The Bunker – News without the nonsense Scare BnB – Why Fawlty Towers is still THE perfect British comedy
Sep 19, 2025
Jason Hazeley, a comedy writer known for his sharp wit, dives into the enduring brilliance of Fawlty Towers. He reminisces about the show's hilarious inception and its unforgettable characters, particularly Basil Fawlty, who embodies 70s class angst. The conversation delves into key moments like 'The Germans', along with the fine line between humor and offense. Hazeley also discusses the show's lasting appeal and offers insights on which episodes to watch, revealing why this quintessential British comedy still strikes a chord today.
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First Encounter And Wish Fulfilment
- Jason Hazeley first saw Fawlty Towers from his dad watching late-70s repeats and remembers it as wish-fulfillment about rudeness.
- He says Basil lets viewers say aloud what they cannot normally say.
Physical Comedy At A Cost
- The show used real physical comedy that sometimes injured actors, like Andrew Sachs being hit with a metal pan and burned by a failed fireproof suit.
- John Cleese insisted on real hits, believing soft-pedalling ruined the effect.
Real-Life Rudeness Became A Perfect Premise
- Cleese and Connie Booth based Fawlty Towers on an actual rude hotelier, Donald Sinclair, which inspired the show's conceit.
- The hotel setting lets any character enter naturally, making it perfect for sitcom chaos.
