Podcasts about Fawlty Towers

Welcome back to Retro Fandango! In this episode, we're checking into one of the most beloved and influential sitcoms ever made: Fawlty Towers.Join us as we take a look at the chaotic world of Basil Fawlty, his long-suffering wife Sybil, the endlessly confused Manuel, and the unforgettable guests who somehow survive their stay. We'll discuss how the series came to be, John Cleese's inspiration for the character, memorable episodes, behind-the-scenes stories, and why a show that only produced 12 episodes continues to be celebrated decades later.We'll also explore the show's lasting impact on television comedy, its place in British pop culture, and some of the modern controversies surrounding certain episodes and content.Whether you're a longtime fan or discovering Fawlty Towers for the first time, grab your room key and join us for a stay at television's most disastrous hotel!

Send us Fan MailGraham reports on the occasion when rock royalty met tearoom royalty: what he learned by chatting to Richard Hawley & Chris Difford at Bettys in Harrogate.Graham has also found a new way of seeing The Beatles in Ian Leslie's book John and Paul and maybe a new way of destroying them.Charles reviews John Cleese's Fawlty Towers The Play: a good conversion from screen to stage?Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos

25. That's the number of consecutive Presidents Clubs Lucy Williams-Jones has qualified for. Across some of the greatest companies in our industry, BMC, MongoDB, Datadog and now Astronomer, Lucy has built one of the most consistent and decorated careers in enterprise sales. In this episode, Andy Whyte sits down with Lucy to unpack what separates a lucky career from a legendary one. From the impact of AI on modern selling to the growing complexity of buying committees, Economic Buyer engagement and what it really takes to build a champion, this is a masterclass in consistency. You'll learn: ✅ Why AI is making salespeople lazy and what the best sellers do differently ✅ How buying committees have grown from 1-2 people to 10-15 and what that means for how you sell ✅ Why your Economic Buyer should be your champion and how to get there early ✅ The traits that separate A Players from the rest ✅ How to use MEDDPICC as a personal framework, even when job hunting ✅ Why you can't build a champion on WhatsApp 

Jim and John experience their most polarizing disagreement since the Colin Baker era as Paradise Towers splits them into opposing camps—Jim delivering a devastating 1 out of 15 ("a Billy") while John counters with an enthusiastic 14 out of 15, declaring it his favorite story of Season 24 and a formative influence on his understanding of world building as a young writer. The Ratings Chasm: Final scores: Jim 1, John 14, averaging to 7.5—perfectly appropriate for a story that divides straight down the middle. Jim places Paradise Towers at "Romans level bad," his first 1 rating in years, possibly ever. John acknowledges flaws but insists "I adore this. It's the best [of the season] to me. The next two aren't as good." Jim's Bewilderment: "It just had no idea what it wanted to be." Jim struggles through four parts feeling lost, bewildered, and unable to take anything seriously. The story veers wildly between dark humor and slapstick, feels like Monty Python meets children's television, and presents concepts (cannibal grannies, color-coded gangs, killer cleaning robots) that never cohere into a satisfying whole. He literally took no notes during Part 2 because he was too disconnected. The Kangs' rapid-fire accents and gang-speak were incomprehensible. The music sounds stolen from Donkey Kong or Pac-Man. Richard Briers' performance left Jim feeling "embarrassed for him." John's Passionate Defense: "This is my favorite of the season... This story as a young 17, 18, 19-year-old person trying his hand at writing finally started to click and say, 'That's what world building is all about.'" John goes against fandom consensus by loving Richard Briers' portrayal, appreciating the rule book escape scene as "absolutely brilliant," and embracing the tone as intentionally campy satire of bureaucracy, hierarchies, and dystopian societies. The Batman Season Revelation: John drops the word he's been holding back all season: "campy." He dubs Season 24 "the Batman season"—meaning Batman's infamous campy third season with Nora Clavicle, flat painted backdrops, and wind-up mice. Jim initially resists but eventually concedes: "Yeah, this is clavicle level." Discussion of JNT's continued obsession with stunt-casting notable British TV stars (Richard Briers was a huge get; Ken Dodd is coming next story). Production Context: Stephen Wyatt wrote episode one in a week without knowing the ending or who would play the Doctor (McCoy not yet cast). Inspired by J.G. Ballard's dystopian novel High-Rise. First story Andrew Cartmel commissioned as script editor. Director Nicholas Mallett loved McCoy's malleability and openness to improv versus Baker's by-the-script approach. BBC Head of Drama Jonathan Powell (not a Who fan) praised the script. Ratings: 4.5, 5.2, 5.0, 5.0—about even with McCoy's other stories. Jim's Specific Complaints: Cannot understand what the Kangs are saying half the time due to rapid delivery and thick accents. Doctor and Mel spend more time apart than any previous story. Sets look like existing ones dirtied up with garbage and wall scrawl. Killer cleaning robots are laughably unthreatening with cartoon buzzsaws—"I could outrun those things any day of the week even if I wasn't feeling well." Video game music drowns out dialogue. Cannibalism appears and disappears without explanation. Why are Tilda and Tabby's cozy apartment untouched by dystopia? Why does Kroagnon need to eat people when he's a machine? Where are all the boys? Why is it all women (Kangs, Rezzies) versus all men (Caretakers)? John's Counterpoints: The rule book escape scene demonstrates the Doctor using the Caretakers' rigid bureaucracy against them—"absolutely brilliant." Richard Briers is proud of ignoring direction and doing what he wanted; interviews on Blu-ray show he has no regrets. The jerky movements after Kroagnon takes his body represent rigor mortis setting in. Clive Merrison (Deputy Caretaker) played the pilot Jim in "Tomb of the Cybermen." The tone is intentionally satirical—mocking rule books, procedures, hierarchies in very British Monty Python style. Behind the Sofa Revelations: Three different commentary teams watched: Sylvester McCoy/Bonnie Langford/Sophie Aldred; Peter Davison/Sarah Sutton/Janet Fielding; Colin Baker/Michael Jayston. Colin and Peter both declared it one of their favorites so far—disappointing Jim but validating John. Bonnie had little to say either way. Pool filmed at private house with freezing water—Bonnie's stunt double did most shots because Bonnie can't swim (redheads apparently don't know how to swim, Jim claims) and the water was unbearably cold. Camera crew in wetsuits couldn't last more than 45 minutes. The McCoy Question: Jim still doesn't know what to think of McCoy. Not engaged, not seeing the cantankerous fellow promised. The R-rolling is Scottish, not an affectation. The left-handed handshakes are unexplained. Still no clear sense of the Doctor-Mel relationship since they're separated the entire story. John insists McCoy's performance improves with better scripts in Season 25 once Ace arrives. The New Who Question: Jim and John publicly ask listeners: should The Doctor's Beard continue into New Who after finishing Classic Who and the TV Movie? They've brought on new listeners recently and want to know if the audience wants Eccleston era coverage or if it's "too new" for Classic Who purists. Email your yes/no vote to thedoctorsbeardpodcast@gmail.com. Mel Scream Count: Screams #10, #11, #12. Less than Time and the Rani but still plenty. Coming Up Next: Patreon Exclusive (Monday - Episode 168): Colin Baker's final Doctor Who Magazine comic story "The World Shapers" written by Grant Morrison (three parts), Memory TARDIS spin, more music discussion. Main Feed (Friday) & Patreon (Monday): "Delta and the Bannermen" - Jim handling narration for the three-part story. Already started watching because he's driving to Ithaca College convention and losing three days of viewing time. Hashtags: #DoctorWho #ParadiseTowers #SylvesterMcCoy #SeventhDoctor #Mel #TheGreatDivide #PolarOpinions #JimHatesIt #JohnLovesIt #1Versus14 #BatmanSeason #RichardBriers #Kangs #Caretakers #Rezzies #Kroagnon #CampyWho #StephenWyatt #AndrewCartmel #Season24 #BuildHighForHappiness #FaultyTowers #NewWhoQuestion #ClassicWho #DoctorWhoPodcast

Allen has been to see the latest sitcom related stage show - I'm Sorry, Prime Minister. An updated look at the characters from Yes, Minister, the play is written by the show's original creator Jonathan Lynn and stars Griff Rhys Jones and Clive Francis. Is it a faithful addition to the canon or a Fawlty Towers style cash-in?

In this episode of Just Press Record, Matt Zeigler sits down with writer and editor Dylan O'Sullivan (Essayful, Infinite Loops) for a conversation about flat vs round characters, TikTok's effect on attention, and how to develop real taste in art.Sparked by a clip from Michael Perry and Aaron Gwyn about “Bob the one-eyed beagle,” they use the idea of a fascinating flat character as a way into comedy, identity, and why some people are interesting precisely because they never change.Along the way, they dig into defamiliarization, the atrophying pull of short-form video, why some books sharpen your mind while others are pure slop, and how taste is built through reps instead of passive consumption.They also wrestle with the “ship of Theseus” question of identity, the value of being a little bit “flat” in other people's stories, and what it means to hold onto a core self while your work and life evolve.In this conversation, they get into:Bob the one-eyed beagle and why some “flat” characters are endlessly fascinatingFlat vs round characters in fiction, comedy, and shows like Fawlty Towers and Breaking BadDefamiliarization: making the grocery store, a stone, or your street feel strange and vivid againTikTok, Instagram Reels, and how constant novelty can atrophy imagination and attentionGood art vs bad art: why not all reading is automatically “good for you”Taste as reps: consuming lots of books, music, and comedy to train intuition and judgmentThe ship of Theseus, identity, and the small kernel of self that doesn't changeLying to yourself, media shame, and moving from atrophy to growth in what you consumeTimestamps:00:00 Intro and setup of the episode04:54 Dylan O'Sullivan on writing and stepping away from short-form content09:19 Why some characters are interesting because they never change13:00 Comedy, tragedy, and the appeal of predictable personalities16:00 Defamiliarization and seeing the world with fresh eyes20:19 Reading vs. short-form content and the structure of attention24:54 Passive consumption vs. meaningful engagement with art28:27 What makes simple stories and humor powerful32:00 Good art, emotional response, and developing taste35:00 The role of repetition and experience in shaping taste38:47 Intuition, self-awareness, and the dangers of passive consumption41:45 Identity, storytelling, and being “flat” or “round” in different contextsIf you want, I can tighten this further for CTR (slightly sharper opening hook + more algorithm-heavy phrasing in the first two sentences).

The time has finally come to answer a question this podcast has posed for some time--What's a Snavely?  First, it's the first attempt to bring Fawlty Towers to this side of the Atlantic.  Second, it's a hotel.  Third, it's the surname of the owners.  Fourth, it's the seventh installment for Pilot Month 2026 and the 623rd episode of this podcast.

You can't spell Melania without alienThis week, on the world's greatest user-generated movie creation podcast we've dead orges, Head of Aliens & Fawlty Towers with super powersSend us YOUR film (or TV) suggestions by leaving a review on Apple or by getting in touch with us by email dreamfactorypod@gmail.com, Twitter, Facebook, Threads, Tik Tok or Instagram.The Dream Factory is a comedy podcast that turns YOUR film ideas into movie masterpieces. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A powerful new film shining a light on the fight for cleaner seas, telling the story of a East Devon swimmer who took on a water company after repeated sewage discharges disrupted her daily routine. A “super theatre” at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital smashes its fundraising target. Devon and Cornwall Police dogs are crowned the best in the South West. And Fawlty Towers returns to its hometown of Torquay in April. Josh Tate presents this edition.

In this episode of the Derek Hunter Podcast, guest host Dean Karayanis, New York Sun columnist and former Rush Limbaugh staffer, delivers a sharp-witted and historical analysis of the escalating conflict with Iran. Following the death of the previous Ayatollah, Dean mocks the appointment of his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, by the "Council of Experts" — a puppet organization designed to maintain a hereditary dictatorship under the guise of an Islamic “Republic.” He targets Western media, like the New York Times, for "romanticizing" the new leader as a "man of mystery" rather than a standard fanatic. The IRIS Dena vs. The Belgrano Strategy: A significant portion of the show is dedicated to Dean's recent column for the New York Sun, where he compares the recent sinking of the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena to the 1982 sinking of the ARA General Belgrano during the Falklands War. Just as the Argentine junta claimed the Belgrano was "sailing away" and outside an Exclusion Zone, Iran and its supporters are framing the destruction of the Dena as a war crime because it was in international waters. The Reality: Karayanis cites historical evidence—including a 1982 BBC interview with Margaret Thatcher and later admissions by the Belgrano's captain—to argue that "international waters" do not grant immunity to enemy combatants executing tactical maneuvers. In truth, the Dena was warned twice by the U.S. and offered safe harbor by India, but the captain chose to proceed, making the ship a legal military target. The Culture of Mockery and Free Speech: A broader critique of "useful idiots" in the West and the decline of creative freedom. Dean creative diversity, critiquing the "X-Men Reboot" social media account, arguing that modern writers have turned characters into political avatars for themsevles. He uses Nightcrawler and Magneto as examples of how true diversity includes diversity of belief and internal conflict. British "Tools of Hate": Dean mocks the U.K. labor government's labeling of the Union Jack and St. George's Cross as “symbols of hate,” exposed in a leaked report, a stance that outraged liberal (but not leftist) John Cleese. “The Germans” episode of Cleese's landmark series, “Fawlty Towers, illustrates that comedy is being stifled by people who refuse to analyze the "butt of the joke," which is often the person being unreasonable, not the victims of history. Dean concludes with a message of resilience, urging listeners to support the "flying machines" and the brave individuals fighting to dismantle the Iranian regime, while maintaining a sense of humor in the face of global tension.

This week the Six Nations roared and rusted to life. We kick things off with France coming out hotter than a sizzling baguette at Stade de France, leaving Ireland flatter than day-old Guinness. Then, we revel in Italy's glorious ambush of Scotland,proving once again that it's tough being Scottish. And, if you thought Wales couldn't dig deeper, think again: their performance was a full-on Fawlty Towers episode, while England casually strolled in and gave them a rugby spanking. We also look forward to Super Rugby getting started and unpack some of the new law changes. Grab a beer and enjoy

Comedian and writer Ricky Gervais talks to John Wilson about his formative creative influences and inspirations. Ricky Gervais made his name as the co-creator and star of The Office, the mock documentary series which became a landmark in British television comedy, and was shown all round the world. Further success followed with the comedy drama series Extras, Life's Too Short and Afterlife, and awards including two Emmys, four Golden Globes and seven BAFTAs. Ricky Gervais has written and performed numerous solo stand-up shows around the world, the latest of which, Mortality, was filmed for Netflix and has just earned him a tenth Golden Globe nomination.Gervais tells John Wilson about his early comic influences including Laurel and Hardy, Fawlty Towers and Derek and Clive, the foul-mouthed drunken alter egos created by comedy duo Peter Cook and Dudley Moore on three, largely improvised, spoken-word albums recorded in the 1970s. He also talks about his own approach to writing comedy and the huge inspiration that the 1984 mock rock documentary This Is Spinal Tap was on the creation of The Office.Producer: Edwina PitmanArchive used: Laurel and Hardy theme, Dance of the Cuckoos The Office, Series 1, Downsize, BBC2, 2001 Fawlty Towers, Series 1, A Touch of Class, BBC2, 1975 Golden Globes, opening monologue, 2020 This Is Spinal Tap, Rob Reiner, 1984

JUST A FLESH WOUND!! Monty Python and the Holy Grail Full Movie Reaction Watch Along: ⁠  / thereelrejects  ⁠ Start your online business with a $1 per-month trial when you visit ⁠https://www.shopify.com/rejects⁠! Monty Python's The Life of Brian (1979) Movie Reaction: ⁠   • MONTY PYTHON'S LIFE OF BRIAN (1979) MOVIE ...  ⁠ Gift Someone (Or Yourself) A Stranger Things RR Tee! ⁠https://shorturl.at/hekk2⁠ Aaron Alexander & Andrew Gordon dive into the legendary British comedy that redefined absurdist humor and became one of the most quoted films of all time!! Join us on our Monty Python & the Holy Grail Reaction, Breakdown, Commentary, Analysis & Spoiler Review! Andrew Gordon (Cinepals) & Aaron Alexander (Silhouettes of Scarlet) react to Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), the legendary sketch-comedy satire written and performed by the Monty Python troupe and directed by Terry Gilliam & Terry Jones. A wildly absurd reimagining of Arthurian legend, the film follows King Arthur on a quest from God to find the Holy Grail — a mission constantly derailed by anachronisms, low-budget chaos, and some of the most quoted jokes in comedy history. Graham Chapman (Life of Brian, Monty Python's Flying Circus) stars as the straight-faced King Arthur, valiantly leading his Knights of the Round Table while pretending everything around him makes sense. The ensemble brilliance comes from Python regulars John Cleese (A Fish Called Wanda, Fawlty Towers) as the endlessly shouty Sir Lancelot (and the infamous Black Knight), Eric Idle (Life of Brian, Shrek) as the sing-songy Sir Robin, Terry Jones (Life of Brian, Meaning of Life) as Sir Bedevere, and Michael Palin (Brazil, A Fish Called Wanda) as Sir Galahad, along with dozens of other roles played interchangeably by the troupe. Follow Aaron On Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/therealaaronalexander/?hl=en⁠ Follow Andrew Gordon on Socials:  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MovieSource⁠ Instagram:⁠ ⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/agor711/?hl=en⁠ Twitter:  ⁠https://twitter.com/Agor711⁠ Intense Suspense by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. ⁠https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...⁠ Support The Channel By Getting Some REEL REJECTS Apparel! ⁠https://www.rejectnationshop.com/⁠ Follow Us On Socials:  Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/⁠  Tik-Tok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@reelrejects?lang=en⁠ Twitter: ⁠https://x.com/reelrejects⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/⁠ Music Used In Ad:  Hat the Jazz by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. ⁠https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/⁠ Happy Alley by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. ⁠https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...⁠ POWERED BY @GFUEL Visit⁠ https://gfuel.ly/3wD5Ygo⁠ and use code REJECTNATION for 20% off select tubs!! Head Editor:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/praperhq/?hl=en⁠ Co-Editor: Greg Alba Co-Editor: John Humphrey Music In Video: Airport Lounge - Disco Ultralounge by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.⁠ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/⁠ Ask Us A QUESTION On CAMEO:⁠ https://www.cameo.com/thereelrejects⁠ Follow TheReelRejects On FACEBOOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM:  FB:  ⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/⁠ INSTAGRAM: ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/⁠ TWITTER:  ⁠https://twitter.com/thereelrejects⁠ Follow GREG ON INSTAGRAM & TWITTER: INSTAGRAM:  ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thegregalba/⁠ TWITTER:  ⁠https://twitter.com/thegregalba⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This time we watched the 1973 British horror film Psychomania, a cult biker horror oddity originally filmed as The Living Dead before the title changed. In the United States it appeared as The Death Wheelers. Not to be confused with the 1963 American film Psychomania, also known as Violent Midnight. The film was produced by Benmar Productions, better known for Spaghetti Westerns shot in Spain. They also made Horror Express later the same year with the same writers, which we covered back in episode 7. Psychomania was created in association with Scotia Bar Distributors who had director Don Sharp under long term contract.Don Sharp was born in Tasmania and began as an actor before becoming a director in the mid 1950s. He turned out low and medium budget films including the Tommy Steele musical It's All Happening, then Hammer Films hired him and he made several well received thrillers. He also worked as second unit director on Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines. Quiz time for Jon. Sharp directed BigChrisLee six times. Name them. Beryl Reid plays psychic medium Mrs Latham. She left school at 16 and debuted in 1936 as a music hall performer at the Floral Hall in Bridlington. She became famous on BBC radio in Educating Archie as Monica and as the Brummie Marlene. She later worked for the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. She made the very first challenge on Just A Minute in the 1967 pilot. In the late 1970s and early 1980s she played Connie Sachs in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Smiley's People, earning two British Academy Television Award nominations and winning for Smiley's People. Doctor Who fans will know her as Captain Briggs in Earthshock. The same year as Psychomania she appeared in Dr Phibes Rises Again. Ross will always remember her as Grandma in the Adrian Mole TV adaptation. Nicky Henson plays lead biker Tom Latham. A familiar face across British television, he excelled at playing cultivated gents, snobs and playboys. His many guest roles included several appearances in The Bill, A Touch of Frost, Pie in the Sky, Fawlty Towers and Witchfinder General as Trooper Swallow. His first wife was Una Stubbs, with whom he later appeared in EastEnders. Despite living with cancer for twenty years he continued acting on screen until 2018. Robert Hardy plays Chief Inspector Hesseltine. We discussed him fully in episode 41a when we covered The Stalls of Barchester from the BBC Ghost Stories for Christmas series. Academy Award winner George Sanders plays Shadwell. Born in Russia to an English horticulturist mother and a rope maker father, he became a British subject when the family fled during the revolution. His smooth voice and upper class accent made him perfect for polished villains. His roles included Jack Favell in Rebecca, Scott Folliott in Foreign Correspondent, the Saran of Gaza in Samson and Delilah and Addison DeWitt in All About Eve which won him the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. He voiced Shere Khan in Disney's The Jungle Book and played Simon Templar in several films in The Saint series. British horror fans may know him from the Doomwatch movie as The Admiral. There are brief appearances by June Brown as Mrs Pettibone, John Levene from Doctor Who and Bill Pertwee as a publican. Levene worked with Jon Pertwee who was Bill's second cousin. The soundtrack by John Cameron was released in 2003 by Trunk Records. Cameron said they needed something spooky and different with a rock feeling, all pre synthesizer. They recorded at Shepperton's studios which had not been updated since before the war. He described hooligan musicians scratching inside pianos while the engineer sat there in suit and tie, completely anachronistic.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

JUST A FLESH WOUND!! Monty Python and the Holy Grail Full Movie Reaction Watch Along:   / thereelrejects   Start your online business with a $1 per-month trial when you visit https://www.shopify.com/rejects! Monty Python's The Life of Brian (1979) Movie Reaction:    • MONTY PYTHON'S LIFE OF BRIAN (1979) MOVIE ...   Gift Someone (Or Yourself) A Stranger Things RR Tee! https://shorturl.at/hekk2 Aaron Alexander & Andrew Gordon dive into the legendary British comedy that redefined absurdist humor and became one of the most quoted films of all time!! Join us on our Monty Python & the Holy Grail Reaction, Breakdown, Commentary, Analysis & Spoiler Review! Andrew Gordon (Cinepals) & Aaron Alexander (Silhouettes of Scarlet) react to Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), the legendary sketch-comedy satire written and performed by the Monty Python troupe and directed by Terry Gilliam & Terry Jones. A wildly absurd reimagining of Arthurian legend, the film follows King Arthur on a quest from God to find the Holy Grail — a mission constantly derailed by anachronisms, low-budget chaos, and some of the most quoted jokes in comedy history. Graham Chapman (Life of Brian, Monty Python's Flying Circus) stars as the straight-faced King Arthur, valiantly leading his Knights of the Round Table while pretending everything around him makes sense. The ensemble brilliance comes from Python regulars John Cleese (A Fish Called Wanda, Fawlty Towers) as the endlessly shouty Sir Lancelot (and the infamous Black Knight), Eric Idle (Life of Brian, Shrek) as the sing-songy Sir Robin, Terry Jones (Life of Brian, Meaning of Life) as Sir Bedevere, and Michael Palin (Brazil, A Fish Called Wanda) as Sir Galahad, along with dozens of other roles played interchangeably by the troupe. Follow Aaron On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealaaronalexander/?hl=en Follow Andrew Gordon on Socials:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieSource Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/agor711/?hl=en Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Agor711 Intense Suspense by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Support The Channel By Getting Some REEL REJECTS Apparel! https://www.rejectnationshop.com/ Follow Us On Socials:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/  Tik-Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@reelrejects?lang=en Twitter: https://x.com/reelrejects Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/ Music Used In Ad:  Hat the Jazz by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Happy Alley by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... POWERED BY @GFUEL Visit https://gfuel.ly/3wD5Ygo and use code REJECTNATION for 20% off select tubs!! Head Editor: https://www.instagram.com/praperhq/?hl=en Co-Editor: Greg Alba Co-Editor: John Humphrey Music In Video: Airport Lounge - Disco Ultralounge by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Ask Us A QUESTION On CAMEO: https://www.cameo.com/thereelrejects Follow TheReelRejects On FACEBOOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM:  FB:  https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/ INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/ TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/thereelrejects Follow GREG ON INSTAGRAM & TWITTER: INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/thegregalba/ TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/thegregalba Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ho ho ho… welcome to The Chris Moyles Show podcast!We kicked off the week launching Christmas, including our festive jingles, putting the tree up in the studio and (eventually) switching on our Christmas lights! We cracked open a variety of interesting advent calendars… including a daily toast delivery for James. Chesney Hawkes was our first guest this week, who gave us the revelation that he wants to be in Radiohead rather than just being the one and only Chesney Hawkes!Comedy legend John Cleese came in and proved that laughter is the best medicine! However, he mostly came in to chat about Fawlty Towers: The Play, which has embarked on an 11 month tour and the success of his Fawlty Towers book!We rounded off the week chatting to Judi Love about her upcoming live tour, and playing fart noises to her to try and make her laugh. You know, the usual Chris Moyles Show antics! And you know what… that's not all!James gets electrocutedPolly's ‘alarming' giftMatt Parkes-Smith returns!Enjoy!The Chris Moyles Show on Radio X!Weekdays 6:30am - 10am

As a coda to our exhaustive study of his show The Dinosaur Hour, we thought it was only fair to discuss John Cleese from when he was at his peak. We consider what it means that FAWLTY TOWERS is Britain's most beloved sitcom, and the incisive commentary about British/American relations in "Waldorf Salad." PLUS: Speaking of British legends, for some reason we get really into discussing Simon Cowell. PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - https://www.patreon.com/posts/145077527

Lots to discuss this week from the sad death of Hugh Wallace, the role technology is playing in music, whether Liam and Noel Gallagher were hanging out during their tour and the idea of Prince William's children watching Fawlty Towers.To support the podcast and access bonus episodes, join the community on Patreon here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live at FanX Salt Lake in April 2019, this Conversation with Craig is a full panel with comedy legend John Cleese, as Craig finally gets his game time call to step onstage with one of his heroes. From John's North American convention debut and Craig's nerves backstage to dry British chaos in front of a packed room, it is equal parts origin story, masterclass in comedy, and gleeful mischief. How a would be lawyer with a Cambridge law degree accidentally fell into show business through a student revue that suddenly transferred to London and ran for months. Cleese breaks down why you should always write comedy about what you know, how Fawlty Towers grew out of that idea, and how he approached those classic management training videos without ever having lived in a cubicle. Candid, rapid fire audience Q and A on Monty Python collaborators, silly walks, roles he regrets turning down, aging, politics, and why he happily pokes fun at everyone, including himself. "Actually, it's quite nice being old, because you just don't give a fuck, you know?" - John Cleese Want more exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes stories from the people who bring your favorite characters to life? Subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on your favorite podcasting platform for more behind-the-scenes stories and exclusive interviews.

A £26bn tax rise, pension changes and an accidental OBR publication. There's a lot to unpack from the Chancellor Rachel Reeves's budget.US President Donald Trump has responded to the shooting of two national guard members who were targeted near the White House.There's been a fatal fire in Hong Kong with 300 people still missing.And the Prince of Wales has told John Cleese his children have just discovered his hit 1970s sitcom Fawlty Towers and "love it".Sophy and Wilf get you up to speed on all the day's news, in just 10 minutes.Follow Cheat Sheet here to never miss an episode: 'https://podfollow.com/cheatsheet/

Comedy legend John Cleese tells Brendan about Monty Python, Fawlty Towers, the power of laughter, and his reflections on what happens after death. He also explains the impetus behind his book, Fawlty Towers: Fawlts and All, and his new documentary, John Cleese Packs It In.

Clive Anderson is joined by a giggle of comics or should that be a brace of jokers in the Loose Ends studio this week. Fawlty Towers creator John Cleese recalls being told his nascent sitcom - 50 years old this year - would fail if they didn't "get it out of the hotel more". Sue Perkins describes the urge to get out on a stand up tour again after a decade presenting shows from Great British Bake Off to Just a Minute, her show is called The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins - what could be so embarrassing? Judi Love is on our screens practically daily - on ITV's Loose Women or shows from Taskmaster to The Wheel but she too is drawn to the stage - what gives? Meanwhile Hugh Dennis is not on tour, but he's on stage, as Rev Chasuble in the National Theatre's production of The Importance of Being Earnest - he may not be planning to go all churchy but he does feel right at home in clerical garb. With music from Editors front man Tom Smith with a track from his forthcoming album There Is Nothing In The Dark That Isn't There In The Light and from Natalie Duncan Trio with her new single Breakaway before her London Jazz Festival gig.Produced by Olive Clancy

The Smart 7 is an award winning daily podcast that gives you everything you need to know in 7 minutes, at 7am, 7 days a week…With over 19 million downloads and consistently charting, including as No. 1 News Podcast on Spotify, we're a trusted source for people every day and we've won Gold at the Signal International Podcast awardsIf you're enjoying it, please follow, share, or even post a review, it all helps... Today's episode includes the following:https://x.com/i/status/1982475214815420584 https://x.com/i/status/1982408579433865238https://x.com/i/status/1983080455588008403https://x.com/i/status/1983553614808576189https://x.com/i/status/1983547328641503500 https://x.com/i/status/1982721058693157230 https://x.com/i/status/1982720961146200356 https://x.com/i/status/1983883452505075722 https://x.com/i/status/1983816339534790770 https://x.com/i/status/1982407455314239533 https://x.com/i/status/1983015367908700431https://x.com/i/status/1983918044784038290https://x.com/i/status/1982685567562162428 https://x.com/i/status/1983287135651135808 https://x.com/i/status/1983572825710473508 https://x.com/i/status/1982211780777857332 https://x.com/i/status/1983128665266204964 Contact us over @TheSmart7pod or visit www.thesmart7.comVoiced by Ciara Revins, written by Liam Thompson, researched by Lucie Lewis and produced by Daft Doris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special edition of Last Word, Matthew Bannister talks to the actor Samuel West about his mother Prunella Scales.Prunella died on the 27th October, aged 93.Known for her work on stage and screen over many decades – Prunella was particularly renowned for her role as Sybil on Fawlty Towers. In addition to countless other roles, she appeared as Queen Elizabeth II in Alan Bennett's A Question of Attribution in the early 90s – earning a BAFTA nomination. In later life – as she began living with dementia – her hobby of canal boating alongside her husband – the actor Timothy West – was turned into a much loved series on Channel 4.Producer: Ed Prendeville Assistant Producer: Ribika Moktan Editor: Glyn Tansley

Matthew Bannister onThe actor Prunella Scales, best known for playing Sybil in the TV comedy Fawlty Towers. Her son Samuel West reflects on her long career and happy marriage to fellow actor Timothy West. Gillian Tindall, the writer who pioneered the technique of exploring history through the portal of a particular house or area. Roger Smith, who co-founded and ran the Great Outdoors Challenge, encouraging thousands to walk across Scotland.Anthony Grey, the novelist and journalist who was held in solitary confinement for over two years by Red Guards during China's Cultural Revolution.Producer: Ed Prendeville Assistant Producer: Ribika Moktan Researcher: Jesse Edwards Editor: Glyn TansleyARCHIVE USED: Great Canal Journeys Series 1 Episode 1, Channel 4, 10/03/2014; Desert Island Discs, BBC Radio 4, 05/06/1992; Suppose I Lose It, BBC Radio 4, 16/05/2016; A Question of Attribution, BBC Two, 20/10/1991; Fawlty Towers: Series 1: The Hotel Inspectors, BBC Two, 10/10/1975; Fawlty Towers: Series 2: The Psychiatrist, BBC Two, 26/02/1979; Fawlty Towers: Series 2: Basil the Rat, BBC Two, 25/10/1979; Fawlty Towers: Series 1: The Builders, BBC Two, 26/09/1975; Fawlty Towers: Series 2: Communication Problems, BBC Two, 19/02/1979; BBC News, BBC Radio 4, 26/11/1968; Anthony Grey To Be Released: Mother Waits, BBC News, 03/10/1963; Anthony Grey Released: Mother Hears News, News, 04/10/1963; Radio Newsreel, BBC World Service, 12/10/1969; Desert Island Discs, BBC Radio 4, 01/11/1969; Anthony Grey: One Man's Freedom, One Pair of Eyes, BBC Two, 26/06/1971; Return to Peking, BBC Two, 12/12/1988; Voices from a French Village, BBC Radio 4, 29/05/1996; Robert Elms, BBC Radio London, 05/09/2016; Bricks and Mortals, BBC Radio 4, 18/05/2005; The Adventure Show, BBC Two Scotland, 03/08/2008; Scotland Outdoors - A Coast to Coast Backpack Challenge, Beekeeping in Kinross and the Capercaillie of Speyside, BBC Radio Scotland, 24/05/2025;

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Car headlights to be reviewed after drivers complain of being blinded at night Amazon confirms massive job losses in corporate division Why the 5G symbol on your phone doesnt mean you actually have 5G Prince Andrew hosted Epstein, Maxwell and Weinstein at Royal Lodge Buxton Why one small town with very little immigration turned to Reform UK Fawlty Towers actress Pruncella Scales dies aged 93 Military sites to house asylum seekers in bid to end hotel use Prunella Scales From Fawlty Towers to Great Canal Journeys My wife died in childbirth but wasnt told shed been given labour drug overdose Prunella Scales and Timothy West Dementia wont break our 60 year love story

Prunella Scales, geliefde Britse aktrise veral bekend as Sybil Fawlty, is op 93 oorlede. Terwyl sy talle rolle vertolk het en ‘n Bafta gewen het, is sy veral bekend vir haar uitbeelding van die skerptongige en heerssugtige hoteleienaar se vrou, Sybil Fawlty, in die klassieke 1970's-sitkom Fawlty Towers, saam met John Cleese. Daar was net 12 episodes maar dit bly legendaries. Sy is in 2013 met vaskulêre demensie gediagnoseer. Haar seuns Samuel en Joseph West, het gesê dat sy die dag voor haar dood Fawlty Towers gekyk het. Dit was haar ikonies lyn...

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Why the 5G symbol on your phone doesnt mean you actually have 5G Buxton Why one small town with very little immigration turned to Reform UK Amazon confirms massive job losses in corporate division Military sites to house asylum seekers in bid to end hotel use My wife died in childbirth but wasnt told shed been given labour drug overdose Car headlights to be reviewed after drivers complain of being blinded at night Prunella Scales and Timothy West Dementia wont break our 60 year love story Prunella Scales From Fawlty Towers to Great Canal Journeys Prince Andrew hosted Epstein, Maxwell and Weinstein at Royal Lodge Fawlty Towers actress Pruncella Scales dies aged 93

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Prince Andrew hosted Epstein, Maxwell and Weinstein at Royal Lodge Military sites to house asylum seekers in bid to end hotel use Car headlights to be reviewed after drivers complain of being blinded at night My wife died in childbirth but wasnt told shed been given labour drug overdose Buxton Why one small town with very little immigration turned to Reform UK Prunella Scales From Fawlty Towers to Great Canal Journeys Why the 5G symbol on your phone doesnt mean you actually have 5G Prunella Scales and Timothy West Dementia wont break our 60 year love story Amazon confirms massive job losses in corporate division Fawlty Towers actress Pruncella Scales dies aged 93

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Prunella Scales and Timothy West Dementia wont break our 60 year love story My wife died in childbirth but wasnt told shed been given labour drug overdose Fawlty Towers actress Pruncella Scales dies aged 93 Prince Andrew hosted Epstein, Maxwell and Weinstein at Royal Lodge Prunella Scales From Fawlty Towers to Great Canal Journeys Military sites to house asylum seekers in bid to end hotel use Amazon confirms massive job losses in corporate division Car headlights to be reviewed after drivers complain of being blinded at night Buxton Why one small town with very little immigration turned to Reform UK Why the 5G symbol on your phone doesnt mean you actually have 5G

pWotD Episode 3101: Prunella Scales Welcome to popular Wiki of the Day, spotlighting Wikipedia's most visited pages, giving you a peek into what the world is curious about today.With 272,229 views on Tuesday, 28 October 2025 our article of the day is Prunella Scales.Prunella Margaret Rumney West Scales (née Illingworth; 22 June 1932 – 27 October 2025) was an English actress, best known for her portrayal of Sybil Fawlty in the BBC television sitcom Fawlty Towers (1975–1979) and for her performance as Queen Elizabeth II in Alan Bennett's A Question of Attribution (1991), which earned her a BAFTA nomination. She later appeared in the documentary series Great Canal Journeys (2014–2019), travelling waterways in the UK and abroad with her husband, actor Timothy West.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 02:27 UTC on Wednesday, 29 October 2025.For the full current version of the article, see Prunella Scales on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Bluesky at @wikioftheday.com.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm neural Joanna.

In tribute to Prunella Scales, whose death was announced today, Front Row rebroadcasts an interview with the Fawlty Towers star from 2012, recorded on the eve of her 80th birthday. Samira talks to two documentary makers who gained extraordinary access to world leaders for their films. Tommy Gulliksen followed Nato Chief Jens Stoltenberg for his film Facing War, and Petra Costa followed several Brazilian Presidents for her films Apocalypse in the Tropics and The Edge of Democracy. Annemarie Jacir talks about her historical epic feature film, Palestine 36. And we hear from the two joint winners of this year's Forward Prize for Poetry, Best Collection: Vidyan Ravinthiran and Karen SoliePresenter: Samira Ahmed Producer: Julian May

THE Actress Prunella Scales, who was best known for her role as Sybil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers has died at the age of 93.

It's archive time again. In this one, David closes his eyes and imagines walking round the Fawlty Towers set and then Joe talks about Open All Hours. First posted on 5th October 2022 FOR ALL THINGS CHATABIX'Y FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE/CONTACT: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chatabixpodcast Insta: https://www.instagram.com/chatabixpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chatabix Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/chatabix Merch: https://chatabixshop.com/ Contact us: chatabix@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Toasted Crumpet by the fire. Fawlty Towers.  Board Games. Gravel Pits. Train Sets. Pirate Radio. There's so much to chat about in this episode. I hope you enjoy it! 

Anna-Jane Casey is back In The Frame!Anna-Jane is currently rehearsing Victoria Wood's Acorn Antiques The Musical, which is playing two performances at the Manchester Opera House and one performance in the West End at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Anna-Jane is playing Miss Bonnie alongside an all-star cast including Katherine Kingsley, Gina Beck, Ria Jones, Rob Madge, George Crawford and many more. The show is produced by the Hope Mill Theatre.Next year she's set to star in the UK revival of Kiss Of The Spiderwoman, which plays Curve Leicester's Studio before visiting Bristol and Southampton. Earlier this year she played Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd in Dublin and she continues to maintain a very busy concert career.Anna-Jane is beloved for being in so many shows – and lots of original casts including Children Of Eden, Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Out Of The Blue and Grease. She played Rumpleteazer in Cats; Buffy, Dinah and Pearl in Starlight Express; Anita in West Side Story; Velma Kelly in Chicago; and the title role in Sweet Charity.A few recent roles Anna-Jane has played include Lady of the Lake in Spamalot, Mrs Wilkinson in Billy Elliot, Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun, Annie Clarke in Calendar Girls, Mrs Burke in Girl From The North Country and Sybil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers – as well as Cilla Quack, alongside Sir Ian McKellen, in Mother Goose.Anna-Jane was last In The Frame four years ago whilst starring in the West End revival of Cabaret as Fraulein Kost and Fritzie.Recorded during a break from rehearsals, in this episode Anna-Jane shares all the gossip about Acorn Antiques, including her connection to Victoria Wood. She also discusses why she's loving this busy chapter and how she's learned to navigate all the different sides of this crazy industry.Acorn Antiques The Musical plays the Manchester Opera House on 2nd and 16th November (www.atgtickets.com) and the Shaftesbury Theatre on 9th November 2025 (www.shaftesburytheatre.com).Kiss Of The Spiderwoman opens at the Leicester Curve on 3rd April 2026. This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins @AndrewTomlins32 Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On 19 September 1975, the nightmare story of a maniac who should never have been running a hotel, his tyrannical wife, their hapless Spanish waiter and a stream of eccentric guests made its debut on BBC2. Fifty years later Fawlty Towers still captures middle Britain at its most hilariously uptight – and Basil Fawlty has never been bettered as an Englishman on the verge of nervous breakdown. Comedy writer Jason Hazeley joins Andrew Harrison to explore the majesty of “Fatty Towels”… ponder whether John Cleese has actually turned into Basil… and ask why the show's legend lasted so long. Would you like to listen first, or would you like to have a drink before the war? • Support us on Patreon for early episodes and more. • We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker to get your £100 sponsored credit. • Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Art by Jim Parrett. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Nick Ferrari at Breakfast:President Trump suggests the UK government could use the military to control borders.Business Secretary Peter Kyle says British students lack the entrepreneurial drive of their American peers.50 years since the classic sitcom Fawlty Towers first appeared on our screens. All this and more on Nick Ferrari: The Whole Show Podcast.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comMy old and dear friend Johann has written four bestsellers: Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs, Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression, Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention (discussed on the Dishcast here), and Magic Pill: The Extraordinary Benefits and Disturbing Risks of the New Weight-Loss Drugs (discussed here). His upcoming book is about the tunnels below Las Vegas.Four years ago we aired a 2012 interview that Johann did with me — in two parts, here and here. In this new episode we cover: my first time doing shrooms — in Amsterdam with Matt and Trey; the perversion of many Germans; my first MDMA trip in the early ‘90s; fleeing rave parties to contemplate God; a disastrous trip I experienced when Johann was present — which he calls “a dystopian version of Fawlty Towers”; ego death; Michael Pollan's How to Change Your Mind; Roland Griffiths; Johann's psychedelic theory about A Passage to India; how religious peeps integrate bad trips better than non-believers; how early HIV drugs affected a psychedelic trip; feeling agape on drugs; why psychedelics often don't affect monks and nuns very much; the 15 minutes I believed that God is evil; my mom's mental illness; the adolescent event that made me a conservative; equity in education; my teenage years in The History Boys; growing up with Keir Starmer; his wild days; our frenemy debates; the Oxford Union; my introversion; coming to America; identity politics; what Foucault got right; Virtually Normal; the Dish blog covering Obama 2008 and the Green Revolution; the indy Dish in 2013; retiring the blog after my doctor said it might kill me; the BLM summer and getting fired from New York mag; Milo Yiannopoulos; Tucker Carlson; Hitchens; The Conservative Soul; Johann prodding about my sex life; Truman; and what I want to achieve in the third trimester of my life. I apologize for TMI.Chris and I are both now enjoying a summer respite from the news and work. Hope all Dishheads are able to get some time to do the same. Perspective is so critical right now, and our culture is designed to obliterate it. See you when the new season debuts at the end of August.

In this episode- recorded at some point back in 2023- Kieran, Paul and I discuss the British sitcom Fawlty Towers through a conversation on the iconic episode 'The Germans'. And we have much to chew on with this episode, from the ways in which this has dated, so-called 'cancel culture', the proposed sequel show (which I guess never happened) and the relationship between the UK and Germany.

Ashley Walters, the powerhouse actor, producer and rapper, who's delivered unforgettable performances in Top Boy and the recent global Netflix hit Adolescence, his memoir unveils a tapestry of his inner workings, woven with candour and introspection.Rhys Darby is one of New Zealand's finest comedy exports. Famous for his boundless curiosity and for blending quirky wit and brilliance he'll tell us about being a real-life soldier and on-screen pirate. Plus his current stand-up tour. And Helen Lederer joins us. The actor-writer-comedian who is busy rehearsing for her performance in Fawlty Towers on stage. Plus we have the Inheritance Tracks of the broadcaster and writer Georgia Mann. Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Jon KayProducer: Gareth Nelson-Davies

Hi everyone! We recently surveyed our audience and learned that many of you would like to see more video. So, we're kicking off a new run of video episodes, beginning with our interview featuring John Cleese—actor, writer, comedian, and author of Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide. You can watch the interview on our Substack, or on Youtube. Enjoy! Original intro The Ministry of Silly Walks. The Cheese Shop. French Taunting. If you haven't seen any of these Monty Python sketches before, do us a favor and go watch one or two of them. You'll discover—or re-discover—why our guest for this episode is a creative comic legend.  John Cleese starred in and co-wrote the award-winning series Fawlty Towers, was nominated for an Academy Award for the screenplay of A Fish Called Wanda, and even has a species of lemur named after him (Cleese's wooly lemur, Avahi cleesei). He's also an expert on the creative process, and so if you're looking for a new framework to level-up your own workflow, his book Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide is a great resource. We talk with John about his new book, and also about creative collaboration in the midst of friction, how to be comfortable with ambiguity, and creating boundaries of space and time to get in a creative mode. We also get to ask him a question that's been bugging us ever since we first watched Monty Python and The Holy Grail. These days, we can all use a little more laughter in our lives. We hope our interview with John sparks some joy, and leaves you with some new creative tools. Thanks for listening. Bio John Cleese is an English actor, comedian, writer, and film producer. He achieved success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and as a scriptwriter and performer on The Frost Report. In the late 1960s, he co-founded Monty Python, the comedy troupe responsible for the sketch show Monty Python's Flying Circus and the four Monty Python films, And Now for Something Completely Different, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Life of Brian, and The Meaning of Life. In the mid-1970s, Cleese and his first wife, Connie Booth, co-wrote and starred in the British sitcom Fawlty Towers. Later, he co-starred with Kevin Kline, Jamie Lee Curtis, and former Python colleague Michael Palin in A Fish Called Wanda and Fierce Creatures. He also starred in Clockwise, and has appeared in many other films, including two James Bond films, two Harry Potter films, and the last three Shrek films. He is also the author of Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide. *** This ad-supported episode is available to everyone. If you'd like to hear it ad-free, upgrade to our premium subscription, where you'll get an additional 2 ad-free episodes per month (4 total). Premium subscribers also get access to the documentary Design Disruptors and our growing library of books, as well as our monthly AMAs with former guests, ad-free episodes, discounts and early access to workshops, and our monthly newsletter The Brief that compiles salient insights, quotes, readings, and creative processes uncovered in the show. Upgrade to paid

I thought I might share a few random bits and bobs from my little life for you to ponder today, starting with various interviews.Here I am on the mighty James Delingpole's podcast, talking about most subjects, though squabbling about conspiracy theories.Then there is this interview with Jasmine Birtles for the Money Magpie podcast, talking mostly about gold and property. (Audio on Spotify; video on YouTube). Also this radio interview with ABC Australia, I was quite pleased with. Here it is.And, if bitcoin is your thing, here I am on the Discovering Bitcoin podcast.Right. That's all the interviews done.A Thief in our MidstTurning to matters closer to home, there is a beautiful cat, pictured below, which belongs to a Chinese lady, who lives three doors up. She visits my garden every morning (the cat not the Chinese lady) as I am getting my 15 minutes of sun, purrs seductively, gets stroked, and then wanders off on its day to do who knows what. If I leave the back door open, she will come into my house and visit me at my desk, stretch out luxuriantly and, if I pick her up, start padding my chest pleasantly. I thought we had become friends.Well, you can't trust anyone.I now discover this feline fiend has been sneaking into my son's room to steal his socks, which it then brings back to its owner three doors up. Here it is. Caught red handed.A Rare Trip to the TheatreOn Wednesday I went to see The Comedy About Spies in the West End. It's not something I would have normally gone to watch, but my friend Tom Woods had some tickets he couldn't use and so off I went with my next door neighbour. I thought it was terrific. Thank you Tom!I'm obsessed with farce. Always have been since I first watched Fawlty Towers as a little boy. (I actually did my university thesis on Fawlty Towers). It's my favourite form of theatre by a country mile. I love the precision of it, along with the heightened emotion and panic. Done well there is no better narrative form, in my opinion. Films like Midnight Run and TV series like Curb Your Enthusiasm, in my view, embrace farcical plot schemes. But if you want a farce in its purest form on film, watch What's Up Doc. Just the best.The premise of The Comedy About Spies is a little bit forced, but the jokes are fab, there are hundreds of them, one after the other, they are brilliantly executed and with incredible precision - it's wonderful to see a show this tight. By the end I even found myself moved by the characters. I LOLed many times. What can I say? It's really good. What's your favourite farce? Let me know in the comments.The South Africanisation of EverythingIn other, less positive news, on Tuesday evening I found myself walking down the Kilburn High Road for the first time in about 25 years. It was always a bit rough around the edges - up there with Elephant & Castle and Streatham High Road as one of London's most worst thoroughfares - but my God it was eye-opening as to where the UK is going / has gone.Litter everywhere, people off their faces, drugs being dealt openly on the street, beggars, a woman knocked over by a bloke cycling a Lime bike on the pavement, the bloke unapologetic, little trust between visible between people in this multi-cultural mayhem. Talk about lack of cohesion. (I drove through Harlesden the other night and that was bad too).It confirmed my theory of the South Africanisation of everything. (Actually it's my friend Alex's theory, but I have purloined it). It prompted me to dig up this piece from a couple of years back, which at one point was the most read piece on this ‘ere Substack. On re-reading it now, I'm rather proud of it. Recommended.The Secret History of GoldIn personal news, I am glad/relieved to say I submitted the final proofs for my new book on gold which comes out in August - the Secret History of Gold (I haven't actually announced it yet, which I will in due course). Writing a book is an enormous undertaking. Publicising it is an even greater one. I'm glad stage one is complete.How about this for a fact?In 1930 the price of gold was £4.25 per ounce, as it was in 1716 when Isaac Newton set the price over 200 years earlier. FOUR POUNDS 25p. Today it's £2,475 per ounce. From £4.25 to £2,475. That's how much we've been robbed by currency depreciation.How have they (successive governments) been able to get away with this?Because representative democracy does not work is why.Thank goodness for gold. Thank goodness for bitcoin. Speaking of which:As always, if you are looking to buy gold, the bullion dealer I use and recommend is the Pure Gold Company. Pricing is competitive, quality of service is high. They deliver to the UK, the US, Canada and Europe or you can store your gold with them. Find out more here.The Mid-Year ReviewWearing my satirical comedy hat, I have a big gig coming up on May 20 in East London. These nights are usually pretty memorable - and for the right reasons.If you are free, come along. You can get tickets here. It would be great to see you.Finally, in case you missed this week's commentary, here it is:Have a lovely bank holiday weekend.Fun fact: Mayday - not as in the bank holiday, but as in the distress call for a ship or a plane is actually from the French, “M'aidez” - help me. May Day is an ancient festival to celebrate the beginning of summer (or as is the case in the UK this year, the end of summer), though socialists hijacked it with International Workers' Day. So now we are all crying “M'aidez” on May Day.Tell your friends about this entertaining catch up. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theflyingfrisby.com/subscribe

Diagnosing Rover's stomach issues. In the Battle for Britain Skinny is most upset about the fourth challenge. People believe Pope Francis was a racist. Snitzer is going to D.C. for the weekend. What is Jeffrey's passport status? British television sitcom Fawlty Towers. Why is Krystle so afraid of someone getting her old medicine bottles? Battle for Britain Challenge #4 Hairy Potter. People are debating on Charlie being a cheater in the Hairy Potter challenge. A weatherman was arrested after he was accused of secretly filming a sexual encounter. Who will win the Tower of London challenge for the trip to Britain?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

British television sitcom Fawlty Towers. Why is Krystle so afraid of someone getting her old medicine bottles? Battle for Britain Challenge #4 Hairy Potter.

Diagnosing Rover's stomach issues. In the Battle for Britain Skinny is most upset about the fourth challenge. People believe Pope Francis was a racist. Snitzer is going to D.C. for the weekend. What is Jeffrey's passport status? British television sitcom Fawlty Towers. Why is Krystle so afraid of someone getting her old medicine bottles? Battle for Britain Challenge #4 Hairy Potter. People are debating on Charlie being a cheater in the Hairy Potter challenge. A weatherman was arrested after he was accused of secretly filming a sexual encounter. Who will win the Tower of London challenge for the trip to Britain?

British television sitcom Fawlty Towers. Why is Krystle so afraid of someone getting her old medicine bottles? Battle for Britain Challenge #4 Hairy Potter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the latest series of the much-discussed drama The White Lotus recently wrapped up, Screenshot asks why cinema and TV make so many return visits to hotels as a setting.Whether sinister and scary like in The Shining or Psycho, fabulous but faded like The Grand Budapest Hotel, or comically chaotic like in Fawlty Towers, hotels offer a myriad of possible opportunities for drama. Ellen E Jones and Mark Kermode check in to check out their rich history on screen. Ellen talks to film critic Hannah Strong about the timeless appeal of screen stays from the 1932 classic Grand Hotel to The White Lotus - and about how directors Wes Anderson and Sofia Coppola have made hotels the focus of some of their most famous films. Ellen also speaks to Sean MacPherson, hotelier, cinephile and co-owner of the storied Hotel Chelsea in New York City, about the glamorous allure of historic hotels - and the impact of the movies on hotel design. Mark speaks to writer and critic Anne Billson about the seedier - and scarier - side of hotels on screen, from the Coen Brothers' 1991 cult classic Barton Fink, to the 1990 Roald Dahl fantasy The Witches. And Mark also talks to director Rodney Ascher, whose 2012 documentary Room 237 explored Stanley Kubrick's The Shining from the unusual points of view of a number of theorists - all of whom seem to have checked into the film's Overlook hotel and never been able to leave.Producer: Jane Long A Prospect Street production for BBC Radio 4

Editors' Picks:Rich: Also Haley's postCharlie: Noah's magazine piece “They Think We're Stupid”MBD: Noah's piece “The Conservative Lifestyle Is Suddenly in Fashion”Jack: Haley Strack's post “No Welcome Mat for the Tate Brothers”Light Items:Rich: Tampa, Fla.Charlie: Watching (select) Fawlty Towers episodes with his kidsMBD: Spring TrainingJack: Running with a friendNRI Ideas SummitThis podcast was edited and produced by Sarah Colleen Schutte.