Talking Bottom

It’s Saturday night… time to sit down and watch Casualty.

That’s him!

I am the Duke of… oh wait not anymore.

That time Eddie was on Mastermind.

The couple at the other end of the bar who keep sending drinks over.

Bottom director Ed Bye revealed to us on the Talking Bottom podcast that the infamous bathroom fight in “Smells” was devised by Rik and Ade only days before recording the episode. Up until then, the script simply said “they fight!”

We interviewed Legendary producer and director Paul Jackson (The Young Ones, Red Dwarf), who sees Bottom’s Richie and Eddie as a classic sitcom odd couple, shining a light on the human condition, and makes comparisons with Steptoe and Son, Only Fools and Horses and Red Dwarf.

Aaaaaaand the winner of the last Talking Bottom 2016 calendar that we found ensconced at the top of the bathroom cabinet is Becky Wilding for tagging her friend and calling them a “steaming great tw*t!”

Bottom has often been compared to Waiting for Godot, the Samuel Beckett play about two misfits eking out their existence as they wait for something, anything, to happen. Here’s us getting all analytical! podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

Even when he’s just an audience member, the camera naturally seeks out Rik Mayall and he can’t help but perform for it.

Trumpet noises! Guess what i just found - the very last Talking Bottom 2026 calendar! It was behind the fridge all the time! To win it, reply here tagging a friend AND including a favourite Bottom quote, so your mate gets a notification that seems like you’re insulting them.

winner chosen tomorrow.

Rik Mayall and Ben Elton reunite to read The Young Ones pilot script. “No one got the first gag!”

Rik Mayall wields a big chopper as he energetically tests army bayonet technique, clearly enjoying himself.

“You want me to hit him on the bulbous red bit with my small bell end?” Rik Mayall learns police tactics as he wields his large truncheon.

“F*** off, pig.” Rik Mayall gets a first-hand demonstration from the Narks in how to subdue prisoners with just handcuffs.

Rik Mayall explains how the Normans introduced the concept of taxation to these shores - including how they persuaded people nicely.

There’s no one better than Rik Mayall to tell the tale of a Viscount who accidentally beat a peasant to death in 1523 - and reconstruct it, complete with thwacks with a cane AND kicks to the bollocks.

Now THIS is how you introduce a documentary about violence. Rik Mayall just gets it.

Morning.

A few people have asked so here on the left is Mr 55p from Bottom and on the right is Cassandra’s dad from Only Fools and Horses. Not sure why people keep mixing them up. Michael Redfern was 6’1 and Dennis Lill is 6’4 so it’s easy to tell them apart.

Proof that Rik Mayall should have presented more documentaries AND done his own historical sitcom.

Dick, is it true you had a trial for QPR?

Morning.

Rik Mayall and Ade Edmondson pushed the boundaries of physical comedy, nearly always performing their own stunts. But one nearly ended in disaster when Ade forgot the safe word after being set on fire…

Morning.

Bottom director Ed Bye explains to Talking Bottom how he had to cut Richie’s premature ejaculation from a scene. “I think I need to change my pyjama bottoms!”

But look! I’ve got a packet of chocolate Hobnobs!

Is there some of problem, officer?

“People imagine that childish is wrong. I don’t… I think it’s pure.”

Happy birthday, Ade Edmondson.