In “Waldorf Salad,” the demanding American guest’s surname is Hamilton. Mr Hamilton arrives at Fawlty Towers with his wife and immediately complains about British service, food and hotel standards.
The episode is the third instalment of Fawlty Towers’ second series and was first broadcast on BBC2 on 5 March 1979. Mr Hamilton asks Basil to keep the kitchen open after normal hours and orders items Basil is not prepared to provide, including a Waldorf salad and rare steaks.
The character’s surname is sometimes confused with the names of other guests in the episode. Norman Bird plays Mr Arrad, Terence Conoley plays Mr Johnston, and Anthony Dawes plays Mr Libson. Those names belong to separate supporting characters, not the central American customer.
The comedy turns on cultural and conversational differences. Mr Hamilton complains directly and forcefully, while the English guests are more restrained. Basil’s attempt to fake a chef’s presence collapses when Mr Hamilton follows him into the kitchen and discovers the deception.