Real-life Fawlty Towers matriarch passes at 95

Much as been printed over the years with respect to the fact that Donald Sinclair, owner of the Gleneagles Hotel in Torquay, was the model for the most infamous hotelier, Basil Fawlty, in the classic British comedy, Fawlty Towers. As the story goes, the Pythons were staying at the hotel during a May 1970 location […]

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Peter Bowles & Penelope Keith – 'Rivals' once again

In another of our “what are they doing now” features, we had to look no further than the classic Theatre Royal in Bath. Peter Bowles (Richard DeVere) and Penelope Keith (Audrey fforbes-Hamilton) have been reunited once again, this time in the stage production of Sheridan’s The Rivals at the Theatre Royal in Bath. You might […]

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British comedy – a 360° view

Okay, this is just plain cool. From our friends over at the BBC Comedy blog comes this behind the scenes 360 degree view of the making of the long-running Britcom, Ideal. Not only is it a 360 degree view, it’s time-lapsed also. You can click and drag on the video and spin the camera in […]

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Happy Birthday / Anniversary, Mr. Bean

Sort of combined Happy birthday, Happy anniversary message to an individual who, in all his years on the small screen, barely uttered a word. Mr. Bean, brilliantly played by the genius that is Rowan Atkinson, is celebrating 20 years this year, having premiered on ITV in 1990. Much like the fact that there are only […]

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20 questions with Richard Briers

One of the greats of British comedy, both stage and small screen, Richard Briers sat down (or, as you can see, maybe a lie down) with the Telegraph recently and gave us a little insight to a personal life beyond the professional life that we all know of in the characters of Tom Good (The […]

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Fire at Fawlty Towers. Was it O'Reilly, Stubbs…or, Manuel?

Polly, what have you done to my hotel? Almost 20 years ago (March 1991), fire engulfed the Woodburn Grange Country Club, the site for the exterior shots filmed for, perhaps, the greatest British comedy of all-time, Fawlty Towers. Sadly, this led to the ultimate demolition of the property, making way for eight houses despite an approved […]

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British comedy cars want equal time on top-10 list

You  might remember of our earlier in the week mention of the top-10 television and screen hotels where the ultimate British comedy ‘hotel from hell’ topped the list, seems now that the automobile wants equal time. Interestingly enough, British comedy is also featured prominently in this list compiled by Chrises Cars. For those playing along […]

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Felicity Kendal puts on her dancing shoes for Strictly Come Dancing

For all of our UK friends, you are no doubt aware of and have properly marked your calendar for this Saturday, 11 September and the launch show premiere of the new season of Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One. Unfortunately, for those not living in the UK, you’re stuck with the American version of the British […]

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British comedy 'Hotel from Hell' tops list of screen hotels

For some reason, we tend to remember the proverbial ‘hotel from hell’ more than we do the 5-star accommodation during holiday. As with anything, not just with hotels, individuals tend to hang on to bad experiences more so that good ones. Because of this, it would seem more important than ever to find the right […]

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Keeping Up Appearances hits the stage

For a British comedy series that ran for just five seasons from 1990-1995, Keeping Up Appearances has a continuous stretch of worldwide syndication along with a newly created stage performance to thank for its longevity. If you’re in the neighborhood, the Comedy Theatre Company has taken one of Britain’s most popular comedies of all-time and moves it […]

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