The reason Fawlty Towers has been removed... and it's not to do with Germans
12 June 2020, 10:23 | Updated: 12 June 2020, 17:33
Fawlty Towers fan reveals real reason Germans episode has been removed
Fawlty Towers fans have been angered by the removal of iconic episode The Germans from the UKTV archive. But this fan told LBC it's got nothing to do with the anti-German sentiment.
The episode, famous for John Cleese goose-stepping through the hotel and the famous phrase "Don't mention the war", has come off the broadcaster's watch again service.
But massive Fawlty Towers fan Lewis called Nick Ferrari to reveal the real reason the episode has been removed.
He said: "It's not the Germans that is the problem. There is a scene earlier on when the Major is talking about cricket. He uses vile words to describe teams from the West Indies and India.
"It's that scene that is the contentious one.
"If you watch Fawlty Towers on Netflix, that scene has already been cut. I'd imagine UKTV will do the same."
I would have hoped that someone at the BBC would understand that there are two ways of making fun of
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) June 12, 2020
human behaviour
One is to attack it directly.
The other is to have someone who is patently a figure of fun, speak up on behalf of that behaviour
Thank of Alf Garnett...
...we laughed at Alf's reactionary views. Thus we discredited them, by laughing at him
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) June 12, 2020
Of course, there were people - very stupid people - who said 'Thank God someone is saying these things at last'
We laughed at these people too
Now they're taking decisions about BBC comedy
Another caller pointed out that Basil's shocked reaction in the hospital when he sees a black doctor could also be seen as offensive.
Actor John Cleese who played central character Basil Fawlty has since tweeted in response:
"I would have hoped that someone at the BBC would understand that there are two ways of making fun of
human behaviour.
"One is to attack it directly.
"The other is to have someone who is patently a figure of fun, speak up on behalf of that behaviour
"Thank (sic) of Alf Garnett... we laughed at Alf's reactionary views. Thus we discredited them, by laughing at him.
"Of course, there were people - very stupid people - who said 'Thank God someone is saying these things at last.
"We laughed at these people too.
"Now they're taking decisions about BBC comedy."
Other programmes to be removed for cultural reasons include Little Britain, League of Gentlemen and The Mighty Boosh.
