The Young Ones was a brilliant comedy show. The second series was truly the strongest, but there was never a duff episode. It was something different to the usual hospital and murder drama schedule that the BBC always had in mind. And the last episode is truly a great sign-off. The show stays amusing throughout - the ending is amusing and also emotional, depending on which way you look at it. All of the characters are once again as wild as they always were - Rick's luck is at its worst here, and Vyvyan even admits that mindless violence (his usual hobby) can be boring. Neil once again suffers, and Mike is his usual cool (yet rather uninteresting) self. This episode had loads of laughs on offer - the "Fascist Pig Bank" based on the Natwest had me in stitches. It is good to see that this show had no really emotional, sentimentalised conclusion in mind - it ended on the note that it had set for itself these past 12 episodes - a note of wildness and unpredictability. Though the death of SPG, the death of Rick's parents and the loss of the Young Ones' home were kind of setting things up for the end. But to be honest, every comedy show needs a real sign off. And the Young Ones had one. I will sum this comedy series up in one word - CRAZY. And spiffing as well. 10/10
3 Reviews
Sublime, init
safenoe10 April 2022
I have fond memories of The Young Ones and this series finale pretty much turned convention on its head and then some. But The Young Ones was famous for that, and whilst I would have loved for more series, I recognized later that really, 12 episodes was peak just like Fawlty Towers.
''Summer is a bummer!''
Rabical-914 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
The final outing for the gruesome foursome that were 'The Young Ones'.
The lads have finally completed their college course however are overcome by boredom. Neil is further depressed as his birthday has come round and the lads openly show no enthusiasm for the event. Worse to come, their landlord Mr. Balowski shows up and evicts them for non payment of rent, meaning they are forced to live on the streets.
In desperation, the guys rob a bank however Vyvyan bungles the operation by crashing his car into a lamp post ( killing his hamster S. P. G, who was sleeping on the bonnet grill, in the process ). Rick saves the day by hi-jacking a London bus however their success is short lived when the bus crashes through a billboard ( ironically advertising Cliff Richard's musical 'Summer Holiday' ) and over a cliff whereupon it bursts into flames when it reaches the bottom, apparently killing the foursome in the process.
'The Young Ones' ended on a high note with this little smasher of an episode. Rik wanted to seek other work so ended the show with Elton and Mayer whilst it was still fresh. The final episode was blatantly a dig at Cliff Richard's '60's film which was the show's namesake. A reference is made of this when Rik mentions Una Stubbs ( who was in the film ) whilst riding on the bus.
A fine ensemble of guests put in appearances for this finale. We have Lenny Henry as a nosey postman, Helen Lederer as an irritating bank clerk, Norman Lovett as a man in the bank queue and John Otway as a homeless busker belting out 'Body Talk'.
A book of the show was released in 1985 comprising of some new material. This was the closest fans got to a third series. A Christmas special was allegedly to be made however nothing ever came of it, though the lads did return to perform with Cliff Richard on a cover version of 'Livin' Doll' for 'Comic Relief'. In 1987, Rik, Ade and Nigel teamed up in a new show scripted by Ben Elton entitled 'Filthy, Rich & Catflap' but it never caught on with viewers ( though I liked it myself ) in the same way as 'The Young Ones' did.
Thanks to DVD releases as well as re-runs on satellite television, it seems a fair assumption that the show will not be forgotten in a hurry.
Funniest bit - fed up of constant put downs from Rick, Vyvyan and Mike, Neil goes into such a rage he suddenly transforms into The Incredible Hulk!
Second funniest bit - S. P. G flying up towards heaven, complete with halo and angel wings, after being killed when Vyvyan crashes the car!
The lads have finally completed their college course however are overcome by boredom. Neil is further depressed as his birthday has come round and the lads openly show no enthusiasm for the event. Worse to come, their landlord Mr. Balowski shows up and evicts them for non payment of rent, meaning they are forced to live on the streets.
In desperation, the guys rob a bank however Vyvyan bungles the operation by crashing his car into a lamp post ( killing his hamster S. P. G, who was sleeping on the bonnet grill, in the process ). Rick saves the day by hi-jacking a London bus however their success is short lived when the bus crashes through a billboard ( ironically advertising Cliff Richard's musical 'Summer Holiday' ) and over a cliff whereupon it bursts into flames when it reaches the bottom, apparently killing the foursome in the process.
'The Young Ones' ended on a high note with this little smasher of an episode. Rik wanted to seek other work so ended the show with Elton and Mayer whilst it was still fresh. The final episode was blatantly a dig at Cliff Richard's '60's film which was the show's namesake. A reference is made of this when Rik mentions Una Stubbs ( who was in the film ) whilst riding on the bus.
A fine ensemble of guests put in appearances for this finale. We have Lenny Henry as a nosey postman, Helen Lederer as an irritating bank clerk, Norman Lovett as a man in the bank queue and John Otway as a homeless busker belting out 'Body Talk'.
A book of the show was released in 1985 comprising of some new material. This was the closest fans got to a third series. A Christmas special was allegedly to be made however nothing ever came of it, though the lads did return to perform with Cliff Richard on a cover version of 'Livin' Doll' for 'Comic Relief'. In 1987, Rik, Ade and Nigel teamed up in a new show scripted by Ben Elton entitled 'Filthy, Rich & Catflap' but it never caught on with viewers ( though I liked it myself ) in the same way as 'The Young Ones' did.
Thanks to DVD releases as well as re-runs on satellite television, it seems a fair assumption that the show will not be forgotten in a hurry.
Funniest bit - fed up of constant put downs from Rick, Vyvyan and Mike, Neil goes into such a rage he suddenly transforms into The Incredible Hulk!
Second funniest bit - S. P. G flying up towards heaven, complete with halo and angel wings, after being killed when Vyvyan crashes the car!
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
