Some regional dinner theatres occasionally have a Fawlty Towers theme night which is just actors playing Basil, Mauel, Polly, and Sybill running amongst actor-diners causing chaos. Loved the Major casually bringing down a shotgun from his room..
Fawlty Towers mantra was " Always leave them wanting more". My favourite character was the Major, a swansong for Ballard Berkeley much in the same way Dad's Army was for John Lawrie and Arnold Ridley.
Sadly, Andrew Sachs (Manuel) passed away in 2016 at the age of eighty. You can catch him in his later years in _Going Postal_ (2010), an excellent adaptation of Terry Pratchett's Discworld novel of the same title. While we're on the topic of the Discworld novels, you should absolutely watch _Hogfather_ (2006), the brilliant adaptation of Terry Prachett's novel. It stars Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary in Downton Abbey) as Susan, the granddaughter of Death, and the late Ian Richardson is the narrator as well as the voice of Death. The two-part series closely follows the plot of the novel, in which the Hogfather, the Discworld equivalent of Father Christmas, has gone missing and Death is forced to take his place while Death's granddaughter Susan attempts to find out what happened. It's excellent to watch around Christmas-time.
In 2021 his daughter Kate donated his white waiter uniform to the Victoria and Albert museum where it forms a part of the museum's permanent costume exhibition.
Merry X-Mass Dawn. Elliot Nesterman suggested you watch/review the adaptations of Terry Pratchett's Dicsworld novels. These are perfect for you. May I suggest you review Hogfather (2006) first as an introduction to Discworld AND it has a Christmas theme! After that suggestions from your followers could help guide you. Personally I much prefer the live action adaptations to the animated versions. Going Postal (2010) and Hogfather (2006) are both performed by live actors.🎄🐀
Wow, I recently watched Going Postal for the second time. I didn’t realize Groat was played by Andrew Sachs. I hadn’t heard of Terry Pratchett until I saw the first season of The Watch earlier this year. I haven’t read any of his books yet, but my understanding of The Watch is it’s based on the Discworld series, not a version of any one book. It hasn’t been announced yet whether there will be a second season.
Sadly it's not possible for a reunion now - Andrew Sachs (Manuel) is dead, Prunella Scales (Sybil) is suffering from dementia and Connie Booth (Polly) has been retired from acting since 1995 and worked as a psychotherapist until she retired. Merry Christmas =)
The bomb scare lie in this episode is based on something that actually happened to the Monty Python fellas when they were staying at the hotel Fawlty Towers was based on. The hotel owner had stolen and hidden one of the guys luggage, and when they asked him why, he said there'd been problems with the staff, and that he thought the luggage might've had a bomb in it.
_Nicht weinen, weil sie vorüber! Lächeln, weil sie gewesen!_ (Do not cry because they are past! Smile, because they once were!) ~ Ludwig Jacobowski, 1899 It was so much fun being able to enjoy this show with you! Dawn, thank you for everything you've done this year, and a very Merry Christmas weekend to you! 🤩🎄🥳
Fawlty Towers is one of my favorite shows of all time and I love that it is also one of yours. Thank you Dawn for brightening the holiday season. Your infectious laughter makes these reactions a joy to watch.
This was my best Christmas present! Thanks Marie! I would have liked a spinoff where Manuel goes back to Spain and opens his own hotel, using all the "expertise" he learned from his former boss. Some of this cast could have been guests now and then on holiday in Spain.
Dawn, I really think you'd enjoy "A Fish Called Wanda", 1988 (EDIT *She already did it about a year ago, search "Dawn Marie a fish called Wanda"* /EDIT). It was written by John Cleese, it also stars him, Michael Palin of flying circus fame is in it, and Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline. I think you'd really like it.
8:18 The actress playing the lady diner was Andrew "Manuel" Sachs's real-life wife, Melody Lang. BTW, your reactions to Fawlty Towers are a joy to watch. Shame there's no other episodes!
This episode is John Cleese's favourite. Thank you. Enjoy to be in your company Dawn. Happy X-mas and A beautyful new year. If you want more Pythonsk energy I will recommend Michal Palin and Terry Jones' : "Ripping Yarns" - It's terrific and full of the best comedy actors of Britain.
Hope you watch all the other Python spin-offs including the Rutland TV "The Rutles - All You Need Is Cash" (the Pythons make a rockumentary spoofing The Beatles story) - thank me later Dawn. Wishing you & your mob Merry Crimbo 🎅🎶🎥🎅😎🙌👍
Dawn, I love how much you love this show, and all the Python productions, films, etc. You give me hope for your generation and future ones, as well. Merry Christmas! :D
Hello Dawn - I have a very important message to you! 😊 First - Thank you sooo much for having shared your reactions of Fawlty Towers (as well as Monty Python’s FC). I have enjoyed every episode! My message to you is this: As you know, Fawlty Towers was John Cleese’s post-Python project. But did you know that Michael Palin and Terry Jones also had their own post-Python series? It is called “Ripping Yarns”, and I urge you to watch them. All episodes can be found on TH-cam. I highly recommend two episodes called “Tomkinson’s Schooldays” and “Roger of the Raj” (where you’ll see Joan Sanderson who played Ms Richards in FT episode “Communication Problems”. Rather than FT’s situation comedy format, Ripping Yarns are half-hour novella films with Palin and Jones’ humorous watermark imprinted on them. Highly recommended! How can you not check them out? 😂 Merry Christmas to you 🎄❤️🎄
I would also love to rewatch these with Dawn. Especially to see her reaction to the one brief but hilarious cameo in the football episode -- I don't want to give it away.
Though Andrew Sachs is an ex-waiter and gone to meet his maker, c 2008 the Adam Smith Theatre in Kirkcaldy had a live stage show of FT. With a good Manuel who came across more Spanish than the real one does. They performed the Germans, Waldorf Salad, and Communication Problems
I loved all your Fawlty Towers videos, as well as your Monty Python, Marx Brothers, and all your comedy reviews. Your laughter is so infectious and it makes me laugh along with you. You might want to check out Romance With a Double Bass from 1974 starring John Cleese and Connie Booth. It's based on a story by Russian playwright Anton Chekhov and has a what-can-go-wrong-next plot that's hilarious.
There's actually another episode of Fawlty Towers not many people know about. Well... sort of! John Cleese wrote for a few other comedy series back in the day, one of them being Doctor At Large (ITV, 1971). He used the episode "No ill Feeling!" as a prototype for Fawlty Towers. There's also a brief cameo of Fawtly Towers in the unaired pilot of Not The Nine O'Clock News (BBC, 1979) with Rowan Atkinson AKA Mr Bean.
I don't often leave comments on reaction videos, but... your laugh is just beautiful. It's so real and honest. Great to see that you enjoyed one of the best sitcoms ever made. Huggz
That was fun watching with you as per uge. Basil the rat, the germans are my favs. Have you seen father ted, Dawn? Irish priests. Hilarious. MERRY CHRISTMAS, BONNIE LASSY!✨️
In most sit com polls Only Fools and Horses usually comes top, but personally Coupling is my favourite. I'm glad you've loved watching this show, and i've loved watching your reaction.
I don't know if this has already been recommended, but I think you would really like the "Blackadder" series. There are 4 seasons (plus a few extras) each set in a different time period. The cast is stellar!
🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 My family LOVED Fawlty Towers! Later in life, when we really needed some laughter, mom went to the store to get a complete set of all of the shows. She brought home just two DVDs, & told us that that was all they had at our store. 😢 We DID live in a small town. Sadly, we watched just those that had been released to DVD; & laughed, & laughed! We then looked about, & found out, that WAS ALL of the episodes. 😢 Re-watching them over & over, we realized that each show had several sub-plots going on at the same time. And our minds had just separated them into complete episodes. We believed there to be 30 plus episodes out there somewhere! 🙉 🤣
After commenting earlier, I was surprised when a recommended video came up from a TH-camr called Fawlty Vault. It was Cleese during a TV interview talking about this episode.
A favorite comedy series of mine was a British one called Good Neighbors in the U.S., but The Good Life over where you are. It had wonderful characters, an interesting plot line, and tons of shenanigans. You’ll probably recognize all the main characters from other series and films they made. Please, please, please, Dawn. 😊
Andrew Sachs is fascinating in himself, not just as his wonderful performance as Manuel. His family left Nazi Germany in 1938, which is how he wound up in England. So not Catalan (most people from Barcelona do NOT identify as Spanish, but Catalan and speak Catalan) but German born. I never realized I had seen him in other shows but I think I have. He is just always Manuel to me and I can't recognize him as anything else. John Cleese is a world treasure. Whatever he does is funny. And the rest of the cast basically play along effectively.
News of a reboot from John Cleese himself. I grew up with these, watching them with my parents, so I hope it is a good homage at the least. There were several copies of this show, but none like the original lineup. Cheers and thank you for watching this and Firefly.
"Are You Being Served?" Is another British comedy series that is on par with Towers and Circus. I would enjoy your reacting to that, or "Vicar of Dibley" (Dawn French), or "Keeping Up Appearances", also excellent choices. I have really enjoyed your efforts in December, and though it is late, I would like to request a short special for New Year's Eve. Your accent is an absolute delight, and it would be a real joy to hear you read and explain the Robert Burns poem, "Auld Lang Syne". We all sing it every year, yet I doubt that 1 in 1000 knows it's meaning, or even all of the verses. With little or no editing required, you could probably pull it off in a take or two, or even live stream it. Think of it as a Christmas present to all your fans who could listen to your voice, and cheerful good humor for endless hours and never tire or get our fill. Thanks for so generously sharing yourself. ❤️
Do The Young Ones. Another show with only 12 episodes, but I promise you it's worth it. Also, I hate to tell you but Andrew Sachs (who played Manuel) died relatively recently. He and John Cleese did do a short bit on stage as Basil and Manuel a few years back, though. You can find it on TH-cam.
No doubt Fawlty Towers is one of the best sit-coms ever. I enjoyed watching all of your FT posts yesterday, along with 12 hours of your other posts. You asked for suggestions for other comedy series, so I'll put forward Dad's Army and Yes Minister as possibilities (in the unlikely event you haven't seen them before). Two others would be The Goodies and The Monkees, both of which were aimed at the younger viewer but which still crack me up in my 60s.
Hi Dawn, Great set of reaction videos and it’s refreshing you also like the Marx Brothers films as they often get over looked these days but are classics, and I’m not a massive fan but Groucho Marx is amazing, its work seeing some of his later TV interviews as he still full of fast passed whit. To address your question about John Cleese and Connie Booth, the first series came out in 1975 and the second in 1979 considering they were made and written 3 and a half years apart, it seems as if they were made all at the same time as there are no big changes in acting style or sets etc, but yes 4 years approx. had passed before the second series was filmed. And yes, John Cleese and Connie Booth both co-wrote Fawlty Towers and were married during the first series and divorced by 1978, so were likely going through this white writing the second series and filing it. However, despite this both John Cleese and Connie Booth acted together and still wrote series two together and were seemingly happy to do so. Possibly I may suggest that as John Cleese and Connie Booth were now devoiced after series 2 finished airing on TV their desire to collaborate writing and starring in further Fawlty Towers series and episodes was not so much on the cards, just my thinking. However, it is also my thinking that while it’s a shame we got no more Fawlty Towers it is best to have left us wanting more than over doing things and us wanting less as, being forced to come up with further episodes could have lessened the Characters possibly. In an interview John Cleese made a good point, that; "While Shakespeare got 3 hours out of Hamlet, I got 6 hours out of Basil Fawlty!" Please do a reaction video to starring John Cleese’s Clockwise film (1986) as it’s the closest role he played to Basil Fawlty (though his timekeeping is suppose to be better) so it’s the next best thing to the lack of more Fawlty Towers episodes. th-cam.com/video/VckmK-ZCpAU/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/-T5UG1GRe2A/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/3oViEN1CxPQ/w-d-xo.html
Dawn Marie also asked which was the best Sitcom if Fawlty Towers was only at No. 2? Now that is so very easy to answer as they say in Highlander, There can be only 1, and that one is the one and only, 'Only Fools And Horses'. Though you have recommended 2 more excellent choices that should most definitely be in the top 20 all time British Sitcoms as 'Allo Allo' was a classic and as for 'Red Dwarf' well, what can I say about it other than it must be absolutely superb as it is still going strong now which shows just how good it is!
Merry Christmas Dawn. Two more John Cleese films that are good comedies are "Clockwise" (1986) and "A Fish Called Wanda" (1988). Cleese's and Booth's daughter, Cynthia Cleese (billed as Cynthia Caylor), is in "A Fished Called Wanda," which in addition to John Cleese stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, and Michael Palin (also of Monty Python). A guilty pleasure of mine is "Erik the Viking" (1989) starring Tim Robbins in the lead. It also includes Mickey Rooney, Eartha Kitt, John Cleese, and Terry Jones (also of Monty Python). Terry Jones directed. Most critics hated it but I like it. I own all three on LaserDisc and DVD.
My favorite of the whole two series, hands down. You may be right. They had to close the place down after this incident. John Quarmby (d,2019) is perfectly cast as the health inspector, but it's Basil the Rodent who steals the show. Basil the Human getting carried out feet first is a fitting end for him. What a wonderful journey and marvellous Christmas present. Thanks so much Dawnie.
Two very funny Britcoms that are also sci-fi: _My Hero,_ about a good-natured but simple-minded superhero from another planet who falls in love with an Earth woman, and _Red Dwarf,_ about a man who survives a catastrophe only to be trapped inside a large spaceship with 3 not-so-human companions. Hijinks ensue.
The BBC backed a dump truck full of money up to Cleese and Booth, but they stayed strong. There were twelve things they wanted to show about the hospitality industry (twelve "angers"), and then they stopped. They knew better than to stretch a good thing too far.
Another great reaction video! I would recommend "Splitted Heirs" for more John Cleese. Also, you might want to check out "Jeeves and Wooster" staring Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry.
I was going to recommend Jeeves and Wooster, although the pace is slower than Python, Faulty Towers or Blackadder. I think she'll enjoy the way the various plot lines get set up so chaotically and then resolve. I actually found it difficult to get interested in House because I kept wanting Hugh Laurie to behave like George from Blackadder or like Bertie Wooster.
John Cleese once said, Fawlty Towers was so good because it was so short, and attempt to make more episodes would have diluted what was there. As far as other British shows; Are You Being Served is a great one from that era, so is Keeping Up Appearances, and From the Manner Born. Father Ted is also good. Waiting For God was good too. The Benny Hill Show was great too!
I definitely recommend The IT Crowd, Black Adder or That Mitchell and Webb look for British comedy. For something lesser known, but hilarious, check out Los Espookys (a bilingual series). Also, I highly recommend Portlandia, Community, What We Do in the Shadows, and 30 Rock, and News Radio (which may be hard to stream -- I had to purchase it from Amazon).
What's next? Maybe "Ripping Yarns," a late 1970s comedy series by former Python members Michael Palin and Terry Jones. They're not at all like "Fawlty Towers" but still funny.
I know this is least a year old video (or around about) but sadly it wouldn't have Manuel in it if they did make another episode (or if John Cleese made one that is) unless someone was to recast Manuel with another actor, as the actor who played Manuel Andrew Sachs has sadly since passed away. Though for We Are Most Amused was Cleese who hosted it, at the time Charles was still the PoW was his official birthday well a celebration of him I think reaching the age of either 60 or 70 had both Sachs and Cleese as in their Fawlty Towers stuff.
Have to disagree. I was a big fan of The Young Ones when they were first broadcast and used to watch them every week. However when I recently bought season 1 and 2 on DVD I was really disappointed. IMO they have aged badly, much more so than most any of the other 70's/80's sitcoms.
@@thewildgoose7467 Well I was born in 2004 and it's my favourite show. Sure the political stuff isn't relevant anymore, but you only need a basic understanding of british history (ie; Thatcher = Bad) to understand it. And Rik and Alexei will still be funny in a hundred years time...
@@experi-mentalproductions5358 Just my opinion, as I saw all of these shows when they were originally aired and was around for Thatcher and pit closures etc. But re-watching them now I find that some aged severely and some stood the test of time. Like, some of the Two Ronnie's sketches lasted well, as did Fawlty Towers, Reggie Perrin, Only Fools and Horses, The Good life, Some Mothers do have 'Em, Blackadder, whereas others dated including The Young Ones IMO. I don't think many would disagree though that this was the golden age of British comedy, irrespective of which is their favorite?
A very merry Christmas, Dawn Marie, to you and yours. I hope your New Year brings you wonderful things. Thanks for doing Fawlty Towers. A few of my favorite comedies are: OH BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? MY COUSIN VINNY THREE AMIGOS THE MONEY PIT Those four could keep you busy for a bit. Much love 💙 💙 💙
Dawn, Fawlty Towers had the good sense to know when to leave the party. Not to go on and out stay their welcome. You now need to watch another John Cleese masterpiece, "A Fish Called Wanda." Cheers, Chris Perry.
I just read an article in the New York Times that John Cleese wants to do a Fawlty Towers Reboot featuring his daughter. No word on when this will be done, but it should be interesting to see 50 years after the original.
Well with all the talk about what to watch next I'd like to suggest the followup to A Fish Called Wanda... the 1987 film Fierce Creatures. We get all 4 of the main cast returning and even tho it's not as good as A Fish Called Wanda it's still worth a watch. Oh and if you want to visit the 90's US adaptation(because why not) of Fawlty Towers it was re-titled Payne and had 9 episodes(eight of which were aired) before cancellation. It was also the 3rd attempt to do a US adaption of Fawlty Towers. All were cancelled at various points before a full season was completed. I think the last time I looked I found bits of Payne on TH-cam, but since it wasn't very good it hasn't gotten a home video release.
I twas so great watching all these with you. I watched them all from the original Flying Circus to the last Fawlty Towers. You might like the Black Adder series if you havent seen it already. Have a great Christmas big hugzz.
Not as farcical as Python/Fawlty, but for me, one of the funniest ever UK shows is Yes Minister/Prime Minister. More high-brow but three of the best comic performances ever by the three leading actors.
Cleese will gladly admit they gave up after this as they knew they couldn't better it. It's the kind of judgement that has preserved this comedy as one of the British comedy greats - outside of its original context - which was satirical of its characters to begin with...
Best sitcom of all time. Did you know they filmed a horrifically-bad pilot ep for a U.S version starring Betty White? The stuffed rat props should up on Antiques Road Show. Next? How about 'Father Ted' or 'Black Books?'
I think Dawn should only do comedies now. I just love her laugh (and her accent). Dawn, I think you should watch Mr Bean next, if you haven’t already seen it. Another hilarious British sitcom is Coupling, written by Steven Moffat (Doctor Who, Sherlock)
Yes, "Basil The Rat" is the best of the lot. I was first exposed to "Fawlty Towers" in 1986. As for me, it's the best sitcom. Near competitors were "I Love Lucy," "Seinfeld," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," and "Frasier." There is a short five minute bit from "Frasier" you might enjoy. Niles Crane is Frasier Crane's brother. Frasier has allowed Niles the use of his apartment to cook a gourmet meal for a date who is about to show up. Niles is supercilious and requires everything to be in order and perfect. As he his sitting on the couch and waiting for his date to appear, he notices the crease in his pants is not to his liking. He gets up to correct the issue and this is where the clip starts. th-cam.com/video/EpImet3Xwgw/w-d-xo.html -Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA
Another short TV comedy worth watching is _Police Squad!_ It's an American spoof of old cop shows. It was canceled by the network for requiring too much attention. I kid you not.
Hundreds of years from now people will still be watching
Some regional dinner theatres occasionally have a Fawlty Towers theme night which is just actors playing Basil, Mauel, Polly, and Sybill running amongst actor-diners causing chaos. Loved the Major casually bringing down a shotgun from his room..
Yeah, I used to play Manuel in dinner theatre shows. Lots of fun.
Fawlty Towers mantra was " Always leave them wanting more". My favourite character was the Major, a swansong for Ballard Berkeley much in the same way Dad's Army was for John Lawrie and Arnold Ridley.
The Major is my favourite character!
The man had such a talent for facial expressions!
Sadly, Andrew Sachs (Manuel) passed away in 2016 at the age of eighty. You can catch him in his later years in _Going Postal_ (2010), an excellent adaptation of Terry Pratchett's Discworld novel of the same title.
While we're on the topic of the Discworld novels, you should absolutely watch _Hogfather_ (2006), the brilliant adaptation of Terry Prachett's novel. It stars Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary in Downton Abbey) as Susan, the granddaughter of Death, and the late Ian Richardson is the narrator as well as the voice of Death.
The two-part series closely follows the plot of the novel, in which the Hogfather, the Discworld equivalent of Father Christmas, has gone missing and Death is forced to take his place while Death's granddaughter Susan attempts to find out what happened.
It's excellent to watch around Christmas-time.
In 2021 his daughter Kate donated his white waiter uniform to the Victoria and Albert museum where it forms a part of the museum's permanent costume exhibition.
Merry X-Mass Dawn. Elliot Nesterman suggested you watch/review the adaptations of Terry Pratchett's Dicsworld novels. These are perfect for you. May I suggest you review Hogfather (2006) first as an introduction to Discworld AND it has a Christmas theme! After that suggestions from your followers could help guide you. Personally I much prefer the live action adaptations to the animated versions. Going Postal (2010) and Hogfather (2006) are both performed by live actors.🎄🐀
Dawn will fall in love with Binky...
Wow, I recently watched Going Postal for the second time. I didn’t realize Groat was played by Andrew Sachs. I hadn’t heard of Terry Pratchett until I saw the first season of The Watch earlier this year. I haven’t read any of his books yet, but my understanding of The Watch is it’s based on the Discworld series, not a version of any one book. It hasn’t been announced yet whether there will be a second season.
Sadly it's not possible for a reunion now - Andrew Sachs (Manuel) is dead, Prunella Scales (Sybil) is suffering from dementia and Connie Booth (Polly) has been retired from acting since 1995 and worked as a psychotherapist until she retired. Merry Christmas =)
I guess it's just fanfic then. I bet there's a few good ones, but you'd likely have to trawl through a sea of failures first. [sigh]
Clockwise (1986) is a magnificent showpiece for John Cleese & you will adore it.
"Would you care for...rat" 😆😆😆
The bomb scare lie in this episode is based on something that actually happened to the Monty Python fellas when they were staying at the hotel Fawlty Towers was based on. The hotel owner had stolen and hidden one of the guys luggage, and when they asked him why, he said there'd been problems with the staff, and that he thought the luggage might've had a bomb in it.
_Nicht weinen, weil sie vorüber! Lächeln, weil sie gewesen!_
(Do not cry because they are past! Smile, because they once were!) ~ Ludwig Jacobowski, 1899
It was so much fun being able to enjoy this show with you! Dawn, thank you for everything you've done this year, and a very Merry Christmas weekend to you! 🤩🎄🥳
Fawlty Towers is one of my favorite shows of all time and I love that it is also one of yours. Thank you Dawn for brightening the holiday season. Your infectious laughter makes these reactions a joy to watch.
This was my best Christmas present! Thanks Marie!
I would have liked a spinoff where Manuel goes back to Spain and opens his own hotel, using all the "expertise" he learned from his former boss. Some of this cast could have been guests now and then on holiday in Spain.
Dawn, I really think you'd enjoy "A Fish Called Wanda", 1988 (EDIT *She already did it about a year ago, search "Dawn Marie a fish called Wanda"* /EDIT). It was written by John Cleese, it also stars him, Michael Palin of flying circus fame is in it, and Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline. I think you'd really like it.
And most surprisingly, given the two pythons in the movie, Kevin Kline is the funniest one in the whole thing.
She’s already reacted to it 🙂
@@jacksonholewa9095 Faaaaak! Thanks for letting me know, I'll go look it up.
@@jacksonholewa9095 even worse, when I went to check it, I've already watched it, lol.
@@AthanImmortal thats funny.
Requests:
Comedy:
Are you being Served?
Drama:
Upstairs Downstairs (original)
To serve them all our days
8:18 The actress playing the lady diner was Andrew "Manuel" Sachs's real-life wife, Melody Lang.
BTW, your reactions to Fawlty Towers are a joy to watch. Shame there's no other episodes!
Theres a genuine fondness for this series if it brings you comfort having it on in the background. Glad you enjoyed this classic.
This episode is John Cleese's favourite. Thank you. Enjoy to be in your company Dawn. Happy X-mas and A beautyful new year.
If you want more Pythonsk energy I will recommend Michal Palin and Terry Jones' : "Ripping Yarns" - It's terrific and full of the best comedy actors of Britain.
I second the suggestion of "Good Neighbors" (The Good Life) as well as "To The Manor Born" classic British comedies
Hope you watch all the other Python spin-offs including the Rutland TV "The Rutles - All You Need Is Cash" (the Pythons make a rockumentary spoofing The Beatles story) - thank me later Dawn. Wishing you & your mob Merry Crimbo 🎅🎶🎥🎅😎🙌👍
Dawn, I love how much you love this show, and all the Python productions, films, etc. You give me hope for your generation and future ones, as well. Merry Christmas! :D
Hello Dawn - I have a very important message to you! 😊
First - Thank you sooo much for having shared your reactions of Fawlty Towers (as well as Monty Python’s FC). I have enjoyed every episode! My message to you is this: As you know, Fawlty Towers was John Cleese’s post-Python project. But did you know that Michael Palin and Terry Jones also had their own post-Python series? It is called “Ripping Yarns”, and I urge you to watch them. All episodes can be found on TH-cam. I highly recommend two episodes called “Tomkinson’s Schooldays” and “Roger of the Raj” (where you’ll see Joan Sanderson who played Ms Richards in FT episode “Communication Problems”. Rather than FT’s situation comedy format, Ripping Yarns are half-hour novella films with Palin and Jones’ humorous watermark imprinted on them. Highly recommended! How can you not check them out? 😂
Merry Christmas to you 🎄❤️🎄
My favorite "Ripping Yarns" episode was "Escape from Stalag Luft 112b." I've seen it several times and it always cracks me up.
I would also love to rewatch these with Dawn. Especially to see her reaction to the one brief but hilarious cameo in the football episode -- I don't want to give it away.
@@artomatt Yes, I know exactly what you mean. Somebody is having a b… 😜
Good idea ….Dawn you should definitely react to Ripping Yarns esp. The Testing of Eric Olthwaite and Golden Gordon!
Congratulations on finishing Fawlty Towers. You did a great job!!! I thoroughly enjoyed it.
At 8:20 The woman in the green dress is Melody Lang. She was married to Andrew Sachs who played Manuel.
Though Andrew Sachs is an ex-waiter and gone to meet his maker, c 2008 the Adam Smith Theatre in Kirkcaldy had a live stage show of FT. With a good Manuel who came across more Spanish than the real one does. They performed the Germans, Waldorf Salad, and Communication Problems
I loved all your Fawlty Towers videos, as well as your Monty Python, Marx Brothers, and all your comedy reviews. Your laughter is so infectious and it makes me laugh along with you. You might want to check out Romance With a Double Bass from 1974 starring John Cleese and Connie Booth. It's based on a story by Russian playwright Anton Chekhov and has a what-can-go-wrong-next plot that's hilarious.
There's actually another episode of Fawlty Towers not many people know about. Well... sort of! John Cleese wrote for a few other comedy series back in the day, one of them being Doctor At Large (ITV, 1971). He used the episode "No ill Feeling!" as a prototype for Fawlty Towers.
There's also a brief cameo of Fawtly Towers in the unaired pilot of Not The Nine O'Clock News (BBC, 1979) with Rowan Atkinson AKA Mr Bean.
I don't often leave comments on reaction videos, but... your laugh is just beautiful. It's so real and honest. Great to see that you enjoyed one of the best sitcoms ever made. Huggz
That was fun watching with you as per uge. Basil the rat, the germans are my favs.
Have you seen father ted, Dawn? Irish priests. Hilarious.
MERRY CHRISTMAS,
BONNIE LASSY!✨️
Definitely 👍
I think she would end up loving Dougal like she loves Manuel💖
And think Ted is like Basil,digging himself deeper with every lie😄
Please consider reacting to "Absolutely Fabulous" with Jennifer Saunders as an upcoming series. I think you'd really like the series.
In most sit com polls Only Fools and Horses usually comes top, but personally Coupling is my favourite. I'm glad you've loved watching this show, and i've loved watching your reaction.
there's a lot of Britcoms I love, but no series has ever made me laugh as hard and as often as Coupling.
Glad i am not alone. Long live weird Geoff, crazy Jane etc. Lol
Have you watched "Porridge" with Ronnie Barker?
It's 20 episodes (plus a pilot, "Prisoner and Escort", and a movie).
I don't know if this has already been recommended, but I think you would really like the "Blackadder" series. There are 4 seasons (plus a few extras) each set in a different time period. The cast is stellar!
🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣
My family LOVED Fawlty Towers!
Later in life, when we really needed some laughter, mom went to the store to get a complete set of all of the shows. She brought home just two DVDs, & told us that that was all they had at our store. 😢 We DID live in a small town.
Sadly, we watched just those that had been released to DVD; & laughed, & laughed!
We then looked about, & found out, that WAS ALL of the episodes. 😢
Re-watching them over & over, we realized that each show had several sub-plots going on at the same time. And our minds had just separated them into complete episodes. We believed there to be 30 plus episodes out there somewhere! 🙉 🤣
After commenting earlier, I was surprised when a recommended video came up from a TH-camr called Fawlty Vault. It was Cleese during a TV interview talking about this episode.
@vvgvvvv9745 Wish I could but not on the app. Merry Christmas!
A favorite comedy series of mine was a British one called Good Neighbors in the U.S., but The Good Life over where you are. It had wonderful characters, an interesting plot line, and tons of shenanigans. You’ll probably recognize all the main characters from other series and films they made. Please, please, please, Dawn. 😊
That's also one of my favorites.
Andrew Sachs is fascinating in himself, not just as his wonderful performance as Manuel. His family left Nazi Germany in 1938, which is how he wound up in England. So not Catalan (most people from Barcelona do NOT identify as Spanish, but Catalan and speak Catalan) but German born. I never realized I had seen him in other shows but I think I have. He is just always Manuel to me and I can't recognize him as anything else.
John Cleese is a world treasure. Whatever he does is funny. And the rest of the cast basically play along effectively.
'PEEP SHOW', is hilarious all the way through, three cheers to you thanks
News of a reboot from John Cleese himself. I grew up with these, watching them with my parents, so I hope it is a good homage at the least. There were several copies of this show, but none like the original lineup. Cheers and thank you for watching this and Firefly.
Yellowbeard and The Rutles: All you need Is Cash. Very Python!
"Are You Being Served?" Is another British comedy series that is on par with Towers and Circus. I would enjoy your reacting to that, or "Vicar of Dibley" (Dawn French), or "Keeping Up Appearances", also excellent choices.
I have really enjoyed your efforts in December, and though it is late, I would like to request a short special for New Year's Eve. Your accent is an absolute delight, and it would be a real joy to hear you read and explain the Robert Burns poem, "Auld Lang Syne". We all sing it every year, yet I doubt that 1 in 1000 knows it's meaning, or even all of the verses. With little or no editing required, you could probably pull it off in a take or two, or even live stream it. Think of it as a Christmas present to all your fans who could listen to your voice, and cheerful good humor for endless hours and never tire or get our fill. Thanks for so generously sharing yourself. ❤️
Do The Young Ones. Another show with only 12 episodes, but I promise you it's worth it. Also, I hate to tell you but Andrew Sachs (who played Manuel) died relatively recently. He and John Cleese did do a short bit on stage as Basil and Manuel a few years back, though. You can find it on TH-cam.
I accidentally liked the subscribe button! Have a great Christmas.
No doubt Fawlty Towers is one of the best sit-coms ever. I enjoyed watching all of your FT posts yesterday, along with 12 hours of your other posts. You asked for suggestions for other comedy series, so I'll put forward Dad's Army and Yes Minister as possibilities (in the unlikely event you haven't seen them before). Two others would be The Goodies and The Monkees, both of which were aimed at the younger viewer but which still crack me up in my 60s.
Hi Dawn, Great set of reaction videos and it’s refreshing you also like the Marx Brothers films as they often get over looked these days but are classics, and I’m not a massive fan but Groucho Marx is amazing, its work seeing some of his later TV interviews as he still full of fast passed whit.
To address your question about John Cleese and Connie Booth, the first series came out in 1975 and the second in 1979 considering they were made and written 3 and a half years apart, it seems as if they were made all at the same time as there are no big changes in acting style or sets etc, but yes 4 years approx. had passed before the second series was filmed. And yes, John Cleese and Connie Booth both co-wrote Fawlty Towers and were married during the first series and divorced by 1978, so were likely going through this white writing the second series and filing it. However, despite this both John Cleese and Connie Booth acted together and still wrote series two together and were seemingly happy to do so.
Possibly I may suggest that as John Cleese and Connie Booth were now devoiced after series 2 finished airing on TV their desire to collaborate writing and starring in further Fawlty Towers series and episodes was not so much on the cards, just my thinking. However, it is also my thinking that while it’s a shame we got no more Fawlty Towers it is best to have left us wanting more than over doing things and us wanting less as, being forced to come up with further episodes could have lessened the Characters possibly. In an interview John Cleese made a good point, that; "While Shakespeare got 3 hours out of Hamlet, I got 6 hours out of Basil Fawlty!"
Please do a reaction video to starring John Cleese’s Clockwise film (1986) as it’s the closest role he played to Basil Fawlty (though his timekeeping is suppose to be better) so it’s the next best thing to the lack of more Fawlty Towers episodes.
th-cam.com/video/VckmK-ZCpAU/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/-T5UG1GRe2A/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/3oViEN1CxPQ/w-d-xo.html
A part you didn't show was Polly searching for the rat, she gets a piece of cheese and looks under tables saying "cheesies" 😄
Allo Allo or Red Dwarf are pretty good if you haven't seen them yet. Both are comedies.
Dawn Marie also asked which was the best Sitcom if Fawlty Towers was only at No. 2? Now that is so very easy to answer as they say in Highlander, There can be only 1, and that one is the one and only, 'Only Fools And Horses'. Though you have recommended 2 more excellent choices that should most definitely be in the top 20 all time British Sitcoms as 'Allo Allo' was a classic and as for 'Red Dwarf' well, what can I say about it other than it must be absolutely superb as it is still going strong now which shows just how good it is!
Merry Christmas Dawn. Two more John Cleese films that are good comedies are "Clockwise" (1986) and "A Fish Called Wanda" (1988). Cleese's and Booth's daughter, Cynthia Cleese (billed as Cynthia Caylor), is in "A Fished Called Wanda," which in addition to John Cleese stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, and Michael Palin (also of Monty Python). A guilty pleasure of mine is "Erik the Viking" (1989) starring Tim Robbins in the lead. It also includes Mickey Rooney, Eartha Kitt, John Cleese, and Terry Jones (also of Monty Python). Terry Jones directed. Most critics hated it but I like it. I own all three on LaserDisc and DVD.
It has been a joy watching you watch this for the first time
My favorite of the whole two series, hands down. You may be right. They had to close the place down after this incident. John Quarmby (d,2019) is perfectly cast as the health inspector, but it's Basil the Rodent who steals the show. Basil the Human getting carried out feet first is a fitting end for him. What a wonderful journey and marvellous Christmas present. Thanks so much Dawnie.
If you want to see a quick clip of Basil and Manuel on stage in 2008 look for "John Cleese and Andrew Sachs in 2008 during "We Are Most Amused"" on YT
Two very funny Britcoms that are also sci-fi: _My Hero,_ about a good-natured but simple-minded superhero from another planet who falls in love with an Earth woman, and _Red Dwarf,_ about a man who survives a catastrophe only to be trapped inside a large spaceship with 3 not-so-human companions. Hijinks ensue.
The term “gaslighting” wasn’t in use last time I saw this, but that’s basically what they do to the health inspector.
Manuel first mentions his hamster in The Germans.
Loving your reactions. Younger people laughing shows comedy is timeless. Suggestion? Flipping loads... Father ted x
The BBC backed a dump truck full of money up to Cleese and Booth, but they stayed strong. There were twelve things they wanted to show about the hospitality industry (twelve "angers"), and then they stopped. They knew better than to stretch a good thing too far.
I've seen this entire series at least ten times over the years. But due to that infectious laugh of yours, I laughed more this time than ever before.
Another great reaction video! I would recommend "Splitted Heirs" for more John Cleese. Also, you might want to check out "Jeeves and Wooster" staring Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry.
I was going to recommend Jeeves and Wooster, although the pace is slower than Python, Faulty Towers or Blackadder. I think she'll enjoy the way the various plot lines get set up so chaotically and then resolve. I actually found it difficult to get interested in House because I kept wanting Hugh Laurie to behave like George from Blackadder or like Bertie Wooster.
John Cleese once said, Fawlty Towers was so good because it was so short, and attempt to make more episodes would have diluted what was there. As far as other British shows; Are You Being Served is a great one from that era, so is Keeping Up Appearances, and From the Manner Born. Father Ted is also good. Waiting For God was good too. The Benny Hill Show was great too!
FATHER TED!!!
You have to do Blackadder next. It is a requirement in British Comedy 101.
I definitely recommend The IT Crowd, Black Adder or That Mitchell and Webb look for British comedy. For something lesser known, but hilarious, check out Los Espookys (a bilingual series). Also, I highly recommend Portlandia, Community, What We Do in the Shadows, and 30 Rock, and News Radio (which may be hard to stream -- I had to purchase it from Amazon).
What's next? Maybe "Ripping Yarns," a late 1970s comedy series by former Python members Michael Palin and Terry Jones. They're not at all like "Fawlty Towers" but still funny.
There was Michael Palin in 'Ripping Yarns' to be seen.
I know this is least a year old video (or around about) but sadly it wouldn't have Manuel in it if they did make another episode (or if John Cleese made one that is) unless someone was to recast Manuel with another actor, as the actor who played Manuel Andrew Sachs has sadly since passed away.
Though for We Are Most Amused was Cleese who hosted it, at the time Charles was still the PoW was his official birthday well a celebration of him I think reaching the age of either 60 or 70 had both Sachs and Cleese as in their Fawlty Towers stuff.
Please do the young ones. One of the best brit sitcoms of all time. Also only 12 episodes so its fast
You should do The Young Ones (1982 - 84) next. It's just as influential and funny as this and Flying Circus.
Yes please. Fawlty towers heavily influenced the creators of the young ones.
Have to disagree. I was a big fan of The Young Ones when they were first broadcast and used to watch them every week. However when I recently bought season 1 and 2 on DVD I was really disappointed.
IMO they have aged badly, much more so than most any of the other 70's/80's sitcoms.
@@thewildgoose7467 Bottom would be a better pick, it hasn't aged as much as The Young Ones
@@thewildgoose7467 Well I was born in 2004 and it's my favourite show.
Sure the political stuff isn't relevant anymore, but you only need a basic understanding of british history (ie; Thatcher = Bad) to understand it.
And Rik and Alexei will still be funny in a hundred years time...
@@experi-mentalproductions5358 Just my opinion, as I saw all of these shows when they were originally aired and was around for Thatcher and pit closures etc.
But re-watching them now I find that some aged severely and some stood the test of time.
Like, some of the Two Ronnie's sketches lasted well, as did Fawlty Towers, Reggie Perrin, Only Fools and Horses, The Good life, Some Mothers do have 'Em, Blackadder, whereas others dated including The Young Ones IMO.
I don't think many would disagree though that this was the golden age of British comedy, irrespective of which is their favorite?
There's a mini "reunion" of Cleese and Sachs here: th-cam.com/video/aRZ4wahB8nQ/w-d-xo.html
A very merry Christmas, Dawn Marie, to you and yours. I hope your New Year brings you wonderful things.
Thanks for doing Fawlty Towers.
A few of my favorite comedies are:
OH BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?
MY COUSIN VINNY
THREE AMIGOS
THE MONEY PIT
Those four could keep you busy for a bit.
Much love 💙 💙 💙
Dawn, Fawlty Towers had the good sense to know when to leave the party. Not to go on and out stay their welcome. You now need to watch another John Cleese masterpiece, "A Fish Called Wanda." Cheers, Chris Perry.
I just read an article in the New York Times that John Cleese wants to do a Fawlty Towers Reboot featuring his daughter. No word on when this will be done, but it should be interesting to see 50 years after the original.
Well with all the talk about what to watch next I'd like to suggest the followup to A Fish Called Wanda... the 1987 film Fierce Creatures. We get all 4 of the main cast returning and even tho it's not as good as A Fish Called Wanda it's still worth a watch. Oh and if you want to visit the 90's US adaptation(because why not) of Fawlty Towers it was re-titled Payne and had 9 episodes(eight of which were aired) before cancellation. It was also the 3rd attempt to do a US adaption of Fawlty Towers. All were cancelled at various points before a full season was completed. I think the last time I looked I found bits of Payne on TH-cam, but since it wasn't very good it hasn't gotten a home video release.
This dropped on my birthday, but because of power outages, am seeing this on Christmas-Eve. It’s okay. I’m used to combination Xmas/Bday gifts. Haha
Merry Christmas Dawn :) So glad you watched Fawlty Towers/Flowery Twats. Just genius.
I twas so great watching all these with you. I watched them all from the original Flying Circus to the last Fawlty Towers. You might like the Black Adder series if you havent seen it already. Have a great Christmas big hugzz.
Not as farcical as Python/Fawlty, but for me, one of the funniest ever UK shows is Yes Minister/Prime Minister. More high-brow but three of the best comic performances ever by the three leading actors.
It's not a comedy, it's a documentary 😆
@@diogenesagogo You’re not wrong.
Merry Christmas Dawn,Lots of love from all of us to you..Another great reaction to Faulty Towers.
I knew you’d laugh at the “You’re getting my dander up, you grotty little man!” despite the fact that Basil is about a foot taller.
For Boxing Day, do "Clockwise" with John Cleese. One of the funniest films I've ever seen. It also includes the old ladies from Fawlty Towers.
Merry Christmas. I enjoy your reactions ❤
Cleese will gladly admit they gave up after this as they knew they couldn't better it. It's the kind of judgement that has preserved this comedy as one of the British comedy greats - outside of its original context - which was satirical of its characters to begin with...
I remember actually hurting myself laughing watching these Fawlty Towers episodes
I never knew it was called Basil the Rat..I always knew it as The Health Inspector..maybe it the Mandela effect is working on me😂
Hi Dawn, I dont think there is anyone else than John Cleese that could o the 'Groucho Marx" walk.
Best sitcom of all time. Did you know they filmed a horrifically-bad pilot ep for a U.S version starring Betty White?
The stuffed rat props should up on Antiques Road Show.
Next? How about 'Father Ted' or 'Black Books?'
"Black Adder". 'Nuff said.
I think Dawn should only do comedies now. I just love her laugh (and her accent).
Dawn, I think you should watch Mr Bean next, if you haven’t already seen it. Another hilarious British sitcom is Coupling, written by Steven Moffat (Doctor Who, Sherlock)
Ripping Yarns, At last the 1948 show and Do not adjust your set.
Guarantee you'll adore them as much asthe rest.
Write Your letter to the BBC they fund the show not Mr. Cleese doubt he'd do more. it is quite fun to see you reacting and enjoying the show.
Other great British sitcoms of that era are 'Some Mothers Do Ave Em' and 'George And Mildred'. Both are real funny
Yes, "Basil The Rat" is the best of the lot. I was first exposed to "Fawlty Towers" in 1986. As for me, it's the best sitcom. Near competitors were "I Love Lucy," "Seinfeld," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," and "Frasier." There is a short five minute bit from "Frasier" you might enjoy. Niles Crane is Frasier Crane's brother. Frasier has allowed Niles the use of his apartment to cook a gourmet meal for a date who is about to show up. Niles is supercilious and requires everything to be in order and perfect. As he his sitting on the couch and waiting for his date to appear, he notices the crease in his pants is not to his liking. He gets up to correct the issue and this is where the clip starts.
th-cam.com/video/EpImet3Xwgw/w-d-xo.html
-Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA
Have you seen A Fish Called Wanda? Another Cleese classic.
I have always loved this episode as I have had many rats as pet (they are really much better than hamsters).
It's so funny maybe because there's only 2 series makes it so special glad you enjoyed it.
I'm going to miss watching fawlty towers with the cool celt!
Perhaps watch Ripping Yarns with Michael Palin.
The actor who plays Manuel died in 2016
Another short TV comedy worth watching is _Police Squad!_ It's an American spoof of old cop shows. It was canceled by the network for requiring too much attention. I kid you not.
After twelve episodes of stress and chaos, I bet you're not surprised that the last time we see Basil Fawlty... he's unconscious.
Next Christmas check out Scrooge the 1951 version it has a fellow Scot Alastair Sim.
GREAT law girl. I love your devotion. (stick with what works for you always) 😁
Also 'allo allo' series is very funny. Must watch if like classic british comedy
Happy Friday and almost Christmas Queen!!!! hugs lysm Dawn Marie🤍🤍🤍🤍 stay unique and keep having fun!!!!