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Fawlty Towers

1975 – 1979Show2 seasons12 episodesTV-PG

Comedy
93
ExcellentGoodWatch score
IMDb8.8Rotten Tomatoes100%93%

A nostalgic, fast-paced comedy series about everyday modern life, with standout performances and dialogue.

Good for date night · family movie night · friends night

Where to watch

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Not for scares, brutality or big ideas.

Shows with

Episodes

2 seasons · 12 episodes · best: S1E6 "The Germans" 9.3

Episodes

8.7
8.8

Story

Don’t mention the war!

Owner Basil Fawlty, his wife Sybil, a chambermaid Polly, and Spanish waiter Manuel attempt to run their hotel amidst farcical situations and an array of demanding guests.

Feels like

  • Classic British Sitcom
  • Farcical Hotel Chaos
  • Sharp Wit and Wordplay
  • Iconic Character Dynamics
  • Physical Comedy Masterclass
  • Social Satire of Class
  • High Rewatchability
  • Short-form Episodic Structure
  • John Cleese Performance
  • Comfort Viewing Staple

Cast

24 of 51 · most episodes first

Crew

Directors
John Howard Davies, Bob Spiers
Written by
John Cleese, Connie Booth
Produced by
Douglas Argent, John Howard Davies
Music by
Dennis Wilson

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

September 19, 1975 · October 25, 1979 · Ended

First aired
September 19, 1975
Last aired
October 25, 1979
Status
Ended
Length
2 seasons · 12 episodes
Age rating
TV-PG
Content
Strong Language
Genres
Comedy
Original language
English
Also spoken
French
Made in
United Kingdom
Available in
9 countries

Tropes

Hurricane of Euphemisms, Gentleman Snarker, Accidental Rhyme +9

  • Hurricane of Euphemisms
  • Gentleman Snarker
  • Accidental Rhyme
  • Grudging "Thank You"
  • Jerkass Has a Point
  • Henpecked Husband
  • No Fame, No Wealth, No Service
  • Rummage Fail
  • Hollywood Darkness
  • Bizarrchitecture
  • Freudian Slippery Slope
  • Actor Allusion

12 of 253 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream Fawlty Towers?"

Questions about Fawlty Towers

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Fawlty Towers?

BritboxBritBox

In the United States, Fawlty Towers streams on Britbox and BritBox. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 5 other countries.

Is Fawlty Towers worth watching?

93
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 93 (IMDb 8.8 and Rotten Tomatoes 100%).

Is Fawlty Towers okay for kids?

TV-PGStrong language

Yes: it's rated TV-PG in the United States for strong language, and the viewing guide lists it for kids.

How long does it take to watch Fawlty Towers?

6 h

About 6 hours: 12 episodes in 2 seasons of about 30 minutes each, aired from 1975 to 1979.

Will Fawlty Towers make me laugh?

Very funny

Yes, a lot: the humor is mostly situational comedy (9 of 10) and sharp wit (9 of 10).

Can I half-watch Fawlty Towers?

Easy watchDemanding

Yes: it's easy to follow, with complexity at only 4 of 10, and the viewing guide calls it drop-in friendly.

What tropes does Fawlty Towers use?

Hurricane of EuphemismsGentleman SnarkerAccidental RhymeGrudging "Thank You"Jerkass Has a PointHenpecked HusbandNo Fame, No Wealth, No ServiceRummage FailHollywood DarknessBizarrchitectureFreudian Slippery SlopeActor Allusionand 241 more

TV Tropes lists 253 tropes for it, including Hurricane of Euphemisms, Gentleman Snarker, and Accidental Rhyme.