Discovering The Young Ones: The Iconic Comedy That Changed Everything
Have you ever wondered about the comedy show that just, you know, completely broke the mold? The one that felt like nothing else on telly at the time? Well, that's exactly what we're talking about with the young ones. It's a British comedy, first seen way back in 1982, on BBC2, and it truly left a big mark on how we think about funny shows, even today.
This particular show, the young ones, was, in a way, pretty different from anything that came before it. Instead of following the usual rules for a sitcom, where stories neatly wrap up, this one took a sort of dreamlike, sometimes very odd, approach to comedy. It really just went its own way, you know?
It was a show that, basically, brought something fresh and wild to our screens, making some of its performers household names and, in some respects, kicking off a whole new era of comedy. So, let's take a closer look at what made the young ones such a special, enduring part of British culture.
Table of Contents
- History and Origins
- The Unique World of The Young Ones
- Cultural Impact and Legacy
- Why It Still Resonates
- Frequently Asked Questions About The Young Ones
History and Origins
The young ones, you see, burst onto the scene in 1982, and it was, honestly, a pretty big deal for BBC2. This wasn't just another show; it was something that really stood out, almost like a breath of fresh air for people watching telly back then. It ran for two series, which, for a show so different, was quite an achievement, don't you think?
How it Began
This particular British comedy show, the young ones, first came to our screens in 1982. It was shown on BBC2, and, well, it pretty much instantly got people talking. It wasn't just a simple story; it was more like a wild ride through the lives of some young people, living together in a very particular time. It definitely felt, you know, fresh and new, especially for the 1980s, which was a time of, arguably, a lot of change.
The show, the young ones, really did something different with how comedy was put together. Instead of, say, having a clear start, middle, and end to every episode, it often just sort of, well, went wherever it wanted. This approach, you know, made it stand out from pretty much every other sitcom that had been on telly before. It was a bit of a gamble, but it certainly paid off, as a matter of fact.
The Creative Minds
So, who was behind all this wildness? The young ones was, actually, a British sitcom written by some really clever people. Rik Mayall, Ben Elton, and Lise Mayer were the ones who put it all down on paper. These writers, you know, had a knack for creating something truly unique, something that didn't just follow the usual comedy rules. It was, arguably, a team effort that really clicked.
The show also had a fantastic group of performers bringing these characters to life. We're talking about Adrian Edmondson, Rik Mayall himself, Nigel Planer, Christopher Ryan, and Alexei Sayle. This group, basically, formed the heart of the young ones, and their performances were, like, truly unforgettable. They made the often bizarre situations feel, well, just right.
It's worth noting, too, that the young ones played a big part in launching careers. Ben Elton, for example, became a major writer after this show. It was, in a way, the very first situation comedy of what people call the "alternative generation," really setting a new standard for comedy that was, you know, a bit more edgy and unexpected.
The Unique World of The Young Ones
When you watch the young ones, you're not just watching a regular comedy show; you're stepping into a world that's, well, pretty much unlike anything else. It's a place where the normal rules of reality seem to take a holiday, and anything, honestly, can happen. This is, you know, a big part of its charm and why it still gets talked about.
Characters and Chaos
At the heart of the young ones are four very different students, all sharing a house during Thatcher's Britain. Their lives are, to be honest, a mix of crazy and sometimes very surreal comedic adventures. These young people are, you know, a bit deluded, often grubby, and pretty bored, but they stumble through their oddly fantastic world with a sort of chaotic energy.
Each character in the young ones brings their own distinct flavor to the mix. There's the punk, the hippie, the boring one, and the rather angry one, and their interactions are, quite simply, comedy gold. The show, in fact, thrives on their clashes and the often absurd situations they find themselves in. It's like watching a train wreck, but, you know, a really funny one, actually.
A New Kind of Comedy
The young ones was, truly, unlike any previous sitcom. Instead of sticking to familiar story structures and neat resolutions, it took an almost dreamlike approach to comedy. This meant that, well, you never quite knew what was going to happen next, and that was, arguably, a huge part of its appeal.
Its wildly unpredictable sense of humor, in the 1980s, made the performers famous in the UK. Soon after that, it was even shown to Americans on MTV, which was, you know, a pretty big deal for a British comedy. The young ones, basically, helped bring alternative comedy to television in the 1980s, making household names of its cast and changing what people expected from funny shows.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
The young ones isn't just a comedy show from the past; it's a piece of television history that, honestly, had a profound effect. It's one of those shows that people still talk about, still quote, and still watch, even now, which says a lot about its lasting appeal, you know?
Changing the Landscape
This iconic 80s sitcom, the young ones, really did change comedy. It showed that you didn't have to follow the old rules to be funny and successful. It pushed boundaries, it was bold, and it paved the way for a whole new generation of comedians and comedy writers. It was, in a way, a turning point for what was considered acceptable or even possible on television.
The show's wildly unpredictable, offbeat humor was, actually, instrumental in bringing alternative comedy right into people's living rooms. Before the young ones, this kind of comedy was often found in clubs or on the fringes, but this show, basically, brought it to the mainstream. It really opened doors for others, which is, you know, pretty cool.
Beyond the UK
While it started as a British sensation, the young ones didn't just stay in the UK. Soon after it became a hit there, it was shown to Americans on MTV. This move, you know, helped introduce a whole new audience to its unique style of humor, proving that its wild charm could cross oceans. It was, basically, a testament to how universally funny its particular brand of chaos could be.
The show's influence can still be seen in comedy today, which is, you know, a clear sign of its lasting power. Many comedians and writers will point to the young ones as something that inspired them, something that showed them that comedy could be, well, a bit more daring and unexpected. It's like a foundational text for a certain type of humor, honestly.
Why It Still Resonates
Even today, decades after it first aired, the young ones continues to find new fans and delight old ones. There's something about its wild energy and its utterly unique approach to storytelling that just, you know, holds up. It doesn't feel dated in the way some other shows from the 80s might; it still feels fresh and, frankly, a bit bonkers.
Perhaps it's the timeless nature of young people trying to figure things out, or maybe it's the sheer audacity of its humor. Whatever the reason, the young ones remains a beloved piece of television history. It's a show that, basically, reminds us that comedy can be anything it wants to be, as long as it makes you laugh, really. You can learn more about the young ones and its place in BBC history.
So, if you've never seen it, or if it's been a while, maybe it's time to revisit the crazy world of the young ones. It's a show that, you know, pretty much guaranteed a good laugh, and it still does. You can learn more about classic British television on our site, and link to this page for a deeper look into comedy's past.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Young Ones
What was The Young Ones about?
The young ones was, essentially, a British sitcom that followed the crazy and sometimes very surreal comedic adventures of four very different students living together in Thatcher's Britain. It showed their lives as, you know, a bit deluded, often grubby, and pretty bored, as they stumbled through their oddly fantastic world.
Who starred in The Young Ones?
The main performers in the young ones were Adrian Edmondson, Rik Mayall, Nigel Planer, Christopher Ryan, and Alexei Sayle. This group, basically, brought the show's unique characters and wild situations to life, making them household names in the UK, and, you know, pretty famous elsewhere too.
Why was The Young Ones so important for comedy?
The young ones was, in a way, truly important because it was unlike any other previous sitcom. Instead of sticking to familiar story structures and neat resolutions, it took an almost dreamlike approach to comedy. Its wild, offbeat humor helped bring alternative comedy to television in the 1980s, really changing what people expected from funny shows and launching new careers, you know?
"Portrait Of Young Girl Modeling Stylish Clothes" by Stocksy
ArtStation - Portrait of a young Indian girl
"Close Up Of A Cute Young Girl Smiling" by Stocksy Contributor "Jakob
