The Young Ones (Young Ones, The)

Member Name: chickpea101

Product:	Young Ones, The
Date:	28/06/09 (24 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Something for everyone

Disadvantages: Not everyone will understand the surreal humour

The Young Ones is an 80's surreal comedy about four students who share a flat together in London. It stars Rik Mayall as Rick, Adrian Edmondson as Vyvyan, Nigel Planer as Neil and Christopher Ryan as Mike. It also features Alexei Sayle, who plays landlord Jerzy Balowski.
Rick is a self-proclaimed anarchist who studies sociology, Vyvyan is a punk medical student (which is somewhat ironic, due to the fact that he likes to inflict pain on others, especially Rick) Neil is a hippy with a mild obsession with lentils, and Mike is the cool, mysterious one who the others look up to and respect the most.
I love this show because it's so different from any other comedy. It has some references to sex, alcohol and drugs, but it also incorporates puppets (such as Vyvyan's hamster, Special Patrol Group) and ropey special effects that one might expect in a children's TV programme! Technically speaking, it has something for everyone, but parents may be apprehensive about letting their children watch violent punk Vyvyan Basterd become decapitated, like he does in the episode "Bambi."
One great thing about this show is that it has acted as a pedestal for many up-and-coming comedians and actors- Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Robbie Coltrane, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Ben Elton, Emma Thompson have guest starred, among others. The show also features bands, which have included Madness, Dexy's Midnight Runners and Motorhead.
There are only twelve episodes, which I find quite annoying, because I feel that it had much more potential! I also think that the ending was a little too abrupt and easy; they all get killed when the bus that they are in drives over a cliff.
However, the series provides some great gags and hilarious one-liners that are as unforgettable as the silver studs on Vyvyan's forehead.

Summary: A comedy literally like no other