“Well, might I ask what you expected to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window? Sydney Opera House, perhaps? The hanging gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically… “

October 28, 2009 by Ginny

I was leafing through the detritus that is my Twitter stream, when someone mentioned that John Cleese

john_cleese_372x280

(image from here)

is 70. That’s getting up there. That’s grandpa territory. And really, does he strike you as the grandpa type?

I liked Monty Python well enough, but what I really dug Cleese in was Fawlty Towers.

The CBC ran a Fawlty Towers marathon one Saturday afternoon when I was a kid. And I was hooked. I laughed until I cried. I still do, when I can chase down an episode. John Cleese’s Basil character was a horrible guy, and yet, you loved him, whether you liked it or not. And when they changed the letters on the sign in front of the hotel from “Fawlty Towers” to read “Farty Towels”? That was it, they had me for life.

So here’s the uncanny thing: I read the tweet about John Cleese, then I check my email. There, in my inbox, is a guy who wants to give you stuff.

John Cleese’s 70th birthday is also the 30th anniversary of the show, so BBC America is releasing Fawlty Towers Remastered. They’ve got a facebook page where they’re holding a Look-A-Like Contest. And the really exciting part for you, dear readers?

I get to give away one of those box sets!!!

To enter, leave a comment on this post, sometime between now and midnight MST Saturday, October 31, 2009. I’ll use one of them there fancy internet random number generators to pick one of your names. If you win, I will send you your prize. And you will think well of me.

(Please note: the DVDs are Region 1 – Canada, US & US Territories.)

Want to see who won? Go here.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged making people happy | 50 Comments

50 Responses

on October 28, 2009 at 1:55 pm | Reply Lindsay

I LOVE Fawlty Towers! I have awesome memories of watching it with my dad and sister when I was young. Our favorite was always the one where the moose head falls on Basil and Manuel thinks it can speak
on October 28, 2009 at 2:01 pm | Reply Megan

My dad, a Brit, and I always used to watch British comedies together. He didn’t love Fawlty Towers as much as I did but we spent many happy hours together sharing a very ‘brit’ sense of humour. He’s gone now but whenever I see any comedy with that distinctive accent I always smile and think of him (Fawlty Towers was great but we particularily liked Are You Being Served).
on October 28, 2009 at 2:03 pm | Reply April

Every time I see a giveaway it reminds me of this concert where the band was giving away free t-shirts and all these kids (3-7 year olds) jumped on stage, got their t-shirts and then ran around yelling “Free shit, Free shit!” on the stage.

I could laugh, you know, since none of the kids came out of my vagina.
on October 28, 2009 at 2:05 pm | Reply aprildawn

YAY! farty towels!! omg, when he beats the car with the tree branch, i always completely lose it.
on October 28, 2009 at 2:12 pm | Reply toni

cool, how’d you manage that? you don’t secretly look like john cleese, do you?
on October 28, 2009 at 2:38 pm | Reply daisyfae

i have a pair of granny panties that have a stain that resembles either jesus or john cleese… does that get me entered?
- on October 28, 2009 at 9:44 pm | Reply Mark Trail
  
  It is certainly not my place to comment, but if you, Ms. Fae, had posted the above statement on the lacivious Nurse Myra’s site instead of here, in Ginny’s highly respectable and sophisticated neighborhood, I would have felt free to suggest that apparently it was the granny panties that got you entered and the stain appeared shortly thereafter in an ancillary fashion.
  
  Otto Bounds
on October 28, 2009 at 2:49 pm | Reply formerlyfun

Now, I love John Cleese, but I have never seen Fawlty Towers, so I would be the perfect choice. I’ve seen almost everything else he’s in. Remember when he was on Will and Grace as Lyle Finster?? Plus, even nearing 70, he is still insanely doable.
on October 28, 2009 at 3:19 pm | Reply Veronica

Oh goodness, I LOVE John Cleese in the Monty Python group! But I haven’t seen Fawlty Towers. Please feel free to randomly generate my number…
on October 28, 2009 at 3:22 pm | Reply FHL

I have to confess that I’ve never seen Fawlty Towers, but I’ve loved him in A Fish Called Wanda and the James Bond movies. He’s got class and delivery and is just great to watch.

May have to check it out, see if BBCA ever airs them.
on October 28, 2009 at 3:26 pm | Reply Mwa

My dad used to have a fit when Fawlty Towers was on. It was almost funnier to watch him convulsed with laughter than it was to watch the programme.
on October 28, 2009 at 3:34 pm | Reply Kelly

I haven’t watched Fawtly Towers for years! SO funny. I agree with Megan – Are You Being Served was hysterical too…
on October 28, 2009 at 3:41 pm | Reply miss. chief

No. Freaking. Way. PLEAAAASSSEEE let me win! haha I never win anything and I seriously love John Cleese. I would have a sexual crush on him if he wasn’t, you know, 70.
on October 28, 2009 at 4:59 pm | Reply Kaia

I’ve only ever caught bits and pieces of Fawlty Towers, my Mom was anti-british tv when I was a kid – no idea why, she’s never been able to explain it – and I’d love to watch the whole thing.
on October 28, 2009 at 5:01 pm | Reply Dan

I love John Cleese. Fawlty Towers and A Fish Named Wanda coupled with Monty Python and The Life of Brian and …

Please pick me! Or the alligators will get you. {*grin*}
on October 28, 2009 at 5:02 pm | Reply A Free Man

When I first moved to the UK, I hated everything about it. The weather, the roads, the people, the people. Then I watched Fawlty Towers again and was reminded why the English are so charming.
on October 28, 2009 at 5:08 pm | Reply Theresa Berend

The 70’s are the “dying years”. I swear. I had no idea he was that old.
on October 29, 2009 at 1:17 am | Reply Lisa in Oz

OMG OMG OMG I love this show! “You put Basil in the ratatouille!?!” My dad raised me on this show – he even had a pet rat named Basil!
on October 29, 2009 at 1:27 am | Reply Peter Parkour

That’s some post title.

Whether I win or not, you win.

You have an award waiting for you over at my place.
on October 29, 2009 at 1:39 am | Reply Krissy

As a kid I watched all the “britcoms” and Fawlty Towers was always a fav! We just watched a Monty Pyton movie on the weekend. It’s hard to believe John Cleese is 70! Why does this suddenly make me feel old?
on October 29, 2009 at 2:29 am | Reply Amanda

Oh, my dad and I used to watch Fawlty Towers. He was a big fan of British Comedy. I can’t believe John Cleese is that old already.
on October 29, 2009 at 4:18 am | Reply Josh Newton

Monty Python shaped my formative years. I can’t beleive that John Cleese is 70, Holy Haleakala!
on October 29, 2009 at 6:36 am | Reply Bryan

Happy Birthday to John! Love him!
on October 29, 2009 at 7:58 am | Reply tupelo

Love it! Like so many others I have fond memories of Fawlty Towers and would love to own it. Thanks for the opportunity!
on October 29, 2009 at 9:08 am | Reply daisy mae

me! me! me!

omg (and i NEVER use ‘txt speak’) fawlty towers is one of my favourite shows (competing with absolutely fabulous). i started watching about ten years ago, and it’s one of those few shows where i can watch episodes over. and over. and over.

and john cleese can be my grandpa, any day! how much fun would that have been growing up?

he also has a fantastic bit out there about sarah palin.

the man is pure comedic genius!
on October 29, 2009 at 9:15 am | Reply gcowie

Always did love Fawlty Towers, it was one of those great family friendly shows that seem few and far between these days (replaced by reality shows I suspect?). Manuel was my favourite character, though I’m not sure it’s politically correct any more to laugh as hard as I did when I first witnessed his confusion at how pigs could have gotten in the water tank.
on October 29, 2009 at 9:54 am | Reply Chuck Foxtrot

Oh, hells yeah I’m in for this…
on October 29, 2009 at 10:16 am | Reply Joan

I loved Fawlty Towers. Remember Manuel? God that was a funny show. I would love to win the set.
on October 29, 2009 at 10:27 am | Reply Kell

Truely, this is best way ever to get everyone who reads your blog to comment! KUDOS! x
on October 29, 2009 at 10:57 am | Reply mongoliangirl

Is it wrong that the darker Cleese’s humor was, the more I was sexually attracted to him.
I already think quite highly of you, Miss Ginny. AND…I would love a prize too.
on October 29, 2009 at 11:11 am | Reply Nona

I love his bits when he’s just too flustered to talk. By the way, there’s a great interview with him over at the A.V. Club ~ enjoy! He talks about writing and editing Faulty Towers.

By the way, I’m one of the people who found you through the Emails From Crazy People thing. Boy am I ever glad I followed the link that day!
on October 29, 2009 at 12:03 pm | Reply hereinfranklin

One time the sign said”False Titties.”

There…I win.
on October 29, 2009 at 1:29 pm | Reply Xbox4NappyRash

Along with ‘Only fools and horses’ there has been nothing better ever created in the name of comedy.

I pull out our box set of Fawlty Towers every few months and we laugh till we shake.

Magic.
on October 29, 2009 at 1:30 pm | Reply Lil

Submitting myself for randomising in a generalistic fashion. I LOVE Monty Python (can recite The Holy Grail verbatim) but never have seen Fawlty Towers. Shame on me!
on October 29, 2009 at 2:11 pm | Reply Jaime

That is awesome! I, like others, have never seen Fawlty Towers. I do love John Cleese! Now I have the problem though of feeling bad for never seeing it!

So much fun!
on October 29, 2009 at 2:39 pm | Reply Jacastrophy

I like free stuff.

I like John Cleese.

I love faulty towers.

Happy Halloween:)

~Jacastrophy~
on October 29, 2009 at 4:36 pm | Reply Pulsardaddy

OMG!!!
ME! pick ME!!!!! RANDOMLY!!!! WITH NO PREJUDICE AT ALL!!!! MORE EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!! I’M ALMOST OUT!!!!

No one understands me, thanks to these guys. I freakin LOVE the brit comedy! And I love YOU, Ginny! Please feed my monster within!
on October 29, 2009 at 6:11 pm | Reply Gwen Jackson

I’ve never seen Fawlty Towers, but if you recommend it then I’m sure I will love it.
on October 29, 2009 at 8:12 pm | Reply Chris

Manuel! Get me that DVD!
on October 29, 2009 at 11:22 pm | Reply bethany f

I truly love fawlty towers and john cleese. Awesome give away.
on October 29, 2009 at 11:24 pm | Reply TZoe

your blog is fun – thanks for posting this contest – enjoy Fawlty Towers – used to watch it and Benny Hill – both were hilarious – one you could understand all the humor – it wasnt Benny Hill…
on October 30, 2009 at 5:00 am | Reply Mrs. Grumpypants

Ginny, I think well of you regardless of your ability to give me free stuff….
on October 30, 2009 at 7:36 am | Reply Olga

I LOVE Fawlty Towers (Farty Towers)….British comedies are so much more enjoyable. They always make you laugh, anything else is a pale imitation!

Pick me, pick me!!
on October 30, 2009 at 7:48 am | Reply Shushnik

Forcing us lurkers out into the light. I see what you’re doing there…
on October 30, 2009 at 1:12 pm | Reply James

I love Fawlty Towers! Haven’t seen much of it, but I’ve wanted to watch it all, plus my wife is a HUGE FT fan!
on October 30, 2009 at 1:15 pm | Reply Andrea

I am so excited to see Fawlty Towers again! You are awesome… Love your perspectives of your kids!
on October 30, 2009 at 2:10 pm | Reply Jennifer

Okay, so I was reading this at work (sshh!) and watched the video clip and remembered why I loved Farty Towers so much and no one was the wiser, until the mouse popped up in the cookie tin and I snorted out loud! Thank you for the happy memories, I am going to look up more episodes on youtube.
on October 31, 2009 at 8:37 am | Reply carlae

Trick or Treat! I say treat, as in: one for me. thank ya vera much
on October 31, 2009 at 6:13 pm | Reply Victoria

“BASIL!”
“oh don’t mind him, he’s from Barcelona…”

I could go on an bore you all or make you have fond flashbacks. Even if I don’t win, I am happy to have had Farty Towels thoughts this evening.

“TURN! IT! ON!!!”
on October 31, 2009 at 8:37 pm | Reply Jinantonyx

I’ve only seen a few episodes of Fawlty Towers, but I’ve always loved British comedy. Monty Python, AbFab…have you ever seen Shameless? It’s not a sitcom, more of a hilarious (and hilariously wrong) drama. Totally worth checking out.