Filthy, Rich And Catflap (BBC-2 1987, Rik Mayall, Ade Edmondson)

In Filthy, Rich and Catflap, something of a misfire from the normally spot on giants of British alternative comedy Rik Mayall plays Richie Rich who is a minor TV celebrity with a huge ego. His agent is the useless Filthy Ralph (a great performance from Nigel Planer) and his minder is the alcoholic Eddie Catflap.

The series took plenty of pot-shots at various TV styles but never hit the heights of the Young Ones, possibly thanks to the cruel streak that ran through the series. The title was excellent though.

Rik Mayall wrote quite a bit of the series in collaboration with Ben Elton. It was intended that they would write the whole thing together but circumstances dictated that Mayall was given an “additional material by” credit instead.

production details
UK / BBC Two / 6×35 minute episodes / Broadcast 7 January – 11 February 1987 Wednesday at 9.5pm

Writer: Ben Elton / Producer and Director: Paul Jackson

cast
Nigel Planer as Filthy Ralph (aka Ralph Filthy)
Rik Mayall as Richie Rich
Adrian Edmondson as Eddie Catflap