How much other TV comedies could/should have learn from Fawlty Towers – it was like a blue print for great comedy, sadly a blue print that most have chosen to ignore. 1) Keep it short and quit whilst ahead. 12 episodes and that’s your lot. 2) No catch phrases. 3) Simple setting. 4) Every character works. 5) Perfect use of the great English comedy grotesque. The Office and Partridge worked this out and achieved almost the same levels of comedy gold, but they are in the minority. This Fawlty Towers inspired T-shirt draws from the brilliant Builders episode. Complete with Oraley Men and “You are a hideous orang-utan”.