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Rob Rinder & Rylan Clark and Fawlty Towers' John Cleese are this week's cover stars
Love, sex, art, culture and death... Rob Rinder and Rylan Clark embark on the adventure of a lifetime on a grand tour of India.
Photographed exclusively for Radio Times by Adam Lawrence
- Alexia Skinitis
Published: Tuesday, 9 September 2025 at 12:01 am
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It took John Cleese and Connie Booth six weeks to write each episode of Fawlty Towers. Something that Cleese says, in this issue, would be impossible for scriptwriters today. "The financing of British comedy would never allow people to do what we did."
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And they haven't. Not really. With Fawlty Towers still topping polls for the best ever comedy 50 years on and the stage show selling out in the West End, there are very few comedies that have replicated its success.
Not that its success has paid off. "If you want to make money in British TV," Cleese concludes, "get rid of the writers and real acting skill."
Cue Rob Rinder and Rylan Clark, who talk about their grand tour of India. They proudly say there isn't a single scene in the series that is set up. No writers, no actors, but a comedy gem, nonetheless.
Viewers love their banter and companionship, so perhaps it's no wonder the BBC would rather spend its money on their airfares to Delhi. They won a Bafta after all. But will we be rewatching the series in 50 years' time?
At the time of going to press our editor, Shem Law, remains missing. The next clue to his whereabouts is inside this week's issue. We are starting to worry!
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Also in this week's Radio Times:
- The Walking Dead's Andrew Lincoln is back on British TV in a thriller where he's far from being a hero.
- Michael Palin is excited about his trip to Venezuela - and his ongoing friendship with John Cleese.
- Chris O'Dowd talks romcoms and regional identity - and why his dog is a Puffin.
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Authors
Alexia Skinitis
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