Fawlty Towers is a terrific television series with fantastically written plots and a top notch comedic cast. Of all 12 episodes, each is just as brilliant, there is never one that comes on that I am disinterested in, each takes me on a journey where I can simply sit back, relax, forget about my troubles and have a genuine laugh. There is so much cringe humour in it, which the British do so well, particularly due to Basil Fawlty, one of the most well written characters of any comedy series, who we can not help but laugh at. My only real complaint about the show is that they simply did not make enough, I know that British comedies usually do not have a long runtime, but I would love to have seen these characters grow and develop some more, their arc is very incomplete. The cast is all around terrific, John Cleese is an absolute revelation as Basil, with an amazing physicality in the part, it is impossible to imagine anyone else in this role. Prunella Scales is also magnificent as Sybil, playing a straight, but still hilarious role, Andrew Sachs often steals the show as Manuel, and Connie Booth has an excellent presence as Polly, playing the most grounded character on the show. Great fun from beginning to end. Still has me in stitches even when watching the episodes for the fiftieth time, Fawlty Towers is a must watch comedy. Follows a hotel owner trying to keep his business in check, but often making mistakes along the way. Best Performance: John Cleese/ Best Episode: The Germans

It is no surprise, that Fawlty Towers resonated with many, considering how popular "cringe comedy" is.This only is the case though, if your mirror neurons, responsible for empathy, are close to /dead/. Otherwise it will be a hellish nightmare that is literally physically painful to watch.On top of that, the whole hotel depicted in it, is a complete chaos of an utterly unbearable level.Which might excite the dull and tedious and stuffy and boring and desperately /desperately/ dull among the population.But if your life already had quite enough "excitement" (read: daymares), then I must strongly suggest you stay far *far* away from this programme.

A genius British TV comedy series that unfortunately lasted only 12 episodes. John Cleese was brilliant as the rude and incompetent hotel owner Basil Fawlty. As the story goes, Cleese came up with the idea for the Basil Fawlty character and the series, when he encountered a real ill-mannered hotel owner while staying at hotel in Torquay, when he was with Monty Python. The show ultimately became a big hit with both British and American TV audiences, and I wish, like many other people, that the show had continued a little while longer. Along with Cleese's character, we also find a great ensemble of supporting characters, including Basil's nagging and sometimes lazy wife Sybil, who, unlike Basil, often handled the hotel guests in a more professional and polite manner. The inept but well meaning immigrant waiter/bellhop Manuel and the capable waitress/desk clerk Polly, who was played by Cleese's then real-life wife Connie Booth. Booth also served as co-writer of the series alongside her husband Cleese. Other supporting characters were permanent hotel residents, the elderly and sometimes senile Major and elderly sisters Miss Tibbs and Miss Gatsby. In the second series we also see the addition of the hotel Chef Terry.

I find it truly fascinating how some programmes date very badly, and others seem timeless. True humour I guess is naturally timeless, and Fawlty Towers shows absolutely no signs of being knocked off its rightful spot at the very top of the comedy tree. Every single episode is pure joy to watch, the chemistry between all cast members is a thing to behold. Each plays their part wonderfully and deliberately, and each gives us belly laughs. Poor Manuel you have to say after every episode. Basil torments him at every possible moment. It's the tortured relationship between Basil and Sybil that makes it. I don't think you can even begin to pick a favourite episode, they are all just wonderful, possibly Basil the Rat pips the others, maybe. Great British comedy, 10/10 but why only 12 episodes.