Video Business
September 2, 2002

Before political correctness became mandatory, there was "The Young Ones." Winner of the 1984 BAFTA award for Best Comedy series, the show aired briefly (and censored) on MTV. All twelve episodes are now available on an impressive three-disc set, "The Young Ones: Every Stoopid Episode" (color; NR; $59.98; street September 17). Four college roommates-- the neurotic Rick (Rik Mayall), violently punked-out Vyvyan (Adrian Edmonson), Neil the 80s-era hippie (Nigel Planner) and suave Mike (Christopher Ryan)-- live in squalor, bludgeon talking rats and hang with Buddy Holly. Part sitcom, part vaudeville, each episode sticks to a vague plot, with performances by bands including Madness and Motorhead and comedy routines by Alexei Sayle. The show was originally shot on video, and subsequently the picture is somewhat glaring. The extra features are a delight to any loyalist, featuring Creating The Young Ones, with commentary from the much-changed stars; Mayall's hilarious stand-up act; and pilot episodes of spinoffs "Filthy Rich & Catflap" and "Bottom." The most unique feature The Young Ones and the 80s ruminates, "The Young Ones took sitcoms closer to the edge than ever before…alternative comedy had torn up the sitcom rulebook for good." This humor may be too over-the-top for some viewers, but true fans will appreciate every one of these down and dirty episodes.