One of the funniest performers of all time, just sheer chaos personified. And the balls on him to do a stand-up bit where he shouts angrily at anyone who laughs at his jokes. Can't even fathom what a gamble that is for a comedian. You have to be *so good* to be this hostile towards your audience and have them love it.
Was thinking this myself! Plus, the whole skit only takes off if Rik gets that momentum from the audience, which is such a risk especially with a more artsy performance. He was in a league of his own. Stewart Lee as well, since he does this too.
This house will become a shrine, and punks and skins and rastas will all gather round and hold their hands in sorrow for their fallen leader. And all the grown-ups will say: "But why are the kids crying?" And the kids will say: "Haven't you heard? Rik is dead! The People's Poet is dead!"
I am 50 years old and I followed Rik's career from start to finish. Rik was one of the funniest people I have ever seen on television. A total legend. Rest in peace Rik.
That black and white film in which he played the angry guy who painted the lawn black before a party, and threw that other guy's bongos out the window was funny. I forget the name of the show.
@@00RockyAngel00 Curious now as I can't remember any b/w movie including Rik! What else do you remember? At the moment it doesn't really make sense, but would be fantastic to discover anything new!❤❤❤
@@sundaypeople5791 Wasn't a movie, more like a short film, and it was on that show that was on after "The Young Ones" sometimes. Every time, it was a different Rik Mayall/Adrian Edmonson thing. One time it was the Bad News documentary. another time a film was set in a roadside diner. Nigel Planer played a drunk scam artist who was travelling with some women, and Adrian Edmonson played an escaped convict character who said "Trouble" when someone asked him his sign, and Nigel started calling him that. In this B&W film Rik played the character I described, Nigel, in glasses, a suit & tie, and either a blonde or white wig or his hair dyed, played somebody's agent. When someone asked him what he did for So-and-so (don't remember the name), he said "As little as possible."
Mattie Mclean I bet he had a lot more left to give, a lot more great jokes left in him. He actually died midway through one of my favourite comedy series, Man Down, and it just wasn’t the same without him In the rest of it.
"Neil! Your bedrooms is on fire"... My name is Neil and this quote has followed me all of my freaking life!! (and I don't mind one bit) R.I.P the Young One...
Rik Mayall was so unique and original, people forget just how different this style was to what was going on at the time, not only was his work fantastic, but he inspired so many other writers and comedians. The legends lives on!
Drop Dead Fred was my favorite childhood movie. I just watched it with my 12 year old. He loved it too. I looked up who Drop Dead Fred was because I always loved him so much and found Rik. Sad to hear he passed two years ago. Sorry I never knew more of him until now. He certainly impacted my life. I wanted to have him DDF in my life when I was young. Traumatic childhood and all that. He was a treasure.
I don't know if you ever caught his series later in his career Alan Bastard but it was a great parody of a British politicians arrogance, superiority,sexism etc .
When I answer everything with "Ask Vanessa Regrave" and do it for so many years I forget where I got it from and googled "I don't know, ask Vanessa Redgrave"
If all people remember him for was the slaptick roles, then that's fine but he was so much more than that. Astonishingly intelligent fellow and warm as hell!
Absolute comedy genius. And also one of the best "straight" actors of his generation from the UK. When Rik and Ade got together on a stage, or even in an interview, you were guaranteed absolute comedy gold. One of the extremely rare instances that I actually had tears in my eyes when I heard of a celebrity dying. In fact it only ever happened to me once other than with Rik, and that was with Steve Irwin, the naturalist, who was just a bloody great bloke, a fantastic educational documentary host, and a whole lot of fun to watch. I imagine the next time I tear up at the death of a celebrity it will either be Ade Edmonson or Billy Connolly.
I heard the line “ near ta the theatre” when it originally aired in the 80’s. It stayed with all this time. I don’t think a week went by without me saying it to myself.
This hits a little too close to home as someone just starting out writing. He hits it spot on, and I think every person who thinks of themselves to be a poet should watch this, either to get a good laugh or to laugh at themselves, or most likely both.
I don't know if it's this recording, but I do know he once brought this routine, not at a comedy night, but a poetry night. Still had the crowd in stitches.
this is hysterically funny every single time I watch it. His timing is PERFECT :.) His facial expressions are great too. He was a very clever guy apparently.
In this video Rik is very cute and his eyes are so beatuiful! He's one of the best comedians ever! He almost makes me proud to be English! Thanks for posting this! It's cracked me up!
I saw Wik and Ben Elton at the Roundhouse uni Theatre in Sydney in the late eighties, they were brilliant, sheer full on crazy diamond energy and wit and utterly pissy pants funny. Mayall was a genius basically. And Ben's not far behind. x
After all these years and I don't know how many times watching this video, I still laugh so hard my abs hurt whenever I watch it. Absolutely timeless and never gets old. A true comic genius.
Rik can't have gone! I just can't have it! He was going to do a version of Debaser by The Pixies with me when I got around to it....! If ever there is a ghost thing going on Rik must come back and cause proper poltergoost havoc! Way way too soon. RIP Rik. Forever loved by me and all my mates in the pub who owe you so much the proper hearty laughter you've given us. Love you man.x
That was awesome, a lot of comics you see their earlier work when they haven't got all their gear together and its a bit sad but this was genius, it was confident and skillful, I loved it.
Rik is awesome, I have a lot of his shows he did with Edmundson on DVD like Young Ones and Filthy Rich & CatFlap. I saw him perform when i went to London once, a cherished memory!
The bastard left us to deal with Covid all alone. We need your genius for acting/entertainment and your human qualities. Utter bastard! RIP Rik, you are indeed missed...
I'm french and i would say that this man is the symbol of english's sense of humour. What a pleasure everytime i can see thing like this! Young ones, Allo allo... I wish Frenchies could do the same :-) He's the only one that can say "shut up" this way! Please, send more videos of him!
5 years ago today. Yeah i am shedding a tear today for the loss of my comedy hero! I miss you so much and so glad that i got to see you live. R.I.P Rik
I've got a great "Comic Strip Presents" cassette of this 'sketch', in which Rik is slightly less intense - he's more geeky, anticipating The Young Ones' version of Rik, but no less funny. A drunken heckler interrupts his performance, only for Rik to invite him to read his 'poetry'. Eventually, Alexei Sayle comes to Rik's rescue, telling the heckler to sit down so his chair can be "plugged in". Classic stuff.
