British Comedy Guide
The Young Ones. Image shows from L to R: Vyvyan (Adrian Edmondson), Neil (Nigel Planer), Mike (Christopher Ryan), Rick (Rik Mayall). Copyright: BBC
The Young Ones

The Young Ones

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC Two
  • 1982 - 1984
  • 12 episodes (2 series)

Hippy Neil, nerdy Cliff Richard-obsessed Rick, psychopathic punk Vyvyan and smooth Mike share a squalid and collapsing student house together. Stars Rik Mayall, Adrian Edmondson, Nigel Planer, Christopher Ryan and Alexei Sayle

  • JustWatch Streaming rank this week: 989

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Press clippings Page 4

In many ways the antithesis of BBC2's traditional "highbrow" output, The Young Ones' anarchic approach to comedy was an instant cult hit with younger audiences. It set the tone for the age of "alternative" comedy that still dominates today. The premise - four students who live in a bedsit - was traditional, but its structure, which included fragmented and often surreal storylines, random asides, the trashing of the set and sudden cuts to hamsters singing in a fridge, was energetic, punky and pioneering. Written (mostly) by Ben Elton and starring Adrian Edmondson (Vyvyan), Rik Mayall (Rick), Nigel Planer (Neil) and Christopher Ryan (Mick) - it also featured Alexei Sayle as landlord Mr Balowski.

Since light entertainment programmes were allocated bigger budgets than sitcoms, it was decided every episode would also feature a band. These bands - which included Dexy's Midnight Runners, and Madness - would perform songs which had no relevance to the plot.

Memorable scenes include Footlights versus Scumbag College in University Challenge; Vyvyan's head being cut off and then rolling along a train track still speaking; as well as the last shot of them all toppling over a cliff in a stolen double-decker bus.

Dani Garavelli, The Scotsman, 13th April 2014

Interview with former Young Ones star Nigel Planer

It's more than two decades since Nigel Planer was a long-haired hippy singing about a hole in his shoe - but people still sing the lyrics to him in the street.

Rick Fulton, Daily Record, 16th September 2010

Ade: It is SO boring

Actor Adrian Edmondson says cult sitcom The Young Ones, which made him a star, is the most boring TV show ever.

The Mirror, 21st June 2009

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