Basil Fawlty vs Frasier Crane

Basil Fawlty vs Frasier Crane is a What If? Death Battle.

Description
Two classic comedies, Frasier and Fawlty Towers. One an enduring, 11-series staple of U.S. primetime, and the other a 12-episode gamechanger from the U.K. But which titular character will win in a battle to the end?

Interlude
Wiz: Whilst Fawlty Towers is considered a classic, witty, British sitcom, Frasier is often praised as the U.S.'s strongest effort in terms of channeling that same sort of sophistication and dry humour.

Boomstick: And neither show would be complete without their high-strung, intellectual protagonists.

Wiz: Right you are. The audiences of both nations really took both of these characters to heart because of their eccentric, overzealous behaviour.

'''Boomstick: But that doesn't mean we can't be curious enough to pit Basil and Frasier against each other in combat. Right?'''

Wiz: I hope not, because that's exactly what we're going to do. It's time to examine their weapons, armour and skills as we decide once and for all, who would win in a death battle!

Basil Fawlty
Boomstick: You'd think owning a small hotel in coastal England would be a relaxing job.

Wiz: You'd think so. But more often that not, Basil Fawlty downright hates having to manage Fawlty Towers. The guests, the staff, the building itself. He can't see to get along with any of it.

'''Boomstick: Why does he put up with it? Surely you'd have to either go crazy or retire.'''

Wiz: Basil may has gone with former on that one. He's prone to outbursts of intense anger, and really doesn't hold back when he feels that someone has crossed a line with him. Often the unlucky recipient of these displays is the hotel's Spanish porter, Manuel.

'''Boomstick: The poor, little guy can't understand Basil. It's not his fault.'''

Wiz: Yes. But Basil isn't taking the language barrier as excuse. Once he even lifted Manuel off the ground and shook him in frustration.

Boomstick: That's not a crazy feat of strength considering the size difference.

Wiz: Basil appears to be more than willing to pick on someone smaller than him. With Manuel standing at just 5'4 and Basil towering him at 6ft 5, it wasn't too surprising how easily he could pick him up like that.

'''Boomstick: That's a pretty big frame. Basil looks a little skinny however. What was it his wife called him?'''

Wiz: An "aging, brilliantined, stick-insect", I believe was Sybil's choice of words. I suppose he is quite long-limbed and gangly that way.

'''Boomstick: So we know he's pretty tall and sees the red mist descend at any minor annoyance. But what has he got in terms of being a fighter?'''

Wiz: Well, he did fight in the Korean War. He even claims to have killed four men.

'''Boomstick: Killed four men? Four of his own or four of theirs?'''

Wiz: That very question was a joke in the series. The circumstances of these kills aren't elaborated on, and they aren't confirmed by anyone else. But Basil is seen wearing military ties from time to time, so it would add merit to the idea that he served. He also appears to have a shrapnel injury to his leg that hampers movement sometimes.

Boomstick: Oh, so that's what that limp is.

Wiz: Yes. Although it does seem to flare up only at moments of his choosing. So the injury may be entirely fake.

'''Boomstick: It sounds possible. He seems pretty resilient to me. Didn't he fall off a ladder from the second storey and walk it off?'''

Wiz: He absolutely did. Whilst he may have been fortunate in his landing, and it was onto grass, rather than a harder surface, his slightly surreal nature does come with a small dose of toon factor that protects him from injuries to a respectable degree. Oh, and there is one more thing... and it may come in handy today...

Boomstick: What's that, Wiz?

Wiz: He hates psychiatrists.