Waldorf Salad

Not one of the series' strongest episodes, Waldorf Salad features yet another obnoxious guest, a brusque American (Bruce Boa) who insists that he and his wife (Claire Nielson) are served dinner even after the kitchen has closed, the gruff yank paying Basil £20 to keep the chef on for a while longer. But with his chef leaving on time for a date, it is up to Basil to perform kitchen duties, with the inevitable disastrous results.

Watching the loud-mouthed American bully poor Basil just didn't seem all that funny to me—one actually feels a little sorry for the hotel owner, who is simply trying his best to accommodate his guests. Of course, the deception is eventually rumbled in a hilarious scene where Basil is conducting an argument with his 'imaginary' chef only for the American to walk in and witness the debacle. A great moment, but getting there isn't quite the unforgettable comedic ride that other episodes offer.

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 personally left reviewing this episode til last, as I hate to say it, it's my least favourite episode, I guess solely down to the fact that I feel sorry for Basil, and I'm a fan of his.

I think the criticisms about The Brits classing Americans as brash and overbearing is unfair, Harry is just one demanding, loud, obstinate man, regardless of nationality.

Canadian Bruce Boa plays the role of Harry very well, you can't argue with that, but poor Basil gets it from all angles. Normally Fawlty Towers has a few charming guests, not this time, he has a hotel full of complainers.

I find parts funny, and parts rather frustrating to watch. I really enjoy the part where Sybil is talking to her American guests about California, gives us a different slant on Sybil's character, I enjoyed. The part though where Basil is arguing with his imaginary Chef I find hard work.

It is funny, it's Fawlty Towers, but even great shows have ranking order of episodes, and sadly for me this one sits at the bottom. 7/10

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.