedding Party' and 'The Psychiatrists' hasn't aged well. My twelve year old son wouldn't know who Alan Aykbourn was if he called round to the house and personally introduced himself as the king of British farce, but he was almost wetting himself watching those two FT eps. Not so much the gourmet one though. I think it's the sexual undertones of those other two which somehow ramp up the visceral comedy, particularly when Basil calls Sybil a 'rancorous, coiffered sow'. It pained me to put The Builders so low but I think it's let down by one or two things, including the bizarre spectacle of Polly going for a twenty-four hour nap so the builders can conveniently fuck everything up in her absence. And the guy who plays Mr Stubbs is a wooden as a plank. The bit were Basil trips over the gnome is priceless though. Thanks for watching Hedley!

[@anotherfatbeardedmantalkin5893]

@@jamesgriffithsmusic It's not necessarily the comedy which hasn't aged well, it's the sexual politics involved in those episodes. The prudishness Basil displays concerning sex, must be rather odd to a younger audience. The episodes hinge on attitudes to premarital sex and permissiveness, which were being presented as archaic back then, but 50 years on I doubt that kind of moralizing strikes any chord with most of the young today. Farce is farce, and will always be funny for those with a farcical funny bone, especially those young enough not to pick up on dodgy stereotyping and awkward politics.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Yeah I agree in theory, but what can I say, he pissed himself laughing at it.

[@squid4104]

I prefer Rising Damp by a country mile as I always thought Fawlty Towers was overrated. Ironically my fave episode is Waldorf Salad. That third party interaction with the Americans is hilarious 😂

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Love Rising Damp as well. Got them on DVD.

[@squid4104]

Hi James. An update to my reply a few weeks ago. I found the DVD series in a charity shop a week ago and thought I'd give it another go. I've only watched the first two episodes but if one embraces the ridiculousness of it all it is rather brilliant. A big thank you for stimulating my change of mind. Music recommendation for you "Hem-Rabbit Songs😀