MX23RW : Friday, March 29 11:09:49| >> :600:116792394:116792394:

John Cleese criticises "stupid" Fawlty Towers removal

John Cleese slams the decision to axe an iconic episode of Fawlty Towers as "stupid".

John Cleese has described UKTV's decision to remove an episode of Fawlty Towers due to race concerns as "stupid".

Over the last few weeks, broadcasters have been reviewing historical content to ensure that it is appropriate viewing in the wake of the huge global outrage following the horrific death of George Floyd last month.

Yesterday it emerged that UKTV had pulled the iconic 'The Germans' episode of Fawlty Towers due to concerns over the content, which features use of the N-word, references to "wogs" and a Nazi impression.

"One of the things I've learned in the last 180 years is that people have very different senses of humour," Cleese, 80, told The Age.

"Some of them understand that if you put nonsense words into the mouth of someone you want to make fun of you're not broadcasting their views, you're making fun of them.

"The Major was an old fossil left over from decades before. We were not supporting his views, we were making fun of them. If they can't see that, if people are too stupid to see that, what can one say?

"Fawlty Towers has given a large number of people a great deal of happiness, why would you want to stop that? It reminds me of the definition of a Scottish Presbyterian as someone who has a nasty, sneaking feeling that someone, somewhere, is having a good time.

"At the moment there is a huge swell of anger and a really admirable feeling that we must make our society less discriminatory, and I think that part of it is very good."

Fawlty Towers ran for just 12 episodes across two series in the 1970s and is widely recognised as one of the best British comedies of all time.

ID:402266: cacheID:402266:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2567:

Follow us on X/Twitter and like us on Facebook for the latest entertainment news alerts.

Media Mole Easter Offer: Get Sky Cinema, Sky Stream & Netflix for just £23 a month + £0 upfront fee for 18 months!
Prices may change during this period. Ends 2nd April 2024

Restore Data
Share this article now:
John Cleese as Basil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers
Read Next:
Fawlty Towers episode 'The Germans' pulled by UKTV
>
rhs 2.0
New TV Picks header

Thursday, March 28


The Hotel Inspector: Channel 5, 9pm
She's back! Alex kicks off a new series by aiding a struggling tearoom in Somerset

The Apprentice: BBC One, 9pm
The remaining candidates must pick and sell items live on a TV shopping channel

EastEnders: BBC One, 7.30pm and iPlayer, from 6am
Callum tries to do what he can as the fallout from Ben's arrest continues...