The UK TV sitcom Fawlty Towers is set to be revived after more than 40 years.
John Cleese, who played Basil Fawlty, will be returning to write and star alongside his daughter Camilla Cleese.
The revival will also see Basil and his daughter, who he has just discovered is his, team up to run a boutique hotel and explore how the misanthropic Basil navigates the modern world.
The new series will see actor Rob Reiner, his wife and actress Michelle Reiner, director and producer Matthew George and Derrick Rossi all act as executive producers.
Reiner, who is also currently working on the sequel to the cult 1984 rock mockumentary Spinal Tap, described the Fawlty Towers star as a “comedy legend”. “Just the idea of working with him makes me laugh.”
Inevitably, the “revival” will be a travesty of the original. This time it will be made by an American, possibly in America, for American audiences and will, unlike the original, resonate with Americans …
Going back more than a few years I was allowed to stay up on a school night to watch Monty Python. I’m pretty sure it was broadcast on a Monday directly after The Onedin Line.
I loved the crazy animations and the anticipation of what might happen next. A bit tame by today’s standards perhaps but quite something in its day.
The funniest joke in the world sketch springs to mind
Fawlty Towers was a classic of it’s time. To make a follow up after all these years makes no sense. No Manuel, The Major, Connie Booth, Prunella Scales etc, that will never work. They must take note of the mess that was made of the follow up to Open All Hours, awful cringe making stuff it was! Does Cleese need more cash one wonders for his alimony troubles? I for one will stir clear of this farrago!