British comedy: Why we need Rik Mayall back on television in 2012

When it comes to narrowing down the true gems of British television and British comedy, there are countless names that come to mind. Fans of the historic genre may be familiar with such comedy gold as ‘Only Fools and Horses’, ‘Blackadder’ and ‘Keeping up Appearances’, but perhaps one of the most loved series of all time is the violent, vulgar and brilliant antics of the ‘Bottom’ boys, Rik Mayall and Ade Edmonson.

However, what many people don’t actually realize is that there is much more to Rik Mayall than sex, sweat and frying pans. Rik is actually one of the most versatile actors in the history of British comedy and he has the credentials and the television prowess to prove it; all the more reason for the current need for the BBC and the world of British television in its entirety to put him back on TV where he belongs.

About Rik Mayall

Do not confuse the aforementioned header as a biography because you will be thoroughly disappointed. This is simply a section helping you become familiarized with the flawless work of Rik Mayall throughout his illustrious time on television thus far.

Despite being most popular and recognized for his work as Richie in Bottom, Rik Mayall has actually done so much more. He fit achieved fame and acclaim for his role in ‘The Young Ones’ where he starred along with regular partners Ade Edmonson and Nigel Planer. The Young Ones became critically acclaimed for its over zealous acting, its violence and its hilarious storylines just as Bottom would years later.

Then came ‘Filthy, Rich and Catflap’, another collaboration with Ade Edmonson and Nigel Planer that is fairly unknown. The show however features amazing comedy and some of Rik and Ade’s best work together by far. It feels like a slightly toned down version of Bottom when it comes to the violence aspect of the show, but the storylines are much more diverse and in depth giving it a proper sitcom style feel. The show became famous for its breaking of the fourth wall on a regular basis and it gave the viewers the first look of Rik and Ade somewhat behind the scenes, breaking character, having fun; the kind of stuff you would see years later during the Bottom Live tour shows from the 1990’s until the last one; ‘Weapon Grade Y Fronts’ in 2003.

Rik would show much more versatility in his acting as a part of the famous British “Comic Strip Presents” group where he would regular write, direct and star alongside such names as Ade Edmonson, Nigel Planer, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders. The Comic Strip was really the first time that the world got to see the true versatility of Rik Mayall although in several episodes of the series, fans would be gifted his psycho side in such episodes as “Mr. Jolly Lives Next Door” and “Dirty Movie”. The series would also feature a vast range of other actors including Keith Allan, Peter Richardson, Robbie Coltrane and several more.

Crazy comedy is not Rik’s only forte however even though his physical comedy is what he is most well known for. In 1993, the world would witness a new side to Rik Mayall that they had never before been seen, and this is the very reason why the world needs Rik Mayall back on television.

Rik Mayall Presents: Mickey Love

Rik Mayall presents truly was the first major mainstream series that let Rik showcase his true versatility as an actor. Throughout the 80’s, he had became synonymous with the physical comedy world and he had became famous for his crazy, almost psychotic acting as the crazy Richie he often portrayed in his comedies and what he would soon portray in Bottom. In 1993, Rik Mayall Presents hit the air with its first episode entitled, ‘Mickey Love’.

Mickey Love saw Rik take the lead role as the title character, Mickey Love. Mickey was a popular gameshow host that had become world renowned not only for his charismatic presenting style and his subtle, mature comedy, but also for his widely publicised battle with alcohol and his eventual overcoming of his problems and his demons which he wrote a critically acclaimed book about. For this reason, he had became a cult icon, a part of British culture.

Mickey Love sees Rik portray the role of a charismatic comedian to begin with but shortly throughout the episode, his true colours shine through, and so does Rik’s acting. Mickey is cheating on his wife with a prostitute, and when he soon learns that his show may be being axed, the rumours begin to do their rounds and Mickey’s paranoia kicks in.

He plans to sabotage the career of a young man that is rumoured to take his place, he severs ties with his best friend and manager and as the episode progresses and his paranoia furthers, he rediscovers his “best friends, Jim and Jack” which deciphers to Jim Beam and Jack Daniels and after his relapse and return to being an alcoholic in a single night, it is eventually revealed that Mickey was not going to lose his job at all, in fact, the company was simply surprising him with “Mickey Love: This is Your Life” a tribute to his success throughout his career and in his life.

Prior to the discovery, Mickey brutally murders the teenage presenter that idolized him but Mickey was jealous of him potentially taking his place. Shortly after ruining the young man’s career by selling sordid pictures of him to The Sun, a drunken Mickey enters an altercation with him and eventually accidentally kills him before heading to the stage where the crew realize that he is intoxicated shortly after the show goes live.

As a tearful Mickey is sitting in the chair, his entire family are revealed as special guests including his aunt who he hasn’t seen since he was 14, his brothers, his wife and more. Mickey, too drunk to realize what is going on, instead still thinks he is being sacked and that his show is being axed. He stands and to the live audience watching, gives a horrible, saddening and truly shocking speech which culminates in him dropping his trousers, exposing himself to the camera and urinating on it in front of a live studio audience and being broadcast to millions of eager and anticipated fans of his that are excited to learn about his life, his struggles and to see their hero.

Mickey Love is by far one of the greatest gems to hit British television yet in the modern day and age, it is not only more or less forgotten and unheard of, but it is also never even associated with Rik Mayall despite it being one of his very best and most versatile performances. The story does have some comedy included but when you see the rise and fall of Mickey Love, you will be in tears mainly because it is so raw, gritty and real and because of how much Rik makes you think and makes you feel that he is the character.

It is such a convincing part that if it was made into a full theatre released movie, it is impossible that Rik would not win an Oscar. It is a true masterwork to say the least and for those that want to see the true power of Rik Mayall, as well as one of the main reasons why he needs to make a return to television, look no further than Mickey Love, the first episode of his illustrious Rik Mayall Presents series which is now on DVD. Another flawless performance from the same series can be seen on episode 3, ‘Dancing Queen’, in which Rik stars alongside Helena Bonham Carter in a beautiful love story.

Put Rik Mayall back on TV

There is a comedy shaped void on British television right now and if there is anyone that could fill that void flawlessly, it is Rik Mayall. No, he does not need to necessarily return alongside Adrian Edmonson and no, he does not necessarily have to go haywire, crazy and beat milkmen or gasmen senseless each and every week. He is so versatile when it comes to his comedic capabilities that he could be put in a leading role on any television comedy and make it a triumphant success.

As Rik Mayall Presents has proven over the years, Rik is timeless and endless when it comes to his prowess in regards to both comedy and drama and he could bring so much to the TV in regards to both star power and prowess in his craft.

You may remember Rik Mayall mainly for Bottom or if you are old enough, you may even remember him from The Young Ones but simply do your research and behind the crazy and psychotic façade that he became renowned for is an actor with endless capabilities and with so much versatility that the television is simply crying for him to return.

If there is anyone in the entire world of television right now that could bring something new and fresh with a touch of vintage yet with endless versatility in regards to what he can do and what he can bring to seemingly any genre but comedy especially, it is Rik Mayall. The world of TV is long overdue for the return of one of its greatest actors of all time; give the world what it not only wants, but what it needs:

Give the world Rik Mayall in 2012, the only solution to stopping the apocalypse of British television prior to December 21st, 2012!