Talking Bottom

The Many Faces of Rik Mayall: Talking Bottom on Rik the Narrator

Talking Bottom reaches the final episode of this special series on The Many Faces of Rik Mayall. Everyone knows Rik had the most expressive face but he had a voice to match, too. From The Wind in The Willows Toad to Jackanory. From Grim Tales to The Last Hurrah. Rik threw everything into his times in the audio booth, making each one unique, comedically brilliant and a masterclass in vocal performance.

Talking Bottom digs deep into those vocal performances that made our childhoods so special, plus some hidden gems from Rik's later career that fans may want to seek out. 

The Many Faces of Rik Mayall: Talking Bottom on Richard Davies in Man Down

Described by Man Down creator and star Greg Davies as "a force of nature" and "dream casting," Rik Mayall blessed us all with a final return to the world of sitcom, dropping in each week to steal the episode - and the show - every time.

Richard Davies is the sadistic, prank-loving father of "Dan" (Greg) who loves nothing more than tormenting and publicly humiliating his adult son for his own amusement, yet with a hint of deep fatherly love behind that glint in his eye. This week is all about this role that sadly came to be known as Rik's TV swansong - and what a great one!

The Many Faces of Rik Mayall: Talking Bottom on Drop Dead Fred

"Dog poo, dog poo, lovely lovely dog poo.” Move over, Harvey the rabbit. Get to buggery, Tyler Durden. This week Talking Bottom delves into Rik's foray into Hollywood, playing the world's best imaginary friend. He's violent, sweary, flicks snot into drinks and sinks houseboats. It's Drop Dead Fred!

We chat about Rik as a film star, the psychology of imaginary friends and the film's re-evaluation as a story of female empowerment and mental health (yes we can be serious!). Plus of course we chat about looking up skirts, getting heads trapped in fridges and the parallels with the world of Tim Burton.

We are heading to the Edinburgh Fringe with the second ever Talking Bottom LIVE podcast at Underbelly Bristo Square on Sunday 24th August. We will be joined by veryyyyy special guest Lee Cornes AKA Bottom’s pub landlord Dick Head!!! “Are you calling me a liar??” “No, I’m calling you a tosser!” Tickets are available here: https://underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/event/talking-bottom-live 

The Many Faces of Rik Mayall: Talking Bottom on Richard Dangerous and Dreamytime Escort

“The Comic Strip Presents…Mr Jolly Lives Next Door was the prototype… that was really the pilot for Bottom.” Peter Richardson summed it up perfectly in our chat with him. Our new podcast puts Rik Mayall’s role starring alongside the legendary Peter Cook as Mr Jolly’s neighbouring business owner “Dreamytime Escort” under the microscope, along with a character who shares distant DNA; Richard Dangerous of "The Dangerous Brothers” double act! 

Yes, this week is a double whammy of Rik’s most memorable characters as Talking Bottom examine what makes both disgusting, violent, perverted, heavy-drinking, greasy-haired creations brilliant and squalid in equal measure, and how Ade’s part in these loud, brash and chaotic duos served to elevate Rik’s performances to perfection.

We are heading to the Edinburgh Fringe with the second ever Talking Bottom LIVE podcast at Underbelly Bristo Square on Sunday 24th August. We will be joined by veryyyyy special guest Lee Cornes AKA Bottom’s pub landlord Dick Head!!! “Are you calling me a liar??” “No, I’m calling you a tosser!” Tickets are available here: https://underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/event/talking-bottom-live 

The Many Faces of Rik Mayall: Talking Bottom on Alan B'Stard in The New Statesman

"You see, in the good old days, you were poor, you got ill, and you died!" After playing a series squalid losers, Rik finally poured all that charisma, sex appeal and Machiavellian cunning into Tory MP Alan B'Stard; money and power-obsessed serial adulterer and possessor of the largest majority in the House of Commons. 

Talking Bottom chats about one of Rik's most enduring characters, where Rik was able to lampoon those in power as a truly corrupt git, yet still came out on top most of the time.

We are heading to the Edinburgh Fringe with the second ever Talking Bottom LIVE podcast at Underbelly Bristo Square on Sunday 24th August. We will be joined by veryyyyy special guest Lee Cornes AKA Bottom’s pub landlord Dick Head!!! “Are you calling me a liar??” “No, I’m calling you a tosser!” Tickets are available here: https://underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/event/talking-bottom-live 

The Many Faces of Rik Mayall: Talking Bottom on Lord Flashheart in Blackadder

"WOOF!!!” Following a brief appearance as "Mad Gerald" in the first Blackadder series, Rik returned in series two and four/forth as heroic, sexy, brave, top-level shagger Lord Flashheart. The character appeared in other similar guises in Blackadder Back and Forth as Robin Hood and then later in the Bombardier beer adverts.

Talking Bottom get to grips with Flash’s costume, moustaches, attitude, Darling, Bob, bridesmaids, beards and comedy as hot as Flash’s pants!!! We examine Rik's brief but perfect performance that was so utterly sexy that his character is remembered long after so few moments of screen time. “Down boy, down!”

We are heading to the Edinburgh Fringe with the second ever Talking Bottom LIVE podcast at Underbelly Bristo Square on Sunday 24th August. We will be joined by veryyyyy special guest Lee Cornes AKA Bottom’s pub landlord Dick Head!!! “Are you calling me a liar??” “No, I’m calling you a tosser!” Tickets are available here: https://underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/event/talking-bottom-live 

The Many Faces of Rik Mayall: Talking Bottom on Richie Rich in Filthy, Rich and Catflap

Following the success of The Young Ones Rik, Nigel and Ade were reunited as a disgusting trio in Filthy, Rich & Catflap. Penned by Ben Elton, the sitcom mirrored the group's own entry into the world of light entertainment - and lampooned their own success with sharp-tongued satire that sadly only lasted one series. Richie Rich is a talentless, egotistical wannabe who bridges the gap between Rick the Student and Bottom's Richard Richard. Talking Bottom delves into what makes Richie Rich tick and how Rik's exaggerated performance, combined with flamboyant costumes, displayed incredible peacocking which won the hearts of many fans long before Bottom hit our screens. Rik and Ade perfected their double act in Bottom, but the roots of the duo's violent dynamic are plain for all to see as we explore the world of Filthy, Rich & Catflap.

The Talking Bottom book is out now! “Oh God! This is real!"

To order a copy follow this link: https://linktr.ee/talkingbottom 

And please also check out details for our upcoming Edinburgh Fringe Talking Bottom LIVE podcast at Underbelly Bristo Square on Sunday 24th August with veryyyyy special guest Lee Cornes AKA Bottom’s pub landlord Dick Head!!! “Are you calling me a liar??” “No, I’m calling you a tosser!” Tickets are available here: https://underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/event/talking-bottom-live 

The Many Faces of Rik Mayall: Talking Bottom on Colin Grigson in Bad New and More Bad News

The hair... the tight trousers...the stepping in dogshit wearing just a sock on his foot... Bad News and More Bad News are two of "The Comic Strip Presents..." jewels in the crown, with Rik's Colin Grigson definitely a legend in his own mind. Talking Bottom dive into the character, his memorable moments and what makes Rik's performance so special.

The Talking Bottom book is out now! “Oh God! This is real!"

To order a copy follow this link: https://linktr.ee/talkingbottom 

And please also check out details for our upcoming Edinburgh Fringe Talking Bottom LIVE podcast at Underbelly Bristo Square on Sunday 24th August with veryyyyy special guest Lee Cornes AKA Bottom’s pub landlord Dick Head!!! “Are you calling me a liar??” “No, I’m calling you a tosser!” Tickets are available here: https://underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/event/talking-bottom-live 

The Book Launch! (Also The Edinburgh Festival Fringe live show)

A quick one (ooh err) about our recent book launch in Hammer-smith, where we were joined at Rik's memorial bench by Godfather of alternative comedy, Producer Paul Jackson and Bottom actor legends Lee Cornes (Dick Head) and Roger Sloman (Mr Harrison), plus Bottom fans (including two who came all the way from The Netherlands!) and assorted press! Thank you to everyone who came down to collect their books and to everyone who backed the book (especially those still waiting for theirs to arrive).

Also an update about our upcoming live show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where we'll be joined by Lee Cornes who'll be sharing memories of working on Bottom and the multitude of other comedies he's appeared in, plus his fave Bottom clips!

The Talking Bottom book is out now! “Oh God! This is real!"

To order a copy follow this link: https://linktr.ee/talkingbottom 

And please also check out details for our upcoming Edinburgh Fringe Talking Bottom LIVE podcast at Underbelly Bristo Square on Sunday 24th August with veryyyyy special guest Lee Cornes AKA Bottom’s pub landlord Dick Head!!! “Are you calling me a liar??” “No, I’m calling you a tosser!” Tickets are available here: https://underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/event/talking-bottom-live 

The Many Faces of Rik Mayall: Talking Bottom on Rick / Rick the Poet

Once in every lifetime comes... one of Rik Mayall's most enduring and iconic characters. Starting life on stage reading crap poems and getting angry with the audience on shows like "Boom Boom, Out go the Lights" before graduating to student life in a sitcom that redefined the genre in "The Young Ones," for many, Rick is the character they picture when they think of Rik Mayall. 

Talking Bottom dive into the character, his memorable moments and what makes Rik's performance so special.

The Talking Bottom book is out now! “Oh God! This is real!"

To order a copy follow this link: https://linktr.ee/talkingbottom 

And please also check out details for our upcoming Edinburgh Fringe Talking Bottom LIVE podcast at Underbelly Bristo Square on Sunday 24th August with veryyyyy special guest Lee Cornes AKA Bottom’s pub landlord Dick Head!!! “Are you calling me a liar??” “No, I’m calling you a tosser!” Tickets are available here: https://underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/event/talking-bottom-live