British comic genius , Rik Mayall , died , at home . Cause of death is yet unknown. He was only 56. Mayall is best known for co - creating "The Young Ones" , one of THEE funniest post - Python UK comedies. Besides the brutal nature of the show's humor ( They had difficulty getting teh show on Television because THERE WERE "NO LIKEABLE CHARACTERS" , the very thing that made the show such a hit. ).The least likeable character was arguably Mayall's hilarious "Rik , The People's poet" , which he debuted in his standup act , before the TV show was  concieved. 

He espoused Anarcho/Socialist politics ,while practically worshipping Cliff Richard. Though the program featured everyone from Motorhead , The Damned , 9 Below Zero to John Otway , Madness (Twice.) , and others , Richard never made an appearance , though he did record a 12" charity record with the "Young Ones" cast. Mayall continued to work sporadically with former cast members of "tHE yOUNG oNES" , particularly Ade Edmonton. Mayall went on to appear in the excellent , long - running " The Comic Strip Presents " , each episode an hour - long comic film. The best episode(s) , arguably , was "Bad News on Tour" and "More Bad News", concerning an inept (And I say that lovingly.) New Wave of British Heavy Metal band that somehow gets a chance at the big time. Mayall was reunited with Edmonton and Nigel Planer in this , other episodes , and other programs. I'm sorry , "BAD NEWS"is , in my humble opinion , much funnier than "Spinal Tap" , with better songs (Because they lack The Taps's slickness.). If anyone disagrees , that's cool , but don't get all You Tube on my ass , thanks.  

Later , Mayall and Edmonton starred together in " Bottom" about two "Swinging Bachelors" who can't get laid to save their lives. Moderately dark humor , and laughable ultra - violence made it the show you loved or hated. I loveit, but , I would not hold it up against "The Young Ones". Mayall also starred opposite Phoebe Cates  in "Drop Dead Fred " , and even in a failed attempt to revive the insanely popular "Carry On " series , all the while performing live comedy , often with Edmonton.

Damn , that man was funny !

This sucks big time.

Thanks for sharing that, I loved The Young Ones.  Cheers

HEY , CHEERS TO BOTH OF YOU , TOO. They probably did'nt think "The Young Ones" would go down well in America , and it was accepted like the much - needed breath of fresh air that it was.

Chris ,That's great. My mom got her last longstanding job because she was able to quote Cheech and Chong at will.

It's possible they did'nt think "The Young Ones " would go over in America. Of course , whoever "They " is , were wrong....But , it initially only ran for about a year , on MTV , around '85 - '86. It turned up , sporadically , in reruns , but, never seemed to play in rotation. We also got "The Comic Strip Presents" , very briefly.