we used to laff our asses off watching Basil

There was nothing not funny about his Python sketches, but FT was cathartic rage comedy at its finest. No one rages funnier.

Do you remember the context?
Without internet cheating, I recall that chef got dead drunk, and Basil had to get take-out at a French restaurant, and OF COURSE, deliver it on time.

This may have been the time that Polly (his real-life wife) gave a solo concert to pass the time waiting for the food, awkwardly.

Loved that series.