...and a new clips compilation

The Gold channel has commissioned a major documentary about the impact The Young Ones had on the comedy scene.

How The Young Ones Changed Comedy will feature archive  footage with revelations from the stars and the production team, including Nigel Planer, Alexei Sayle, director Paul Jackson and writer Lise Mayer.

Meanwhile, comedians who followed in its wake, such as David Baddiel, Charlie Higson, Clive Anderson and Richard Herring, will discuss how it influenced them and galvanised the British comedy scene.  

Joe McVey, who commissioned the show for Gold said: ‘I can think of no other sitcom that has had a larger influence on modern comedy than The Young Ones. 

‘And while watching it in glorious HD may not have the same illicit thrill as watching it on some dodgy VHS passed around the playground most fans of the show’s eyesight isn’t what it was so it’s probably for the best. 

‘For true fans of the show may I suggest watching it with a youngster and enjoy the repetition of the phrase "so that’s where that comes from".’

The two-hour documentary will be accompanied by an hour-long clips compilation, The Young Ones’ 20 Greatest Moments, with both airing this spring

News of the two shows comes two days after what would have been Rik Mayall’s 60th birthday.

John Quinn, executive producer of both shows for programme-makers North One, said: ‘Terrifyingly, I am old enough to remember watching the first episode go out as a kid. 

‘I had no idea what it was, but the moment Rik Mayall launched into a poetic eulogy to Cliff and Vyvyan made his crashing entrance through the kitchen wall screaming ‘I’ve been down the morgue – I got a leg!’, I knew I would never look at comedy the same way again.

‘It’s a thing of sheer joy to be making this overdue tribute to a genuine game-changer.’

The Young Ones ran on BBC Two for just two series in 1982 and 1984. It also starred Christopher Ryan and Adrian Edmondson, while Ben Elton and Mayall co-wrote it with Meyer.

Published: 9 Mar 2018