Fawlty Towers - S1 E5 Gourmet Night
Added 2025-02-21 15:30:02 +0000 UTCComments
The actor who played Andre appeared in several of The Pink Panther Films
The Puzzler 99
2025-03-31 19:46:58 +0000 UTCThe thumbnail for YouTube has to be Basil attacking the car. Years later Cleese was explaining how they wrote the scene and tried it with different types of branches and it just wasn’t funny, then they found that slightly more pathetic branch and all of a sudden it was comedy gold.
Terrahawk
2025-03-02 18:11:33 +0000 UTCThere are so many throw away lines muttered under the breath or amidst the chaos that you’d miss them. Such as Basil saying you can chain me up and I’ll wash the windows as he enters the hotel in the opening scene. Or when he is telling Sybil the Colonel wants some wine and then tells Polly to go instead because he won’t hit a woman. Comedy gold
Chris Carleton
2025-03-01 09:22:17 +0000 UTCTwitchen.
Chris Carleton
2025-03-01 09:15:47 +0000 UTCOnly for series 1, they were divorced before filming series 2
Chris Carleton
2025-03-01 09:14:26 +0000 UTCYesterday... Car's been left a couple of weeks and it's been cold, the battery was low, and I definitely thought "Start you vicious bastard!"
Athan Immortal
2025-02-24 13:49:39 +0000 UTCAnd who has thought of the line when their car won't start?
Ian Shepherd
2025-02-24 12:34:55 +0000 UTCOr that the road was totally dry when Basil had to reverse when the road was blocked, then seconds later it was wet as it rained between the takes.
Ian Shepherd
2025-02-24 12:32:57 +0000 UTCMike and Jess might enjoy Spike Milligan's sketch about a fly in the soup.
Ian Shepherd
2025-02-24 12:30:19 +0000 UTCI agree Eddy, I was born in 1959, and growing up WW2 seemed to be so far in the past. Now 14 years is nothing!
Ian Shepherd
2025-02-24 12:27:55 +0000 UTCI have watched this numerous times over the years and had never made that connection. Thanks for sharing.
Ian Shepherd
2025-02-24 12:20:36 +0000 UTCThe show is either hilarious or maddening depending on your sense of humour, or if you have one at all.
David Broome
2025-02-22 19:25:35 +0000 UTC@Eddy - Thank you for that. I shall heed those words going forward. It's slightly worrying though that it seems one can't have a different opinion, while expressing it politely, without someone being over-sensitive about it . This is probably the largest Patreon in terms of subscribers that I'm now a member of, so I suppose I should have expected this. Thanks again. All the best. :)
Phil Robinson
2025-02-22 15:35:35 +0000 UTCThere was a joke that one couple was named mr and mrs twitch and Colonel having a twitch which is why Basil couldn’t introduce them to eachother
Josef Hammond
2025-02-22 14:24:10 +0000 UTCThe stuff in his hair is food from when Kurt forced him onto the work surface in the kitchen.
Steve Small
2025-02-22 12:15:29 +0000 UTCFun fact: Polly and John were married from the whole time the show was running
Jonathan Coyne
2025-02-22 11:06:11 +0000 UTCBasil’s car reminds me of my first motor back in the 1970s. It was an ancient Mini, which probably doubled in value when I put a second-hand radio in it. Back then cars had virtually nothing to them, just some uncomfortable seats, carpet (optional), a massive steering wheel with no power steering, a shell that was less sturdy than an emptied tin of beans, four wheels and a thing that made very strange noises which, I believe, was the engine. 0-60 in a couple of hours.
Thomas
2025-02-22 10:49:38 +0000 UTCI’m enjoying watching this with you guys but honestly when it was on TV it used to annoy the hell out of me, so frustrating
SimonNZ
2025-02-22 09:48:14 +0000 UTCHey Phil, Welcome in that case! @Ian Plowman may be a bit sensitive, because, surprisingly for Mike and Jess's Patreon, there are a few trolls around here. I believe I have just been told to shut up for posting something about my dearly beloved and recently departed father, for instance, further up on the comments to this reaction. About a week back, I was attacked by a troll who said I was not sympathetic to Jess and her terrible recent loss, a post that gained a number of supporting votes, in spite of Mike having intervened on my behalf. I have been posting quite a bit to reactions and am a writer, so enjoy writing: maybe that annoys some people. Anyone who posts with an apology and placatory message will get my support anyway. I know it can be very difficult to convey your intentions on social media, so you have my sympathies; I often end up adding an emoji or two to show I am well-meaning, although that can still draw the bitter hearts amongst us! Just tread carefully and try to be kind and sincere, would be the only advice I could proffer. I am only just getting to know folks myself, but I get the impression there are plenty of nice people here, such as Thomas, for instance, who's a smart and erudite fellow!
Eddy
2025-02-22 00:32:24 +0000 UTCFather Ted is also another series with the very rare filly formed characters from day 1. It was years before I knew the first episode was that one with the TV interview in "The Field" because you'd expect the first few episodes to be finding their feet.
Athan Immortal
2025-02-22 00:28:34 +0000 UTCNo, Thomas, it's just a comment.
Phil Robinson
2025-02-21 23:41:13 +0000 UTCWho are you telling to shut up, please, Dave Roberts? It isn't clear.
Eddy
2025-02-21 23:18:25 +0000 UTC@Ian Plowman - No - that's not what I was doing at all. This is really embarrassing - I wasn't being negative towards anyone, just proffering an opinion. I'm sorry if you took it the wrong way but it was not my intention to be antagonistic. As you say, this is a happy place, and long may it be so. I've only been a Patreon for a few days, so this is a bit upsetting to me. I'm not the person you've decided I am at all.
Phil Robinson
2025-02-21 23:12:17 +0000 UTCSame here, Athan, but then I've always been terrible at remembering names. In spite of having watched this episode many times over the decades, I had no idea that was their name!
Eddy
2025-02-21 22:46:48 +0000 UTCI thought it felt very tired and old-fashioned for many years, as did a friend of mine of a similar age believe who used to model himself on Basil Fawlty. I can't decide whether it has stopped being dated, if that makes sense, pr it is Mike and Jess' reactions that makes it feel fresh for me. I'm inclined towards the latter.
Eddy
2025-02-21 22:44:24 +0000 UTCMy reaction probably lies somewhere between Mike and Jess's. I do laugh out loud on occasion, but like Mike I also can't help but get frustrated and wonder incessantly why everything has to go wrong, which I have to agree with Mike is plainly ridiculous. On this occasion, Mike did the worrying for me! But, yeah, it's not for failing to get dry humour.
Eddy
2025-02-21 22:40:40 +0000 UTCIt is definitely the classic moment from that episode.
Eddy
2025-02-21 22:33:41 +0000 UTCI had already forgotten their names myself, so have never got that joke before. Thank you!
Eddy
2025-02-21 22:31:34 +0000 UTCMy favourite Alan Partridge has to be the series set in a motel, which pre-dated The Office as a dry mockumentary and I much preferred. I have to admit I find a lot of his stuff too painful to enjoy, much like Ricky Gervais, in fact. However, that series hit the sweet spot for me and has to rate as one of my all-time favourite comedy series, up there with Fawlty Towers and Peep Show.
Eddy
2025-02-21 22:28:42 +0000 UTCI haven’t watched these for years and am enjoying going through them again with you guys. Can’t believe they’re practically 50 years old and do not feel dated at all. Half an hour with Basil is exhausting tho 😂
Paul From Brighton
2025-02-21 22:27:35 +0000 UTCoh shut up
Dave Roberts
2025-02-21 21:49:58 +0000 UTCIndeed, it can be easy to forget just how soon after WW2 the episode came out. I remember as a 5 year old being read at bedtime tales of British derring-do in the War (as it was known then, of course) by my father, such as the defence of Malta by 3 Gloster Gladiator biplanes, supposedly against the entire might of the German Luftwaffe, or of the successful attack on the Bismarck similarly by Fairy Swordfish biplanes, or the Hurricanes and Spitfires that had saved the world, and not just marvelling at the incredible bravery and uncommon brilliance of British pilots who could fend off thousands of modern fighters with just some string and canvas bags but also wondering at this ancient past my dad spoke of. Now, looking back, I can see that would have been in about 1967, just 22 years after the War had ended, ie more recently than the Millenium is to us now.
Eddy
2025-02-21 21:48:58 +0000 UTCI do love how you are making this fresh for me after finding it had grown too dated to watch again. As always, your reactions are perceptive and amusing, and in the latter case not always intentionally so! Mike's 'serious' face was hilarious to see, while Jess proved sharp as ever. in predicting that the chef would turn out to have a crush on Manuel. It can be fun just concentrating on your faces instead of watching the video occasionally (if that doesn't sound creepy!); Jess starts blinking rapidly at contentious moments, I have noticed, for instance, which can be quite distracting once I become aware of it. Just don't tell Jess, or she might become self-conscious. I can barely wait for you reactions to the final episode of series 1. It is probably the most famous episode of both series and understandably so, even if many have personal favourites that differ.
Eddy
2025-02-21 21:36:59 +0000 UTCFather Ted is another cracker that will have you in stitches
Joe
2025-02-21 20:59:28 +0000 UTCMike and Jess, I know you've already had warnings about the language/words used in a scene in the next episode, 6, but I don't want you to be completely surprised and shocked. The regressive terminolgy used by 'The Major' character to describe West Indian/Caribbean (the 'n' word) and Indian cricketers (the 'w' word) was common amongst people of his age and said with no malice in this case. With the Major being an elderly man at this time, mid 1970's, the words would have been prevalent all his life through the existence of the British empire and the 2 World Wars. Remember this is just 30 years after the end of WWII re. the Germans. Just take it as a refection of the reality of the times and enjoy the episode.
Fordy7169
2025-02-21 20:35:44 +0000 UTCI’m always surprised how quickly you both pick up on things compared to other reactors. One of my favourite recent reactions was The History of Curse Words with Alan Partridge. You both wouldn’t have known at the start that it was a comedy sketch but you soon saw through it, and the result was pure gold. I just hope we get more Alan Partridge soon, particularly the Tesco supermarket checkout sketch.
Thomas
2025-02-21 20:12:35 +0000 UTCMike's correct, not everyone laughs loudly, some people just smile broadly or snigger lightly or gently shake their head in disbelief/exasperation for instance. It's great that Mike and Jess are enjoying a classic of comedy history.
Fordy7169
2025-02-21 19:58:33 +0000 UTCHe got the food in his hair when he was fighting with the chef
CONALL MCLAUGHLIN
2025-02-21 19:55:04 +0000 UTCAnd the man himself pronounced it 'Twhytchin' , that is the 'wi' part was said as 'why' anyway, so Basil made an even bigger tit of himself
Fordy7169
2025-02-21 19:52:16 +0000 UTCHe takes the car down the hill so his wife can't see he's working on it, and not taking it to the garage to be fixed
CONALL MCLAUGHLIN
2025-02-21 19:33:52 +0000 UTCThere's an old joke that everyone used to know which was , 'Waiter! There's a fly in my soup!' ' Be quiet or everyone will want one.'
Tonia Laws
2025-02-21 19:11:32 +0000 UTCI don't see anything Phil has said in his comments or replies that is putting anyone down. With all due respect Ian I think this is just being taken the wrong way. It happens. I will say Phil is right when it comes to my humor. I wouldn't worry that I'm not laughing just like Jess. We enjoy things differently. I've gotten a lot of comments about me not bursting out in laughter and them taking that as I don't get the humor. Everyone is free to interpret things how they want. I'm getting the humor. I've been enjoying every bit of it. I just show it differently.
RegenerationNationTV
2025-02-21 19:10:57 +0000 UTCThe bit at the beginning where heBasil was introducing the two couples, it wasn't that Basil forgot their names, it was because the 2nd couple to arrive, their surname was TWITCHIN.... and the guy from the first couple had a TWITCH! - So Basil felt uncomfortable introducing the Twitchin's to a guy with a Twitch 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Chris Horsfield
2025-02-21 19:06:57 +0000 UTCYou seem very keen on putting people down with your replies, as I read your above replies, along with mine. You obviously think you're better qualified, and love dismissing people. That is not a dry sense of humour, as you put it. My comment was just that, a comment, nothing more. So think next time before you reply to a comment. This is supposed to be a fun, light-hearted place to be, and a person like you spoil it.
Ian Plowman
2025-02-21 18:53:48 +0000 UTCSo great to see you watching Fawlty Towers. You have now witnessed one of the most famous comedy scenes in British history (Basil beating his car). But it isn't the most famous in the series! I can't wait to see your reaction to that one.
Nick Beer
2025-02-21 18:47:31 +0000 UTCHe drove down the road to work on the car so that Sybil wouldn't see that he hadn't taken it to the garage.
Tonia Laws
2025-02-21 18:45:33 +0000 UTCYou are obviously a lot smarter than me, Phil.
Thomas
2025-02-21 18:42:56 +0000 UTCYoung ones or bottom? hard to choose between the two!
James
2025-02-21 18:42:46 +0000 UTCDefinitely the most farcical episode, everything that can go wrong does go wrong. Did no one notice the filming crew hiding behind the swinging door when Manuel get the duck on his shoes?. Jess is all over the British comedy she's gets pretty much everything, even the subtle stuff.
Phoenix
2025-02-21 18:35:57 +0000 UTCIt has one of the greatest sequence of farce in British comedy history, but it's not the thing that everyone goes on about. It's in the middle of the episode.
Phil Robinson
2025-02-21 18:31:58 +0000 UTCI don't think you appreciate Mike's dry sense of humour - as one who shares that trait with him, I can see he's loving it as much as Jess is. Just because he's not roaring with laughter doesn't mean anything.
Phil Robinson
2025-02-21 18:28:58 +0000 UTCNot sure they'd recognise him as an adult unless he'd told them about it. IMDb is open to anyone to add any old toot they want. Not sure I buy that, unless from the horse's mouth, so to speak!
Phil Robinson
2025-02-21 18:21:11 +0000 UTCI found this funny. The actor who played the character Ronald Heath, the obnoxious fussy-eater kid, was Tony Page. His IMDb page observes “Page later joined the Royal Navy and, after that, founded his own catering business. Clients still recognize him as ‘Ronald Heath’, which he loves...especially when they also make playful comments on the shape of his French fries” 😂
Thomas
2025-02-21 18:13:56 +0000 UTCThat makes it even more genius, in my opinion. You had the guy with the twitch and Basil was worried about the other surname containing "Twitch" and Mrs Hall rhymed with "Small", and she was tiny!
Andrew PC
2025-02-21 17:32:26 +0000 UTCBasil calling the car a "vicious bastard" and then beating it with a stick is probably my favourite moment. I remember rolling around laughing at that with my family.
Athan Immortal
2025-02-21 17:30:20 +0000 UTCI never knew this! I thought he'd forgotten the names!
Athan Immortal
2025-02-21 17:29:11 +0000 UTCAt 19:40 - Colonel Hall has an involuntary twitch - and the other guests are called "Twitchin" - Basil (in his head) can't introduce someone named "Twitchin" to someone who has an involuntary twitch, hence, well, his extreme way of dealing with it. Classic Basil.
Phil Robinson
2025-02-21 16:49:05 +0000 UTCThis is a typical British classic comedy. I think Mike you take things a bit too seriously, however Jess gets our humour. Just sit back and laugh and enjoy. Stop over thinking this comedy. Wait till you see the second series. Great as always, thanks guys.
Ian Plowman
2025-02-21 16:47:36 +0000 UTC"These eggs look like YOU laid them!" That kid got what he deserved! This show will never, ever get old, it's still as funny now as it was decades ago. As you are proving with these reactions! Thanks for all you do - we appreciate it. x
Phil Robinson
2025-02-21 16:33:35 +0000 UTCDamn, don't overhype it or anything, Thomas lol
Mark McKeown
2025-02-21 16:32:33 +0000 UTCLove the Fawlty Towers reactions, I hope it won’t be too long before you watch season 2.
Rob G
2025-02-21 16:29:35 +0000 UTCNext episode is one of the funniest episodes in the history of British comedy.
Thomas
2025-02-21 16:16:39 +0000 UTCWhen Basil was introducing the couples, their name was "Twychin" and he didn't want to say it because the Colonel had a twitch! He knew their name though. Great episode!
Andrew PC
2025-02-21 15:59:15 +0000 UTCHi guys, cheers for the fawlty towers! The Young Ones is another good brit comedy (early 80s). Only 6 episodes, 2x seasons (same as fawlty). What is the name of the song in your intro? Thank you!
fredfinks
2025-02-21 15:37:53 +0000 UTC
