The second series of Fawlty Towers is far superior to the first. Much funnier, less 'sitcom-y', and Basil is more likeable. Gourmet Night and The Germans are the only episodes from the first series that are as good as series two.

Happy Birthday to sitcom bit part actor Mark Strong.

Carla Lane was born on this day in 1928. youtube.com/watch?v=mvgKlG…

Happy Birthday to Ballard Berkeley. Most famous for playing The Major in Fawlty Towers, but also a regular guest in sitcoms for decades. youtube.com/watch?v=40k2zu…

Hi-De-Hi to Ballard Berkeley.

Happy Birthday to the late Barbara Windsor. We really loved her in The Rag Trade. youtube.com/watch?v=BrFxtL…

The late Frank Finlay was born on this day in 1926. He appeared in the first series of Blackadder as the Witchsmeller Pursuivant. youtube.com/watch?v=8Py4Z_…

Happy Birthday to the late Edward Jewesbury.

Happy Birthday to Shobna Gulati. youtube.com/watch?v=qIVlje…

Happy Birthday to Pauline Melville. Also known as Vyvyan's mum, in The Young Ones.

Happy Birthday to one of our greatest actors, George Costigan.

Happy Birthday to Lucy Beaumont.

Happy Birthday to Duncan Preston. A fabulous performance in Dinnerladies, and we also spotted him in New Statesman. youtube.com/watch?v=qIVlje…

Happy Birthday to Ashley Jensen. youtube.com/watch?v=YQF75S…

Our sitcom Spotlight on Duncan Preston. youtube.com/watch?v=KNCYdl…