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A) Fawlty Towers named greatest British TV sitcom

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A) Fawlty Towers named greatest British TV sitcom

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Radio Times naming Fawlty Towers best TV sitcom regardless of only airing 12 episodes

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Fawlty Towers named greatest ever British TV sitcom

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Comedy experts position series set in a chaotic hotel above Father Ted and I'm Alan Partridge

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A brief summary of episodes and the clear problems Basil always finds himself in

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Each Fawlty Towers episode guide has a synopsis of the episode, classic scenes, details of when the episode was first shown and a complete cast list.

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C) Before airing BBC thought Fawlty Towers was awful

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C) Before airing BBC thought Fawlty Towers was awful

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A look into the difficult process of airing the show and how the BBC thought it was 'awful'

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Fewer fans, however, will recall that, at the time of its first broadcast, critics weren't much more impressed by Fawlty Towers than the BBC's script editor had been.

"The initial response was kind of puzzled," says Cleese. " The Daily Mirror's headline was, 'Long John Short of Jokes'. It was the same with Python - in the early days, almost nobody said it was very good." Cleese wasn't even being well-paid for his work. Making the first series, he says, took him 43 weeks. For this the BBC paid him the sum of £6,000. He doubts that he could have afforded to make Fawlty Towers if he hadn't been making good money from starring in television advertisements.

It was an exhausting process, he says. "The average BBC sitcom had a script of 65 pages an episode, and on Fawlty Towers we used to do about 140 pages," he says. "That's why I think people can go on watching it - there's so much more in it than there is in most shows."

Fawlty Towers ' fortunes began to improve after the humorist Alan Coren wrote a glowing appreciation of it, once the first series ended. When the BBC reran the series, viewing figures shot up. By the end of the second series, fans were dying for more. But Cleese and Booth didn't want to give it to them.

"We just knew that if we made more, it wouldn't be as good," says Cleese. "When you do something that is generally accepted as very good, how do you top it?"

But Cleese did once idly consider bringing back the characters - not for a third series but a film. Having retired from the hotel trade, Basil and his wife Sybil (Prunella Scales) would be flying to Spain to visit their useless waiter Manuel (Andrew Sachs) when the plane would be hijacked. Basil would overcome the hijackers - only to become enraged when the pilot tried to return the plane to Heathrow. Determined to reach Spain, Basil would then hijack the plane himself.

After Fawlty Towers ended, several American networks tried to adapt it. One producer told Cleese they'd changed only one thing: "We've written Basil out." Two producers from another network planned to adapt it, only to change their minds at the script stage and set their sitcom not in a hotel but in a Boston bar. Thus Cheers was born.

Cleese rarely watches TV today, but says he's certain that the "golden age" of British comedy is over.

"I don't think the writers work as hard as they used to, and I think they may lack experience, because the writing isn't as good," he says. "I do proudly claim that in the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties we had the least bad television in the world. I don't think that's true any more." Today, he says, the people who run TV are interested only in money and viewing figures, and are fearful of new, imaginative ideas.

"What works wonderfully," he says, "is if people who know what they're doing, at least some of the time, are allowed to trust their gut. That's when you get interesting television."

Fawlty Towers: Reopened is on Sunday on G.O.L.D. at 9.00pm. Fawlty Exclusive: Basil's Best Bits is on 17 May at 9.00pm, also on G.O.L.D.

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Fawlty Towers: the classic sitcom the BBC didn't want

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Fewer fans, however, will recall that, at the time of its first broadcast, critics weren't much more impressed by Fawlty Towers than the BBC's script editor had been. "The initial response was kind of puzzled," says Cleese. " The Daily Mirror's headline was, 'Long John Short of Jokes'.

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Sayings and puns said by character Basil, that are still used to this day

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A British treasure, John Cleese is one of the country's best-loved comedians, especially for his role of shady hotelier Basil Fawlty.
Cleese, now a national vintage at 78-years-old, starred in the very best of British humour.

From dedicated service in the Monty Python team to his wonderful film debut Clockwise, Cleese has been on the lips of comedy lovers worldwide for his incredible performances.

But it's his portrayal of Basil Fawlty in evergreen sitcom Fawlty Towers, that will cement his name in history.

Playing the excruciatingly snide, sneaky and down-right rude Basil, Fawlty Towers followed him and his wife Sybil as they barely kept their failing hotel afloat.

The BBC nearly axed it after one series (six episodes) but it was spared by its last episode which gained it much deserved applause.

But the show only lasted for two series, with Cleese bowing out while their fortunes were high.

So in no order, here's a definitive list of Basil's best one-liners, harshest put-downs and most rotten excuses, as he tried every trick in the book to avoid taking responsibility.

Take it away Basil...
1. 'For someone called Manuel, you're looking terribly ill...'
2.' Ze Germans! Ze Germans!'

3. Guest: 'I've never been in such a place in my life.
Basil: 'You snobs. You stupid stuck-up, toffee-nosed, half-witted, upper-class piles of pus.'
4. American guest: 'Is there anywhere they do French food?'

Basil: 'Yes, France, I believe. They seem to like it there. And the swim would certainly sharpen your appetite. You'd better hurry, the tide leaves in six minutes.'
5. Mrs Richards: 'When I pay for a view, I expect something more interesting than that.' Basil: 'Well may I ask what you expected to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window? Sydney Opera House perhaps? The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically...'
6. Basil: 'Listen, don't mention the war! I mentioned it once, but I think I got away with it all right. [returns to the Germans] So! It's all forgotten now, and let's hear no more about it.

'So, that's two egg mayonnaise, a prawn Goebbels, a Hermann Goering, and four Colditz salads.'
7. Mr Johnston: 'I'm not satisfied.' Basil: 'Well, people like you never are, are you?'
8. Basil (answers phone): 'Hello Fawlty TITTIES...'
9. Basil leads Manuel over to reception counter: 'This: Basil's wife. This: Basil. (Shows palm of hand) This: smack in the head (smacks Manuel in the forehead).'
10. (Basil struggles with taking a stuffed moose head off the wall and stops to answer phone to Sybil): 'Yes I was doing it! I just put it down to come here to be reminded to do what I'm already bloody doing I mean what's the point, why are you calling me to see if I'm doing it, what's the bloody point, I'm bloody doing it aren't I!!'
11. (Guest at dinner): 'And what do we do if we don't happen to like the duck?'
Basil (sarcastic): Well if you don't like a duck, then you're rather stuck, hahaha'.

12. Basil (Serving drinks to a young couple in the bar): Did you ever see that film How To Murder Your Wife?

Man: 'No.'

Basil: 'Ah well, yes it's awfully good. I saw it six times.' (smirks and walks off)
13. Irish man: 'If the good Lord meant us to worry, then he would have given us things to worry about.'
Basil: 'He hasssss... My wife!!!! She will be back here in four hours and she can kill a man with one blow of her tongue!! how am I supposed to not worry?'
Irish man: 'Just remember Mr Fawlty there's always someone worse off than you.' Basil: 'Really? I'd love to meet them I could do with a bloody laugh.' Man: 'Ah Mr Fawlty, I'm telling ya. If the good lord...' Basil: '...is mentioned once more I will move you closer to him. Now leave.'
14. Nurse: Ill get a doctor right away (scuttles off)

Basil (shouting from a hospital bed): 'You need a plastic surgeon dear, not a doctor.'
15. Basil (to German guests while suffering a concussion): 'You want to go out and buy some meat? We have meat in the building. 'Ve hav meat in ze building... Mooooo' (makes cow horns symbol)
16. Basil: 'Start, you vicious bastard. Oh, my God. I'm warning you if you don't start... I'll count to three. 1, 2, 3. Right, that does it. I'm going to give you a damn good thrashing!'
17. Basil to guest: 'This is typical. Absolutely typical...of the kind of...arse I have to put up with from you people. You ponce in here expecting to be waited on hand and foot, while I'm trying to run a hotel here. Have you any idea of how much there is to do? Do you ever think of that? Of course not, you're all too busy sticking your noses into every corner, poking around for things to complain about, aren't you! 'Well let me tell you something - this is exactly how Nazi Germany started. A lot of layabouts with nothing better to do than to cause trouble. Well, I've had fifteen years of pandering to the likes of you, and I've had enough. I've had it. Come on, pack your bags and get out!!'
MORE: There's no more Monty Python, ten reunion shows was enough, says Michael Palin

MORE: Fawlty Towers voted best British sitcom with Alan Partridge meeting his biggest fan being named funniest scene

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A British treasure, John Cleese is one of the country's best-loved comedians, especially for his role of shady hotelier Basil Fawlty. Cleese, now a national vintage at 78-years-old, starred in the very best of British humour. From dedicated service in the Monty Python team to his wonderful film debut Clockwise, Cleese has been on the lips of comedy lovers worldwide for his incredible performances.

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Photos of the sign that changed every episode throughout the series

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TV history has been dealt a bit of a blow with the news that the Gleneagles in Torquay - the hotel which inspired comedy classic Fawlty Towers - maybe about to close.

Of course the hotel itself - which faces an uncertain future after plans to turn it in to a retirement home were rejected - has still lasted a lot longer than its TV counterpart, which closed its doors in 1979 (we're not sure why but a rat loose in the kitchen areas may have had something to do with it).

We're not sure they ever had quite so many problems with the signage outside the building either - something which seemed to bother Fawlty Towers on a weekly basis.

Here's a quick reminder of how the sign changed during the show's opening credits...
Series 1 Episode 1 - A Touch Of Class
It all started off well enough. Only a slight adjustment needed to the 'S'...
Series 1 Episode 2 - The Builders
Getting some builders to adjust this might not have been such a bad idea...
Series 1 Episode 3 - The Wedding Party
Oops.
Series 1 Episode 4 - The Hotel Inspectors
The inspectors appear to be casting their eye over somewhere called 'Fawty Toer'. Are they sure they've come to the right place?
Series 1 Episode 5 - Gourmet Night
We have slipped into anagram mode for the episode in which Basil gets his ducks mixed up and thrashes his car with a tree branch. Except it's not actually a proper anagram.

Episode six of series one, The Germans, is the only instalment not to begin outside of the hotel (instead it showed the exterior of a hospital) so we'll gloss over that one and move on to...
Series 2 Episode 1 - Communication Problems
Basically the same as series 1, episode 2 - but why not, it's a good 'un after all?
Series 2 episode 2 - The Psychiatrist
Another sort of an anagram except it isn't quite one...
Series 2 Episode 3 - Waldorf Salad
Not even close to being an anagram. But still made us chuckle...
Series 2 Episode 4 - The Kipper and The Corpse
We can't help feeling sorry for the owls involved in this one...
Series 2 Episode 5 - The Anniversary
Here's the one everybody remembers (we cannot imagine why). And also the only 'anagram' of the hotel name which is an actual proper anagram...
Series 2 Episode 6 - Basil The Rat
And so the series ends on a particularly juvenile note.

MORE: Is Fawlty Towers hotel about to close for the final time?

MORE: Someone has made a fabulous recreation of the Fawlty Towers hotel entirely in Lego

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Those Fawlty Towers hotel signs in full...

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TV history has been dealt a bit of a blow with the news that the Gleneagles in Torquay - the hotel which inspired comedy classic Fawlty Towers - maybe about to close.

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A audiovisual interview with John as he talks about the characters of Fawlty Towers

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Article on the dated comedy and the thoughts of how this comedy would be reacted to in today's society

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John Cleese on "Fawlty Towers". (Photo: BBC)

For this installment of Dated or Delightful I went back to 1975 to re-watch a famous farcical sitcom about an ill-tempered hotelier and his overbearing wife. Throughout the twelve episode binge, my main goal was to ascertain whether Fawlty Towers was still funny and relevant four decades later.

Inspired by an unhospitable stay in Torquay, John Cleese and his then wife Connie Booth modeled legendary British curmudgeon Basil Fawlty after Gleneagles Hotel owner Donald Sinclair who Cleese later described as "the rudest man I've ever come across in my life." After a shaky start getting commissioned by the BBC, Fawlty Towers has since found itself at or the near the top of a number of Best Comedy polls and lists garnering admiration and affection around the world.

If you aren't familiar with this British comedy classic, however, the gist is that a constantly squabbling married couple named Basil (Cleese) and Sybil Fawlty ( Prunella Scales) own and operate a hotel in an English resort town. Sybil fancies herself the people person while Basil, who is constantly trying to raise the tone of his clientele, is simultaneously the frantic yet begrudging jack of all trades. Along with their skeleton crew of porter/waiter Manuel ( Andrew Sachs) and waitress/reception/maid Polly (Booth), the staff at Fawlty Towers faces constant mayhem and misadventures which usually ends with Basil getting his just desserts for all his effort.

As for my assessment, I found that while the surface elements had a drab and dated look, the more important components of the show were still fresh.

Fawlty Towers' comedy comes from a place of confusion. Coincidences, misunderstandings and crossed wires abound which is still an integral part of sitcoms to this day.

It touched on the familiar situations we all encounter in the service field namely unhelpful staff and, on the flip side, unreasonable customers.

Timely current events even come into play. There's a point where the xenophobic Basil discusses the UK's recent entry into the EEC (now the EU). He's attending to a group of German guests and says, "May I say how pleased we are to have some Europeans here now that we are on the continent? I didn't vote for it myself, quite honestly, but now that we're in, I'm determined to make it work, so I'd like to welcome you all to Britain."

Talk about bookends to an era! Regarding the recent Brexit vote John Cleese himself tweeted he would be voting to leave the EU much as we assume Basil Fawlty would have.

If I thought there was any chance of major reform in the EU,I'd vote to stay in.But there isn't.Sad.Sorry,Paddy.
- John Cleese (@JohnCleese) June 11, 2016

That being said, I didn't find Fawlty Towers to be the epitome of British situation comedy as it has been so often been anointed. Don't get me wrong, the repartee can be very clever and it certainly has its share of memorable scenes, but I failed to engage emotionally with the characters. Unpleasant people are that way for a reason and getting just the briefest of insights into their misery makes them more human for that moment. Even if they show no growth over time at least it makes them bearable to watch.

This is about the closest Basil and Sybil get to showing any sentimentality about their marriage.

Also, Basil yells - a lot. More than once, my mind started to wander because of all the bellowing and shouting. This type of tantrum can be funny for a short sketch but gets tiresome after more than a minute or so.

As I've mentioned in other installments of this series, racist attitudes and slurs which are jarring and uncomfortable today were more mainstream in years past. The character of permanent Fawlty Towers' resident Major Gowen ( Ballard Berkeley) is an example of an elderly man with outdated, prejudiced opinions specifically displayed in the episode 'The Germans'.Like famous American bigot Archie Bunker, the audience doesn't approve of his ignorance, but laughs at it.

The Manuel situation, on the other hand, makes me a bit more uncomfortable. I'm not going to second guess casting Andrew Sachs (a German-born British actor) as the bumbling but well-meaning Spaniard. Nonetheless, the actor was required to wear makeup to make his skin darker despite the fact Spanish people come in a vast range of complexions.

Manuel's limited English fluency makes him the object of most of Basil's verbal and physical abuse. While we might assume Manuel wouldn't be a competent waiter anywhere, he is derided by guests and staff alike for his nationality. Most concerning was when Polly, probably the most tolerant character on the show, called Manuel a "dago dodo " in a fit of frustration in the 'Basil the Rat' episode. Not okay, Polly.

So in my final analysis, I contend that Fawlty Towers is not dated nor entirely delightful either. I found it witty, sharp and entertaining, but for me it lacked those glimpses of humanity that make comedy relatable. I know some will disagree with my opinion about this beloved British comedy and that's okay. Please share your thoughts and memories about Basil and his crew in the comments below.

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For this installment of Dated or Delightful I went back to 1975 to re-watch a famous farcical sitcom about an ill-tempered hotelier and his overbearing wife. Throughout the twelve episode binge, my main goal was to ascertain whether Fawlty Towers was still funny and relevant four decades later.

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H) History behind the idea of Fawlty Towers

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H) History behind the idea of Fawlty Towers

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A summary of what inspired the plot of Fawlty Towers

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Fawlty Towers was co-written by two alumni of the legendary Monty Python comedy group, namely, the then husband and wife team of John Cleese and Connie Booth. The premise of the show was inspired by a hotel in Torquay, Devon where the group once had a memorable stay.

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Holding a BBC record for most tuned in for the tenth anniversary of Fawlty Towers

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This page details the many awards won by Fawlty Towers and its main characters, plus information on audience figures for the show

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J) Viewers rank their favorite episode from the sitcom

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J) Viewers rank their favorite episode from the sitcom

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The audience ranks the episodes from 'from best to even better…' and the best one-liners from each one

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Can you believe it's exactly 40 years since the world was first introduced to Basil Fawlty and his hotel-ruining antics?

Yes, exactly four decades ago on this date the first ever episode of Fawlty Towers was broadcast - kicking off a show which is still regarded as one of the best ever to grace the small screen.

And although only 12 episodes - two series in total - were ever made, they've stood the test of time far longer than a lot of longer-lasting comedy shows.

To mark the occasion we attempted to rank the 12 episodes from worst to best - but since they're all classics, they really should all be number one.

So that's how we've rated them...
1 A Touch Of Class (Series 1, Episode 1)
The first ever episode of this first series, and straight away Basil's snobbery comes to the fore as he starts fawning over titled guest Lord Melbury (at the expense of his other more 'common' patrons) - except he isn't all he seems. While it may not pack quite the punch of some of the later efforts it still has its fair share of big laughs.

Comic highpoint: A note of confusion in the dining room which results in Manuel hurling a grapefruit half at a bunch of innocent guests after being told to 'throw it away'.

One-liner to quote: 'Have you seen the people in six? They've never even sat on chairs before...!'
1 The Hotel Inspectors (Series 1, Episode 4)
Aka that episode in which Bernard Cribbins stars as a particularly picky guest, at the exact same time that hotel inspectors hit town and Basil is forced to be nice to everyone (as you might imagine it doesn't end well). It's not the most memorable of episodes, but we promise you the ending makes it all worthwhile.

Comic highpoint: The last two minutes. Not that we'd dream of spoiling them for you.

One-liner to quote: 'Did you have to talk to all your friends for so long that you didn't have time to perm your ears?'
1 The Kipper and the Corpse (Series 2, Episode 4)
In which someone dies overnight and it all goes a bit farcical as Basil and Manuel attempt to keep the body out of view of the other guests. And fail miserably. There's some brilliant moments here, (not to mention Geoffrey Palmer's brilliant performance as the bemused doctor caught up in it all) even if ultimately it's a bad sad because, hey, one of the guests has just died.

Comic highpoint: Basil becomes convinced he has poisoned the dead guest with out of date kippers, panics, shoves one up his jumper.

One-liner to quote: 'It does actually say "Hotel" outside. You know, perhaps I should be more specific: "Hotel for people who have a better than fifty per cent chance of making it through the night...'
1 The Anniversary (Series 2, Episode 5)
Sybil thinks Basil's forgotten their wedding anniversary and promptly flounces out just minutes before the guests arrive for a surprise party. Awkwardness ensues as Basil tries to convince them all that she's ill in bed. Not the best episode of series two but kept us amused enough.

Comic highpoint: Manuel's attempts to make a surprise paella for Basil and Sybil being continually scuppered by chef Terry.

One-liner to quote: 'Is surprise party. She not here. That is surprise...'
1 The Builders (Series 1, Episode 2)
That one when Basil and Sybil go away for the weekend while building work is being done on the hotel. Except Basil's attempts to use a cheaper builder than Sybil wants end in a wall being built where a wall shouldn't be built. This episode deserves its ranking for featuring the first full-on Basil meltdown in series history, as the reality of everything going pear-shaped starts to dawn on him...

Comic highpoint: The aforementioned meltdown is pretty good.

One-liner to quote: 'If you're not over here in twenty minutes with my door, I shall come over there and insert a large garden gnome in you. Good day.'
1 Waldorf Salad (Series 2, Episode 3)
Or that episode in which Basil is pitted against an American guest who's not impressed with the hospitality on offer (and who can blame him)? Tucked away in the middle of the series, it's sometimes forgotten about but notable for being the show which taught millions of ignorant viewers what a Waldorf salad actually is.

Comic highpoint: Basil pretending to tell Terry off in the kitchen even though he left work ages ago.

One-liner to quote: 'Coping's easy. Not puréeing your loved ones, that's the difficult part.'
1 The Wedding party (Series 1, Episode 3)
It all goes a bit Carry On in the hotel thanks to the arrival of an unmarried couple (cue much furrowing of Basil's brow, this was the mid-70s after all), their parents and a decidedly flirty Frenchwoman. Oh, and Manuel gets drunk. Probably the closest Fawlty Towers has ever come to an actual farce.

Comic highpoint: When Basil keeps being caught in a compromising position with Manuel, much to the consternation of guests.

One-liner to quote: 'Is that what made Britain great? (said in ridiculous voice) I'm so sorry, I made a mistake...'
1 The Psychiatrist (Series 2, Episode 2)
The aforementioned doctor books in for the weekend with his wife and Basil can't cope - although another guest, open-shirted ladies man Mr Johnson (Nicky Henson) gives him reason to question his sanity after he smuggles a laydee in to his bedroom.

Comic highpoint: Sybil becomes convinced Basil is sexually harrassing one of the guests. But really he just went in to her room to check the walls.

One-liner to quote: 'I'm fed up with you, you rancorous, coiffured old sow.' Charming...
1 Communication Problems (Series 2, Episode 1)
The second series kicked off with a brilliantly constructed episode in which Basil has to deal with the truculent - and deaf - guest Mrs Richards (Joan Sanderson) while at the same time trying to hide from Sybil the fact he's had a stealthy bet on the horses. Chaos, inevitably, reigns.

Comic highpoint: Basil's attempt to explain to Manuel why he mustn't say a word about his winnings. Leading to the now classic 'I know nothing' moment.

One-liner to quote: 'May I suggest that you move to a hotel closer to the sea...or preferably in it.'
1 Gourmet Night (Series 1, Episode 5)
Almost the best episode ever but not quite, as Basil and Sybil attempt to throw a posh dinner party for a bunch of titled guests - except it all goes horribly wrong when their gourmet chef gets drunk. Featuring ducks being trodden on and the ultimate Basil meltdown as his car breaks down at exactly the wrong moment.

Comic highpoint: That actual bit when the car finally gives up, only for him to thrash it to an inch of its life with a tree branch.

One-liner to quote: 'If you don't like duck...you're rather stuck.'
1 Basil The Rat (Series 2, Episode 6)
The folks behind Fawlty Towers may well have saved the best until last, as Basil is faced with the prospect of being shut down by the health inspector at the same time as Manuel's pet rat decides to escape and explore his surroundings. Originally delayed by six months due to a BBC strike, it was more than worth the wait.

Comic highpoint: That moment when the health inspector and the rat finally come face to face (and not just because it features one of the oddest looking rats in TV history)...

One-liner to quote: 'Oh so you're the rat inspector...!'
1 The Germans (Series 1, Episode 6)
Comedy rarely gets better than this half-hour, as Basil has to cope with a fire drill, a hospital stay and a bunch of German guests, all without actually mentioning the war to them once. Word of warning: this is one of the most politically incorrect things you will ever see. Except it soon ceases to matter...

Comic highpoint: We're torn between the moose's head, the fire drill or Basil blatantly mentioning the war as often as possible, much to the annoyance of his guests.

One-liner to quote: 'Don't mention the war. I mentioned it once but I think I got away with it...'

MORE: Here's your chance to actually live in the Fawlty Towers hotel. Sort of...

MORE: Someone has made a fabulous recreation of the Fawlty Towers hotel entirely in Lego

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Fawlty Towers is 40 so we ranked all the episodes

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Can you believe it's exactly 40 years since the world was first introduced to Basil Fawlty and his hotel-ruining antics? Yes, exactly four decades ago on this date the first ever episode of Fawlty Towers was broadcast - kicking off a show which is still regarded as one of the best ever to grace the small screen.

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Showing the mass of positive ratings that the sitcom accumulated

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It shames me to have to admit that I missed the first three 'Fawlty Towers' episodes on its original run as I was hooked on the I.T.V. series 'Beryl's Lot' ( starring Carmel McSharry ). My first encounter with Basil was Episode Four - 'The Hotel Inspectors'. Even now I can feel the pain in my side from laughing too hard. I spent the next few days telling everyone how great this show was.

'Fawlty Towers' takes place in a hotel in Torquay, run by the world's rudest man - Basil Fawlty ( John Cleese ) and his henpecking wife Sybil ( Prunella Scales ) who has a laugh like someone machine-gunning a seal. The permanently overworked staff includes American art student Polly Shearman ( Connie Booth, then Cleese's wife ), Cockney chef Terry ( the late Terry Hall ) and, of course, Manuel ( Andrew Sachs ), a Spanish waiter whose command of the English language leaves a lot to be desired. Among the regular guests are the senile Major Gowen ( Ballard Berkeley ). What gives the show much of its humour is that Basil is snobbish and quick-tempered, barely disguising his contempt for the guests.

'Fawlty' was based on the late Donald Sinclair, owner of 'The Gleneagles' in Torquay. He was so rude that the Python cast, there on a location shoot, moved out! Cleese remembered him when writing for the L.W.T. sitcom 'Doctor At Large'. The episode 'No Ill Feeling!' was a success and it was clear that there was a series based around its setting and characters.

The show debuted on B.B.C.-2 less than a year after the final season of 'Monty Python'. It was not an immediate hit. Repeats came to the rescue. When it moved over to B.B.C.-1 on Sunday evenings a year later, ratings skyrocketed.

It got off to a fantastic start with 'A Touch Of Class' in which Basil is taken in by a confidence trickster ( Michael Gwynn ). Other classic episodes include 'The Hotel Inspectors' ( boasting a marvellous guest performance from Bernard Cribbins ), 'Gourmet Night' in which Basil tries to make the hotel famous for its cooking, and, memorably, 'The Germans' with a concussed Basil offending a party of Germans by making constant references to the war.

It was a triumph, yet a second season did not appear until 1979. The first was a tough act to follow, but the second managed it. Memorable episodes include 'Communication Problems' with Joan Sanderson as a fussy old woman who uses her deafness to get her own way, 'Waldorf Salad' in which a loud American ( Bruce Boa ) tries to bribe Basil into keeping the chef working, 'The Kipper & The Corpse' has Basil trying to conceal the fact one of the guests has died, and the final edition - 'Basil The Rat' - involves the staff hunting for an escaped rodent before a Health Inspector is due to call.

It goes without saying that 'Fawlty Towers' is the most perfectly realised British sitcom of them all. Excellent scripts superbly performed by a top-notch cast. It has not diminished with the passage of time.

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Fawlty Towers (TV Series 1975-1979) - IMDb

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It shames me to have to admit that I missed the first three 'Fawlty Towers' episodes on its original run as I was hooked on the I.T.V. series 'Beryl's Lot' ( starring Carmel McSharry ). My first encounter with Basil was Episode Four - 'The Hotel Inspectors'.