Saturday 14 June 2014

Rik Mayall


One of my comedy heroes died this week at the tender age of 56.

I still can’t quite believe it.

I grew up with Rik Mayall’s comedy, from the day I first saw him playing Kevin Turvey in A Kick Up The 80’s to his most recent comedy role in Man Down.I’ve also seen him live three times, once with his own extremely manic show in the 1980’s and twice in the stage version of his show Bottom, with Ade Edmondson.

Here are some of my favourite Rik Mayall roles:

First, Kevin Turvey the investigator:



Next, Rick, the People’s Poet, in The Young Ones.




One of my favourite characters was Alan B’Stard, the evil Conservative MP.



And who can forget Richard Richard from Bottom?


And, of course, there is Lord Flashheart:



Most recently he played Greg Davies’s manic dad in Man Down, a role he was due to reprise in the second series:



For the last World Cup, Rik Mayall released a single called Noble England as an unofficial anthem for England. There is a campaign to get this single to number one for the current World Cup. Here it is:



If the campaign succeeds it would be a fitting tribute.

Rest in peace, Rik. You have made me laugh for most of my life.

I will miss you.

12 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

Yes.

Plastic Mancunian said...

Hi EC,

Yes indeed.

:0)

Cheers

PM

Pandora Behr said...

So with you on this one.

MedicatedMoo said...

LOVED him too. Especially his Lord Flashheart in BlackAdder Series 2.
RIP to a funny man....

Plastic Mancunian said...

Hi Pand,

Yes - and as you said, the world is a little less funny without him.

:-(

Cheers

PM

Plastic Mancunian said...

Hi Kath,

Ah yes - Lord Flashheart:

"Thanks, bridesmaid, like the beard. Gives me something to hang onto! And Melchie! Still worshipping God? Last thing I heard he started worshipping me! A-HAHAHAHAHA! Nursie! I like it firm and fruity! Am I glad to see you or did I just put a canoe in my pocket?"

:0)

Cheers

PM

Jackie K said...

Yes indeed. He was the funniest one in The Young Ones, and I loved him as Alan B'Stard as well.

Plastic Mancunian said...

Hi Jackie,

I loved Vyv on the Young Ones too.

Alan B'Stard was brilliant though.

:0)

Cheers

PM

River said...

Chose to watch only the short videos and started with the teddy interrogation,I couldn't watch any more after that. I didn't find it funny.

Plastic Mancunian said...

Hi River,

That's a shame. His comedy appeals to my (sick) sense of humour.

:0)

Cheers

PM

Dale Brown said...

RIP Rik Mayall.

One of the few Alternative comedians ever to get bottled offstage at the Monsters of Rock festival.

He made me laugh quite a lot.

Plastic Mancunian said...

Hi Big D,

Yes indeed - Bad News! Hilarious.

:0)

Cheers

PM