There is no such thig as a light hearted thread.
But I'm not directing anyone.
Just prodding.
Feel free to disregard.
This isn't Nazi Germany.
[TV] Fawlty Towers
- Thread starter jcdenton08
- Start date
Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊
But I'm not directing anyone.
Just prodding.
Feel free to disregard.
This isn't Nazi Germany.
There is no such thig as a light hearted thread.
But I'm not directing anyone.
Just prodding.
Feel free to disregard.
This isn't Nazi Germany.
https://www.northstandchat.com/threads/ashley-barnes-isnt-nearly-good-enough-for-us.192944/
Easy 10
Brain dead MUG SHEEP
"I say Fawlty, he doesn't look the ticket."
"No, no Major. He's dead, actually."
"Ah. Shot, was he ?"
"No, no, Major. Died in his sleep."
"Ah. Well, you're off your guard, yasee"
"No, no Major. He's dead, actually."
"Ah. Shot, was he ?"
"No, no, Major. Died in his sleep."
"Ah. Well, you're off your guard, yasee"
London Irish
Well-known member
Very difficult to think of a comedy that doesn’t date badly - it’s the one genre that for some reason seems particularly prone to this. I was even watching an early episode of The Day Today not so long ago - a show I never thought would ever be surpassed yet much of it was quite average. I wonder if there are any intelligent theories why comedy is particularly vulnerable (in the way great dramas or other genres aren’t) to sell-by dates
anygivensunday
Active member
'Basil doesn't bet anymore do you dear?'
'No, no, that particular avenue of pleasure has been closed off.'
'And we don't want it opened up again do we, Basil.'
'No, you don't dear.'
'No, no, that particular avenue of pleasure has been closed off.'
'And we don't want it opened up again do we, Basil.'
'No, you don't dear.'
Comedy evolves with society and is often apt to its era? I never warmed to Hancock, Cook or Moore, but the half gen before me think of them as geniuses. The exception for me is Milligan, with Whitehouse, they have an aura where you’re almost laughing in anticipation.
Whilst a brilliantly scripted and produced thriller or drama made for the big screen, can be timeless. Most movies wouldn’t pass this test, you get fads/hype when they’re released, then 5 years later you think that was so average.
There are also some great boxsets that might stand the test of time. But more niche.
sussex_guy2k2
Well-known member
- Jun 6, 2014
- 4,878
Right up there with Black Adder and Only Fools and Horses as the best comedies of all time for me.
kevo
Well-known member
- Mar 8, 2008
- 10,205
I actually don't think it's dated too badly compared to some series/comedians of the same era, which seem completely unfunny now. Yeah, parts are very non-woke, but it's of its time. Certainly up there with the best UK sitcoms (wasn't there a comedy series world cup on here once?).
- Oct 17, 2008
- 17,030
- Thread starter
- #109
There’s been a bit of talk about how it has or hasn’t “dated”. I have to defend the show here.
In my opinion the brilliance of the comedy is that it’s just simple farce, built around really good characters. Basil isn’t a wisecracking, classically handsome protagonist making jokes at other’s expense. Basil is the joke.
The setting, costumes and references date the piece in the sense that it is set contemporaneously in the 1970’s, but the attitudes for the time are downright progressive - especially compared to many shows at that time. We love Manuel, we see Basil as a fool.
Indeed, many of the funniest moments happen because a man of Basil’s age has things like WW2 as a reference. If it was set in the 2020’s, his behaviour (even with a concussion) would make no sense.
It’s a timeless comedy. The writing - and performances - are timeless.
In my opinion the brilliance of the comedy is that it’s just simple farce, built around really good characters. Basil isn’t a wisecracking, classically handsome protagonist making jokes at other’s expense. Basil is the joke.
The setting, costumes and references date the piece in the sense that it is set contemporaneously in the 1970’s, but the attitudes for the time are downright progressive - especially compared to many shows at that time. We love Manuel, we see Basil as a fool.
Indeed, many of the funniest moments happen because a man of Basil’s age has things like WW2 as a reference. If it was set in the 2020’s, his behaviour (even with a concussion) would make no sense.
It’s a timeless comedy. The writing - and performances - are timeless.
Professor Plum
Well-known member
- Jul 27, 2024
- 1,242
You have to draw a distinction between a writer with embarrassing attitudes and a writer who is parodying people with embarrassing attitudes.
Redinpeace
Well-known member
- Apr 27, 2023
- 276
I've been trying to get through to the speaking clock... Well, it's engaged... Well, it's been engaged for ten minutes. How is this possible? My wife isn't talking to it.
This. Same applies to Alf Garnett.
I loved FT at the time (as did virtually everyone but it was at a time when there was little competition) but do just find it a little bit dated now. Blackadder is ageing better for me.
You certainly do.
That said, I'm not sure Connie Booth had embarrassing attitudes....
Unfortunately Garnett became a role model for gobshitey, wannabe cockerny wankers.
50 years on to still cheer a legion of folk, is a testimony to its greatness. How many comedies do that?
Redinpeace
Well-known member
- Apr 27, 2023
- 276
Hampshire won
You started it
no we didn’t.
yes you did, you invaded Poland!
no we didn’t.
yes you did, you invaded Poland!
Ammers fans from Essex
- Nov 15, 2006
- 6,499
I have watched a Hancock and Steptoe episode recently, thought both were absolute shite, Fawlty Towers never disappoints me even though I know the lines so well I know everything that’s coming
I would be interested in watching an episode of ‘Till Death” but I think they are no longer available as so many people love to be offended on someone else’s behalf these days and refuse to watch it in the context of when it was made. Like Fawlty Towers it was taking the piss out of the main character
I remember being a bit slack jawed at the time with Alf Garnett.
I would be interested in watching an episode of ‘Till Death” but I think they are no longer available as so many people love to be offended on someone else’s behalf these days and refuse to watch it in the context of when it was made. Like Fawlty Towers it was taking the piss out of the main character
I remember being a bit slack jawed at the time with Alf Garnett.
Most of my mates are fine with Nazi references and nazi jokes. In fact, one friend of mine said he was more ashamed of the rock band Scorpions than the holocaust.That's how Nazi Germany started.
(Some time ago I had a German GF, who found any references to the Nazis that was comedic or frivolous difficult to take. The sense of shame was quite palpable. We stopped watching the Tarantino WWII 'romp' after about 5 minutes, with her quite distressed. She enjoyed Hennig Wehn, but with some trepidation. You have to be there to feel it. Unfortunately it has tainted my enjoyment of Fawlty Towers. That and Cleese's latterday cuntishness.)
Perhaps @Herr Tubthumper may be able to shed further light on this...