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Episode Guide

Fawlty Towers is a British sitcom created by John Cleese and Connie Booth, which aired on BBC One from 1975 to 1979. The series follows the misadventures of Basil Fawlty, the owner of a small hotel in Torquay, England. Basil is a short-tempered and ambitious man who is always trying to improve his hotel's reputation. However, his plans are often thwarted by his own incompetence and the eccentric guests who stay at his hotel.

The series was a critical and commercial success, and it is widely considered to be one of the greatest British sitcoms of all time. Fawlty Towers has been praised for its sharp writing, Cleese's performance, and the chemistry between the cast. The series has also been parodied and referenced in many other works of popular culture.

Series 1

1 - A Touch of Class

Basil Fawlty is determined to raise the tone of his hotel, Fawlty Towers. When Lord Melbury, an aristocratic guest, arrives, Basil fawns over him at every opportunity, even neglecting or annoying other guests in the process. However, Basil's plans are soon scuppered when his wife, Sybil, discovers that Melbury is actually a confidence trickster. Sybil tries to warn Basil, but he refuses to listen. He is so blinded by his desire to impress Melbury that he can't see the truth. In the end, Basil's obsession with Melbury leads to his downfall. Melbury takes advantage of Basil's gullibility and steals money from him. Basil is left humiliated and out of pocket.


2 - The Builders

Basil hires a group of bumbling builders to renovate the hotel, only to find their incompetence and endless delays pushing him to the brink of madness.


3 - The Wedding Party

Basil Fawlty is in for a busy day. A wedding party is due to arrive at Fawlty Towers, and he is determined to make sure everything goes smoothly. However, things start to go wrong when the bride's mother arrives early and starts to make demands. Basil tries to keep her happy, but it's no use. She is constantly complaining about the hotel and its staff. The bride and groom arrive, and they are just as difficult as the bride's mother. They are constantly arguing and bickering, and they seem to be on the verge of breaking up. Basil tries to intervene, but it's no use. The wedding is a disaster, and Basil is left feeling humiliated.


4 - The Hotel Inspectors

Basil Fawlty is determined to impress the hotel inspectors who are due to arrive at Fawlty Towers. He orders the staff to clean the hotel from top to bottom, and he even hires a band to play in the lobby. However, things start to go wrong when the inspectors arrive early. Basil is not expecting them, and he is caught off guard. He tries to make a good impression, but it's no use. The inspectors are not impressed with Fawlty Towers. They find fault with everything, from the food to the service. Basil is left feeling humiliated, and he knows that his hotel's reputation is in tatters.


5 - Gourmet Night

Basil Fawlty is determined to put on a show for his guests at Fawlty Towers' annual Gourmet Night. He hires a famous chef to cook the food, and he even gets a famous singer to perform. However, things start to go wrong when the chef gets drunk and the singer gets sick. Basil tries to salvage the evening, but it's no use. The guests are disappointed, and Basil is left feeling humiliated.


6 - The Germans

Basil Fawlty is not happy when a group of German tourists arrive at Fawlty Towers. He is prejudiced against Germans, and he makes it clear that he doesn't want them there. The Germans are offended by Basil's attitude, and they start to make trouble. Basil tries to keep them calm, but it's no use. In the end, the Germans leave Fawlty Towers in disgust. Basil is left feeling humiliated and defeated.


Series 2

1 - Communication Problems

Basil Fawlty is trying to book a room for a famous actor, but he keeps having trouble understanding the actor's assistant who speaks with a thick German accent. Basil is so flustered that he eventually hangs up on the assistant. The actor is never able to book a room at Fawlty Towers, and Basil is left feeling humiliated.


2 - The Psychiatrist

Basil Fawlty is trying to impress a psychiatrist who is staying at Fawlty Towers. He tries to act sophisticated and cultured, but he keeps making a fool of himself. The psychiatrist is amused by Basil's antics, but he doesn't take him seriously. Basil is left feeling humiliated and frustrated.


3 - Waldorf Salad

Basil Fawlty is trying to impress a group of American guests. He orders a Waldorf salad for them, but he doesn't know what it is. He ends up serving them a salad with apples, celery, and mayonnaise. The guests are disgusted.


4 - The Kipper and the corpse

Basil Fawlty is trying to get rid of a dead kipper that has been left in his hotel room. He tries to flush it down the toilet, but it gets stuck. He tries to throw it out the window, but it lands on a guest's car. He tries to bury it in the garden, but it is discovered by a group of children. Basil is eventually able to get rid of the kipper, but not before it has caused a lot of trouble.


5 - The Anniversary

Basil plans a surprise anniversary party for Sybil, but his efforts go awry when he mistakenly believes she has found out about his plans and decides to throw her off the scent.


6 - Basil the Rat

Basil's fear of health inspectors escalates when he discovers that Manuel has a pet rat, leading to a frenzied mission to conceal the rodent before an inspection takes place.