Waldorf Salad

I won't say this is the best episode of Fawlty Towers because everyone has their favourite. But it is the one I enjoyed most. Bruce Boa is just brilliant here, a great foil for Basil. When I reach for my DVD of Fawlty Towers, this is always the first one I watch. In 2002, I went to a buffet restaurant and there was a Waldorf salad with the ingredients described in the episode: celery, apples, walnuts and grapes in a mayonnaise sauce. Although I was reluctant to taste it, it turned out to be delicious. So far, I have never found Basil's dubious Old English salad! I doubt that it exists.

For anyone who has ever wondered how the world sees Americans, this episode should answer that question. Brilliant, biting and with writing as crisp as a well tied bow tie, this is one of the true classics of this classic series.

Perfectly captured that all-American trait of humility---no wait, I mean hubris---and the all-British trait of 'go along to get along.' The casting, as always, is immaculate and John Cleese illustrates why he is one of the true comedic geniuses of his time--combining the physicality of Chaplin with the scorching wit of Groucho.

In all honesty, I have held off my entire life from having a Waldorf Salad until such time as I visit the UK--with the express desire to see the reaction when I order it.

I am sure it will be---as Basil might say---"TYPICAL". And I will make a point to bring some extra 'Mickey Mouse money' so I don't have to bust "an ass" to get it.

Right!

An American couple come to stay at Fawlty Towers . Being Americans they expect the best service possible . It goes without saying that they're not going to get it at this hotel

I'm somewhat surprised at some of the comments on this page regarding this episode . On its initial broadcast I thought it one of the very best episodes from the show an opinion that hasn't been diminished by time and multiple viewings . Its agenda is probably not so much satire but parody and this it does perfectly

There's probably a perception in Britain in the 1970s that most Americans are loud philistines only interested in money . This probably a hang-over from the war when the Yanks were over paid over sexed and over here . The British perception amongst the general public is probably even less complimentary with the only people defending Americans being British soldiers who have served in recent war zones . Their praise for Americans is boundless so stop taking things so seriously guys

The episode revolves around the constant premise of the show that Basil finds himself in a tight spot and tries to dig himself out only to dig himself in to a deeper hole . Like Mrs Richards from the season debut and Mr Hutchinson from season one it involves a very difficult guest a Mr Hamilton who is portrayed as a parody of a loud mouthed American philistine . Again it could have descended in to farce but there's an air of reality about the differences between British and American culture and it's the show that made the Waldorf Salad a much better known dish in the British Isles

I like the bit where he hit the fridge with a hat and pretended he was angry

Basil is put through the wringer in this episode which sees numerous Fawlty Towers guests have bad dining experiences. Then a couple consisting of an American husband and an English wife arrive, and he is HELLBENT on having his way. Poor Basil - whom you can actually feel sorry for here - is treated with such disdain by this overbearing guest that, when he attempts to dig himself out of a hole, he only succeeds in digging it deeper.

Canadian-born guest star Bruce Boa, whom you may otherwise know best as General Rieekan in "The Empire Strikes Back", is just perfect playing this over the top parody of the stereotypical loud, self-centered, demanding American tourist. And therein lies an interesting element amid the laughs: this whole depiction of cultural differences between Americans and the English.

Things get so bad that Basil is pushed to his breaking point. When Mr. Hamilton seizes upon the fact that other guests present are NOT satisfied with their whole experience, Basil just unloads on the whole bunch of them, giving in to his worst impulses. Of course, he's picked a very bad night to do this: it's raining outside!

Overall, while this episode may not have given me as many belly laughs as previous episodes, it still rates as a provocative and still often funny 32 minutes of comedy.

My favorite part: Basil pretending to have a fight with Terry the chef (Brian Hall, "The Long Good Friday").

Seven out of 10.