Fawlty Towers - S2E6 'Basil The Rat'

Love these two...Mike is funny and Jess laugh is fabulous.. Love Mike taking on the Delboy attire..

Nicholas

That customer absolutely kills me, even the poshest of the posh in '78 didn't sound like that, Defo one of the best episodes, up there with Waldorf, Germans, Hotel Inspectors and Communication Problems!!

Nathan Wilson

You were literally clenching the air with your fists when they were taking the two plates of veal into the dining room for the first time 🤣

Annabel Andrews

Bit late to the party, but wanted to thank you both for bringing these reactions to us It's been an absolute blast of fresh air watching with you two! It's a show I never, ever tire of and remains perfect to me (IMO of course). If you ever get chance to buy the DVDs of the show it has commentary from John Cleese on each episode and they are a delight to listen to. His insights into how he and Connie put all these mini-masterpieces together, and his utter delight at some of his favourite moments, and some he'd forgotten, are wonderful. He also speaks very highly of the cast, no matter how small a role. He particularly loved Andrew Sachs (Manuel) dearly. For someone who is considered a little curmudgeonly these days (to be fair, we all get like that at a certain age!), he's clearly very proud of Fawlty Towers, while being humbly self critical about certain things he thinks didn't quite work so well. But he generously gives credit to the cast for being a big part of that success.

Phil Robinson

Now it's time for Father Ted! IT Crowd also gets an honorary mention. As does Black Books.

Chicken Nugget

Only Fools and Horses is probably (and rightly in my opinion) considered the number 1 British sitcom of all time. I do agree with some that it definitely had peaks, for me the prime episodes were from around 1988 -1993...... during this time it was just brilliant!!

Matt Harwood

inornate generation TV

Adam Ransom

Such a great show - great to rewatch it after all these years with you guys.

Tim

In case you're wondering, the chef makes reference to the book in justifying the state of the kitchen.

OrdinaryDave

I’ve enjoyed rewatching Fawlty Towers again . I’d have to say my least favourite episode is Waldorf Salad.

The Puzzler 99

George Orwell's "Down And Out In Paris and London" made a huge impression on me as a 14 year old, so much so that my mother was convinced it was behind my decision to turn down a place at Cambridge University and live on the street amongst the rats instead 😂

OrdinaryDave

In Your Humble Opinion 😋! Some might well disagree.

OrdinaryDave

Hamsters are basically shit rats. Smaller, little stumpy tail, die after about 6 months. I mean, it's like they weren't even meant to live in captivity! Saying that, my sister and I had a pet rat (we chose it!) when we were kids, and it was great...friendly, inquisitive, playful etc., and yes, v cute. And it lived for a good 5 or so years. Now that's value for money. Tell me a hamster that can do that and I'll eat my *at.

Paul08031977

Definitely Father Ted.

Paul08031977

I'm kind've in agreement with you. Don't get me wrong, Only Fools is a classic, but it is 'of a time'. I wouldn't necessarily say the humour is dated, but the context certainly is. I can watch old episodes and, sure, they're funny, but I wouldn't be scrambling to watch whole series or more. Plus, it went on far too long, and I think there was always pressure on John Sullivan (the writer) to do more/ bring it back. Once they married off both brothers and gave them sprogs the chemistry of the early stuff was lost. Saying that, I did catch on one channel the other week the episode where they win a holiday and Rodney has to pretend to be a teenager. That was funny! Still, I would recommend the whole shebang to Mike and Jess!

Paul08031977

Only fools and horses is generally considered the greatest british sitcom of all time, I think there's good and bad episodes but overall I think it's definitely top 5 with fawlty towers, blackadder, extras and the office.

SomeBSName

Karlos

cheers

bobby g

Aww smashing thank you friends - will save this for Sunday 😎 currently watching An Idiot Abroad S2E2 ‘Trans-Siberian Express with u guys 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Will Be Watching LIVE AID @ 40yrs Later 🙌🏽💜🙌🏽💜🙌🏽💜🙌🏽. READY FREDDIE ❤️

Claire Smillie

Aye the names rat is basil mike!!🤣🤣🤣cracker jess picked it up 🤣brilliant last one such a shame only 2 series😭

Theloyalmuppet

So glad you enjoyed all 12 episodes, guys. They certainly went out on a high with “Basil the Rat!” Its a testament to the writing on the show that I read somewhere that John Cleese and Connie Booth spent hours and hours constructing each episode before they actually sat down to write it, so that each plot point worked and dovetailed into another to continue the running joke of the episode. John and Connie made every character, whether it was a small or a large role, integral to the ongoing plot and each of the four leads (Basil, Sybil, Manuel and Polly) were given great lines to say and crazy situations to be in. Funnily enough, John and Connie said that the one character they loved to write for, above all else, was the Major! Ballard Berkeley, who played the Major, gave a fantastic performance as a senile, doddery, ex Army type, stuck in the past with his beliefs and attitudes that were old fashioned and outdated in their thinking. Fans of the show have said many times that they wished John and Connie had written more series of “Fawlty Towers,” but part of its success is that the show never outstayed its welcome by making more episodes that could (and probably would have been) below par, and that would have sullied the first set of 12 episodes that everyone loves and adores. Sometimes less is more, and the old adage of “leaving the public wanting more,” certainly applies to these two series of superb comedy. If you’re looking for other recommendations for shows that equal (or come close) to the brilliance of “Fawlty Towers,” I would recommend “Only Fools and Horses,” “Blackadder,” and “One Foot in the Grave.”

Andrew Roberts

Thank you for the wonderful Fawlty Towers reactions. Apart from John Cleese, I think the other cast sometimes get overlooked. Especially Prunella Scales who played Sybil Fawlty, as her comedic acting in this is amazing. It's very sad that she's currently dealing with vascular dementia (thankfully she's still going strong at 93 years of age). Not forgetting Andrew Sachs who played an amazing role as Manuel, and Connie Booth is excellent also (as well as being the co-writer).

Jay

Flumpy Trowels...?

Matthew

sticking with the British theme, you guys should give Mr. Bean a watch. Its just 13 episodes and would be completely worth it!

newenglandfan18

So glad you guys enjoyed watching that it was great to watch it with you I’ve been watching it for 30 years and it never gets dull and it’s a wonderful concept to see others enjoy it too, thanks so much for all the reactions - Father Ted next pllleeeaassseee!! 😊😅

Craig Jackson

literally the only fault with this show is it didn't have more seasons but the really good shows here always stop at their peak so it is never subjected to degradation. so just have to love and adore the 12 episodes they gave us and not one single bad episode of this show. Good writing, you have to do 'one foot in the grave next' classic plus think you both would get it.. Also does anyone know what accent this guy is doing at 39:09.. the really posh one ive never heard anything like it before lol

Demceez

' No but I'll read it out in court'

Fordy7169

Oh Blackadder is an absolute must.

Dryfesands

I first saw this episode when I was about 8 or 9 when the show was repeated (as it often was) on the BBC. I can remember laughing with my Dad on the sofa so hard I was nearly I nearly passed out. It's one of my favorite memories of being a kid Also, this is Andrew Sachs' finest hour as Manuel, from his opening murdering of "She" on Spanish guitar all the way through. What a lovely send off to a series that got as close to perfect as anyone ever has. I've enjoyed watching these again with you guys so much. I can't wait to see what you choose next.

Dryfesands

Brilliant reaction guys. Sad to see it finish but also cool to be at the end of an arc, because you've now seen them and thats culture thats now a part of you. A lot of British comedy after this was heavily influenced by it

Daz Parker

Just on a side note I have the recent remasters of Blackadder and Bottom, if they are ever something you end up doing. I'm not sure how available they are in the US to you.

Danny

I'm a health inspector and I want my veal

Johnathon Healey

I really enjoyed watching this show again with you ❤️ I wonder what will replace it. Exciting times! 😝

Emma Edwards

It was a delight watching you enjoy this show guys, and I got to enjoy it again as well. We need to get you on to Father Ted, Blackadder and such too.

Athan Immortal

I think this works as a great ending, as it is a bit of an open end but it is enough to make you think that the place could have been closed down by the inspector. Let's you come up with your own ending

Danny

I know I'll get it in the neck from everyone, but honestly, no. I've never been able to get into it. I just find it annoying. But hey, different strokes and all that.

Paul08031977

My favourite episode, total hilarity throughout.

Richie

I got a better quality version of that I can send instead of 240p

Danny

Yup, that is a great documentary (a lot better than the one I linked to)

Christopher Bergren

Is that not perfection?

Nick Beer

I don't know whether US Taskmaster is in your links, but apparently it was an absolute disaster, even though Alex Horne played his usual part, mainly because the 5 US comedians all treated him like dirt, by the sound of things. There's a great interview with him about it on YouTube somewhere.

OrdinaryDave

You put Basil in the ratatouille?? 🐀 🐀 🐀

White Dwarf

Now you have watched the full series, check out these links to show why Americans shouldn’t remake British comedies 😂 Even if you do it in your own time and don’t do them as reactions it’s a good lesson learned. You’d be surprised how many lines are repeated line for line, but it just isn’t the same. Personally, I think they would make great reactions as most British people will never have seen them. https://youtu.be/ACRE5llyano?feature=shared&utm_source=MTQxZ https://youtu.be/R33ErB_56Yo?si=PTF99IiqU7eAiGLc&utm_source=MTQxZ https://youtu.be/99S-Vbdgw-M?si=CZr_UTwZXz2cHKh-&utm_source=MTQxZ Or if you want a compilation of bits from all of them together. https://youtu.be/h8YxodEQ7hM?si=WMHz7fq1AO4DQOiq&utm_source=MTQxZ Hope you enjoy.😂😛 Didn’t mention this before because I didn’t want to spoil the original and wanted you to get the references.

Simon Robbins

You haven't finished yet. PLEASE react to this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw-bLS_th_U&t=5s

Nick Beer

My anagram 'Flow Ratty' seems quite apt for this episode.

Karina Bailey

A few years ago I went to a Fawlty Towers live event in London. Everybody is seated at tables and food is ordered whilst Basil, Sybil, Polly and Manuel, played by actors perform a live show around the tables involving the guests. Brilliant.

Stefan Tymoshyshyn

This might be an interesting documentary after the conclusion. How it started and why it ended (annoyingly computer-voiced but focus on the story ) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4r1Ad6IAD4

Christopher Bergren

To continue it a bit longer, you can react to the documentary Fawlty Towers: Reopened. Narrated by Stephen Fry. Interviews with the cast and stories from the making of.

Rachie

You say it's a farce but I've stayed at worse places lol.

Michael K

Apparently, a rat makes a better pet than a hamster (unless it started life in the wild 😋), because they are significantly more intelligent.

OrdinaryDave

i know nothing

mark

And so ends the best television show ever written. 12 perfectly crafted, magnificently acted mini farces which have stood the test of time. Thank you for allowing me to enjoy them all again through someone else’s introduction to them, it was lovely having something to look forward to every week in this world where too much is at our fingertips.

Chris Carleton

"Do you know something; you're getting my dander up, you grotty little man!" 😂😂

Joe Blakeley

It's called farce, Mike. A pretty ancient form of silly comedy. You're not supposed to analyse it so much. It's improbable stuff that wouldn't happen in real life but is nonetheless hilarious.

Jára Zimmerman

Calling Jess a typical woman, who wont let things go. Mike you are a braver man than me 😱

Josh Read

"SPLEEP???" 🤣

Tro Janors

There is a documentary called Fawlty Towers Re Opened. You should check it out at some point. Bit of a long one though. Around an hour and a half.

Andy Legg

Boss : Will you have time this afternoon to finish that task before 4? Me : ... Erm, something else has just come up.

Ryan Lynch

This is one of my favourite episodes but I'm sad it's come to an end

Joe Blakeley