'The Young Ones' polarised audiences when it first appeared in 1982, if you were over thirty you regarded it, as Malcolm Allison did, 'utter rubbish', but if you were under thirty you loved it! I have to admit I was not an immediate fan, but took to it after several viewings.
'The Young Ones' was all about four students - hippie Neil, punk Vyvian, wide boy Mike, and hyperactive Rik, who never seemed to do any studying. They lived in a house where incredibly surreal things happened, such as the furniture talking to itself, or atom bombs dropping through the roof. The characters weren't likable, but then they weren't meant to be. Alexei Sayle cropped up from time to time as their landlord, Mr.Balowski. The humour was aggressive, violent, and very rude, more so than any show had been before.
My favourite gag was when Vyvian leaned out of a moving train, only to be instantly decapitated. We then saw his headless body pull the communication cord, get out, and run up the track! Some aspects have undeniably dated; for instance, a 'Dallas' spoof contained the credit: VITRIOL CONSULTANT - MISS NINA COW. This was a dig at the television critic Nina Myskow, who was one of 'Dallas' most vocal supporters. The 'tampon' gag in an early episode caused a sensation. Full credit for this show must not only go to the performers, but also to writers Rik Mayall, Lise Mayer ( whatever happened to her? ) and Ben Elton ( who appeared occasionally ). It is difficult to think of another comedy show that captured the spirit of the '80's so successfully.
'The Young Ones' was all about four students - hippie Neil, punk Vyvian, wide boy Mike, and hyperactive Rik, who never seemed to do any studying. They lived in a house where incredibly surreal things happened, such as the furniture talking to itself, or atom bombs dropping through the roof. The characters weren't likable, but then they weren't meant to be. Alexei Sayle cropped up from time to time as their landlord, Mr.Balowski. The humour was aggressive, violent, and very rude, more so than any show had been before.
My favourite gag was when Vyvian leaned out of a moving train, only to be instantly decapitated. We then saw his headless body pull the communication cord, get out, and run up the track! Some aspects have undeniably dated; for instance, a 'Dallas' spoof contained the credit: VITRIOL CONSULTANT - MISS NINA COW. This was a dig at the television critic Nina Myskow, who was one of 'Dallas' most vocal supporters. The 'tampon' gag in an early episode caused a sensation. Full credit for this show must not only go to the performers, but also to writers Rik Mayall, Lise Mayer ( whatever happened to her? ) and Ben Elton ( who appeared occasionally ). It is difficult to think of another comedy show that captured the spirit of the '80's so successfully.