How sad: Rik Mayall dies age 56
 
 

Never heard of him, but 56 is WAAAY too early!  That picture of him sure makes him look quite a bit older though...

He was a huge part of British comedy through the '80's and '90's Craig..The New Statesman, The Young Ones, Bottom, Blackadder etc. I was stunned when I heard this on the radio this afternoon. Can't seem to find why he died, unless it was related to the head injuries he sustained in the quad-bike accident back in 1998.

I was aware of Rik on The Young Ones.  I'd forgotten that he was on Black Adder.  I've seen a few  episodes of each one, but I didn't have as much access to British TV as I do now.  I wish I'd seen more of both shows. 
 
RIP, Rik. 

jamesg1213
He was a huge part of British comedy through the '80's and '90's Craig..The New Statesman, The Young Ones, Bottom, Blackadder etc. I was stunned when I heard this on the radio this afternoon. Can't seem to find why he died, unless it was related to the head injuries he sustained in the quad-bike accident back in 1998.

So it's probably embarrassing to admit that I've never heard of ANY of those shows too, eh?  

 
Some highlights for me, aside from The Young Ones and his occasional role as Lord Flashheart:
 
I loved 'Kevin Turvey', (The Comic Strip Presents) 'Bad News on Tour' was inspired, and Rik's portrayal of Alan B'Stard was sheer genius.

Don't think I've ever been more gutted by a celebrity death :(

Mayall and the rest pretty much defined the sense of humor of everyone who was at school when The Young Ones came out.

craigb

jamesg1213
He was a huge part of British comedy through the '80's and '90's Craig..The New Statesman, The Young Ones, Bottom, Blackadder etc. I was stunned when I heard this on the radio this afternoon. Can't seem to find why he died, unless it was related to the head injuries he sustained in the quad-bike accident back in 1998.

So it's probably embarrassing to admit that I've never heard of ANY of those shows too, eh?  

It just means that you were too young to be interested.  If I remember correctly, The Young Ones was on PBS in New York for a short while.  I think it was on Sunday night right before or after Monty Python.  I never missed MP.  While I liked TYO a bit, I wasn't able to see it as often. 

So sad to hear this.  Loved Rik in most everything he did.  Especially "The Young Ones".

craigb

jamesg1213
He was a huge part of British comedy through the '80's and '90's Craig..The New Statesman, The Young Ones, Bottom, Blackadder etc. I was stunned when I heard this on the radio this afternoon. Can't seem to find why he died, unless it was related to the head injuries he sustained in the quad-bike accident back in 1998.

So it's probably embarrassing to admit that I've never heard of ANY of those shows too, eh?  

..and I didn't even mention 'Filthy, Rich and Catflap'...