Waldorf Salad (5 Mar. 1979)

Customer dissatisfaction with the Fawlty Towers dining experience comes to a head when an insistent American comes for a stay.

Director:

Bob Spiers

Writers:

John Cleese (by), Connie Booth (by)

Stars:

John Cleese, Prunella Scales, Andrew Sachs

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
John Cleese	...	Basil Fawlty
Prunella Scales	...	Sybil Fawlty
Andrew Sachs	...	Manuel
Connie Booth	...	Polly Sherman
Bruce Boa	...	Mr. Harry Hamilton
Claire Nielson	...	Mrs. Hamilton
Norman Bird	...	Mr. Arrad
Stella Tanner	...	Mrs. Arrad
Terence Conoley	...	Mr. Johnston
June Ellis	...	Mrs. Johnston
Brian Hall	...	Terry
Anthony Dawes	...	Mr. Libson
Ballard Berkeley	...	Major Gowen
Gilly Flower	...	Miss Agatha Tibbs
Renee Roberts	...	Miss Ursula Gatsby

Storyline

An American couple arrives at the hotel late at night expecting to be served a hot dinner. But with the chef off for the night, Basil is forced to make the dinner himself. Things get even more complicated when the two Americans begin ordering meals that Basil has never heard of.

---

Plot Keywords:

chef | waldorf salad | american in the uk | orange juice | screwdriver the drink | 

---

Genres:

Comedy

---

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 March 1979 (UK)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

32 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

John Cleese said that he based Fawlty Towers on a real hotel that he and his fellow Pythons once stayed at. The owner said that Terry Gilliam was "too American" because he ate with his fork in the wrong hand. This may have inspired Basil's treatment of the American guest in this episode.

---

Goofs

In "The Waldorf Salad", during the conversation between Mr. Hamilton and Sybil after "Is your husband all right?" she takes out a pack of cigarettes, and one second later, after a shot of Mr. Hamilton, it's smoking in her hand.

---

Quotes

Mr. Hamilton: You're gonna stay here, nice and quite, while these people say whether or not they're satisfied. And you move off that spot, Fawlty, I'm gonna bust your ass!
Basil Fawlty: Everything's bottoms, isn't it?

---

Connections

Referenced in The John Cleese Interview (1998)

User Reviews

typical!!!! it's all bottoms with you isn't it??

For anyone who has ever wondered how the world sees Americans, this episode should answer that question. Brilliant, biting and with writing as crisp as a well tied bow tie, this is one of the true classics of this classic series.

Perfectly captured that all-American trait of humility---no wait, I mean hubris---and the all-British trait of 'go along to get along.' The casting, as always, is immaculate and John Cleese illustrates why he is one of the true comedic geniuses of his time--combining the physicality of Chaplin with the scorching wit of Groucho.

In all honesty, I have held off my entire life from having a Waldorf Salad until such time as I visit the UK--with the express desire to see the reaction when I order it.

I am sure it will be---as Basil might say---"TYPICAL". And I will make a point to bring some extra 'Mickey Mouse money' so I don't have to bust "an ass" to get it.

Right!