To be honest, I tried to like Bottom (the TV series), really I did, but it was just too stupid.
However, it’s worth mentioning Mayall’s performance in The New Statesman, which was basically just Blackadder set in the Thatcherite era.
Fry and Laurie are hilarious, I must say:
I think the problem with Bottom is that although it has its moments, its just not as sophisticated (hmm - is that the word I’m looking for I wonder?!) as some of the other stuff Mayall and Edmondsen have done. Although, for me,it does have its moments.
Bottom is far more focussed on the slapstick than anything else they’ve done, including I think, the Dangerous Brothers.
If Bottom really doesn’t compare to their earlier stuff, then there are probably one or two reasons for this. One, its what they like doing and what appeals most to their sense of humour. Two, they’ve got lazy, and Bottom is a cash cow for them. Oh, and a third - they’ve run out of ideas.
But having said that, the plot lines however daft, can be quite original. Besides, I like Bottom and have never really tired of seeing them beat the shit out of each other.
But clearly its just a question of taste.
It’s weird. Here’s me - distinctly not a fan of slapstick - and yet I think that certain episodes of Bottom are the funniest thing ever. Particularly the slapstick parts.
They just do it so damned well.
Eddie trying to teach Richie to play chess, followed after many hours by Richie’s tactical assault almost actually killed me. I couldn’t breath for a worrying amount of time. Why quite so funny? Timing. It’s all in the timing.
pan
I agree with you kabbes, although I think other aspects also make it work for me.
I’ve never really enjoyed slapstick. Sure, I can admire the cleverness and preparation that goes into something like the sort of thing Chaplin, Lloyd, Keaton et al used to do, but it never really makes me laugh.
However, something as apparently banal as Eddie repeatedly battering Richy’s head with the refrigerator door on the other hand, gets me every time. Especially when Eddie gives that ‘look’ to the camera.
But, for me, its not so much the timing that does it. In a lot of cases, particularly the one you mentioned, yes - that was hilarious. But I tend to laugh most at the fights that just seem to go on forever, and become more and more extreme, just as funny. I think I find Bottom funny just because its so relentless and over the top.
Hmmm - this post clearly says more about me than the nature of the comedy in Bottom…
You pinned it there right enough - somehow there is nothing quite so funny as massively MASSIVELY overstated comedy violence.
Especially Eddie kicking Rich in the bollocks with a loud squelchy noise, whilst Rich puts that look on his face.
pan
Bottom is possibly one of the crudest, most base British comedy series ever produced. But it is as funny as fuck!
“Have you got the challis, Eddie?”
“No, it’s just the way my trousers are hanging!”
It’s also taken slapstick to the next level - early exponents of slapstick (The Three Stooges et al) threw cream pies at each other, Eddie and Richie throw hot irons and explosive devices instead.
Enjoy even more. It’s even better with toast.
[sup](Four episodes, .mp3, approx. 14Mb each.)[/sup]
Woohoo! Thank you both!
Is that the show where they do parodies of things like
Spaghetti Westerns (“A Fistful of Travellers Cheques”),
and teenage Nancy Drew-type mysteries (“Five Go Mad on
Mescalin”). These featured Dawn French and Jennifer
Saunders as well.
Long live Britcoms!!!
(Except for that horrid “The Royles” or was it “The Royle
Family” <<shudder>> Someone just have mercy and put it down
quickly and quietly…)
“It sounded, right, like an elephant in a crash helmet
going round and round on a motorbike, while a seal banged
a kipper on the table.” -Young Ones
Romana
Romana - is that the first or second?!
You are correct, those shows were part of the Comic Strip series of shows. Unfortunately however, one of those shows was called ‘Five go mad in Dorset’ and not the far more exciting ‘Five go made on Mescalin’!
As for the Royle Family, this show is very popular in Britain and I think its great. Its a superb observation of a certain strand of working class life in Britain (Classless Britain - ha!). I think it might help a person’s appreciation of the comedy if they’ve had the opportunity to meet the sort of people this show is based on (and I have no idea if you have). If you really know this side of life in Britain, then its likely that you will appreciate it all the more.
Of course, its also just a question of taste.
I found that the Royle Family was an acquired taste – at first I thought it was irritating, but gradually I started liking it. There’s just something about people singing Radiohead as a lullaby that I find hilarious, I guess.
One measure of its success comes from a story told by Ricky Tomlinson (who played Jim Royle, the father): he and Samuel L. Jackson were having lunch in a cafe in Liverpool while filming “The 51st State”, when a group of schoolgirls spotted them and began chanting “We want Jim! We want Jim!” Jackson turned to Tomlinson and said, “Who the hell is Jim?” 
Quote from Enzyme—
_____________________________
is that the first or second?!
_____________________________
That would probably be the second. Thank you
for asking.
Quote from Enzyme---
You are correct, those shows were part of the Comic Strip series of shows. Unfortunately however, one of those shows was called 'Five go mad in Dorset' and not the far more exciting 'Five go made on Mescalin'!
I double-checked my videotape before posting a reply
to make sure I wasn’t going mad myself. It is definately
“Five go mad on Mescalin”. (Happy days, indeed!! :D)
What is the plot of the "Dorset" show? In this one
that I mentioned it’s four uptight, gluttonous teenagers
on a holiday in the country. Other characters include
an “adopted” girl with a baby; a troubled woman about
to lose her farm; a crooked villanous-type bully (her
son); and a loud, rich, and obnoxious American and son.
Oh yes, and then there’s the mysterious “Love Island”.
Unfortunately, I don’t have the complete episode on tape
so I have no idea what happens after one of the boys
mysteriously dissapears leaving behind only his underpants
and one of his balls- ahem, a cricket ball, that is…
Hope this wasn’t too much of a hijack.
Romana
The second Romana eh? An excellent choice.
Yep, you’re right - I’ve never seen this before! Thanks so much. Can’t wait to get a copy.
The ‘Dorset’ episodes ran along a similar theme and included the same actors (at first glance). You can, in fact, get both episodes on one cassette - here. I think I’ll do that soon.
Thanks again.
This is a bit of a hijack, but I have always wondered how you pronounce the name “Mayall”. I’ve never heard anyone say it aloud.
I usually just call him “You know, the guy that was in Drop Dead Fred” so I don’t get grief for mispronouncing it.
May’al