What's Funny About.... Image shows from L to R: Jon Plowman, Peter Fincham
What's Funny About...
- Radio documentary
- BBC Radio 4 / BBC Radio 4 Extra
- 2020 - 2023
- 18 episodes (3 series)
Peter Fincham and Jon Plowman talk to the people behind Britain's biggest comedies.
Episode menu
Series 2, Episode 5 - Fawlty Towers
Peter Fincham and Jon Plowman are joined by John Cleese to discuss his sitcom masterpiece, Fawlty Towers. John traces the beginnings of Basil Fawlty all the way back to his work on Monty Python ("nice though the abattoir is..."), and talks about the real hotelier who inspired the character.
Broadcast details
- Date
- Wednesday 20th October 2021
- Time
- 11:30am
- Channel
- BBC Radio 4
- Length
- 30 minutes
Repeats
Show past repeats
| Date | Time | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 21st October 2021 | 10:30pm 60 minute version |
Radio 4 Extra |
| Thursday 24th August 2023 | 9:00pm 60 minute version |
Radio 4 Extra |
| Thursday 24th August 2023 | 11:30pm | Radio 4 |
Cast & crew
| Peter Fincham | Host / Presenter |
| Jon Plowman | Host / Presenter |
| John Cleese | Guest |
| Owen Braben | Producer |
Press
We shouldn't be afraid of Fawlty Towers' pure comedy
Radio 4's exploration of John Cleese and Connie Booth's beloved sitcom on What Funny About... revealed why it was so successful. But would it still get made today?
Charlotte Runcie, The Telegraph, 27th October 2021