Communication Problems

How do you even begin to comment on something, which for many, myself included is comedy perfection. I don't think I've encountered anyone that hasn't seen or at least heard about this episode, the terror poor Basil faces at the hands of the obstinate, frustrating battle-axe Mrs Richards.

Every single thing about this episode is perfection, the writing, performances, delivery, even the plot itself knits together beautifully, Basil's bit of luck, his terror at being found out by Sybil, and of course the Major's fabulous outburst.

Joan Sanderson did a famous line in battle-axes, her and Peggy Mount are the two best I can think of, Joan appeared in Mixed Blessings, After Henry, Please Sir, but this has to be the best of her performances, she is fantastic as the unreasonable, hard of hearing guest who torments Basil, like no other guest manages to.

Too many scenes to highlight, but The Hanging Gardens of Babylon segment has to be my favourite, agonisingly funny.

First rate britcom. 10/10.

"Communication Problems" is one of the only episodes to focus almost entirely on one of the hotel guests - Mrs. Richards, who is visiting the hotel from Brighton. Portrayed flawlessly by the late Joan Sanderson, I think anyone would be hard-pressed to find anyone more acerbic and tactless than this old battleaxe. But it's a familiar problem in hotels - guests like this come along often and all the staff can do is deal with them until they finally check out. Then, of course, there is the subplot of Basil secretly betting on the horses after a long absence (Sybil: "We don't want that avenue of pleasure opened up again, do we, Basil?!" Basil: "No YOU don't, dear.") which serves as the lead-in to the story's punch line. Thanks to Andrew Sachs, the Mrs. Richards head-banging scene stayed in (Basil: "Is this a piece of your brain?!") In a recent interview, he mentioned that John Cleese and Connie Booth didn't think it was any good and wanted to replace it. The entire scene is screamingly funny. Ballard Berkely (the Major Gowen) is at his most virtuosic as the dense and forgetful old codger. Many great lines, but the best have to come from the confrontation between Polly and Mrs. Richards regarding the toilet paper, and the one between her and Manuel ("Si que what?!")

I like the bit where he won the money but was too scared to tell his wife

Basil puts a sneaky bet on a horse behind Cybil's back while dealing with a particularly demanding guest.

This is a great episode that combines an intricate and ironic plot with some excellent performances.

I was firmly on Basil's side in this one as he not only contends with Cybil's domination but also with an unreasonable guest who is hard of hearing.

John Cleese is as great as ever but this episode is hijacked by Joan Sanderson in a brilliantly obnoxious role as Mrs Richards. The regular supporting characters also contribute some memorable moments.

This opening episode to the belated second season is simply farce of the highest quality. While the Fawlty Towers staff must deal with an ultra-demanding guest (Joan Sanderson, "Prick Up Your Ears") who is hard of hearing, Basil sneakily places a successful bet on a horse race behind Sybils' back. (She's determined that he'd kicked that vice.)

The result is some of the brightest & most hilarious moments on the sitcom to date. The title is apt, since that's what it all boils down to. One of the best bits involves an impromptu game of charades between Basil & Polly, as he frantically gives her clues to the horses' name while Sybils' back is to him. The writing is superb, as the two plot threads come together wonderfully.

Basils' frustration is perfectly understandable, while he's trying to make himself understood to either Mrs. Richards, Major Gowen, or Manuel. In the end, it's impossible not to feel bad for him, due to the simple joy he feels, for once having something to be happy about. The shots he fires at people are priceless, as always. And guest star Sanderson is fantastic at being this formidable thorn in everybody's side. I'm also glad the scripts started giving the doddering Major more to do, as he is able to add even more mirth to the scenarios.

"Who is C. K. Watt????"

10 out of 10.