This documentary explores the legacy of one of the most notorious British sitcoms of all time. Launching alternative comedy onto our screens, the show made household names of its performers and writers and proved to be a huge influence, despite the BBC reportedly being baffled by what they'd commissioned back in 1982. Never before had a flagship comedy show contained so much violence, depravity and anarchy - it was a shot across the bow to mainstream comedians that things would never be the same again.
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Roald Dahl’s birth, film and television personalities take turns championing their favourite of Dahl's 10 best-selling children’s books, culminating in a nationwide vote. Rik Mayall reads from George’s Marvellous Medicine.
A cafe worker is violently jolted from her day-to-day existence when offered the startling revelation that this world may be on the brink of destruction, revolution—or both.
Julia has a good job and has two children with the caring Paul. But there are antidepressants in the kitchen drawer. She had imagined her life so differently when she was young and fantasized about it with her brother Jimmy. Their tragic farewell was twenty years ago, but still gnawing at her. After a fight with Paul, Julia decides to change course radically. She leaves - in the spirit of Jimmy - for the Portuguese Algarve. As she gets to know the mysterious gigolo Romeo, Julia's past comes closer than ever.
Comedian Rik Mayall died suddenly on 9 June 2014. Mayall's blend of rocket-fuelled physical comedy, surrealism, subversive satire and pompous punk wit left a body of work that spanned four decades. Mayall's characters include the Black Country's investigative nerd Kevin Turvey, Felicity Kendal-adoring student and 'People's Poet' Rik in The Young Ones, ruthless MP Alan B'Stard in The New Statesman, seedy loser Richie in Bottom and larger-than-life characters Robin Hood and flying ace Lord Flashheart from Blackadder. Narrated by Simon Callow, this programme salutes Rik Mayall and celebrates his part in the UK's comedy history using rare and unseen archive footage. It also features contributions from people who knew or admired him, including Michael Palin, Simon Pegg, Lenny Henry, Ben Elton, Alexei Sayle, Christopher Ryan, Tim McInnerny, Jools Holland, Ruby Wax and Greg Davies.
A fast-paced comedy arguing the joys of being dead, aided by a montage of corpses and a dance-crazed Grim Reaper.
The Famous Five are back. Thirty years after the Comic Strip arrived on our screens with their famous Enid Blyton spoof - Five Go Mad in Dorset. These famous children's characters have again been brought back from the past to confront today's modern world. This time they are made to account for their racist and sexist views. But they seem blissfully unrepentant as they gather for a reunion on Dick's birthday in leafy Dorset - still a magical land of rolling hills, woods, ruined castles, and of course dodgy villains in big black cars.
In true Peter Richardson fashion, "30 Years Of Comic Strip" defies the conventional norms of a retrospective documentary. It brings together some of the most prominent figures in UK comedy, reflecting on the show's impact and influence on the British comedy scene over the past three decades. The documentary unveils previously unseen footage and reconnects with characters from iconic episodes. The cast and crew of The Comic Strip share anecdotes about the making of the show, recounting experiences marked by a playful disregard for health and safety.
Canadian scientist, Dr Geoff Burton takes up a position at a new institute in wintry Dresden in order to contribute to their most important project—a human regeneration gene—that also has the potential to make something miraculous out of a personal tragedy that has haunted him for years.
The Comic Strip team return for a special 50s-style 'fugitive' film noir spoof. The 60-minute film, penned by Peter Richardson and Pete Richens, follows Prime Minister Tony Blair (Stephen Mangan), wanted for murder and on the run. Escaping from Number 10 and leaving behind his adoring wife Cherie (Catherine Shepherd), Tony vows to clear his name no matter what the consequences.
Richard Michael "Rik" Mayall (7 March 1958 – 9 June 2014) was an English comedian, writer and actor. He was known for his comedy partnership with Adrian Edmondson, his over-the-top, energetic portrayal of characters, and as a pioneer of alternative comedy in the early 1980s.
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