Filthy Rich And Catflap

Between the The Young Ones and Bottom

Filthy Rich & Catflap produced in 1986 and broadcast early in early 1987.

The series featured former The Young Ones stars Nigel Planer, Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson as its three title characters respectively. It was written by Ben Elton with additional material credited to Mayall. One series of six half-hour episodes was produced.

Although the series gained respectable viewing figures, it did not quite capture the imagination in the way its father programme, The Young Ones, did. While some parts of the show are of their time (particularly the topical satire aimed at Margaret Thatcher and her government) the main theme of the cult of celebrity and the pursuit of it by the talentless remains topical, possibly more so now than at the time.

The show included constant references to various celebrities; Jimmy Tarbuck was always referred to as "Tarby", while other celebrities, such as Leslie Crowther were referred to as "Leslie Crowthery" and Terry Wogan as "Terry Wogany". Richie liked to think that he was friends with these 'b-list' celebrities, despite never having met any of them.

The style of humour was very similar to that which Edmondson and Mayall would continue in the far more successful Bottom.