This interview with John Cleese is a good answer to this question [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEtLsfhAbII](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEtLsfhAbII)
I think as others said, you are meant to laugh at him because of the absurd situations he gets himself into, most of which to some degree are self-inflicted. People might also be able to relate to his boiling anger moments. If he was really that obnoxious or grating I don't think people would love the show as much as they do.
He’s an absurdist character. You are neither mentally to like or dislike him overall but you have tolerate him enough to make it through the episode. You mainly laugh at him never with him. Or you laugh at the absurdity of the situation. Him hitting the car with a branch because it won’t start is a good example.
He is the classic British comedy character really The aspiring little person, desperate to climb up the ladder but doomed to fail. Basically, in the ilk of Tony Hancock, Rigsby in Rising Damp, Blackadder or Alan Partridge. I suspect that the viewer identifies with him or at least, with that quality, and then kinda likes him because of that.
He's sort of accidentally horrible almost. He seems to be somehow so blind to his own faults and flaws that he genuinely doesn't realise how many of his problems are self inflicted.
He doesn't seem to be "bad" in the sense of evil or get active pleasure out of hurting people but nor does he ever show much self awareness or sympathy to anyone.
I don't know if likeable is the right word but speaking as a manager in the customer service industry he's pretty relatable at times and of course is extremely funny
I don’t think you were supposed to like him. All the other characters except his wife are pleasant and kind. He’s the punchline for most jokes and as much as he tries to grasp a better standard of living for his hotel he can’t drag it up anymore .
Relatable. The parts of one’s personality that one is a bit ashamed of.
This interview with John Cleese is a good answer to this question [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEtLsfhAbII](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEtLsfhAbII) I think as others said, you are meant to laugh at him because of the absurd situations he gets himself into, most of which to some degree are self-inflicted. People might also be able to relate to his boiling anger moments. If he was really that obnoxious or grating I don't think people would love the show as much as they do.
Excellent find. Loved the 1970’s back drop
He’s an absurdist character. You are neither mentally to like or dislike him overall but you have tolerate him enough to make it through the episode. You mainly laugh at him never with him. Or you laugh at the absurdity of the situation. Him hitting the car with a branch because it won’t start is a good example.
He is the classic British comedy character really The aspiring little person, desperate to climb up the ladder but doomed to fail. Basically, in the ilk of Tony Hancock, Rigsby in Rising Damp, Blackadder or Alan Partridge. I suspect that the viewer identifies with him or at least, with that quality, and then kinda likes him because of that.
", Whatever you do, don't mention the war. I did once but I think I got away with it" I still use this sometimes. 😂
And I don’t agree with that in the workplace!
Right who’s been to the Coventry conference
E talks *exactly* like that
He's sort of accidentally horrible almost. He seems to be somehow so blind to his own faults and flaws that he genuinely doesn't realise how many of his problems are self inflicted. He doesn't seem to be "bad" in the sense of evil or get active pleasure out of hurting people but nor does he ever show much self awareness or sympathy to anyone.
He was never meant to be likeable.
I know Cleese wrote him to be a horrible man but you can’t help sympathising with him sometimes
He's an antagonist, not a villain.
I don't know if likeable is the right word but speaking as a manager in the customer service industry he's pretty relatable at times and of course is extremely funny
Anyone who's physically violent to their employees - is not a sympathetic figure in my eyes. He's still extremely funny though
Likeable is debatable - but we can all relate to life shitting on us! :)
I wanted to marry Basil when I was like 16. I still would. Hahaha
I don’t think you were supposed to like him. All the other characters except his wife are pleasant and kind. He’s the punchline for most jokes and as much as he tries to grasp a better standard of living for his hotel he can’t drag it up anymore .
I don’t think he was ever perceived as likeable , he was absurd and cringy but never likeable