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Talking Bottom

The ultimate guide to the classic sitcom.

Publication date: 03 July, 2025
Status: Supporters list closed
Ebook: Paperback
Regular price £12.99
Regular price Sale price £12.99

Description

In 1991, a new comedy hit British screens, and, at first glance, it was just another sofa-based sitcom. Soon, it became apparent that Bottom was a masterpiece. Leaving an indelible mark on British comedy, it continues to delight and disgust new audiences today. Written by and starring comedy legends Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson as reprobates Richie and Eddie, their depraved universe unfolded over three chaotic TV series, five explosive live shows and a formidable feature film. Crafted by Bottom aficionados Paul Tanter, Angela Pearson and Mat Brooks, Talking Bottom is the ultimate guide to this outrageous and unforgettable sitcom.

Combining skilful slapstick with nob gags and Beckett-style nihilist humour, Bottom proved that laughter is the best way to confront life’s grimness. Talking Bottom champions the legacy of TV’s greatest losers, investigating every pratfall and punchline along the way. Complete with thorough ‘Bottom Inspections’ and ‘Bottom Nuggets’, this book features never-before-seen photos and draft script excerpts as well as fascinating interviews with cast and crew. Delve inside Bottom with Paul, Ange and Mat as they celebrate Rik and Ade’s unmatched talent for dirty double entendres and prove why this is Britain’s best-ever sitcom.

About the Author

Mat Brooks, Angela Pearson and Paul Tanter

Mat Brooks and Paul Tanter met Angela Pearson at her 2012 Bottom-themed pub quiz; celebrating the 21st anniversary of the show first airing on BBC2. There, despite fixing their buzzers, Mat and Paul lost, but won a miniature bottle of Malibu before Ange twotted them with a frying pan.


All becoming great mates, they leapt into action and immediately six years later started a podcast about Bottom. Their mission? To reignite comedy fans’ love for Rik Mayall and Ade Edmondson’s talent for toilet humour, notorious nob gags, slick slapstick, whimsical wordplay and dirty double entendres by talking some complete and utter b***ocks.


Convinced no one except Sad Ken would listen, they gave up their ample free time to produce and present Talking Bottom, in which they discussed, debated and downright argued about a TV show that had not been broadcast for decades.


Talking Bottom quickly became a regular in the iTunes podcast chart top ten, as Bottom fans old and new united in their appreciation of the much loved sitcom. Listeners enjoyed warmly remembering the cult British comedy classic, with high praise for the podcast ranging from ‘Nostalgic, funny and informative’ (*****), ‘Fantastic podcast from obvious super fans’ (*****) to ‘Not bad.’ (*)


Ange is a comedy publicist and journalist, Paul is a film and TV director and Mat is a stand up comedian. But who gives a wangle about that? Talking Bottom is not about them; it’s about honouring what they consider to be the world’s greatest sitcom...ever.

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