A Touch of Class

I think they must have realised at the time they were on to a winner, I wonder if Cleese and Booth had imagined exactly what they'd created.

A Touch of Class is a truly magical episode, we're introduced to the lovable regulars, and some loathsome guests. Key Guest being Lord Melbury, who brings out Basil's inner snob. The dialogue between the two is a joy to behold, and the scene where Basil realises what Lord Melbury is doing is a moment of utter hilarity.

I'm reviewing this over forty years after it was transmitted, has there been a funnier sitcom? Don't think so. 10/10

To me this is the best start to any show out there and it owns mr bean and the simpsons etc i like this episode because of the very fine acting and comedy from john cleese aka basil fawlty and also starring his wife sybil fawlty and the helpers polly and manual a french waiter from barcelona and of course lord malbury the talented conman who owns a couple of prisoners. Basil Fawlty is the greatest comedian or John Cleese as such out there for me that's the only reason this show is so good John Cleese Basil Fawlty although the Spanish waiter Manual does a great job well. This show owns everything on planet earth especially justice and freedom and hope

In this first episode of the classic '70s BBC series, obsequious hotel owner Basil (John Cleese) is taken in by a confidence trickster (Michael Gwynn) posing as Lord Melbury, a member of the aristocracy. As Basil kowtows to his eminent guest, snubbing the other customers, his wife Sybil (Prunella Scales) wishes that her fawning husband would get on with the many jobs that need doing around the hotel.

A Touch of Class is far from the funniest episode of Fawlty Towers, but what it does brilliantly is to get the viewer acquainted with the characters and establish their particular quirks and foibles in readiness for the rest of the series. We immediately understand the dynamic between Basil and Sybil (neurotic henpecked husband and efficient harridan), realise that Polly (Connie Booth) is the sane one, and see that waiter Manuel (Andrew Sachs) is the whipping boy on whom Basil vents his frustration. It's a wonderful set up that, in future episodes, would pay off in spades.

Basil advertises the hotel in Country Life magazine in an attempt to attract a higher class of guest.

Appearances are deceptive in this series opener as Basil longs for a higher standard of clientele in his establishment. We have the series formula set with a fairly intricately plotted series of disasters and Basil slowly unraveling towards a complete emotional meltdown.

This has plenty of witty lines from Basil as he blunders through everything whilst Cybil and Manuel hinder him at every turn. My favourite is the line regarding Brahms.

I love comedy that's makes fun of the class system and in particular characters who try to be a cut above and fail miserably.

All performances are great but as with most episodes it is all about John Cleese and he is fantastic in every scene.

It is an 8.5/10 for me but I round upwards.

I like the bit where he smashes the painting and where he sniffs the brick