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Post by jno on Jan 26, 2016 8:19:23 GMT
 Suggested by: another threadThere were 12 made, but which do you like the most? Pick TWO! |
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t64
Winchester Regular
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Post by t64 on Jan 26, 2016 9:52:29 GMT
Waldorf salad and the Germans for me but hard to pick only 2,a true classic series!
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Post by felixdeburgh on Jan 26, 2016 11:51:37 GMT
Communication Problems and The Kipper and The Corpse for me but you could easily pick any 2 from the 12.
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Post by jno on Jan 26, 2016 15:51:37 GMT
I chose 'The Germans' (which I think will win this) and 'The Kipper And The Corpse' as these really do get the most laughs I think. It is indeed very hard to choose and close third and fourth were 'Basil The Rat' and 'The Psychiatrist'. 'Communication Problems' is also pretty superb, only the bit "that was your life mate" is weird in that one for me. My least favourite is probably 'The Wedding Party'. The ones I really like are where you see them functioning as a hotel, serving dinners etc. This really brings back memories of early holidays in Bournemouth (and such like) where we used to stay at B&Bs and have cooked breakfast and stay in bare rooms. There is a real 'busy' vibe about that dining room in Fawlty Towers. I think 'The Germans' really don't feature that much in the episode itself and it is only Basil's massive p*ss take at the end which most people remember. The whole fire drill scene is pretty good I think. It's not just Germans who get a right old bashing in Fawlty Towers either in fairness. If you think about it - Americans get it in Waldorf Salad, Basil and the Major could (in today's world) arguably be accused of using racist language, the Major and 'the Ladies' get it for being old, that kid gets it in 'Gourmet Night' for being young, Nicky Henson's character gets it because he is promiscuous, the policeman gets it in 'A Touch Of Class' for being a policeman and Irish (The Builders) and Welsh (Kipper & The Corpse) don't get portrayed too favorably either. To be honest, there are very people in Fawlty Towers that Basil actually LIKES or get portrayed positively - there aren't many I can think of beyond André, Lord Melbury, Colonel Hall, The Twitchens who Basil actually likes!  |
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Post by ace5150 on Jan 26, 2016 19:14:30 GMT
Gourmet Night is priceless. I have been in this trade over 35 years, and I 'get' this episode. Laughed? I cried!
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Post by plasticpenguin on Jan 27, 2016 16:42:15 GMT
I've avoided picking the obvious one 'The Germans'. There's a lot of excellent lines but also some faux pas. So I picked 'Communication Problems' and 'Basil The Rat'. We all know someone who has hearing issues until it suits them. And Basil the Rat has the best line of all-time IMO: "Well of course it's a rat. You have rats in Spain, don't you - or did Franco have them all shot?" Brilliant.
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Post by barrythebook on Jan 27, 2016 23:08:16 GMT
I've voted for 'Touch of Class' and 'Kipper and the Corpse'.
Best moments for me are - 'Touch of Class' Basil examining the housebrick that he finds in Melberrys case
'Kipper and the Corpse' The Major. "I say Fawlty! He doesn't look quite the ticket!" etc
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Post by jno on Jan 28, 2016 2:24:47 GMT
'Kipper and the Corpse' The Major. "I say Fawlty! He doesn't look quite the ticket!" etc The line that always makes me laugh: "Rosewood? Mahogany? Teak?" There's a woman I work with who however much you give her, she will always complain there is something not right. That line was BORN for her sort! "You go up and get a good night's sleep, I'll try to catch a few hours myself later, if you can remember to breathe in the right direction you won't even have to wake up..." "Ah! He's dead!" Love it! |
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vicboy
One Of Your Own
Posts: 169
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Post by vicboy on Jan 28, 2016 10:29:12 GMT
My choices were 'The Builders' and 'Gourmet Night'.
But what a difficult pick.
Oddly enough, though, of them all, the only one I can't really laugh at is 'The Germans'.
I find it tips into surrealism a bit too much, especially when Basil has the bandage on his head and does the Goose step.
I'm sure each episode was written to make you feel just the slightest bit uncomfortable at times but in 'The Germans' I find that happening to me just a little too much.
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Post by plasticpenguin on Jan 28, 2016 10:41:19 GMT
My choices were 'The Builders' and 'Gourmet Night'. But what a difficult pick. Oddly enough, though, of them all, the only one I can't really laugh at is 'The Germans'. I find it tips into surrealism a bit too much, especially when Basil has the bandage on his head and does the Goose step. I'm sure each episode was written to make you feel just the slightest bit uncomfortable at times but in 'The Germans' I find that happening to me just a little too much. You have to understand why Basil acts the way he does. According to Cleese, Basil was written that way because he was terrified of Sybil, which is genius writing from both Cleese and Connie. |
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vicboy
One Of Your Own
Posts: 169
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Post by vicboy on Jan 28, 2016 11:17:49 GMT
Yes, I had read that.
To me, though, the Germans is just a tiny bit off the target, as it is all a bit obvious doing that Goose Step. They certainly hit the 180 with every other episode though.
Goes to show that taste is an individual thing, something many people (especially those in the performing arts) fail to appreciate today.
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Post by plasticpenguin on Jan 28, 2016 11:24:57 GMT
Yes, I had read that. To me, though, the Germans is just a tiny bit off the target, as it is all a bit obvious doing that Goose Step. They certainly hit the 180 with every other episode though. Goes to show that taste is an individual thing, something many people (especially those in the performing arts) fail to appreciate today. The Germans is very disjointed. How a tap on the head from a frying pan can give you concussion, not really sure. As with many of the episodes, the Major is brilliant. The fire alarm scene is fantastic, but the goose stepping seems a little overplayed, but it's not out of character for such a twisted individual. |
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Post by felixdeburgh on Jan 28, 2016 12:39:13 GMT
A line inexplicably cut from the original BBC DVD release! |
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Post by jno on Jan 28, 2016 12:41:04 GMT
A line inexplicably cut from the original BBC DVD release! Looks like it's been cut here too. |
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Post by felixdeburgh on Jan 28, 2016 13:21:06 GMT
 Not sure what happened there!
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Post by ltd on Jan 28, 2016 18:01:58 GMT
The Germans for when he loses the plot. First time I saw it I'd be about 10 or 11 and it had me in hysterics, the build up is quite funny too as he tries desperately not to mention the war but becomes more and more offensive. Gourmet night for when he thrashes the car - I've had motors like that.
The Builders a close run third. David Kelly's character reminds me of an Irish bloke I used to work with - he just used to make it up as he went along.
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Post by jno on Jan 28, 2016 21:00:05 GMT
Surprised to see Gourmet Night at position 2. A great bit at the end when he reveals the trifle and I'm sure Connie Booth is having a little giggle! So, who's for trifle? Trifle for you Mrs Hall? |
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Post by yoyopickles on Jan 29, 2016 18:21:35 GMT
I voted for THE GERMANS and WALDORF SALAD.
Is it true that only 11 episodes were sold to germany? THE GERMANS not being included?
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Post by felixdeburgh on Jan 29, 2016 20:53:35 GMT
Originally, yes, but it was later included as part of subsequent transmissions. As I tried to say above but failed, for some reason the line, "Rosewood, mahogany, teak?" was missing from the original DVD release. Presumably it was edited by a foreign broadcaster for reasons of time but the BBC used that copy for the DVD release. Thankfully the later release had it reinstated.
I quite often use Fawlty-isms in day-to-day conversation - only yesterday while offering someone a drink I asked, "Large or....not quite so large?" Not sure they got why asked that though.....
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Post by tredegar on Feb 6, 2016 21:25:24 GMT
De Germans :-)
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Post by plasticpenguin on Feb 7, 2016 3:54:51 GMT
Ohh, the Germans. Thought there was something wrong with you. |
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Post by simon316 on Oct 18, 2023 19:18:13 GMT
I can't believe no votes for Hotel Inspectors - Basil takes rudeness to an all-time high...
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Post by metro1962 on Oct 19, 2023 0:29:32 GMT
Basil the Rat,When Manuel goes to feed him and then calls out "Basillllll" 😁 the look on Manuel's face is priceless!!
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Communication Problems "That view just won't do"😂😂😂😂😁
and the episode The Psychiatrist where Sybil suspects Basil is after the blonde Aussie woman played by Luan Peter's..😁
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Not sure what happened there!
