Communication Problems

I've got to hand it to Joan Sanderson: she plays a very convincing battle-axe. As the selectively deaf Mrs. Richards in Communication Problems, she is quite the horror, finding fault with all those around her, always insisting that she is in the right even when she isn't. Watching her performance, I could feel my blood pressure rising just like poor Basil Fawlty, who has trouble with the old witch after she loses a sum of money in the hotel. While trying to sort out the issue, Basil desperately tries to hide a similar amount of cash—his winnings from a secret bet on the gee-gees—from wife Sybil.

This simple set up leads to loads of hilarity, with Polly and Manuel trying to help Basil keep his winnings, but this being Fawlty Towers, the poor hotel owner is destined to lose his money, closely followed by his composure.

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.

Mrs Richards comes to stay at Fawlty Towers . She is hard of hearing which causes much frustration to Basil . Basil's problems are compounded when Sybil becomes suspicious that he's been putting money on horses

Communication Problems is a strange episode from the show . Like the episode featuring hotel inspectors the audience are asked to empathise with Bssil far more than usual . It'd be different if Mrs Richards was merely deaf but she's an arrogant selfish horror whose behaviour borders on the narcissistic played superbly by Joan Sanderson . we all know someone like that and we all hope their attitude comes back to bite them . Basil also has the duel problem that Sybil is suspicious of his betting habit at the bookies . We're asked more than empathising with Bsil we're asked to sympathise with him which is not something that happens in the show very often

This slightly atypical episode means it sticks out more than it possibly deserves to . I remember reading somewhere that despite having more memorable episodes it was this one that won a public vote as the funniest episode . It's good on its own but it's not even the funniest episode of the season

Already of distinction as the episode in which Manuel says "I know nothing!"; like most second season episodes it also benefits from Polly being made a stronger character prepared to support Basil when confronted with a common threat.

On this occasion the threat is twofold, in addition to Sybil also Joan Sanderson as the monstrous Mrs Richards, whose incessant dissatisfaction always owes more to getting a reduction than in rectifying the problem; and who promptly forgets that she's deaf whenever the subject of money is mentioned.

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.