It’s nearly impossible to create a masterpiece TV show, but decades later, many new audiences are still familiarizing themselves with the British sitcomFawlty Towers, which has an incredible 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.Fawlty Towersis naturally well-remembered by U.K. audiences as it is one ofthe best British sitcoms of all time, but not so much by international viewers.
There are plenty oflittle-known U.K. sitcoms that U.S. viewers should watch, butFawlty Towersshould definitely be at the top of their list. The hilarious, iconicsitcom is perfect from start to finish, and it absolutely deserves its high ratings. With its astonishing scores,it’s no surprise thatFawlty Towersdoesn’t have a bad episode.
Decades Later, Fawlty Towers Is Still One Of The Greatest Sitcoms Of All Time
The Little Hotel In Torquay Is The Home Of Some Of The UK’s Best Comedic Scenes
Fawlty Towerscenters on the titular hotel in the seaside town of Torquay and follows the day-to-day lives of its customers and employees.The hotel is run by the pessimistic Basil Fawlty (John Cleese) and his sharp-minded wife, Sybil (Prunella Scales),who do their best to keep Fawlty Towers afloat.
There’s also the perplexed yet well-intentioned Manuel (Andrew Sachs), a Spanish waiter whose difficulty understanding the English language gets him into trouble, and waitress Polly (Connie Booth), who generally serves as the voice of reason.ThroughoutFawlty Towers, these characters provide a masterclass in miscommunication and physical comedy,proving why it’s one ofthe best sitcoms of all time.
All 12 Episodes OfFawlty TowersRanking (According To IMDb - July 2025)
Season 1, Episode 1: “A Touch of Class”
8.4/10
8.8/10
8.7/10
9.3/10
9.2/10
9.1/10
Season 2, Episode 4: “The Kipper and the Corpse”
9.0/10
8.2/10
Season 2, Episode 6: “Basil the Rat”
The fact that there are only 12 episodes ofFawlty Towersmakes the show’s Rotten Tomatoes score even more impressive. Even thoughFawlty Towersis asitcom from the 1970s, it has aged relatively well, and the sense of humor is timeless, to a certain degree. In a way,Fawlty Towerscan be considered the definitive or original workplace sitcom.
Every Episode Of Fawlty Towers Is Guaranteed To Leave Audiences In Stitches
Every single episode ofFawlty Towersis hilarious, and it’s truly difficult to decide which is the “worst,“when they’re all so memorable for different reasons. For example, season 2’s “Communication Problems” is considered one ofthe best sitcom episodes of all timebecause of Basil’s diction and physical humor while trying to speak with nightmare guest Mrs. Richards.
The slapstick comedy inFawlty Towersis unmatched,and no other sitcom has truly achieved the same levels of humor in this way.
Season 1’s “Gourmet Night” is also particularly notable because of the quick-witted dialogue and awkward, cringey actions of some of the characters. However,audiences should expect to find all of these qualities in every episode.The slapstick comedy inFawlty Towersis unmatched,and no other sitcom has truly achieved the same levels of humor in this way.
It’s a shame there isn’t more of the show to watch, but considering its legendary status in the U.K., perhaps it’s for the best, as it’s possible to have too much of a good thing.IfFawlty Towershad continued, there’s a chance the quality may have declined,but withMonty Python’s John Cleeseon board, it’s unlikely.
Fawlty Towersis still worth watching, even if there are only 12 episodes. These 12 episodes are absolute perfection from start to finish, and the reason whyFawlty Towers' legacy remains so prominent in the U.K.
