Basil and Sybil are planning to spend some time away from the hotel. A builder named Stubbs is due to carry out some work on the foyer, or so Sybil believes. Basil has in fact hired the cheaper O'Reilly ( David Kelly ). Big mistake. Polly delegates responsibility to Manuel while she has a nap. Another big mistake.
On his return, Basil finds that doors have been placed in the wrong places, and a wall now blocks the dining room entrance. He begins to panic...
John Cleese has gone on record as saying this is one of the 'weaker' episodes of the series. I like it myself. Basil's horror at the thought of his wife catching him out in a lie is palpable indeed. David Kelly, who was the one-armed dish washer 'Albert Riddle' in 'Robin's Nest' and 'Abdab' in 'Whoops Apocalypse' is very funny as the incompetent O'Reilly. He played another cowboy builder some years later in the I.T.V. sitcom entitled, appropriately enough, 'Cowboys'.
Funniest moment - Polly points out that it was Basil who hired O'Reilly. He punishes himself by repeatedly smacking his own bottom.
Second funniest moment - O'Reilly saying to Sybil: "I like a woman with spirit. I do! I do!". She is not in the least bit flattered. Picking up a big umbrella, she proceeds to whack him with it.
On his return, Basil finds that doors have been placed in the wrong places, and a wall now blocks the dining room entrance. He begins to panic...
John Cleese has gone on record as saying this is one of the 'weaker' episodes of the series. I like it myself. Basil's horror at the thought of his wife catching him out in a lie is palpable indeed. David Kelly, who was the one-armed dish washer 'Albert Riddle' in 'Robin's Nest' and 'Abdab' in 'Whoops Apocalypse' is very funny as the incompetent O'Reilly. He played another cowboy builder some years later in the I.T.V. sitcom entitled, appropriately enough, 'Cowboys'.
Funniest moment - Polly points out that it was Basil who hired O'Reilly. He punishes himself by repeatedly smacking his own bottom.
Second funniest moment - O'Reilly saying to Sybil: "I like a woman with spirit. I do! I do!". She is not in the least bit flattered. Picking up a big umbrella, she proceeds to whack him with it.