Ad of the Day: John Cleese Resurrects Basil Fawlty for First Time Ever in Specsavers Ad

He credits the writers for getting the character just right

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John Cleese has brought back his iconic Basil Fawlty character for the first time on screen since Fawlty Towers ended in 1979—in a British commercial for optical retail chain Specsavers.

Cleese helped to write the script, which references this famous Fawlty Towers scene (though don't click if you'd prefer the joke not be spoiled).

It's not too surprising that Cleese would allow the character to be used for a commercial. The 76-year-old Monty Python alum has done plenty of ads in recent years, and even did a "Faulty Showers" spot via McCann for AA's Home Emergency Response service in England.

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