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UNCOVERED: 2 | History Defined

Fawlty Towers actor Prunella Scales dies aged 93

Actor portrayed Sybil Fawlty and later charmed viewers with her canal boat journeys alongside husband Timothy West

The Guardian - UK

Prunella Scales death: Fawlty Towers actor dies aged 93

Actor was best known for playing the bossy wife to John Cleese’s eccentric hotelier Basil Fawlty in the acclaimed BBC sitcom

The Independent UK

Prunella Scales will forever be known as the long-suffering wife of Basil Fawlty

Although she was regularly cast in comic roles, her abilities ranged far more widely than that – she even appeared in opera.

Evening Standard

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‘I said goodbye to Heath Ledger at this urinal’: a stroll round Terry Gilliam’s pivotal places

The studio where he crashed the Life of Brian spaceship, the stage where he put on a Faust that caused fights, the pub where he last spoke to Heath Ledger … the ex-Python takes a hilarious and evocative meander down memory lane

The Guardian - UK

‘Verging on unwatchable’: Guardian writers on their most stressful movies

With the US release of Rose Byrne’s anxiety-inducing motherhood spiral If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, writers relive their most uncomfortable movie watches

The Guardian - US

Win £100 worth of tickets to Henley Literary Festival with the Independent Culture newsletter

Here’s your chance to win one of four £100 ticket bundles to the Henley Literary Festival, the UK’s celebrated event for authors, talks and cultural highlights

The Independent UK

Eric Idle at the Royal Albert Hall review: still finding life's bright side

This veteran comedian’s set brought together Monty Python memories, stories of Elvis Presley and the Masked Singer

Evening Standard

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Who are the worst mothers in literature? Our experts weigh in

The first sentence of Anna Karenina is now a literary cliche, yet contains a nub of truth. “All happy families,” writes Leo Tolstoy, “resemble one another, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”

The Conversation

Piers Morgan brands John Cleese ‘hypocrite’ in angry clash over Jimmy Kimmel

Morgan clashed with the ‘Fawlty Towers’ comedian online

The Independent UK

‘A perfectly calibrated Swiss watch of cringe’: why Fawlty Towers remains the greatest ever sitcom, 50 years on

It’s the 50th anniversary of the comedy that’s so foundational for TV as a medium, it’s the Beatles for the small screen. Five decades later, John Cleese and Connie Booth’s show is still unmatched

The Guardian - UK

Torquay hoteliers on 50 years of Fawlty Towers, and why Basil wouldn’t survive in world of online reviews

Decades after the BBC sitcom first aired, B&Bs in the Devon resort only occasionally lean into their association with the show

The Guardian - UK

50 years since Fawlty Towers was first aired on TV

Despite the show’s huge success, co-writer John Cleese said he did not want to write a third series in case it was not as good as the others.

Evening Standard

How to watch 'Fawlty Towers: The Play' online from anywhere

Priceless iconic comedy makes transition from screen to stage and back to screen. Here's how to watch "Fawlty Towers: The Play" online, on TV and from anywhere in the world.

Tom’s Guide

John Cleese calls BBC comedy executives ‘clowns’ after frustrating meeting

Actor said bosses were ‘stupid’ for being too concerned with causing offence

The Independent UK

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Evening Standard

John Cleese rages that British people ‘deserve better than the BBC’ as he slams comedy bosses

The Monty Python and Fawlty Towers star claimed that the broadcaster has not commissioned anything truly funny in years

Evening Standard

‘Held at gunpoint’: Michael Palin says Monty Python sketch saved him from terrifying Venezuelan ordeal

The Monty Python legend, 82, revealed he and his crew were held by armed guards

The Independent UK

Miriam Margolyes says she’s never forgiven ‘bitter old man’ John Cleese for university ‘pain’

Miriam Margolyes says she has never forgiven "bitter old man" John Cleese for the "pain" she experienced while at university.

The Guardian - UK

The best theatre to stream this month: Basil’s back as Fawlty Towers reopens for business

John Cleese’s stage version of his beloved sitcom, a cast recording of Cornish musical The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Robert Wilson’s production of Handel’s Messiah are among September’s highlights

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Evening Standard

John Cleese confirms Fawlty Towers sequel stage play with classic episodes including Basil the Rat

The 85-year-old comedy legend brought the BBC classic back to life last year with Fawlty Towers: The Play

The Independent UK

Eric Idle explains why he ‘laughed’ after pancreatic cancer diagnosis

‘I thought it was very funny,’ the Monty Python comedian said

The Guardian - UK

Why did the irate bishop of Fulham evict the choir? Because vicars are human: we can go rogue

We prize humility, but people expect you to smile and turn the other cheek even when tired or provoked. It’s not easy maintaining the patience of Job, says vicar Ravi Holy

Evening Standard

Ronnie Wood urges people to look after wildlife before there is ‘nothing’ left

The campaign, titled the Tusk Turtle Trail, sees 16 life-sized street art installations positioned across central London.

The Independent UK

Eric Idle says he feels ‘lucky every single day’ after surviving cancer

Idle revealed in 2022 that he had received an early diagnosis and been successfully treated for the illness.

BANG Premier

Eric Idle blasts Monty Python co-stars

Eric Idle has blasted his Monty Python co-stars for being ungrateful for the millions they have made in royalty payments from the musical Spamalot.

BANG Premier

Eric Idle slams ungrateful Monty Python co-stars

Eric Idle has blasted his Monty Python co-stars for being "miserable and horrible and b****y" about royalty payments for Spamalot.

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