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Favorite "Fawlty Towers" episode?

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elperromagico Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-24-04 08:40 PM
Original message
Poll question: Favorite "Fawlty Towers" episode?
Edited on Wed Nov-24-04 08:48 PM by elperromagico
One of the great classics of British comedy, Fawlty Towers produced only 12 episodes.

So, unlike most American series - and indeed, most English series - it is possible to put almost every episode in a DU Poll. I've had to leave three out, but I've included an "Other" option if I leave your favorite out.

Here's a complete list of episodes:

Series 1 (1975)

A Touch of Class
The Builders
The Wedding Party
The Hotel Inspectors
Gourmet Night
The Germans

Series 2 (1979)

Communication Problems
The Psychiatrist
Waldorf Salad
The Kipper and the Corpse
The Anniversary
Basil the Rat
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DS1 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-24-04 08:41 PM
Response to Original message
1. Waldorf Salad or the Duck
Both could be same episode, it's been awhile, I can't remember
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elperromagico Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-24-04 08:42 PM
Response to Reply #1
2. The Duck is "Gourmet Night"
"Well, who's for a trifle?"

"What about the duck, Fawlty?"

"Duck's off. Sorry."
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muriel_volestrangler Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-24-04 08:43 PM
Response to Reply #1
6. I think 'the duck' would be Gourmet Night
which didn't make it into the list; I might have to agree (thrashing the car is possibly the best moment of the whole series).

I'd say Gourmet Night, Basil the Rat, the Psychiatrist, or the Germans. I can't narrow it down more than that.
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mac56 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-24-04 08:42 PM
Response to Original message
3. The Germans
Basil's complete flip-out at the end is beyond description.
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Big Kahuna Donating Member (903 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-24-04 08:42 PM
Response to Original message
4. FARTY TOWELS!
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rfranklin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-24-04 08:57 PM
Response to Reply #4
21. FLOWERY TWATS
That was a great running gag.

"I know notheeeng!!"
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mr_hat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-24-04 08:43 PM
Response to Original message
5. Which is the one where Basil actually wins on the ponies? >
He sends Manuel to pick up his winnings and tells him, "you know nothing."

"I know nothing, Mr. Fawlty." Classic.
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muriel_volestrangler Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-24-04 08:45 PM
Response to Reply #5
8. must be 'Communication Problems'
(she's deaf, Basil has to mime, Manuel knows nothing, etc.)
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elperromagico Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-24-04 08:45 PM
Response to Reply #5
9. "Communication Problems"
The one with the old woman who refuses to use her hearing aid because it "wears the batteries down."
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Beaverhausen Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-24-04 08:44 PM
Response to Original message
7. Gourmet Night!!! The first one I thought of when I read the thread title
Classic Cleese if you ask me!

By the way- has anyone here seen his film "Clockwise?"
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mac56 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-24-04 08:45 PM
Response to Reply #7
10. Several years ago
when I was working at a video store, we put it on.

Very clever.
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elperromagico Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-24-04 08:47 PM
Response to Reply #7
12. I feel horrible about having to leave three out,
as all 12 are wonderful, well-constructed examples of great sitcom writing and acting.

I saw Clockwise, though I can't say I remember much of it...
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alvis Donating Member (665 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-24-04 08:48 PM
Response to Reply #7
15. Clockwise was classic!
Edited on Wed Nov-24-04 08:50 PM by alvis
Loved it. John Cleese as a very punctual headmaster and everything goes wrong. I haven't seen that in years, but luckily it's on DVD! Highly recommended :)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005R249/qid=1101347245/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-8228969-7335942?v=glance&s=dvd

On Edit:

Basil, if you're going to grope a woman at least have the decency to be in the same room as her.
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ForrestGump Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-24-04 08:46 PM
Response to Original message
11. All classics, but "The Psychiatrist" was the one I immediately thought of
The series was maybe the best thing ever to come out of a British TV studio, on the comedy side.
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mac56 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-24-04 08:47 PM
Response to Original message
13. There was one wherein Basil's wife was out of town
and he was quite convinced that a matronly woman guest was coming on to him. Naturally, hilarity ensued.

Priceless.
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elperromagico Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-24-04 08:49 PM
Response to Reply #13
17. "The Wedding Party"
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malmapus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-24-04 08:48 PM
Response to Original message
14. Communication Problems

not only was it the first Fawlty Towers I saw but Basil having a total mental breakdown at the end rules lol.
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Greylyn58 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-24-04 08:49 PM
Response to Original message
16. I Was Conflicted
about two episodes...Basil the Rat and the Builders. I love them both.

I decided that Basil the Rat is funnier. So it got my vote.

Manuel is so freakin funny in that episode.
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doni_georgia Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-24-04 08:52 PM
Response to Original message
18. Which one was the one where Basil was hiding the dead body?
First time I saw that one (about 15 years ago) I laughed until I couldn't breathe. It still cracks me up everytime I watch it.
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elperromagico Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-24-04 08:54 PM
Response to Reply #18
19. "The Kipper and the Corpse"
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edbermac Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-24-04 08:56 PM
Response to Original message
20. Waldorf Salad and the Hotel Inspectors...
In Waldorf Salad he meets his match in the American guy who's just as loud and abrasive as he is...
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elperromagico Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-24-04 08:58 PM
Response to Reply #20
22. "If you move from that spot, I'm gonna bust yer ass!"
Edited on Wed Nov-24-04 09:10 PM by elperromagico
"Everything's bottoms with you, isn't it?"
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mac56 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-24-04 09:02 PM
Response to Original message
23. I remember one bit when Basil was giving instructions
Edited on Wed Nov-24-04 09:08 PM by mac56
to the Spanish-speaking waiter (Manuel?).

Basil: "I want you to serve these items on..those..trays."
Manuel: "No, no, senor: Un..dos..tres."
Basil: "On..those..trays."
Manuel: "Un..dos..tres."

You get the idea...Very funny as they played it out.
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progdonkey Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-24-04 09:13 PM
Response to Original message
24. Now, I'll get you your hors d'oeuvres...
Hors d'oeuvres, vich mahst be obeyed at all times wissout qwestion!
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tuvor Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-24-04 09:30 PM
Response to Original message
25. The Hotel Inspectors
Just for the last five seconds when it suddenly dawns on Basil. And, of course, his reaction.

OTOH, you wouldn't have to twist my arm to watch any of them.
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phaseolus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-24-04 09:44 PM
Response to Reply #25
26. Was that the one...
...where Basil was in his underwear straddling Manuel & beating him with a skillet at the end?
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tuvor Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Nov-24-04 10:43 PM
Response to Reply #26
27. I don't think so.
Basil was fully clothed. Manuel and Basil poured milk into one gentleman's briefcase before kicking him out the door, immediately before addressing the three men who'd just walked in.
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elperromagico Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Nov-25-04 12:18 AM
Response to Reply #26
28. That's "The Wedding Party,"
where Basil is being exceptionally prudish throughout, yet keeps getting caught in these highly compromising positions.
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