BottomRichie Richard (socially awkward, sexually inexperienced) and Eddie Hitler (carefree alcoholic ) are two social outcasts living on the dole. Trapped together in a squalid flat in Hammersmith, London they are perpetually skint, bored and sexually frustrated. They spend their days scheming, bickering, and being nasty and sadistic to each other.
CreatorsRik Mayall, Adrian Edmondson
Smells
Sep 17, 1991
Richie and Eddie return home after another depressing night down the pub trying to pick up women and failing miserably. Richie is beginning to think that he is never going to get the chance to do it' until Eddie suggests that he puts an ad in the local paper. This idea revitalizes Richie and he begins to read through the dating pages of the local rag. There he spots an ad for a pheromone spray that women are unable to resist, this is something that appeals to him even more and the two of them decide that they are going to have to try this out!
Gas
Sep 24, 1991
The gasman calls to read Eddie and Ritchie's meter. Not a problem? It is when you are getting your gas from an illegal connection to your next-door neighbors gas. Can the boys persuade the meter reader that they don't use gas and stall him until they can disconnect their supply from next door?
Contest
Oct 1, 1991
Eddie and Richie have an argument over whether or not to watch the Miss World contest on their TV. An argument started by Eddie having spent most of the £11.80 they had to last them two months on a second hand copy of Parade magazine.
Apocalypse
Oct 8, 1991
After inheriting £600 from Richie's Auntie Olga, the two decide to spend it down the Funfair, where Richie learns that he is destined to die in three nights time. He goes to the lengths of kicking Eddie out to escape his fate, but can't do anything when the Grim Reaper comes knocking!!!
Bottom's Up
Oct 15, 1991
When Richie and Eddie's landlord has to leave to attend his mother's funeral, he leaves the two in charge of their shop, but something like this isn't going to stop Richie and Eddie from relaxing on Sunday, as the two decide to watch some cricket.
Accident
Oct 29, 1991
It's Richie's birthday and he has a big party planned, Eddie's friends and all the birds' Richie knows are coming. As he prepares for the party, putting up the decorations, Richie falls and horribly breaks his leg. Will having his leg in plaster and being in a wheelchair ruin his party, will it heck as like!
timinaus
@timinaus
Rik Mayall and Ade Edmonson first teamed up as 20th Century Coyote at the fledgling Comedy Store in 1980. Having established themselves as a duo they were blended in to the TV show “The Young Ones” (part written by Mayall along with Lise Mayer and Ben Elton). Rik as the annoying sociology student Rik and Ade as medical nutcase Vyvyan. This led to a partial spin off, Filthy Rich and Catflap written by Elton. The pair's characters were beginning to take shape with Richie as the hopeless out of work actor Richie Rich and Ade as his minder Eddie Catflap. Next the pair took control, writing "Bottom" where the characters had progressed to unemployed/unemployable, late thirtysomethings Richie and Eddie (Hitler) living in a shabby London apartment. Neither have any social skils, Rik still hasn't got a girlfriend and Eddie is portrayed as a borderline alcoholic. There are suggestions the latter has a social life although his only real friends seem to be the equally inept Spudgun and Dave Hedgehog (later on we find Hedgehog has a family which is surprising). The show lasted 3 series of 6 episodes featured a lot of verbal interaction between the 2 along with their trademark violence and Eddie belittling Richie. Quite often about his sex life or lack thereof. The duo are on safe ground with violence and sexual inadequacy however the adoption of the “two hander” is brave but highlights some deficiencies. They are almost there but I feel a more qualified comedy writer would have put the finishing touches to the dialogue. At times it is magical – Eddie taunts Richie about his visit to “Dr O'Grady's personal organ enhancment clinic - you too can have your personal organ enhanced, so that it is comparable in size to that of a fully-grown mountain gorilla!”. Eddie dribbles out the words to full effect. Richie responds curtly with “Yes, when he said _Comparable in size_. I didn't realise he meant _An awful lot smaller than_." In these cases the actors are on the top of their game. But there are times when the conversations lag – filling in the gaps between the good stuff. The combination of writing and acting is not able to interest this viewer. Soooo, bring in some violence. That always works Introducing other actors has varying results. The Helen Lederer character in Digger is excellent and well thought out. The Parade episode brought in a number of guest actors to riotous effect. The first episode, Smells, has ups and downs. Some wooden acting but some magic. In summary the first 2 series are well worth a watch if not hilarious. Series 3 struggles. Still. I have just watched the lot and enjoyed them. Maybe I am critical of those I love .
