'The Young Ones' took the nation by storm in the early '80's. The reason for its success lay in the fact that nothing quite so loud, wild and surreal as it had been seen on television before, not at least since 'Monty Python's Flying Circus' in the early '70's. The impact it had on viewers was phenomenal. However, its creators - Ben Elton, Lise Mayer and Rik Mayall ( who also starred in the show ) - did not want it to overstay its welcome and decided it would come to an end after two series, with the final episode going out in the summer of 1984. Two and a half years later, Elton and Mayall tried to replicate the success of 'The Young Ones' with 'Filthy, Rich & Catflap' ( produced and directed by Paul Jackson and Ed Bye ). It featured Mayall as forgotten television personality Richie Rich, Ade Edmondson as his uncouth, drunken minder Eddie Catflap and Nigel Planer as his sleazy, slimy agent Ralph Filthy ( who was allegedly based on a real life Soho agent ). Despite the continuity announcer stating in the final episode that the show would return the following year, 'Filthy, Rich & Catflap' was taken off air after only six episodes. The reason for its lack of longevity is really quite simple - it was a flop. Critics and viewers alike ripped it to pieces and why? Because the public's affection for 'The Young Ones' was still far too strong and for 'Filthy, Rich & Catflap' to appear so soon after its cancellation gave one the impression that Elton and Mayall, as well as the BBC, were trying to stage a replacement.
Was this critical backlash justified? Was it really a pale imitation of 'The Young Ones'? My personal opinion? No! If truth be told, I thought it was absolutely bloody hilarious. It was more in your face than 'The Young Ones' in as much as it made even less of an attempt than the previous show, if indeed any at all, to maintain the illusion that it was not a sitcom. For example, in the final episode as the credits rolled, Eddie demolished the set before the studio audience whilst Richie sat admiring himself on television, having successfully blagged his way to the top. The level of violence was as animated as ever. In one episode, Richie got coshed across the head with a dislodged toilet bowl and in another had a fireman's axe thrust straight into his groin.
Many talented people took part in the show, some of whom were just starting out on television and some of whom were already established names. To name a few, we had the late Mel Smith, Harry Enfield, Chris Barrie, Midge Ure, The Nolan Sisters and 'TV-AM' presenter Anne Diamond.
Thanks to DVD releases and repeats on satellite television, 'Filthy, Rich & Catflap' in recent years has had the chance to enjoy the acclaim it deserves, though it is still a shame that a second series never got made. Ah well, review's over now, thanks for reading folks and as the legend that is Richie Rich would say: ''Look after mum, drive carefully and if you can't be good, be careful!''.
