Overview

• Speaking to Radio Times, the 85-year-old said British audiences "deserve better" and accused the broadcaster of being "too influenced by the nastiness of the extremely woke" and "cowardly about offence."
• He described a recent BBC Comedy meeting in which one executive left early and another was "one of the most stupid men I have ever met," adding they preferred a "Basil Fawlty on a ship" concept he called hopeless.
• He argued the corporation has not commissioned anything truly funny in years, declaring "there has been nothing funny since The Office."
• The BBC declined to comment on his remarks, and director of comedy Jon Petrie has previously defended recent output, citing audience hits such as Gavin & Stacey: The Finale, Ludwig and Amandaland.
• Cleese continues to develop Fawlty Towers on stage and announced a TV revival in 2023 with Castle Rock Entertainment, though no broadcast partner has been confirmed.