So… a 4th Series of Bottom is on the way…

[Danny Stephenson]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2012/hooligans-island.html

Next year it will be 18 years since Richard Richard “Richie Richard” Richard and Eddie Hitler last graced our television screens.

Long enough for a generation to be born, learn to walk and talk, grow up, go to school, nearly learn to read, leave school and register for job seekers’ allowance all without having experienced the wit and wisdom of two of comedy’s greatest characters.

All that is about to change as we find out what happened to two titans of comedy, Richie and Eddie. Are they still wandering round and round Hammersmith roundabout looking for a safe place to cross? Are they still living in one of the dirtiest and least hygienic flats uncondemned by Health and Safety? Are they still drinking neat furniture polish whilst hitting each other over the head with large metal objects, setting fire to each other’s private parts and other areas as they seek to impress gullible members of the opposite sex, and each other? Or are they down the pub?

No, they are abandoned, lost and shipwrecked on a tropical hell hole that is Hooligans’ Island, although they are still hitting each other over the head with large metal objects, still chasing women, (even though there are none on the island) and still waiting for that job seekers’ allowance cheque as they distil something quite like alcohol, only worse.

And they are back on BBC Two in 2013 for six new 30-minute episodes starring Rik Mayall and Ade Edmondson. Be afraid. Be very afraid. And a bit bilious.

Rik Mayall says: “How much am I getting paid? Are there any birds in it? And that horrific arse-brained Edmondson’s not in it again is he? Oh, God help me… no, no, alright then, I’ll do it. That useless, foul smelling waste of space and oxygen is really going to get it this time. This is the big one. Tell the audience to brace themselves.”

Ade Edmondson said: “It’s been a while since I last worked with that complete b****** Rik Mayall and I’m very much looking forward to bashing him about the head with various blunt objects. It’s the only language he understands.”

Commissioned by Janice Hadlow, Controller, BBC Two and Mark Freeland, Head of BBC In-House Comedy, Hooligans’ Island will be a BBC Comedy co-production with Phil McIntyre Television. It will be executive produced by Mark Freeland and produced by Jon Plowman.

I’m excited. I’m really excited!

Topic

[Alex]

I just hope so much that it’s more like Hooligan’s Island than the first half of Arse Odyssey. I really want to love this, I just have horrible memories of the second half of Wepons Grade Y-Fronts.

[Danny Stephenson]

This is what I thought about. I try to avoid the last 2 live shows.

I saw the movie in the cinema. I quite like it, but the pacing is horribly slow. Some awesome set pieces though…

[John Hoare]

Much like Dwarf, I think the comedy of Bottom can be very fragile, for want of a better word. Do it right, and it’s one of the best things ever. Do it wrong, and I find it virtually unwatchable.

All three series of Bottom are some of my favourite comedy ever, but yeah, the later live shows worry me. Plus, something died in me the day I saw Rik Mayall parading around as Hitler…

[Danny Stephenson]

Did Rik do that in the live shows?

[John Hoare]

Did Rik do that in the live shows?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2109380.stm

[Alex]

Yes, it was a great disappointment to discover he was a total right wing cunt. I had much the same wave of disappointment when I switched on BBC News late at night and found Bruce Dickinson from Iron Maiden discussing his right wing political views.

[Jimboid]

Ooooohhhhh dear. I remember going to see An Arse Oddity live and being disappointed that they were still on the island…apparently having had no original ideas since the previous live show 4 years earlier. Sure enough, it was a tedious grind of the same jokes on the same set.

Now here we are 12 years after that….and they’re still on the island.

This does not bode well.

[pfm]

> I just have horrible memories of the second half of Wepons Grade Y-Fronts.

Yeah…the first half was pretty good, I thought, but then it was like they decided they were just gonna stand and act like dicks for 50 minutes for the second. Yeah, you could stay standing and acting like dicks is their entire act…but, usually they’re dicks with at least some purpose and finesse…:P

Considering how much Mayall and Edmonson have criticised the BBC for not giving them the 4th series of Bottom it’s surprising to see this actually happen… but can we get a fuck yeah!! Can’t wait to see what madness they come up with!

[MANI506]

Love the BBC series and the first two live shows. No idea why it wasn’t funny any more.

[Danny Stephenson]

Hooligan’s Island was the last good thing they did really. Like I said I liked the film, as it’s sort of a different kind of Bottom, and i can accept that, but it just dragged its arse so much…

[Jimboid]

I don’t even remember Weapons Grade Y-Front…just checked the DVD cabinet and I do in fact have it and must have watched it…but have no memory of it.

Was it set on the island?

The first two live shows were brilliant, the best part of the third were the apparent fuck ups…though disappointed to subsequently discover that these were all pre-rehearsed and not as off the cuff as they appeared. Not great when you have to stage gaffes to subsidise the gags.

[Mr-Stabby]

I always preferred the series to the live shows because in the live shows, the plot was so thin it was almost non-existant. In the last couple of live shows, it WAS non-existant as far as i recall. The last one especially. In fact i was rather embarrassed by the last one because it rehashed not only old gags from Bottom and other Bottom Lives, but they also went into some routine about becoming their characters from The Young Ones which i just found embarrassing.

The series (and the film) always had the funny innuendos and hitting each other in funny ways routines, but also had at least a minimal plot to get the show moving. That’s why i loved it.

Though i’m not sure what milage they can get out of ‘Hooligans Island’. They HAVE to have other people on it, otherwise what could they do?

[Carlito]

I went to see Weapons Grade Y-Fronts in Cardiff C.I.A. and literally fell asleep. Saying that, the only other show I ever saw in the C.I.A. was Ricky Gervais ‘Fame’ and I think I fell asleep in that too. Something about that damn C.I.A.

I used to love Bottom, and the live stage shows inspired me and my friend to take drama classes in school and basically turn them into our own personal comedy hour each week in an attempt to emulate the fun those two seemed to be having at their craft.

That said, the film was mediocre and the last two stage shows weak. Apparently the fourth series of Bottom was written before it was cancelled; if they’ve convinced the Beeb to give them another go round, why not just exhume those scripts? (On the basis that they were written in the mid 90s when Mayall and Edmondson still had the spark for those characters).

[Danny Stephenson]

I need to rip the audio from the Bottom DVDs. I remember how well they work as an audiodrama. Strange really, when a lot of the comedy comes from a physical visual style.

[pfm]

We can assume that at least some of the material they were gonna do in the 4th series was used for the original ‘Hooligan’s Island’ stage show. Though who knows, maybe they’re gonna rehash all that again?? :P

How are the BBC actually gonna produce this series, seeing as it’s set on the island? Will this mean they’re gonna have to spend some money on a sitcom??? :o and it’s not a Christmas special of something???? O.O oh the horror!

[Ben Paddon]

I remember almost nothing of Bottom, despite watching it religiously as a kid. I saw, I think, one of the live shows which did nothing for me, though, I couldn’t tell you which one it was (it was set on an island though, so who nose?). I only ever saw bits of the movie.

Wait, no, hang on. I can vaguely remember bits of episodes – the pair being stuck on a ferris wheel… and also a bit with Robert Llewellyn in it.

[Danny Stephenson]

I seriously recommend anyone to watch at least the 3 series of Bottom as they’re excellent.

[si]

I very rarely watched Bottom, for some reason. I have a boxset of the Live shows – a fried chicken box-alike – which I haven’t watched in years. I remember going to see the film, but remember absolutely nothing about it, so it must’ve made a great impression on me…

Having said all that, I am quite looking forward to this new series. I guess silly old men farting about appeals to me – that’s why I love Vic and Bob.

[Alex]

A depressing party trick I used to have was being able to recite the whole script of Hole (the ferris wheel episode) on request. I can’t say it was a trick that was in great demand.

[Jonsmad]

Really not sure how I felt reading the news. Sort of shouting YES! and NO! In my head at the same time. Then I worked out what it’s like, for me it’s like being told yor favourite grandparents are coming back from australia, during the week the country was rioting! You remember them fondly but you worry they are not going to be able to handle getting a kicking, and they wont escape the public with much intact for having made the journey!

Last thing Rik did that I enjoyed was the new statesman play, That was what 2005?
and I enjoyed Ade’s ITV sitcom and his new direction in music, where I finally got to meet him, and I just fear Rik’s past it, and ade’s better with the moves he made to other entertainment. I’ve so much more faith that their is character and more to mine further in Red Dwarf and Alan Partridge, where as Fast Show and Bottom feel so much more run the course as comedy I rarely revisit though much loved.

[Ridley]

I can’t say it was a trick that was in great demand.

If only you had joined G&T sooner!

[Connell]

Oh god, why the Island? This could be fantastic news if they just went back to the grotty old flat we all know and love. Please!

[Pecospete666]

Now you made me buy it 20.38 used! Full bottom!
I liked the Young Ones so I should like this.

[Carlito]

> A depressing party trick I used to have was being able to recite the whole script of Hole (the ferris wheel episode) on request. I can’t say it was a trick that was in great demand.

Me and a mate used to do the same with Queeg.

[MANI506]

Slip Digsby! The organist?

Well, that’s not what they called him in court.

Ferris Wheel episode is the best!

[Alex]

I few years ago Stork margarine genuinely ran a competition where they asked their customers to complete the sentence, ‘I like Stork Margarine because…’.

I liked the Young Ones so I should like this.

I’ve always thought Bottom was a better show to be honest. It’s certainly aged much better. I find that trying to watch The Young Ones theses days is more of an act of nostalgia as it is often a comedy of its time, whereas Bottom has more of a timeless quality due to the bleak Beckett like set up of two men with nothing to do but kill time. It’s not suprising that at around the same time they were making Bottom, Rik and Ade were also in a production of Waiting For Godot.

[Pete Part Three]

The BBC is interested in the type of audience that Bottom used to attract.

[Jonsmad]

The 4 million audience wasnt it? Half of what the last Dwarf got on BBC. Isnt that right?

[MANI506]

Bottom is funnier than The Young Ones but thanks to an article from Noise To Signal I found out that Filthy Rich and Catflap is at least as good as those two shows if not better.

[Jimboid]

Bottom > Young Ones > FR&CF

(IMHO).

[Jonathan Capps]

Young Ones > FR&CF > Bottom

WORTHWHILE DISCUSSION.

[John Hoare]

YOUNG ONES = FR&CF = BOTTOM

[Mr-Stabby]

Sort of following on from John’s article about sitcom production value, Bottom had some great studio sets in its time. One of the ones that stood out for me was the ‘Finger’ episode in Series 3 when they go to the ‘Marveloso Splendido Hotelo’. There’s a scene where they steal a car and Richie accidentally reverses into an off license and completely screws it up. Is that actually a TV set? If so, its a bloody good one!

In fact here’s a clip of it:

[MANI506]

Great set in the Gas episode as well of the outside of the flat, Wimbledon common as well and of course the ferris wheel itself. Whoever the set designer was they did some exceptional work.

[John Hoare]

Absolutely. Exactly what I was banging on about.

And yes, that scene where they reverse into the off-license is definitely a studio set. It’s amazing. Better than the standing sets for the new Yes, Prime Minister revival – and just for one scene!

[Pecospete666]

Heres a story
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1322482/Adrian-Edmondson-struggling-help-wife-Jennifer-Saunders-cancer.html

[si]

Ooh, a news story from two years ago. Ta everso.

[Pete Part Three]

Don’t get The Young Ones at all. Really like some episodes of Bottom. Never seen Filthy, Rich and Catflap

[Pecospete666]

Sorry the date at the top was todays!
I did not see the other date!
Vogans clouding my vision!

[genericnerdyusername]

VoGONs. VoGONS. This madness has gone on long enough!

[si]

It’s Vogon on long enough.

[pfm]

That street set is bloody amazing! I wonder if they hijacked it from another show or something, as it’s pretty extreme just for the scene… It reminds me of some of the brilliant Seinfeld sets like the parking garage and tennis court.

[HelloMabel]

> It reminds me of some of the brilliant Seinfeld sets like the parking garage and tennis court.

*rifles through Seinfeld images on Google*
G&T is turning me from a music nerd into a TV nerd. And I like it.

> VoGONs. VoGONS.

G&T is no longer interested in the type of speller Red Dwarf used to attract.

[locusceruleus]

The first half of Weapons Grade Y-Fronts was great. The second half, a total letdown. I even got a pic with Rik after, in between him trying to get off with my and everyone else’s girlfriend.

Must admit, I wish they were doing the ‘old men in a nursing home beating the shit out of each other with colostomy bags’ idea rather than more Hooligan’s Island, but as long as they bring something fresh to it, I’m all for it. TV needs Rik & Ade.

[John Hoare]

Must admit, I wish they were doing the ‘old men in a nursing home beating the shit out of each other with colostomy bags’ idea

I NOW REALLY WISH THIS WAS HAPPENING THANKS

[Carlito]

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a430895/rik-mayall-ade-edmondson-scrap-new-bottom-series-hooligans-island.html

It’s been scrapped. Don’t know if I’m disappointed or relieved really. I was mostly interested out of curiosity I suppose.

[Bezzy]

I love Bottom but im glad it isnt coming back. This world has become far too PC to appreciate its british humour these days and if all that was taken out it wouldnt be as funny.

[MANI506]

I know that Bottom got unfunny with the third live show but what of Guest House Paradiso? I’ve only seen it once and can’t remember anything about it. Is it as bad as I assume it is?

[Carlito]

Guest House Paradiso is funny in parts, just a bit dull. An example of a comedy style that feels a little flat without an audible audience reaction.

Also, I thought the third live show Hooligan’s Island was funny, it was the fourth and fifth shows that were shit.

[Pete Tranter’s Sister]

Weapons Grade was hilarious!

[Author]

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