Roku UK: 40th Anniversary of Fawlty Towers

This month marks 40 years since British comedy series Fawlty Towers first appeared on our TV screens. Set in a fictional seaside hotel, the sitcom centres on the short-tempered, obtuse owner Basil Fawlty (John Cleese), his domineering wife Sybil (Prunella Scales), level-headed chambermaid Polly (Connie Booth) and the hapless but loveable Spanish waiter Manuel (Andrew Sachs).

Photo credit: Netflix/BBC

Although only twelve half-hour episodes were made (that’s just six hours of streaming!) Fawlty Towers remains a firm favourite with audiences across the globe. Indeed, in a list drawn up by the British Film Institute, the sitcom was named the best British television series of all time.

To mark the occasion, we’re encouraging Roku users to stream both series in all their glory by September 19^th (the date that marks the broadcast of first episode 40 years ago).

Here’s a look at our top three episodes to get you started…

 ‘Gourmet Night’ (Series 1, Episode 5)

Eager to attract a better class of clientele, Basil arranges a gourmet food night with the help of Fawlty Towers’ new chef, Kurt. Unknown to the Fawltys however, Kurt has fallen in love with Manuel and when his advances are spurned he takes solace in the drinks cabinet. With his chef now in no fit state to cook and guests starting to arrive, Basil turns to his friend André for help.

Best moment: When Basil loses his temper and gives his broken down car a “damn good thrashing” with a tree branch.

 ‘The Builders’ (Series 1, Episode 2)

When renovation work is needed at Fawlty Towers, Basil goes against Sybil’s requests for a reputable builder and instead opts for the cheaper (and far less capable) Mr O’Reilly. Ushering Sybil away on holiday, Basil leaves Polly in charge of making sure O’Reilly and his team get the job done. Unfortunately for Basil however, Polly uses the absence of the Fawltys as an opportunity to take a well-earned nap, leaving Manuel to temporarily hold the fort. Revelling in his new-found managerial status (and not wanting to disturb Polly) Manuel decides to instruct the builders with predictably disastrous results.

Best moment: When Manuel, under Basil’s orders, calls one of the builders a “hhhideus orang ootang”…. and suffers the consequences.

‘Basil the Rat’ (Series 2, Episode 6)

Mr Carnegie, the local health inspector, issues Basil and Sybil with a warning notice for failing to meet hygiene requirements. The Fawltys are instructed to make the necessary improvements within 24hrs, -or face being closed down for business. As the staff rally round, Basil discovers Manual has been hiding a pet rat (also named Basil) in his room. Polly hides the furry creature in the shed but it isn’t long before it escapes, pushing Basil over the edge as he tries to hunt down the rodent before Mr Carnegie returns.

Best moment: When Mr Carnegie eventually comes face to face with Basil the rat.

Fawlty Towers, Series 1 & 2, are available to stream on Roku via Netflix and Google Play