Bottom (1991)
The anarchic BBC Two sitcom that turned squalor, slapstick, and spectacular bad behaviour into pure comedy gold.
Bottom - Series Information
- Original Title: Bottom
- First Air Year: 1991
- Last Air Year: 1995
- Created by: Rik Mayall, Adrian Edmondson
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 30 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 18
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 17, 1991 (United States - TV-14), September 17, 1991 (Canada - 18+), September 17, 1991 (United Kingdom - 15), September 17, 1991 (Germany - 18), September 17, 1991 (France - 10), September 17, 1991 (Australia - M), September 17, 1991 (Spain - 18)
- Networks: BBC Two
- Production Companies: BBC
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Bottom - Plot
Richie Richard (socially awkward, sexually inexperienced) and Eddie Hitler (carefree alcoholic) are two social outcasts living on the dole. Trapped together in a squalid flat in Hammersmith, London they are perpetually skint, bored and sexually frustrated. They spend their days scheming, bickering, and being nasty and sadistic to each other.
Bottom - Trailer
Check out a clip from the series and see the chaos for yourself.
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Bottom - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Rik Mayall
- Adrian Edmondson
Main Cast
- Adrian Edmondson
- Rik Mayall
- Christopher Ryan
- Steven O'Donnell
- Lee Cornes
- Rupert Bates
- Helen Lederer
- Roger Sloman
- Clive Mantle
- Brian Glover
Writers
- Rik Mayall
- Adrian Edmondson
Bottom - FAQs
Is Bottom based on any real people or events?
Bottom is entirely fictional, though Richie and Eddie's anarchic dynamic grew directly from Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson's long creative partnership. The duo had honed their volatile, physically brutal double-act through years of alternative comedy, and much of the characters' chaotic energy reflects their own real-life friendship and comedic instincts.
Is Bottom worth watching for fans of British comedy?
Absolutely essential viewing. Bottom is widely regarded as one of the finest British sitcoms ever made, blending savage slapstick with sharp, anarchic writing. Mayall and Edmondson's chemistry is electric, and the show's gleeful cruelty and physical comedy hold up brilliantly. It's a masterclass in comic timing and gleefully bad behaviour.
Where can you stream or watch Bottom?
Bottom is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads. If you prefer to own it, episodes can be purchased through Amazon Video and the Apple TV Store. Availability may vary slightly by region.
Why does Eddie Hitler have such an outrageous name?
Eddie Hitler's surname is a deliberate provocation — pure Mayall and Edmondson shock comedy. The name is designed to be absurd and offensive in equal measure, perfectly capturing the show's anarchic spirit. It signals immediately that Bottom operates in a world where nothing is sacred and bad taste is worn as a badge of honour.
How many seasons and episodes does Bottom have?
Bottom ran for three series on BBC Two between 1991 and 1995, with six episodes per series — 18 episodes in total. Beyond the TV run, Mayall and Edmondson also took the characters on hugely popular live stage tours, extending the Bottom universe well beyond the small screen.
Who created and wrote Bottom?
Bottom was created and written entirely by Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson, who also starred as Richie and Eddie. The pair had previously collaborated on The Young Ones and Filthy Rich & Catflap, and Bottom represented the fullest expression of their anarchic, violence-soaked comedic vision.
How was Bottom received by critics and audiences?
Bottom earned a devoted cult following and strong ratings during its BBC Two run, celebrated for its fearless slapstick and the extraordinary physical commitment of its two leads. Critics recognised it as a high-water mark of British alternative comedy, and its reputation has only grown in the decades since it ended in 1995.
What shows are similar to Bottom?
Fans of Bottom tend to love The Young Ones and Filthy Rich & Catflap, both earlier Mayall and Edmondson collaborations. For a more modern fix of misanthropic comedy, Peep Show and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia capture a similar spirit of two deeply flawed men making spectacularly bad decisions together.
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