I think the real genius here is how well everything in the episode just comes together somehow. How these completely unrelated elements... An ingrowing toenail, a fire drill, a stuffed moose and the Germans arriving all manage to drive Basil into complete and total insanity by the end.
So true, one might even be forgiven for thinking many different elements were from different episodes, there are than many and so varied. Might be the most perfectly pieced together sitcom ep of all time.
Absolutely, and that's what has infuriated me before... when Connor watches things like WatchMOJO or 'the best of' compilations. He actually did the writers and programmes a disservice by 'dipping in' and NOT appreciating an episode from start to finish! Many comedy shows have a beginning, middle and then a climactic ENDING; but rely on a gradual 'build-up' which has been carefully thought out - so I'm very pleased Connor can now appreciate WHOLE episodes as intended.
Must tell you when German TV bought the series they didn't want this episode because they thought it wouldn't go down well in Germany they were wrong. Some years later it was so requested they had to show it.
Fun fact: the actor who played the doctor, Louis Mahoney, was born in The Gambia, but travelled to Britain to study medicine and train as a real doctor before getting into acting. "Don't mention the war! I did once but I think I got away with it." is a truly iconic phrase in Britain, almost everyone over a certain age has said it themselves. It may or may not be the best episode but it's certainly the most famous episode.
John Cleese tells the story that once at Munich airport waiting for his flight a German came up to him and jokingly said don’t mention the war a walked away laughing
this was the most brilliant episode of Fawlty Towers ever. remember this tv show was sold around the world, including Germany. funny to think its near 50 years old now. The actor who plays Manuel - ( a German born Jew whose family fled Hitler and settled in UK ) - was once asked by someone about his character. "what does it say about Spanish ppl?". the actor, Andrew Sachs , replied "haven't you watched it? Basil, the Major - what does that say about the English!!??" .. :D
Without doubt the funniest and best written single episode of any sitcom ever. Pure genius - the fact it still stands up almost 50 years later says it all.
Yes, one of the greatest episodes of any British television comedy. But you had your hand over your eyes and missed the very best moment, when Fawlty goosesteps out of the room and then turns round to march back in - watch it again!!! 8.06-8.08.
Voted the funniest episode of Fawlty Towers. You couldn’t get away with making it now, and I believe it’s been censored when shown recently. This and Blackadder are examples of British comedy at its best.
Dan C Is that the one with the, "herds of wilderbeasts", from a Torquay window? Although to be honest.It doesn't matter which one it is, I love them all.
This series was sold to 45 stations in 17 countries around the world to great acclaim. The only country that complained for racist reasons about it was Spain who insisted that the waiter was dubbed into being an Italian & in the Catalan region where Manuel was a Mexican. Originally, the BBC did not send this episode to a German network but, as it had paid for a whole series, asked the BBC to send it over. It’s one of the most popular episodes in Germany.
You have to keep in mind that is episode is from 1975 - only 30 years after WWII - , when the UK had just joined the European Economic Community ( the EEC ) - the predecessor of the EU - alongside Ireland & Denmark a couple of years earlier. This is what Basil is referring to, when he says "Well, we are all in it together now (!) - forgive and forget, eh? ", since Germany was one of the six founding members of the EEC back in the mid 50s.
Definitely the best episode. I remember watching this when it was first broadcast on the BBC in 1975. My reaction to the fire drill was much like yours. Just couldn't breathe. Classic.
I (German native) studied in England for a year and I had an English roommate, to this day a great friend of mine. And one day she asked me If i knew Fawlty Towers and "The Germans"...well< I didn't and we proceeded to watch that episode together, her watching my every reaction nervously, and me rolling on the.floor laughing,even more so at the end. No offense taken😂😂😂 I love this episode, it even makes me laugh more nowadays.
Even though I’ve seen all Fawlty Towers many times before it’s fun to watch them again with you. In the second series an American visits…you’ll like that one!
Great reaction to a great episode, there is so much in these episodes, enough content for three to be honest. There are only 12, but for value it's more like 30. Ballard Berkley was great as the major, He had a 60 year career, he was a leading man back in the 30s and 40s, worked with Hitchcock and Noel Coward,. This show gave his career a boost, and kept him working right up to his death in 1988, in his mid eighties. You really get to see into the head of the Major in this one, they loved writing for him, and his role expanded as it went on.
Fun fact: When FT was "first" (?) shown on German TV, Basil's amazing goose stepping had act. been cut out 😉 ( I watched it via our back then new cable TV here in neighbouring Denmark ). Basil was right - zese Jurmans hafe abzolutelie no zenze of humor 😂
This episode is comedy gold. The fire drill scene is worth of an award by itself. The comedy timing is perfect and the energy level grows and grows to manic proportions. Superb stuff and your reactions are priceless, particularly during the Major's cricket story 😂😂😂
Highlights the British insecurity and fear of embarrassment beautifully! "Stop talking about the war" "You started it!" "no we didn't!" "yes you did.... you invaded Poland!" Comedy writing genius. 😂
All the German stuff were jokes that despite being hilarious would come across as very mean spirited from Basil, so Basil had to have had concussion to get away with it. Like for example, when he was in bed and was rude to the nurse, it establishes he's not doing it out of genuine malice he's just lost his mind lol It's so brilliantly written this show and every setup and pay off is crafted to perfection.
I just finished binge-watching the whole first season with you. It was hilarious. It really may be the very best comedy show Britain has given us. You are always such good company, and you usually do pick out wonderful stuff. I love coming here. I had already subscribed, but somehow the notification bell didn't get turned on. I've fixed that now, so I'll get to see you more often.
No, it's either Communication Problems or The Kipper and the Corpse. Trying to summarise the ins and outs of those plots (especially the first one with the horse bet and the vase) would tie your brain in knots.
Great to see your reactions to Fawlty Towers. Looking forward to more Blackadder. Feel free to skip the rest of season 1, not many Blackadder fans will blame you for that.
Twenty years ago I was teaching an IB class and I showed them this. There were four Germans in the class and three of them were in stitches. The fourth was offended, not because he was German, but because he was an early disciple of political correctness.
Germans loved this episode. They got it. They were also the first to try making their own German-language version of Fawlty Towers, which I've never seen but John Cleese liked. The US tried more than once, but never got it right (one version weirdly removed Sybil altogether and replaced Basil with Bea Arthur).
Everyone gets the German bits. Well almost everyone, there’s a few nut cases out there but it’s pretty clear that they are the normal people in the episode.
"You started it!" "We most certainly did not!" "Yes you did! You invaded Poland!" Definitely the funniest episode of the series. The one with the rat is a close second.
I figured that, while the multiple terms that had been bandied around in the early 20th century are dreadful, they vary in terms of how bad a slur they are. From ne***o to col****d to n****r to mon*** to w**.
The key thing about Basil Fawlty is that he could be a real monster - but because he is given boundaries by being terrified of his wife , he is therefore comedic.
probably the most classic line in the whole series, will you stop talking aboutthe war me, you started it, we did not start it, yes you did, you invaded Poland
Fifty years ago there were so many good comedy series on BBC, they just rolled along. What they dish up now is dross, compared to the 70's. Dads Army, It ant Arf hot Mum, Porridge, The Goodies, Are you Being Served, Yes Minister, Hello Hello, to name a few of them. But then we entered the woke era with political correctness added as well.
Couldn’t agree more. In the Autumn when the new seasons shows kicked in, virtually evening there was something decent worth watching. Last great comedy was One Foot in the Grave ….. and that started in 1990! Can I just add Open All Hours, The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, To The Manor Born, Sorry, Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads, Hi-De-Hi, The Liver Birds, Only Fools and Horses, In Sickness and in Health, Brush Strokes, Just Good Friends, Dear John, The Good Life, Ever Decreasing Circles, Hancocks Half Hour and Steptoe and Son to your excellent list!
They cut out the major's scene where he uses the N word when they show it on TV now. They shouldn't really as it's showing the attitude of a fossil from the empire.
But the attitude that it's showing is not understandable today. In his day -- even when the episode was produced -- the word didn't have the American sense that it does today. A modern viewer will take something very different, and not at all intended, from it.
This and Gourmet night were my two favourites. I can still remember watching these when they first came out. And apart from the racist element they are still just as funny.
Fun fact, the major is correct, west Indians are #######, and Indians are ####. The group of Indians with that name use to sell a local product to British troops serving in India and the product was called golly. Put the product with the people's name and you have a certain doll on jam jars.
"Yes you did, you invaded Poland!" has to be one of the most famous lines in British comedy history.
I am German and I love this episode so much. It’s the most funny one Xx
its a shame the powers that be thought it would offend.
I used to own a holiday business and our favourite guests were Germans. Always lovely to deal with and all of them had a great sense of humour.
@@vallee3140 Hahahahhaha, awesome ... :D
The brits always make themselves the butt of the joke, the last line "however did they win?" sums it up so nicely. 😂
@@kernow9324they lost the bloody war!
I think the real genius here is how well everything in the episode just comes together somehow. How these completely unrelated elements... An ingrowing toenail, a fire drill, a stuffed moose and the Germans arriving all manage to drive Basil into complete and total insanity by the end.
So true, one might even be forgiven for thinking many different elements were from different episodes, there are than many and so varied. Might be the most perfectly pieced together sitcom ep of all time.
Absolutely, and that's what has infuriated me before... when Connor watches things like WatchMOJO or 'the best of' compilations. He actually did the writers and programmes a disservice by 'dipping in' and NOT appreciating an episode from start to finish! Many comedy shows have a beginning, middle and then a climactic ENDING; but rely on a gradual 'build-up' which has been carefully thought out - so I'm very pleased Connor can now appreciate WHOLE episodes as intended.
Indeed - all the episodes of the series have scripts which are to some degree as finely tuned as a swiss watch - this one more than most.
Yes, they are set like time bombs - ready to go off. 😂
I completely agree on this one!! 🤕.... 👍
“We don’t think you’re well Mr. Fawlty”.
Well maybe not but I’ll live longer than you.” 😂
👏 😂 👏 😂
Must tell you when German TV bought the series they didn't want this episode because they thought it wouldn't go down well in Germany they were wrong. Some years later it was so requested they had to show it.
Fun fact: the actor who played the doctor, Louis Mahoney, was born in The Gambia, but travelled to Britain to study medicine and train as a real doctor before getting into acting.
"Don't mention the war! I did once but I think I got away with it." is a truly iconic phrase in Britain, almost everyone over a certain age has said it themselves. It may or may not be the best episode but it's certainly the most famous episode.
@@Thisandthat8908 his wife, Melody, appeared in the episode 'Basil the Rat'
@@stevehendon4076who’d she play?
@@JonathanElliotMay 'Mrs. Taylor'
This is arguably the greatest episode in the history of comedy.
John Cleese tells the story that once at Munich airport waiting for his flight a German came up to him and jokingly said don’t mention the war a walked away laughing
this was the most brilliant episode of Fawlty Towers ever. remember this tv show was sold around the world, including Germany. funny to think its near 50 years old now. The actor who plays Manuel - ( a German born Jew whose family fled Hitler and settled in UK ) - was once asked by someone about his character. "what does it say about Spanish ppl?". the actor, Andrew Sachs , replied "haven't you watched it? Basil, the Major - what does that say about the English!!??" .. :D
Without doubt the funniest and best written single episode of any sitcom ever. Pure genius - the fact it still stands up almost 50 years later says it all.
Prunella Scales is the jady playing Sybil is now aged 90 and is unfortunately suffering with Alzheimers , She was a perfect foil to Basil. xx
Yes, one of the greatest episodes of any British television comedy. But you had your hand over your eyes and missed the very best moment, when Fawlty goosesteps out of the room and then turns round to march back in - watch it again!!! 8.06-8.08.
Yes! I noticed that too, he missed Basil's pirouette 🤭🤭
Voted the funniest episode of Fawlty Towers. You couldn’t get away with making it now, and I believe it’s been censored when shown recently. This and Blackadder are examples of British comedy at its best.
My favourite comedy series of all time. "Vee have meat here, in zee building"
I've seen this so many times and I am still laughing so hard I'm nearly crying 😂Great to see your reaction Connor 😂😂
You know that "POLLY" 😊 ACTUALLY WROTE Faulty Towers. If you don't believe me check out the credits roll after
You know that "POLLY" 😊 ACTUALLY WROTE Faulty Towers. If you don't believe me check out the credits roll after
@@bealerDSB Yes, I certainly do believe you,! "Polly" (actress Connie Booth) and John Cleese were married and co-wrote the scripts.
Can’t wait for your reaction to “the kipper and corpse”
That episode is my personal favourite, German's being my 2nd fave.
"How ever did they win?" 🤣
Because the Brits are a different nation, with their back to the wall but they can laugh at themselves.
YES. My favourite episode. Thank you. It has cheered me right up.
I think the next one (S2E1) is also pretty good. Looking forward to that too.
Dan C Is that the one with the, "herds of wilderbeasts", from a Torquay window? Although to be honest.It doesn't matter which one it is, I love them all.
British comedy has became a shadow of its former glory
Half a century has passed since this came out, and no other comedy has come close to this masterpiece
Blackadder and Curb Your Enthusiasm up there with this
@@shaundgb7367I doubt it - not from clips I've serm
This series was sold to 45 stations in 17 countries around the world to great acclaim. The only country that complained for racist reasons about it was Spain who insisted that the waiter was dubbed into being an Italian & in the Catalan region where Manuel was a Mexican. Originally, the BBC did not send this episode to a German network but, as it had paid for a whole series, asked the BBC to send it over. It’s one of the most popular episodes in Germany.
This is one of the greatest episodes of TV ever made
You have to keep in mind that is episode is from 1975 - only 30 years after WWII - , when the UK had just joined the European Economic Community ( the EEC ) - the predecessor of the EU - alongside Ireland & Denmark a couple of years earlier.
This is what Basil is referring to, when he says "Well, we are all in it together now (!) - forgive and forget, eh? ", since Germany was one of the six founding members of the EEC back in the mid 50s.
It’s hard to choose the best episode, they are all written with such genius.
This is certainly in my top three. Your reaction is priceless.
First time I saw this episode, I nearly peed myself laughing. One of the funniest things ever!
Definitely the best episode. I remember watching this when it was first broadcast on the BBC in 1975. My reaction to the fire drill was much like yours. Just couldn't breathe. Classic.
I heard many years ago that this episode ranks as a top favourite among fans.
And the second series is even better!
Apparently----the Germans DO have a sense of Humour, they loved this.
I (German native) studied in England for a year and I had an English roommate, to this day a great friend of mine. And one day she asked me If i knew Fawlty Towers and "The Germans"...well< I didn't and we proceeded to watch that episode together, her watching my every reaction nervously, and me rolling on the.floor laughing,even more so at the end. No offense taken😂😂😂 I love this episode, it even makes me laugh more nowadays.
Even though I’ve seen all Fawlty Towers many times before it’s fun to watch them again with you. In the second series an American visits…you’ll like that one!
Fresh out of Waldorfs!
I've seen all these hundreds of times and it never gets old. Timeless comedic perfection.
Absolutely sublime comedy, bordering on 'real' life!!! 😅
Great reaction to a great episode, there is so much in these episodes, enough content for three to be honest. There are only 12, but for value it's more like 30. Ballard Berkley was great as the major, He had a 60 year career, he was a leading man back in the 30s and 40s, worked with Hitchcock and Noel Coward,. This show gave his career a boost, and kept him working right up to his death in 1988, in his mid eighties. You really get to see into the head of the Major in this one, they loved writing for him, and his role expanded as it went on.
Thanks for the info Lee. Fascinating.
The major is my favourite character. In fact, he is my role model. When I grow up, I want to be just like him.
The three greatest comedy moments in TV history:
1. “Yes you did, you invaded Poland!”
2. Basil’s Hitler impression
3. Basil’s Hitler Walk
Fun fact:
When FT was "first" (?) shown on German TV, Basil's amazing goose stepping had act. been cut out 😉 ( I watched it via our back then new cable TV here in neighbouring Denmark ).
Basil was right - zese Jurmans hafe abzolutelie no zenze of humor 😂
This episode is comedy gold. The fire drill scene is worth of an award by itself. The comedy timing is perfect and the energy level grows and grows to manic proportions. Superb stuff and your reactions are priceless, particularly during the Major's cricket story 😂😂😂
a perfect british farce, continually voted britains best sitcom
'Don't mention the war' has become part of the English lexicon because of that episode!
Epic! I watched this one lots of time and still it's epic.
the Major adds so much to this series.......................absoulutely brilliant
I love Fawlty Towers It is so well written. They get so much in. It feels like 3 episodes in 1 🤣🤣
Brilliant stuff Mate ... Love to see you loff ya Gnads off !!! lol
so pleased you watched this, best episode ever, only trouble is I now have a sore throat from laughing.
Never get tired of Fawlty Towers. Absolute Gold. 🌟🧡😆
best episode of the best show ever
😍😂Just sooooo GOLDEN!!!
Easy to forget that the Germans don`t make an entrance until the last 10 minutes.
I have seen this episode several times, I crack up laughing every time. Just genious.
Lovely reaction. Delighted you enjoyed it.
Awesome Show and Work Bro, Thanks 👍👍👍👍 Greetings from Helsinki, Finland 🇫🇮
John and Connie were great at writing this show.. I hear tell that they are writing another TV Show for BASIL
The rat will have his own show?
That episode is a right of passage
Fawlty Towers with its 2 series ( 12 episodes in total ) was voted the most popular British sitcom. Of all time.
Highlights the British insecurity and fear of embarrassment beautifully!
"Stop talking about the war"
"You started it!"
"no we didn't!"
"yes you did.... you invaded Poland!"
Comedy writing genius. 😂
Always loved that episode and your reaction......it was vealy good.
All the German stuff were jokes that despite being hilarious would come across as very mean spirited from Basil, so Basil had to have had concussion to get away with it. Like for example, when he was in bed and was rude to the nurse, it establishes he's not doing it out of genuine malice he's just lost his mind lol
It's so brilliantly written this show and every setup and pay off is crafted to perfection.
Great reaction Connor 😂😂😂
Thanks for all the laughs, brother!
A fantastic episode and your reactions were hilarious. Love your laugh. 😂😂😂
I just finished binge-watching the whole first season with you. It was hilarious. It really may be the very best comedy show Britain has given us. You are always such good company, and you usually do pick out wonderful stuff. I love coming here. I had already subscribed, but somehow the notification bell didn't get turned on. I've fixed that now, so I'll get to see you more often.
Thanks Connor! 👍😊
One of the best episodes.
Great episode but “The Psychiatrist” is still the best episode for me.
Agree
No, it's either Communication Problems or The Kipper and the Corpse. Trying to summarise the ins and outs of those plots (especially the first one with the horse bet and the vase) would tie your brain in knots.
@@johntomlinson6849
There is no definitive best episode . Lester in his comment said “ for me ‘ and for me The Psychiatrist is the perfect episode.
@@stewartcohen-jones2949 I would have thought that it was obvious that I was stating my opinion. Jesus wept...
@@johntomlinson6849 The definite No signifies otherwise.
Great to see your reactions to Fawlty Towers.
Looking forward to more Blackadder. Feel free to skip the rest of season 1, not many Blackadder fans will blame you for that.
“Best episode yet”? Just wait until the next one :)
"This bathtub is not big enough to drown a mouse".
"I wish you were a mouse".
"Sydney Opera House"?
"Is this a piece of your brain?"
The Germans trumps Communication Problems, great as it is.
That was genuinely Martin Scorsese's favourite episode!
Dear McJibbin - you're the best...When will you do Series II the last 6 episodes ?
Thanks.
Hands down best episode!
Agree
“You’ve has a nasty knock on the head”
“Yes, would you like one?” One of my favourites 😂😂
"Yes you did you invaded Poland."
That will never not be funny to me.
loved this series! waiting for more of the yes minister reactions!
Yes I’ll do that one soon thanks Woj tek 👍
If I had a buck for every time I've seen that episode, I'd have $5 now
Good reaction. In fact, it was vealy good.
Twenty years ago I was teaching an IB class and I showed them this. There were four Germans in the class and three of them were in stitches. The fourth was offended, not because he was German, but because he was an early disciple of political correctness.
Amazing sketch of comedic drama. This will go down in history just like the war.
Next episode is "Communication Problems" - the first episode of season 2 - , and it's just as brilliant - a comedy masterpiece 😉
Germans is greater
*The Russians*
"Could you please stop mention the war?"
"Me? But you started it".
"No, we didn't".
"Yes, you did. You invaded Urkaine".
Germans loved this episode. They got it.
They were also the first to try making their own German-language version of Fawlty Towers, which I've never seen but John Cleese liked. The US tried more than once, but never got it right (one version weirdly removed Sybil altogether and replaced Basil with Bea Arthur).
Everyone gets the German bits. Well almost everyone, there’s a few nut cases out there but it’s pretty clear that they are the normal people in the episode.
Fantastic!!
A Classic - so very funny
Effing quality😂
Feckin agree
"You started it!"
"We most certainly did not!"
"Yes you did! You invaded Poland!"
Definitely the funniest episode of the series. The one with the rat is a close second.
This is one of my favorite episodes 😂 can't wait to see you watch my all time favorite next
Loved the look of shock on your face with the early racial slur, describing the difference between West Indians and Indians. 😅🤣
I figured that, while the multiple terms that had been bandied around in the early 20th century are dreadful, they vary in terms of how bad a slur they are. From ne***o to col****d to n****r to mon*** to w**.
Episodes: 1) when a Psychiatrist and his wife, a Paediatrician, check in, 2) when a Food Inspector calls.
The key thing about Basil Fawlty is that he could be a real monster - but because he is given boundaries by being terrified of his wife , he is therefore comedic.
8:28 ZIS IZ NAHT FAHNNY!🤣🤣🤣🤣
probably the most classic line in the whole series, will you stop talking aboutthe war me, you started it, we did not start it, yes you did, you invaded Poland
Fifty years ago there were so many good comedy series on BBC, they just rolled along. What they dish up now is dross, compared to the 70's. Dads Army, It ant Arf hot Mum, Porridge, The Goodies, Are you Being Served, Yes Minister, Hello Hello, to name a few of them. But then we entered the woke era with political correctness added as well.
Couldn’t agree more. In the Autumn when the new seasons shows kicked in, virtually evening there was something decent worth watching. Last great comedy was One Foot in the Grave ….. and that started in 1990!
Can I just add Open All Hours, The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, To The Manor Born, Sorry, Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads, Hi-De-Hi, The Liver Birds, Only Fools and Horses, In Sickness and in Health, Brush Strokes, Just Good Friends, Dear John, The Good Life, Ever Decreasing Circles, Hancocks Half Hour and Steptoe and Son to your excellent list!
Now you can do shows without blocking - well done you - please do the Sharpe series. That's what you and I (us!) would really enjoy. Do SHARPE!
Whatever you do, don't mention the like button. I clicked it once but I think I got away with it.
And next you just have to watch episode Waldorf Salad ………
Communication Problems is next in the 1979 running order
Utterly genius.
They cut out the major's scene where he uses the N word when they show it on TV now. They shouldn't really as it's showing the attitude of a fossil from the empire.
But the attitude that it's showing is not understandable today. In his day -- even when the episode was produced -- the word didn't have the American sense that it does today. A modern viewer will take something very different, and not at all intended, from it.
This and Gourmet night were my two favourites. I can still remember watching these when they first came out. And apart from the racist element they are still just as funny.
The racist bit is funny
Going to do the rest?
Are you still going to react to this show ?
Comedy Classic
You know that "POLLY" 😊 ACTUALLY WROTE Faulty Towers. If you don't believe me check out the credits roll after
It was her and John Cheese together. Btw, it's Fawlty, not Faulty.
Andrew sachs(manuel) was german.
Fun fact, the major is correct, west Indians are #######, and Indians are ####. The group of Indians with that name use to sell a local product to British troops serving in India and the product was called golly. Put the product with the people's name and you have a certain doll on jam jars.