Fawlty Towers

TV review by Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media
Fawlty Towers Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 13+

Vintage British comedy shows its age but still entertains.

BBC America Comedy 1975
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Parents say

age 10+

Based on 4 reviews

Kids say

age 11+

Based on 8 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Fawlty Towers is a short-lived 1970s-era British comedy series. Although the comedy is mostly clean-cut, it's an acquired taste for American viewers because of its age and roots in British culture. Expect some playful banter of a sexual nature (mention of "getting lucky" and other hanky-panky) that stands in hilarious contrast to Basil's uptight personality. A Spanish character is steeped in stereotypes -- including the language barrier that leads to plenty of laughable mishaps -- but it's meant to be funny, not hurtful.

Community Reviews

MOTD's Danny Murphy
MOTD's Danny Murphy Adult
September 26, 2019
age 12+

Not very true to life

I didn’t find it very true to life, or funny. People say Fawlty Towers is the funniest sitcom ever but it only made me smile three times. I can’t even remember when. When I was at Liverpool we stayed in hotels all the time and none of them were like this. For starters pretty much all of them managed to spell the name of the hotel right on their signs. The only time I saw a missing letter was during a gale at the Celtic Manor Hotel near Cardiff, and even then it only blew the C off so it said eltic Manor Hotel, and that’s not funny. It’s not like it said bum or anything. So for me, right from the start Fawlty Towers is a long way off being realistic. Two of the characters have moustaches, which never happens, and some of the things that go on are completely unrealistic. The bit where he hits his car with a branch is just silly. You wouldn’t do that. I remember Igor Biscan’s car breaking down in Crosby, and he just calmly went to Costa while he waited for the AA. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t see anything funny in it. Robbie Fowler’s impression of Gerard Houllier, now that’s funny, and it doesn’t involve putting a dead body in a wardrobe.
2 people found this helpful.
LMPRA
LMPRA Adult
September 11, 2018
age 9+

A fantastic British comedy series

1) Sex and Nudity: A few mild sex references are made throughout the series, though they are unlikely to cause offence. In one episode a women is shown undressing and her underwear is briefly visible. In another episode a reference is made of a character trying to 'grope a girl' along with the same character unintentionally touching a women's breasts from another room. ------ 2) Violence: Slapstick violence is present on most episodes, all of which is done in a comedic way and none of which is graphic or likely to cause offence. ----- 3) Profanity: Uses of mild-moderate profanity used including 'bloody' and 'bastard'. One character also uses the terms 'n----rs' and 'wogs' in one episode (S1, E6: The Germans). However, there terms are used by an older character and are not done in a way that is purposely offensive. ----- 4) Alcohol, Drugs and Smoking: Alcohol is shown to be consumed, though not to excess, throughout the series. In two episodes characters are shown to be drunk, though excess drinking is not promoted. ----- Frightening & Intense Scenes: In one episode (S2, E4: The Kipper and the Corpse) a dead body is found and is then subsequently carried around the hotel throughout the episode. While this episode may be upsetting to some, it is unlikely to frighten most children over the age of 9.
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

FAWLTY TOWERS stars John Cleese as Basil Fawlty, a miserly hotel proprietor yearning to elevate his own social standing and to attract a more elite clientele. Unfortunately his efforts to do so often mean he neglects the needs of his average paying customers, much to the irritation of his practical wife, Sybil (Prunella Scales). Also lending a hand in the hotel are Polly (Connie Booth), the maid, and the jovial but mishap-prone Spanish waiter, Manuel (Andrew Sachs). A parade of eccentric guests keeps Basil on his toes with outlandish requests and one calamity after another.

Is It Any Good?

Fawlty Towers delivers classic British comedy by way of Cleese's delightfully neurotic character, whose attempts to advance his business always backfire in hilarious ways. His brilliance in the role is matched by the acerbic Sybil, who always manages to keep Basil under her thumb and dismantle even his best-laid plans. Their contentious relationship yields funny TV, even as it contradicts the very tenets of marital bliss.

Because this show's laughs generally are byproducts of eccentric characters, exaggerated scenarios, and running jokes about Basil's rudeness, its content will go over the heads of kids and tweens. But if your teens take an interest enough to see past the show's dated feel, rest assured that its content is proper enough that there's nothing to fear in letting them dabble in this classic.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how comedy reflects its time and place. What can this show teach you about British society in the 1970s? How different is the humor from what you're used to? Is it fair to make generalizations based on one example?

  • Is it possible to avoid stereotypes altogether in entertainment? What examples are present here? What are they based on? Have our sensitivities to this kind of content changed over time? If so, is this necessarily good or bad?

  • Central to this show's laughs is an argumentative marriage between Basil and Sybil. In general, do you find that the shows and movies you watch give an accurate impression of relationships? How would such a relationship play out in the real world?

TV Details

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