Fawlty Towers | Waldorf Salad | Season 2 Episode 3 | First Time Watching | Reaction

[@ink-cow]

Basil got me through years of working retail and dealing with rude customers. I would always be polite in real life, but in my brain I'd be going, "this is TYPICAL!" and throwing them out of the store.

[@guitarzan5328]

6:01 "What _is_ a Waldorf, anyway? A... walnut that's gone off??" One of my favourite Basil lines 😂🤣

[@therojowo]

This probably isnt the most popular opinion, but this is my favorite episode of the show. The way it all builds up to everyone turning against Basil is just brilliant!!!

[@michaelm6948]

I agree with you. I've liked this episode since I first watched in the 70s.

[@STNeish]

This is my least favourite, actually. The guy in this is downright abusive. If ever there was someone that deserved Basil's acid wit, it was this guy. Arrives late, insults the country, demands dinner after dinnertime, expects the chef to stay late, demands things that aren't on the menu, gets abusive when they don't know what it is... He deserved a good hard slap. It's always frustrated me that this self-important twit never gets his comeuppance.

[@gregstephens]

This is also my favorite- the American is a perfect foil for Basil.

[@tempsitch5632]

This is the kind of show where it’s understandable for absolutely any episode to be justifiably someone’s favourite. It’s my least favourite but I still love it and wouldn’t mind celebrating in your joy of it.

[@Robert-un7br]

I haven’t watched the show in about 20 years and I have my favorites but now I have new ones.😂

[@Matman651]

Have you not noticed sybil does the bare minimum. No wonder Basils stressed 😂

[@larky368]

It just seems that way because he could make filling a salt shaker seem like building a perpetual motion machine.

[@AmyLSacks]

I think here she proves that she'll be very attentive to people she genuinely likes. They bonded over airport novels. lol

[@markdermody9698]

Waldorf Salad was originally made and created in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York and contained Walnuts, Celery, Fresh Apples and Grapes, Dressed with Mayonnaise all traditionally served on a bed of Lettuce! Hope you enjoy! 😘❤️‍🔥❤️ Not my cup of tea though, I would prefer a Prawn Cocktail either served in an Avocado or as they used to do back in the 1970's, served in a Half Melon as it was absolutely delicious just like the Marie Rose Sauce!

[@brom00]

It bugged me where I've seen the actor who played before, his voice is so distinctive. Finally had to look it up. His name is Bruce Boa. I remember him from his last two films, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Full Metal Jacket. He passed away in 2004 from cancer.

[@garyclarke9685]

You know before the internet it was painful seeing an actor & not knowing where they are from. Used to keep me up at nights.

[@safeashouses211]

He was in The Omen as well.

[@neilmcdonald9164]

One of several "rent a Yank" or Canadians in uk o he Era.Others included:Ed Bishop an Shabe Rimmer🎩

[@denniseldridge2936]

The thing to keep in mind is that, at the time this show was on, American culture and English culture weren't quite as well integrated as they are now. So, universally known things such as a Waldorf salad (known to just about any half-way decent chef in Europe nowadays) would not have had that luxury back then. The same with the screwdriver drink.

[@lifelover515]

Another classic Christmas treat for a snowy Scottish week. What a tonic you are for the festive season! Rock on, bonnie lass. The best is yet to come...

[@kuldas9299]

Basil is based on a real owner of a hotel that John and the other Pythons had stayed at.

[@alan2007-x8x]

The whole idea for the series came out of an experience at a Torquay hotel. The Monty Python team were staying there, and the owner behaved very much like Basil. All the others left and went to another hotel, but John Cleese stayed on to make notes! I don't think Cleese is really much like Basil, but I wouldn't be surprised if he drew on some aspect of himself to help create the character.

[@ceruleanblu3184]

After hearing the word “ASS!” for the hundredth time, Basil calmly says “Everything’s bottoms, isn’t it?” Cracks me up every time.

[@rashidclark]

I made a Waldorf salad a few weeks ago. Thought of this episode the entire while.

[@johns1625]

You've inspired me to watch this show again! I used to watch it with my grandparents and last night I threw it on the TV while putting lights on the Christmas tree! Wonderful evening! The one where Basil mistakes those 2 guests as the hotel inspection reporters and treats them like trash before sucking up to them and then treating them like trash again when he finds out they aren't 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Hiraghm]

This episode reminds me of my mom and my sister. My mom used to make what we called "apple salad"... basically lettuce and sliced apples with a mayonnaise dressing (powdered sugar in the mayo). It was delicious, but my sister kept insisting on telling my mom that it was a "Waldorf salad" and mom argued that it wasn't because it didn't have raisins....

[@markkettlewell7441]

It’s based on a real hotelier in Torquay called Sinclair. John and Connie stayed just to study him.

[@x_trio_3_po333]

In Vancouver, Canada there was a downtown restaraunt called the "Elbow Room Cafe" where the waiting staff would frequently but gently insult and verbally abuse its customers. For example if you asked for a glass of water (which wasn't served by default), or for a refill of coffee they would sarcastically tell you to "Get it yourself!", followed by some insulting reference to your appearance or your menu choices. I never personally went there. But I did read about it and apparently it was quite popular for many years for those with very thick skin. It closed a few years ago. There's also another restaraunt called "Dark Table" that serves its customers in total darkness.

[@ftumschk]

I'm not too keen on celery either, but they work really well in a Waldorf Salad - the apples and grapes provide a nice contrast, and the overall taste and texture is fabulous. It's one of my favourite things to eat.

[@jean-paulaudette9246]

I love celery. I love most vegetables that give that juicy crunch when you bite them, like onions and bell peppers. Something about the texture is very satisfying.

[@tubularap]

0:33 - Good idea to rewatch Fawlty Towers each December. I'm loving watching them with you now, and I'll be there for it next year.

[@bobbuethe1477]

I remember Waldorf salad as being a standard menu item in restaurants in the 1960s, but these days, it's considered kind of "retro."

[@theradgegadgie6352]

Which is a shame, because it's gorgeous.

[@colibri1]

You mentioned that there are people like Basil in real life but who don't realize that they're like that. Well, the character of Basil Fawlty was based on an actual hotelier that the Monty Python troupe encountered in some English town, a really rude man who didn't seem to care if he insulted his guests. All the Python members except John Cleese refused to stay there, but Cleese thought the guy was hilarious and stayed overnight to observe how the man acted and then based "Fawlty Towers" on him.

[@theradgegadgie6352]

That would be Donald Sinclair of Gleneagles Hotel (which is actually mentioned once in the show, as a tribute). In true Fawlty style, he died in 1981, at age 72, with his death reportedly the result of a heart attack and stroke after "some workmen he'd upset painted his patio furniture and car gunmetal grey during the night."

[@iambecomepaul]

“I don’t know what a Waldorf is…” ahhhhh ha ha ha ha ha. You’re the most precious!

[@hodowcakasztanow8096]

What after FT? - i recommend - "Keeping Up Appearances" or "Allo, allo".

[@danc1897]

Because of Fawlty Towers - some time ago - I actually made a Waldorf Salad (which incidentally sits on a bed of lettuce too). I have to say it was actually the best salad I ever tried lol

[@PurushaDesa]

"I don't know what a Waldorf is." 😂 Made a beeline straight for the actual joke in the show!

[@kermitcook8498]

Waldorf salad? Came from the NYC Waldorf hotel. As a youngling I think we had apples, raisins, green grapes, pecans, celery and kraft miracle whip salad dressing. Basil Basil Basil. Gotta luv him.

[@jimmybisk]

Thank you for another wonderful reaction. I've only ever eaten a Waldorf Salad once & it nearly killed me - allergic to Walnuts sadly! It's quite interesting hearing John Cleese talking about his and the Pythons teams experience of a terrible hotel manager on which he heavily based Basil Fawlty, but I have a sneaky suspicion he may indeed be a teeny tiny bit like that in real life - all his characters seem to have some semblance of that trait!

[@112sje]

I have only ever found one restaurant that had a Waldorf Salad on the menu, so I ordered one and it was very good, but the young waitress serving me had never heard of Fawlty Towers !

[@josephadams7225]

I always loved his signs out front. They would always be mixed up. Like farty owls. God I love that show. They used to have it on PBS Georgia the one in USA

[@AmyLSacks]

The California bit always makes me chuckle, Because *Northern* California, like the western parts of Oregon and Washington State, would have also been all about "the damp, the drizzle, and the fog." (And not very many palm trees.) :P

[@KevDaly]

Oh the Waldorf Salad! Everything I know about Waldorf Salad (which I've never had) comes from this episode. Imagine what it was like when there was no internet you could look things up on...

[@joetroncoso7292]

after watching this back in the 70' as a kid I told my mother that I wanted to make a waldorf salad, we did and they were great.

[@laurabaus1486]

This episode was so crazy and hilarious, thank you for posting this video.

[@stevensprunger3422]

Why am I so crazy about Dawn She’s just I mean I must be twice her age but damn I’m crazy about her what’s wrong with me❓

[@Jeff_Lichtman]

Now I want a Waldorf salad. I like the depiction of an American. Loud, a bit rude, and very direct.

[@scalefree]

Waldorf salad comes from the Waldorf Hotel in NY

[@i.m.7710]

Recipe above.

[@manofthehour6856]

Hah, just found your channel and GREAT JOB, Dawn Marie! Yes, interesting commentary at the end of "I bet he is like that in real life." I think that is part of where the brilliance lies...he wrote it from his own frustrations, sadly. Regardless, my favorite sit com series.

[@BeastrealDT]

Happy Chanukah and Happy Yule. ✌️❤️🌹

[@wesleyrodgers886]

Love celery as a snack. Sprinkled with salt. Loaded down with finely chopped onion and cottage cheese.

[@dan-w1t9b]

It's quite tasty and could be considered a Christmas salad - Walnuts, Apples, Reindeer pieces, etc

[@geoffwright3692]

If only Basil had let it go the moment Mr Hamilton says he's happy to have got his Waldorf Salad...

[@AmyLSacks]

That's what gets me about this episode. He's so self-destructive. So determined to be humiliated and insulted. Person after person here tries mightily to give him a break, but he just won't allow it. Can't be happy unless he's unhappy.

[@dabe1971]

1:51 Oh they do. My Mum was hospitalised after risking some out of date frozen prawns. Not worth the risk.

[@dunringill1747]

The Monty Python crew once stayed at a small hotel where the hotel owner was a bit "like that". He was very annoyed at how Terry Gilliam (the only American) was using his knife & fork while eating. John Cleese based the Basil Fawlty character off of him.

[@SebaVDP]

HAPPY SUNDAY QUEEN!!!! TODAY WE WON THE WORLD CUP!!!! THE THIRD ONE !!!! VAMOS ARGENTINA🥳🥳🥳🥳 hugs LYSM , keep having fun and stay unique gorgeous!!!! lots of love Dawn Marie 💙💙🤍🤍💙💙

[@wadeheaton123]

Dawn Marie, wee Lass, watch some Making Of... Videos and find out that Farty Towels was based on an actual hotel Monty Python stayed at while filming beach scenes at Torquay. The owner was so rude they all left except John and Graham who stayed just to watch and that layer became the basis for the show.

[@edcliffe2988]

The American is General Rikian from the Empire Strikes Back. Although I never saw the series, Prunella Scales did a show called Sybil, post Fawlty Towers.

[@TheZodiacz]

She did a lot in her 67 years career but a show called Sybil? She did reprise the role of Sybil Fawlty for a 2007 Children in Need charity special.

[@josephadams7225]

We used to also get are you being served, keeping up appearances, for awhile good neighbors, then later on we got the vicar of Dibley. And of course Monty Python's, Fawlty towers and Doctor who but it was the good one with Tom Baker

[@addi7719]

my family actually started making waldorf salads because of this episode - they're actually quite good. absolutely recommend it, if you're interested in trying one.

[@muffelbuffel7836]

You are absolutely right in your comments! I haven't actually thought about that, even though I'm over 50 years old and have seen this superb series many times.😁 The successive deterioration of hotel management. No spoilers now I get it....I won't say that...but you will understand.😛

[@andrewcharles459]

That American guest was in Full Metal Jacket.

[@Deegee_1969]

Bruce Boa was also in Star Wars - The Empire strikes back.

[@safeashouses211]

And The Omen.

[@StandUpComedyFan28m]

If you laugh this much at these episodes, you should definitely try looking at the remastered DVD set which includes solo John Cleese commentaries and series 1 & 2 director commentaries. The John Cleese commentaries are hilarious, his laugh is infectious, but he also gives you what he would've done different in some scenes, actor's character choices, some good behind the scenes info.

[@mykecoburn9974]

Waldorf is a famous hotel in New York

[@hissatsu4937]

I think we're just out of Waldorf 🤣 I don't blame him for not knowing what it was, but still find it hilarious.

[@83shadow3]

To answer your question about does he ever get a break. How can he when is wife hardly does anything when she is there. Then she leaves for hours at a time so no he never gets a break.

[@stevensprunger3422]

Oh my God Dawn Your reactions are so down to earth and sincere I’m just crazy about you but never mind me I’m too old

[@Oppeldeldoc1]

FAWLTY TOWERS has always been a very big hit in the U.S., so probably any place here that serves Waldorf Salads has a lot of jokes about it going on.

[@DevlinDomini]

He’s so convinced of his own superiority I don’t think getting a break is all he needs. Basil Fawlty goes anywhere he probably asks to speak to the manager about the awful service he thinks he’s receiving.

[@pasteye1671]

Love the Santa's Little Helper suit, DM. Though in your case I think it should be Satan's... that laugh of yours is filthy and I love it!

[@davidcooks5265]

A Waldorf is a Welsh 🐹 they live in 🌲 to get away from the Welsh rabbit 😜

[@Satyrcain66]

John Cleese is nothing like Basil. Basil is based on Donald Sinclair, who owned the Gleneagles Hotel in Torquay, where members of Monty Python stayed once while shooting on location.

[@zoppie]

They do share a similar view of Americans. Cleese is especially insulting to the ones who don't vote for the politicians he claims to favor in their own elections.

[@Satyrcain66]

@@zoppie As are at least 50% of Americans. Or I should say, 100%, as both halves are very insulting to the other. It's quite politically toxic over here.

[@zoppie]

@@Satyrcain66 Even so, I challenge you to name one who sticks his/her nose into British politics in a similar way.

[@AmyLSacks]

@@zoppie Well, to do that, we'd have to actually *know* something about what goes on in other countries. Anyway, U.S. Comedians are just as nasty to fellow citizens who won't choose "their" candidates. That's why I don't follow entertainers on social media.

[@mnob1122]

Dawn, I just subscribed to your channel. I love the fact that you’re covering my favorite comedic shows and film…Fawlty Towers, Monty Python and the Marx Brothers. Your reactions are great! I follow 4 other channels that react to The 3 Stooges, another favorite. Please watch/react to WC Fields “It’s a Gift”…absolutely hilarious!! You’ll love it!

[@owenfitzgerald8944]

There is a great interview where John Cleese talks about where he got the inspiration for Basil Fawlty. He was based on a real hotel owner. No, John couldn't be that bad in real life 😂

[@stockton22]

One of the greatest shows of all time! Still, this ep makes me a little sad because this is how Americans are usually portrayed in British tv shows, or at least English ones.

[@alanmackie7012]

The stroppy American's wife is Scottish actress Claire Nielson who was a regular on Rikki Fulton's Scotch & Wry.

[@Tokerific1976]

Love the Chrimbo jumper hen, smashin.

[@chrispittman8854]

This one tops "Seinfeld," "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "The Office" for "cringe factor." So HARD to watch and yet you laugh till you cry. The ending is topped ONLY by "The Hotel Inspectors" ending.

[@dolfin98]

John Cleese is nothing like that in real life. Don’t forget he is an actor and with his wife he wrote the script. He is a very bright man with a dry sense of humour

[@JohnLeePettimoreIII]

3:58 microphone visible top left side of the screen

[@Yldcatz]

Thank you so much for these. So funny 😂

[@phosphorescentscotsman]

read John's autobiography a few years back, (so anyway) good read 👍👍

[@theradgegadgie6352]

I loathe celery, absolutely HATE it. But for some reason, Waldorf salad is one of the most beautiful creations ever devised by chef. By the way, I am totally a real-life Basil Fawlty, but am completely aware of it and simply don't care. Some fuckers just deserve it. Byeeeeeee! 😀

[@mistofoles]

Dawn, you couldn't Google a Waldorf Salad in 1979 !

[@megdelaney3677]

Agreed - I think this would've been a great ending episode for the series - Someone finally telling Basil off!

[@goofyrulez7914]

If you want to watch an "Airplane"-like movie, go see "Young Doctors In Love", it's pretty funny and has an all star cast.

[@daylearceneaux4083]

Search for the video where Cleese tells the story of the person who inspired the character.

[@JohnLeePettimoreIII]

the question isn't if it's a pube in the salad, but more so, *_HOW_* would a pube get into the salad.

[@roosterblood]

My father in law is like this. Very clever but a twit

[@BigBadBlackMagicDaddy_1865]

Yknow? Legit,… Mrs. Fawlty is the kinda bird I’d flirt with hopelessly. Relentlessly. To the point that I challenge Basil to an on the cobbles style boxing match, whip his bales off in public, send him packing from his own estate, WIN the hotel in a game of cards - that I obviously cheat at and get away with -, build up a glittering hospitality-based Five Star empire from the crumbling shambles of a buzzard-feasted husk that was once his “property” - if we wish to be so bold as to call it that -; I wouldn’t cease in my efforts of profiting from his loss until I’m able to pass him in the center of the roundabout with a cardboard sign that simply reads “please help me, I am a broken man” and I can sufficiently see and smell the acrid miasma of defeat wafting off him in noxious plumes. En garde Basil Fawlty, your lady shall be mine yet! Defend yourself swine.

[@louismarzullo1190]

What, no elf hats?

[@nicksmallwood8828]

I've never understood why Basil fawned over the American, I thought he would treat him with contempt as a colonial.

[@ftumschk]

His wife was a posh Englishwoman, and he was evidently well-off, both of which would have impressed a snob like Basil.

[@janekotoole8751]

I think because he's a coward. He tries to have a go when he thinks the woman will be on his side, and again when they're surrounded by other Brits he assume will support him, but the idea of going one on one with someone who's actually willing to fight back terrifies him. I've no doubt in his head there's a stream of abuse aimed at the American the whole time, but Basil has nowhere near enough spine to actually try it.

[@MuchWhittering]

Honestly the guest here is awful. Demands the restaurant stays open after closing time, then insists on ordering off-menu.

[@allendesalme197]

No he is not like that in real life. He is a particularly brilliant fellow...

[@davidsaum9230]

Trust you to think that it was a pube! Lol.

[@dannyjoe3343]

Yeah..celery by itself is tasteless and bland. But, put some peanut butter or philly cream cheese on it and u got some good munchie food.

[@papalaz4444244]

it sounds rank, by the way. Fruit and nuts in a mayonnaise full of vinegar. Nah.

[@pleasantvalleypickerca7681]

My least favorite episode. The American tourists are unbearably arrogant and demanding. That is not the way to behave when you're a guest in another country. To be fair though Basil does make a bad situation worse by needlessly complicating everything as usual.

[@neilmccarthy5102]

Don’t think John Cleese is like this in real life - he was basically poking fun at the stereotype English (? Maybe British? Could be Scott’s/Welsh sharing similar traits) arrogance/rudeness and deluded antiquated view on Britain in the 1970’s. He’s just a good actor

[@paulhorgan6152]

You should watch John cleese and Eric Idle La talks where John cleese explains the origins of Basil Faulty ,very funny ❤🇬🇧😊

[@sadoldgit1582]

You don't know what a Waldorf salad is? You're Scottish you don't know what any salad is😁

[@dan-w1t9b]

Dawn Marie (My love!!) look who got a role in a cinematic classic! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gX6oh5yPq9Sdqrs

[@i.m.7710]

Basil’s wife does NOTHING.

[@lifelover515]

Well, she did manage a Waldorf salad with no fuss.

[@diogenesagogo]

She's a lazy bitch but she is at least competent.

[@papalaz4444244]

This is the one ep that really annoys me. They turned up late. No small hotel would keep all the staff on to make them a full dinner. He offered to book them a restaurant and a taxi.

[@ftumschk]

To be fair, £20 was the equivalent of nearly £100 back then, so I might have been tempted to accommodate him.

[@papalaz4444244]

@@ftumschk That was Basil's mistake. He decided to humiliate himself for 20 quid

[@randolphfriend8260]

😁 💙 thank you for your . . . enthusiasm. . . cherriness . . . beauty . . . uplifting spirit. 🎄

[@jezfield8547]

no! a pain in the bottom

[@WezMan444]

It is actually my dream to yell and insult stuck-up entitled customers, the level of catharsis it would provide would feel better than sex.

[@coreylacour1148]

I've worked in hotels for 20 years, I'm definitely Team Basil.

[@Yldcatz]

I hate celery

[@mr.a8315]

🥗😂👍

[@fannybuster]

I;d rather you watch the "The 40 year old virgin"

[@i.m.7710]

😂😂😂

[@adamclifton29]

This guy is the definition of the 'arrogant Yank'. Not my favorite episode

[@landiserla3668]

he sounded and acted like a Canadian to me, which I found out that the actor was.

[@andrewbradbury8527]

Too many flashbacks... must be Scottish or Irish