About Max And Paddy's Road To Nowhere
Following the huge success of Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights, and adding a colourful twist to the 'bachelor boy' lifestyle, comes its spin-off, Max And Paddy's Road To Nowhere.
The Channel 4 comedy first aired in November 2004 and ran for a mere six episodes. The role of Max is played by funny man Peter Kay while his sidekick Paddy is played by Patrick McGuinness (also of Phoenix Nights). The duo penned the series together, which could explain any episodes with gorgeous women although possibly not the naked shower scene in a male prison!
The foundation for the series is circumstantial but makes for both some comical and emotional moments. Max and Paddy (aka Maxwell Bygraves - his mum was a big fan; and Patrick O' Shea), having worked as doormen in Phoenix Nights, hang up their black bomber jackets and take to a life on the open road. Could it be they were persuaded by the free-spiritedness of being rolling stones; the everyday trials and tribulations of domesticity and mundane chores drifting away as they follow the wind? Or could it simply be a ploy to avoid council tax? (You need only listen to their theme tune to come to the latter conclusion).
Although an ulterior motive for them being on the road is never hinted at during the series, the sinister truth is that the pair became hit men during Series 2 of Phoenix Nights. The one-off job, in which they were contracted to kill a man by his wife, leaves them £8,000 better off and with both their conscience intact when they fail to deliver the goods. Fearing the repercussions of their broken promise, Max and Paddy decide there is only one thing for it - to run away. Hence the title, 'Road To Nowhere'; they have no destination, just a desire to keep away from £8,000 worth of revenge.
An unlikely pair, there is an obvious bond between them which makes their partnership easy to believe (possibly their real life friendship!). Max, infamously and frequently dressed in his green 'Pakistan' t-shirt on most of their adventures (followed closely by his cream-coloured hot pants -surprisingly good legs for a man of his stature) is good natured yet proud, somewhat sensible without being pedantic and principled but not overly cautious. He represents your average decent bloke; willing to defend the honour, or even ribs of friends and acquaintances alike without being an instigator of violence. His catchphrase, "How dare you!" is often aimed at Paddy, occasionally while relaying tales of true love and loyalty. His reservedly shy but somewhat clumsy approach to women can be more endearing than charming although this does not detract from his fair share of experience with regards to affairs of the heart.
Paddy, a true ladies' man in contrast, is more concerned with affairs of the loins. He spends his time preening himself (though the concern about baldness he had in Phoenix Nights seems to have thankfully dissipated) in order to add more notches to his already heavy-laden bedpost. His good looks yet corny chat-up lines often afford his love 'em and leave 'em attitude, but take little away from his 'Magnet and Steel' partnership with Max.
Over the course of the six episodes, the boys from Bolton are nearly ripped off by a shabby mechanic, almost robbed blind by seductive temptresses, sold a worthless pig and all but killed by a so-called friend. Quite adventurous for a tour of England in a campervan!
There are some touching scenes with Max's discovery of having a son. The poignant is understandably and most definitely outnumbered by the humorous however with one of the first instances of the brilliant hilarity being Paddy taking Max on a dance learning curve.
The series guest stars Slade frontman Noddy Holder as cowboy mechanic Mick Bustin and also features a parody of Peter Pan singer Cliff Richard. Last mention, nevertheless, must go to Max and Paddy's sponsor Chorley FM; 'Coming in your ears'.
Max And Paddy's Road To Nowhere spawned a calendar for fans of the series, and Max and Paddy: The Power Of Two, a fitness video-come-comedy sketch was released in December 2005.
A second series of Road To Nowhere was supposedly in the pipelines. It was due for release some time in 2006 but was delayed as Peter Kay was involved in another project, and the project never materialised.