Talking Bottom

Richie and Eddie's Hammersmith is a unique world not only in comedy, but all of fiction. Where else are dogs served up in kebabs, amputees prosthetic legs stolen and the annual riot sees both the police and the local schoolkids participate?

Mat, Paul and Angela discuss fictional universes, the uniquely named characters of Bottom, comparisons to Dickensian London, other sitcoms, a reading from a mystery book, the League of Gentlemen and encountering a fresh turd in ON a toilet seat in a Wetherspoons.

The book "Talking Bottom: A guide to the cult sitcom" can be found to order at: https://t.co/G677or4Xgw

What - and I'll repeat that - what a guest we have this week!  "No, don't laugh." Well, actually do, because this gent was a lynchpin in the alternative comedy and scene and has appeared in more of our favourite comedies than he's served Pernods in The Lamb and Flag. He's been in (amongst LOADS of other stuff) Filthy, Rich and Catflap, Toast of London, The Comic Strip Presents (as Arch Crippledick), French and Saunders, three series of Blackadder, two episodes of The Young Ones and was Paranoia in Red Dwarf. It's Lee Cornes!

Lee tells us about how he got into comedy and his days at the very beginning of the Comedy Store, being described as "the Comedian's Comedian" by Sean Lock, getting stark bollock naked on stage, seeing Rik and Ade for the first time, being the warm act at the recordings of The Young Ones, studio stunts, teaching (for real and in Grange Hill), Blackadder and of course playing Hammersmith's best pub landlord, the legendary Dick Head.

The book "Talking Bottom: A guide to the cult sitcom" can be found to order at: https://t.co/G677or4Xgw

The costumes of Bottom are such an important part of the show's identity. All fans recognise Eddie's hat and glasses and Richie's voluminous pants and belt pulled up too high. Plus of course... Halloween.

Angela, Paul and Mat talk about costume making character, specially making clothes, how costume shows social status (class again? We did that last week!), going to fancy dress parties as a talking Halloween banana and a devil (in either pre-shitted or post-shitted tights), what the supporting characters wear and how costume can make sitcoms feel timeless.

The book "Talking Bottom: A guide to the cult sitcom" can be found to order at: https://t.co/G677or4Xgw

Talking Bottom's interview with TV titan Paul Jackson continues as he discusses making Filthy, Rich and Catflap, seeing Rik and Ade in Waiting for Godot, slapstick, working with writers, special effects in sitcoms, producing TV in the US and Australia, working with Ant and Dec, chairing Comic Relief, the American remake of The Young Ones, Heil Honey I'm Home!, pathos in comedy, the current lack of political satire and being thanked by Rik on stage at Exeter Uni,

Plus of course lots about Bottom including its genesis, Alan Yentob wanting the title changed, how the Bottom pilot episode came about, seeing it recorded, the live shows and Guest House Paradiso.

The book "Talking Bottom: A guide to the cult sitcom" can be found to order at: https://t.co/G677or4Xgw

Talking Bottom is thrilled to be joined by legend of British comedy, Paul Jackson. He brought alternative comedy to the masses and was the man who got The Young Ones on TV (which he also directed), changing the face of sitcoms forever. Amongst working on a plethora of great shows he also gave us Filthy, Rich and Catflap, Red Dwarf and the pilot episode of Bottom.

In part 1, Paul chats about his entry into TV and his early years rising to become a producer, his comedy influences, working with the Two Ronnies and on Steptoe and Son, meeting Rik and Ade, Boom Boom Out Go The Lights, writing, comic duos, throwing himself into puddles, bringing The Young Ones to TV and a treasure trove of stories about it.

The inteview continues in part 2.

The book "Talking Bottom: A guide to the cult sitcom" can be found to order at: https://t.co/G677or4Xgw

Three media twats pontificate on class in sitcoms and the importance of it and poverty in Bottom. Paul, Mat and Angela talk about the classifications of class, sitcoms and sketches where class plays an important part. They cover Richie and Eddie's place in society, possible history and education.

Numerous other sitcoms are discussed including Only Fools and Horses, Red Dwarf and Gavin and Stacy, plus shooting multi camera format vs single camera. Also, feminist chat!

The book "Talking Bottom: A guide to the cult sitcom" can be found to order at: https://t.co/G677or4Xgw

HELLO MR GAS MAN! Talking Bottom prepares the steaming cold tea for a very special guest. Olivier award nominated veteren of stage and screen, Mark Lambert brings his frying pan and joins us for a chat. He tells all about his career, early days at Uni with Rik, working as a character actor, plummeting from a building in Cracker, having "Gas Man" yelled at him and of course, his role as quite possibly Bottom's most memorable guest star.

The conversation took place over Zoom so please forgive the occasional connection drop out.

The book "Talking Bottom: A guide to the cult sitcom" can be found to order at: https://t.co/G677or4Xgw

30 years ago today Bottom expolded onto British TV! To celebrate three decades of the world's best sitcom we are looking at some of the themes that make the show what it is. That's right, we're over-analysing it to fuck!

First up is physical comedy. Mat, Paul and Angela discuss its history, evolution, rules, legends and international appeal. We look at examples in British comedy and, of course many moments in Bottom and Rik and Ade's other work.

The book "Talking Bottom: A guide to the cult sitcom" can be found to order at: https://t.co/G677or4Xgw

In the final live show, Eddie's locked himself away in the toilet and Richie finds he's been inventing gadgets. The pair embark on an adventure through time and space on-board Eddie's time machine "The Turdis" which is a toilet cubicle.

Angela, Paul and Mat discuss plot holes, crowdpleasing, repurposing old material, absurdist humour, the Only Fools and Horses musical and dad jokes. Plus the final Talking Bottom quiz!

The book "Talking Bottom: A guide to the cult sitcom" can be found to order at: https://t.co/G677or4Xgw

Richie and Eddie are back and still on the desert island. Searching for a means to escape, their desire to reach the theatre bar blurs the lines between fiction and reality as things get very meta and everything builds to a musical finale.

Paul, Mat and Angela discuss long synopses, "have a wank", pervy silhouettes, nob gags, meta performances, deliberate fuckups, DVD features, TV references, local jokes and musical numbers. Plus some incredibly detailed knowledge is required in the Talking Bottom quiz!

The book "Talking Bottom: A guide to the cult sitcom" can be found to order at: https://t.co/G677or4Xgw