Fawlty Towers named as comedians' favourite British sitcom of all time

15/06/2017

Comics reveal their favourite British TV comedy moments and characters Fawlty Towers, a scene from Im Alan Partridge and one-liners from Dads Army are all-time favourites for comedians, whose job it is to get the nation laughing.

*Britains comedians, comedy actors and comedy writers nominated their favourite actors, sitcoms, characters and one-liners to mark the launch of new series We Have Been Watching on Gold

*Gold TV Comedy Audit reveals Fawlty Towers as comics favourite sitcom, with the superfan scene from Im Alan Partridge and a one-liner from Dads Army also topping the results

*Over 100 professional comedians surveyed, including David Baddiel, Jenny Eclair, Reece Shearsmith and Alexei Sayle

The survey kicks off what will be a busy 25th anniversary year for the TV channel

Fawlty Towers has been revealed as professional comedians favourite British TV sitcom of all time, with Alan Partridge topping the list of both most-loved TV comedy character and best comedy scene (as he discovers a room dedicated to himself in a superfans house), according to a unique new survey released today.

The Gold TV Comedy Audit polled over 100 professional comedians to pinpoint their favourite comedy sitcoms, one-liners, scenes, characters and actors.

The study was commissioned to celebrate the launch of the first full series of We Have Been Watching on Gold, which starts on Wednesday 4th January at 8pm.

The series sees some of Britains best-loved comedians and comic actors, including Ricky Tomlinson, Ralf Little, Sally Phillips, Sarah Hadland, Russell Tovey, Sarah Solemani, Meera Syal, James Acaster, David Baddiel and Larry Lamb watching and commenting on clips from classic sitcoms and sketch shows, both old and new.

The list of comedians who took part in the study included the likes of David Baddiel, Jenny Eclair, Zoe Lyons, Reece Shearsmith, Alexei Sayle and James Acaster, with results highlighting the vast breadth and hilarity that British TV comedy has to celebrate.

The comedians Gold TV Comedy Audit top picks are revealed as:

Favourite British Sitcom

Fawlty Towers - 32%

Im Alan Partridge - 26%

Blackadder - 21%

The Office - 18%

Father Ted - 16%

Peep Show - 12%

Only Fools and Horses - 9%

The Thick of It - 8%

Absolutely Fabulous - 8%

Porridge - 7%

Favourite Scene from a British TV comedy

Alan Partridge meets a superfan who has a room dedicated to Alan Partridge (Im Alan Partridge)

Tim and Dawn finally get together (The Office)

Basil Fawlty argues with the Germans, stressing Dont mention the war! (Fawlty Towers)

Dont tell him Pike scene with German prisoners. (Dads Army)

Del Boy falling through the bar (Only Fools and Horses)

Father Ted and the terrified priests stray into the lingerie department (Father Ted)

Mrs Richards complaining about her room to Basil Fawlty (Fawlty Towers)

The entrance of Lord Flashheart in Blackadder II (Blackadder)

Del Boy and Rodney running as Batman and Robin (Only Fools and Horses)

David Brent begging for his job as he gets fired (The Office)

Favourite One-liner from a British TV comedy

Captain Mainwaring to Pike, when Pike is asked his name by a German prisoner: Dont tell him Pike. (Dads Army)

Tony Hancock on learning how much blood he has to give during a blood donation: A pint? Why thats very nearly an armful! (Hancocks Half Hour)

Father Ted explains to Father Dougal the concept of perspective: These [toy cows] are small. But those [real cows] out there are far away. [Points to toy cow] Small... [Points to real cow] far away. (Father Ted)

Manuel in response to Basils plea to confirm he placed a winning bet on a horse: I know noth-ing. (Fawlty Towers)

Alan Partridge pitches programme ideas to the BBC Commissioning Editor, Tony Hayers. After a string of nos, he desperately puts forward his last programme idea: Monkey Tennis? (Im Alan Partridge)

Patsy judging celebrities as she looks through magazines: One more facelift on this one, and shell have a beard. (Absolutely Fabulous)

David Brent on the effect of his management skills in the workplace: I suppose Ive created an atmosphere where Im a friend first, and a boss second. Probably an entertainer third. (The Office)

Alan Partridge explains who Wings are: Theyre only the band The Beatles could have been. (Im Alan Partridge)

Lord Flashheart proposes running away together to Kate: Ive got a plan, and its as hot as my pants. (Blackadder)

Geraldine Granger introduces herself upon her arrival in Dibley as their new vicar: You were expecting a bloke: beard, Bible and bad breath. Instead youve got a babe with a bob cut and a magnificent bosom. (The Vicar of Dibley)

TV classics such as Dads Army, Blackadder, The Office and Fawlty Towers feature heavily in the most-loved list as voted for by comedians themselves.

Comedians favourite comedy actors, actresses and characters were also revealed as part of the poll. Steve Coogan topped the list of favourite male comedy actor, followed by Rik Mayall, Ronnie Barker and John Cleese. Joanna Lumley was named as those in the bizs favourite comedic leading lady, ahead of Caroline Aherne, Julia Davis, Penelope Keith and Victoria Wood.

The industrys favourite male comedy character was crowned as Alan Partridge, followed by Fawlty Towers Basil Fawlty, David Brent of The Office, Del Boy of Only Fools and Horses and The Young Ones Rick. The Absolutely Fabulous duo Patsy Stone and Edina Monsoon came out first and second respectively for comics favourite female roles, followed by Denise from The Royle Family and Father Teds Mrs Doyle.

Comedy critic Bruce Dessau, who compiled the audit of comedians, said, We are well-known across the world for our British sense of humour, which is shown at its best in many of our best-loved and timeless comedy classics. The art of comedy is almost impossible to define, but many of these characters, lines and sitcoms are bri

LINK:	https://corporate.uktv.co.uk/news/article/fawlty-towers-named-comedian...
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