Original artwork, not a still
Can't we get you on Mastermind, Sybil? Next contestant, Sybil Fawlty from Torquay, special subject: the bleedin' obvious!
— Fawlty Towers ‧ 1975
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
Basil dresses irritation up as a quiz-show introduction. Giving the obvious a specialist subject makes Sybil’s practical comment sound like a grand intellectual achievement. His elaborate sarcasm also takes more effort than simply dealing with the problem she has pointed out.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for Fawlty TowersShow the scene
In “Basil the Rat” (series 2, episode 6), the hotel is trying to deal with Manuel’s pet rat while a health inspection threatens disaster. Sybil points out that removing the rat is no use if it can get back inside. Basil answers by imagining her as a contestant on Mastermind, with an insult in place of the usual specialist subject.
Sources (2)
- Fawlty Towers — Basil the Rat transcriptBasil the Rat; Basil the Rat, series 2 episode 6; the kitchen office, after Sybil states the obvious about the ratReference checked
- Fawlty Towers — independent written referenceBasil the Rat; Basil the Rat, series 2 episode 6; the kitchen office, after Sybil states the obvious about the ratReference checked
Context reviewed
