 The pilot episode was due to replace the last episode of  _"Fawlty Towers" (1975)_ (qv) in the schedules ("Basil the Rat",  which was postponed due to a BBC strike). John Cleese (qv) filmed  a short skit to open the pilot, explaining why he hadnt produced a  show that week. Although the pilot was then canceled, the sketch was  used during the first full series of Not the Nine OClock News, the  week after "Basil the Rat" was finally broadcast.