Watch The Young Ones

Name: The Young Ones
Genre: Comedy
Released: 9 November 1982
Cast: Ade Edmondson, Rik Mayall, Nigel Planer, Christopher Ryan, Alexei Sayle

TV-14
1982
2 Seasons
8.2 (16,847)

The Young Ones is a classic British sitcom that aired on BBC America from 1982 to 1984. This show follows the lives of four offbeat students who share a house in London. The characters are all wildly different but share a love for punk rock, anarchism, and disdain for authority.

The main cast consists of Rik Mayall as Rick, Ade Edmondson as Vyvyan, Nigel Planer as Neil, and Christopher Ryan as Mike. Alexei Sayle also makes frequent appearances as various characters. Rick is a pompous, self-contained revolutionary; Vyvyan is his equally wild and violent roommate. Neil is a hopeless hippie and Mike is the seemingly mature one who often has to clean up after the others.

The show was full of dark, surreal humor and violence. It poked fun at British culture, politics, and authority. Each episode featured a different story and scheme by the characters, with a musical performance from a punk band in the middle of each one.

The show's style was unique for its time, with fast cuts, exaggerated facial expressions, and bizarre narrative breaks. It was one of the first sitcoms to break the fourth wall, with characters addressing the audience directly and breaking into musical numbers.

Despite its short run, The Young Ones was a massive hit in the UK and is considered a cult classic to this day. It was particularly popular with young people from the punk and anarchist scenes, who saw themselves reflected in the characters' rebellious attitudes.

The show's influence can be seen in countless other works of British comedy, particularly those featuring members of the cast. Rik Mayall and Ade Edmondson went on to create their own sitcom Bottom, which featured similarly wild and anarchic characters. Nigel Planer and Alexei Sayle both became successful writers, actors, and comedians.

The Young Ones was also notable for its use of music. Each episode featured a punk or new wave band performing a song, often with the characters joining in or dancing along. The show's popularity led to the release of two hit singles, "The Young Ones" and "Living Doll," both of which reached #1 on the UK charts.

Overall, The Young Ones is a classic example of British anarchic humor. Its unique style, dark humor, and unforgettable characters have made it a favorite of fans for decades.

The Young Ones is a series that ran for 2 seasons (12 episodes) between November 9, 1982 and on BBC America

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Seasons

2 1

6. Summer Holiday

April 7, 1998

Summer is here, exams are over and it's Neil's birthday. With no guests, beer or music, his party is a right-off. Then Mike remembers to tell Rik his parents have died, the postman reveals they have all failed their exams and landlord Jerzei Balowski arrives to check on the house and chucks them out when he sees all the destruction. With no money, Mike plans a bank robbery and Rik steals a double-decker bus to make their getaway.

5. Sick

April 7, 1998

All four Young Ones are ill. Neil's sneezing is so violent, Vyvyan tries an extreme acupuncture cure and triggers a street riot outside. Murderer Brian Damage Balowski escapes from his police guard after they are called in to deal with the trouble, and takes the four hostage. Worse, Neil's parents come to tea and change the programme, resulting in three Neils when he is planted in the garden.

4. Time

April 7, 1998

Rik wakes up in bed next to a beautiful girl, but his boast of his sexual conquest is quickly dispelled by Helen herself. While Rik and Vyvyan rampage round the house, the radio announces Helen is an escaped murderess, so she tries to kill them all. The house passes through a time warp and the Young Ones are suddenly in the Middle Ages.

3. Nasty

April 7, 1998

It's bath night, and Neil is last in the water. Mike and Vyvyan plan to watch a video called 'Nasty' on a rented VCR when the postman delivers a package from South Africa. Inside is a vampire, but though the Young Ones are all virgins they don't want to lose face by admitting it. Saved by sunlight, they take the body to the graveyard, where the vampire turns out to be Harry the Bastard, from whom they rented the video and the deadline for returning it has just elapsed.

2. Cash

April 7, 1998

The Young Ones are so skint, Neil is told to get a job (Vyvyan can't because he is pregnant). He joins the police force, where he discovers his heavy side. Meanwhile, a truck full of food and expensive furnishings crashes through the front window. When Neil arrives home he tries to arrest his flatmates, provoking Vyvyan into labour.

1. Bambi

April 7, 1998

When Mike decides it's time to visit the launderette, one of Vyvyan's socks escapes and the machine revolts against their stinking bundle of washing. Neil suddenly remembers they are due to appear on University Challenge. Vyvyan loses his head during the train journey, and it looks like Scumbag will lose to Footlights College, Oxbridge, when a giant eclair stops play.

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Where to Watch The Young Ones

The Young Ones is available for streaming on the BBC America website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch The Young Ones on demand at Amazon, Vudu, Microsoft Movies & TV and Apple TV.