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Fawlty Towers - Complete (DVD)
by xd-o-n-z-x
The Complete Fawlty Towers DVD was released in the United Kingdom on DVD in 2005 and so the DVD is quite recent, however the actual footage on the DVD is taken from the show which was back in 1975. The DVD is a PG which means that it is suitable for all, providing that children have an adult present with them when watching. The DVD is ... currently available to buy from around £14 from Amazon, which I do think is a little expensive. However, there are 3 discs which contain all 12 episodes of the show.
For those of you who don't know (although I am sure that there aren't many of you), Fawlty Towers was a British comedy show which aired in the 1970's. The show was based on a hotel; Basil Fawlty, along with his wife Sybil were the owners. However, whilst Sybil was always efficient and professional with the customers, Basil always got into trouble by doing something wrong or not doing something as promised.
~ * The Episodes * ~
1) A Touch Of Class 2) The Builders 3) The Wedding Party 4) The Hotel Inspectors 5) Gourmet Night 6) The Germans 7) Communication Problems 8) The Psychiatrist 9) Waldorf Salad 10) The Kipper and the corpse 11) The Anniversary 12) Basil The Rat
The show features: John Cleese, Prunella Scales, Andrew Sachs, Connie Booth, Bernard Cribbins - they all play their parts exceptionally well. However, my favourite character is definitely John Cleese as he is so funny and is such a natural comedian.
I like this show because it consists of good old fashioned comedy. They didn't have to rely on swearing or being rude to be funny. It's good to see that it has kept it's funniness over 30 years - proof what an excellent show it is.
The show is so funny that it is a shame that only 12 episodes were ever made as it is the kind of show that could have kept on and on.
I like every single one of the episodes are they are each really different and just as funny as each other. My favourites would be 'The Hotel Inspectors' and 'The Waldorf Salad'.
Even though Basil is the one in the wrong, it is funny how the viewer always takes his side when it should be the other way around. However, because it is always an accident or misunderstanding, I always feel sorry for him.
Working in a hotel myself, I can totally understand where he is coming from and I think that is why I enjoy the show so much - because I can relate to it.
I think one of the things that makes the show so funny is Basil - he is the best thing about the show. I love the fact that he always tries to hide what he has done from Sybil, although she always finds out which makes it even funnier.
This is the kind of the show that the whole family can watch together - even family members who were too young to remember the show the first time around will still find it funny.
Despite the fact that I have seen this show hundreds of times on the television (I have seen all of the episodes), it is the kind of show which you can watch over and over and still laugh just as hard as the first time you saw it.
If you like Fawlty Towers and old fashioned comedy I would definitely recommend this Dvd to you!
Thanks for reading!
October 2011
Xdonzx / xd-o-n-z-x
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Frasier - The Complete Season 1 (DVD)
by Jeikobu88
Introducing Frasier - the ego-maniacal, self-obsessed, recently divorced psychiatrist from Boston, who has now returned to his hometown of Seattle, in a spin-off of the hugely successful comedy Cheers. Whilst the first season is a bit shaky, Kelsey Grammer has no problems adjusting to his character and the show is vibrant and humourous. ... Whilst there is often more wit than laugh out loud comedy, there are particularly funny moments and Frasier's eccentricity really carries those, as does the very talented David Hyde Pierce (Niles).
Whilst any middle class or lower status person would abhor someone as stiff and out of touch with the real world as Frasier or Niles, they are loveable as 2 brothers who really don't know much about life considering their qualifications and vocations. Their recurrent mishaps and failing to make the right decision are cringe-worthy as well as funny, and even though that tends to happen in every episode, often with the characters making the same mistakes as previous episodes, in the first instance, that could be said of all humans and in the second the show still carries well. The class of the show gives the viewer a desire for some of the finer things in life.
Season 1 obviously acts as a base to introduce the show, and so much of it is just introductory (other than of course the elusive Merys, who is never seen by the viewer). The contrast in Frasier's home of having both Frasier and Niles as upper-class snobby psychiatrists, Martin as a red-blooded American ex-cop and Daphne, a Mancunian housekeeper and physical therapist/psychic is a good rapport for on-screen dialogue and in spite of the lack of common sense shown by the Crane brothers and in spite of the many conflicts that arise from such a diverse household, the show is quite therapeutic in its own way and has a similar vibe to the earlier series of FRIENDS, whilst still maintaining its individuality. The touch of class that the show brings from the jazzy theme tune, the vintage wines, the opera concerts and the constant quotes of famous philosophers, literature, writers and psychologists is refreshing.
All-in-all, Season 1 is a fantastic introduction to the world of Frasier Crane, which was successful enough to continue for a further 10 seasons, so obviously it had something going for it.
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Frasier - The Complete Season 1 (DVD)
by tangoman84
Frasier is the popular American comedy series following the life of Dr Frasier Crane after the Cheers years (Frasier was one of the characters who proved popular and successful from the hugely successful Cheers) as he moves to Seattle to begin and build a new life for himself.
So what does series 1 offer?
Series 1 offers ... us the chance to watch as Frasier tries to adjust to his new surroundings with his new apartment and new job working as radio psychiatrist for KACL 780 talk radio. We also learn about Frasier's divorce from Lileth and of his son Frederick who still lives with Lileth. The first series also introduces us to a number of characters but rather than do this as a big spiel I am going to list them below.
Martin Crane:
Frasier's father who is a retired police officer who was shot in the hip whilst on duty and now has to use a walking aid. Martin loves nothing more than watching the American Football, drinking some beers or hanging out with his police buddies at his local bar. Martin also appears to struggle with being retired as it makes him feel older than he is.
Niles Crane:
Frasier's brother and best friend. Niles is very much like Frasier in styles, tastes and profession as he is also a psychiatrist (working in the standard profession rather than radio). Niles has a great love of the opera, classical music, sherry, fine dining and exclusive clubs.
Daphne Moon:
Daphne hails from Manchester, England and is hired by Frasier to be a home health care worker (live in position) to look after his father. She is someone who has a great deal of pride in her work and ensures that she provides the highest possible standards to the household both with Martin and also with tasks Frasier. Daphne is a romantic who believes that she has psychic powers and is not the worlds best cook ever but she is a warm person who everyone takes to.
Eddie:
Eddie is Martin's faithful dog who simply loves to stare at Frasier and freak him out. Eddie is mainstay of the show and one of the best characters in my opinion.
Roz Doyle:
Roz is Frasier's producer for his radio show and also a close friend to him (this takes time to develop). Roz is a man hungry female who is very much in control of things in her life and when she wants something she goes out and gets it.
Frasier is one of those comedies I have simply loved ever since I first saw it and despite it being over 10 years since it first aired it is still as good now as it ever was. Clever humour mixed in with smut and a great variety of characters mean that it always feeling like it is on the move and fresh which is something I find to be an excellent quality. Each of the characters you feel could not have been played by different actors as the roles just seem to suit those chosen so well and with even Frasier's callers to his radio show being celebrities pretending to be normal people with problems the show is not shy of stars.
The show also has great sets to thank for making things feel so real as the coffee shop, the radio station, the apartment and all other areas are created in such great detail that rather than stand out they act as they should in that they are simply the canvas on which the actors create their art.
If you are a fan of witty and intelligent humour that steers clear of low brow comedy (for the most part) and still deliver great laughs. I also like the show for the great amount of insight in to the human psyche and interactions as we watch relationships develop and boundaries be set and then moved.
Overall I highly recommend this as it delivers what it promises and ensures its delivery is of the highest quality.
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