Monty Python star Carol Cleveland doesn’t think Fawlty Towers reboot can ‘match’ original

‘Amazed’ actress says the show may not be as ‘fun’ if it is politically correct
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Tina Campbell9 February 2023
The Weekender

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Monty Python star Carol Cleveland has said she cannot see a Fawlty Towers reboot matching the original show.

It was confirmed on Wednesday that John Cleese will be reprising his role as Torquay hotelier Basil Fawlty in new episodes of the classic BBC comedy.

While Cleveland — who appeared in 30 episodes of Monty Python’s Flying Circus and all four of the legendary comedy troup’s films — said she is “delighted” at the prospect of seeing Fawlty Towers on screen again, she added that she is “amazed” by the news.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Cleveland said: “I’m amazed. I’m no spring chicken at 81. John is 83, which in reality would be too old to run a hotel.

John Cleese is set to reprise his role as Torquay hotelier Basil Fawlty in new episodes of the classic comedy
PA Media

“I can’t see it matching the original, but maybe it’s not meant to. I’m delighted it’s coming back and I can’t wait to see it.”

Cleese is set to write the sitcom and will star alongside his real life daughter Camilla Cleese.

The comedy, which originally ran on the BBC for 12 episodes in the Seventies, has gone down in history as one of the all time greats, but Cleveland isn’t sure how her former co-star’s show will fare in the present day.

She said: “It’ll be interesting to see how John gets round today’s political correctness. It might not be as fun if it’s so politically correct.”

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