Hire the cheapest contractor, and (usually) get even less than what you hoped for. Basil and Sybil decide to block off a couple doors and put in a couple new doors instead - the notoriously bad construction company in town, run by airhead Mr. O'Reilly, is hired by Basil because they work for cheap. All hell breaks loose when the Fawltys go away for the weekend, during which time O'Reilly's men do great damage to the hotel lobby. The incomparable (and always underweight!) David Kelly does splendidly as unscrupulous O'Reilly, who has about as much knowledge of construction as a garden gnome. This episode shows Sybil at her most caustic, "nest of vipers" self - Basil and O'Reilly don't stand a chance against her when she catches a glimpse of the remodel. John Cleese has stated that this episode is probably the weakest of the series - but there really is no weakness. The situation itself was perhaps not one that would evoke much comedy, but it has its great moments, such as the bit where Manuel gets attacked by Basil when he can't figure out how to get into the dining room because the door is missing...then, as usual, the Major comes in and puts the icing on the situation, wondering what's going on. BASIL: "Well, I was silly enough to leave the hotel for a few minutes."
10 Reviews
The builders are in, David Kelly makes a memorable performance.
Sleepin_Dragon14 January 2019
I always thought this was a great episode for fans of Manuel, Sachs is super funny, thrown to the wolves by Basil as he battles with O'Reilly's hapless team of builders.
David Kelly is terrific as the useless O'Reilly, but it's the annoyance and frustration that Sybil feels towards her husband for trying to get the job done on the cheap. I love how utterly zany Miss Gatsby and Miss Tibbs were. Best scene must be Sybil battering Basil and O'Reilly with her umbrella.
It's not my favourite, but along with the first episode, it helps to cement Fawlty Towers place as the ultimate comedy.
David Kelly is terrific as the useless O'Reilly, but it's the annoyance and frustration that Sybil feels towards her husband for trying to get the job done on the cheap. I love how utterly zany Miss Gatsby and Miss Tibbs were. Best scene must be Sybil battering Basil and O'Reilly with her umbrella.
It's not my favourite, but along with the first episode, it helps to cement Fawlty Towers place as the ultimate comedy.
A Change Of Pace
Theo Robertson11 July 2013
After deconstructing the British class system in the opening episode of the show Cleese and Booth now aim their sites towards another taboo of British culture - Irish builders . Of course it's something of a stereotype and there's not much truth in it but no one can ever put their hand on their heart and say they have never heard of someone getting a knock on their door to be met by two chirpy Irishmen saying " Tarmac your drive sir " only to regret it at a later date
This is a slight change of pace from the opening episode where Basil and his wife were centre stage . Here the characters of Polly and Manuel are left to carry much of the episode though it's probably one of the lesser ones . Much of this lies in the premise of having some cheap and dodgy Irish builders building an internal wall with the premise not allowing much of a situation beyond . That said there are some genuinely funny moments involving cruelty to Manuel and FAWLTY TOWERS is so brilliant even a substandard episode is funnier than anything you'll see on television produced today so The Builders isn't a dead loss
This is a slight change of pace from the opening episode where Basil and his wife were centre stage . Here the characters of Polly and Manuel are left to carry much of the episode though it's probably one of the lesser ones . Much of this lies in the premise of having some cheap and dodgy Irish builders building an internal wall with the premise not allowing much of a situation beyond . That said there are some genuinely funny moments involving cruelty to Manuel and FAWLTY TOWERS is so brilliant even a substandard episode is funnier than anything you'll see on television produced today so The Builders isn't a dead loss
"You are Orelly men?"
ShadeGrenade8 January 2010
Warning: Spoilers
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.
Builds on the first episode.
BA_Harrison6 December 2017
Having established the characters in the opening episode, The Builders sees John Cleese and company in riotous full swing, their impeccable situation comedy resulting in a barrage of non-stop laughs.
This time around, Basil is tasked with arranging some building work on the hotel while he and his wife Sybil are away for a couple of days. Rather than hire a reliable builder, as Sybil suggests, Basil goes for the cheaper option, cowboy outfit O'Reilly's. The results are, unsurprisingly, far from perfect, and when Basil comes home to check on the work, he slips into panic mode, afraid of what his wife will say.
Priceless moments abound, with a hilarious pair of dotty old women who inexplicably adore Basil, and hapless Manuel left in charge of the hotel while the far more capable Polly takes a nap. But the best moments are, of course, all Basil's, John Cleese performing some wonderful histrionics guaranteed to entertain.
Best line: 'Cloth-eared bint'.
This time around, Basil is tasked with arranging some building work on the hotel while he and his wife Sybil are away for a couple of days. Rather than hire a reliable builder, as Sybil suggests, Basil goes for the cheaper option, cowboy outfit O'Reilly's. The results are, unsurprisingly, far from perfect, and when Basil comes home to check on the work, he slips into panic mode, afraid of what his wife will say.
Priceless moments abound, with a hilarious pair of dotty old women who inexplicably adore Basil, and hapless Manuel left in charge of the hotel while the far more capable Polly takes a nap. But the best moments are, of course, all Basil's, John Cleese performing some wonderful histrionics guaranteed to entertain.
Best line: 'Cloth-eared bint'.
Ha hav
bevo-136789 April 2020
Builders and busters
MarkLynnIreland12947 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This episode of Fawlty Towers was worth watching - I don't know when I first watched this as some part I didn't like which I'll get to later yet understood up to now.
So, as Basil and Sybil are on a weekend break, Polly is left in charge of the hotel and the place under renovations which Basil hired Mr. O'Reilly (lazy builder who mentioned in first episode) whilst Sybil expects Stubbs who's more qualified yet expensive.
In terms of trivia, she get the two elderly ladies Basil meets in dining room.
This has many hilarious moments even most of them from Manuel like when the delivery man ("Where's the real boss, the generalissimo?" "In Madrid"). And when Basil sees the building work all wrong he spanks himself and tells Polly "You go see if roof's still on" Only when Sybil finds out what Basil did in hiring O'Reilly and pathetically covers up blaming Stubbs, I didn't like she loses it with yelling, slapping and throwing cash box at Basil and attacking him and O'Reilly with umbrella (some consider it funny).
RIP to Irish actor David Kelly as the incompetent builder O'Reilly - also seen him as Grandpa Joe in Tim Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory movie.
So, as Basil and Sybil are on a weekend break, Polly is left in charge of the hotel and the place under renovations which Basil hired Mr. O'Reilly (lazy builder who mentioned in first episode) whilst Sybil expects Stubbs who's more qualified yet expensive.
In terms of trivia, she get the two elderly ladies Basil meets in dining room.
This has many hilarious moments even most of them from Manuel like when the delivery man ("Where's the real boss, the generalissimo?" "In Madrid"). And when Basil sees the building work all wrong he spanks himself and tells Polly "You go see if roof's still on" Only when Sybil finds out what Basil did in hiring O'Reilly and pathetically covers up blaming Stubbs, I didn't like she loses it with yelling, slapping and throwing cash box at Basil and attacking him and O'Reilly with umbrella (some consider it funny).
RIP to Irish actor David Kelly as the incompetent builder O'Reilly - also seen him as Grandpa Joe in Tim Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory movie.
Too early.
tcamyuntoldartist6 March 2023
My main criticism of this particular episode is that is has been placed way too early in the life of the series. We haven't had nearly enough time to get sufficiently accustomed to the hotel's interior structure, and one of the primary scenes wants us - alongside Basil - to be deeply shocked by how there is now a door at the stairway, and a door still being present next to the reception area. Also saddens me to bits but i have to say this is a weaker Manuel presence compared to anything else in any other episodes. It is just chuck full of those if you love the series, lovable but not very well landing scenes and bits to it. The drawing is of Mr. Fawlty huh, well would have been great to actually see it. The overall acting is not yet very defined, the two permanent old lady guests give the kiddiest acts, Basil is a bit raw at certain places. But the main Irish builder guy is a stand-out performance, and while Sybil is obviously afraid to hit hard enough is great at the end. Overall thee least great episode, definitely not the one to initiate someone to Fawlty Towers, you will ruin the show for someone if you do that.
Another solid half hour of Fawlty
snoozejonc22 October 2020
Basil hires some cheap builders who do a botch job.
What impresses me the most about this episode is that 99% of it takes place in the hotel reception area and it still manages to keep me 100% entertained for the duration.
It depicts Basil's relationship with Cybil brilliantly. He gives the usual witty one-liners at her expense but then reveals how utterly terrified he is of incurring her wrath at the same time.
Andrew Sachs carries the show for quite a bit of time whilst Basil is out of the hotel and Manuel takes charge of a number of situations that end in disaster. Sachs shows how funny he can be without sharing the stage with John Cleese.
There is some racial stereotyping here that would not see the light of day in modern comedy writing, but allowing for the time period it was written and how the biggest buffoon depicted as always is Basil, I think it is relatively harmless.
What impresses me the most about this episode is that 99% of it takes place in the hotel reception area and it still manages to keep me 100% entertained for the duration.
It depicts Basil's relationship with Cybil brilliantly. He gives the usual witty one-liners at her expense but then reveals how utterly terrified he is of incurring her wrath at the same time.
Andrew Sachs carries the show for quite a bit of time whilst Basil is out of the hotel and Manuel takes charge of a number of situations that end in disaster. Sachs shows how funny he can be without sharing the stage with John Cleese.
There is some racial stereotyping here that would not see the light of day in modern comedy writing, but allowing for the time period it was written and how the biggest buffoon depicted as always is Basil, I think it is relatively harmless.
The Builders
bobcobb30118 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
It is so easy to see why this show became such a cult classic and such a beloved series because so many of the lines still hold up to this day. Basil interacting with the guests is timeless and stacks up with the leads of just about any British sitcom that exists.
But the pace of the show can be a bit concerning at times as we saw here. It feels like there is not enough story and it might be best to have a few different issues going on with the guests and not just one, but what do I know? The show is such easy viewing and I feel like it is the kind of program almost anyone in the world could enjoy.
But the pace of the show can be a bit concerning at times as we saw here. It feels like there is not enough story and it might be best to have a few different issues going on with the guests and not just one, but what do I know? The show is such easy viewing and I feel like it is the kind of program almost anyone in the world could enjoy.
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