Rik Mayall: Magnificent B’Stard review – Ade Edmondson still visibly shaken by loss

A tribute to a comedy legend

Sky's documentary "Rik Mayall: Magnificent B’Stard" is a 90-minute journey through the career of the legendary British comedian, serving as both a homage and an elegy for the lost youth of the generation that grew up with his iconic characters: Rick the Poet, Kevin Turvey, the anarchist Rick from "The Young Ones", Lord Flashheart in "Blackadder", and the fictional Tory MP Alan B’Stard in "The New Statesman".

Edmondson's personal recollections

A major focus is Mayall's longtime friend and performing partner Ade Edmondson, who lights up when recalling their early days with the 20th Century Coyote comedy troupe and the Dangerous Brothers. He fondly remembers their 1991 production of Beckett's "Waiting for Godot", which he calls "Bottom with Wile E. Coyote violence".

However, Edmondson also reveals for the first time the painful breakup of their partnership. After Mayall's serious quad biking accident in 1998, his drinking worsened and behavioral changes strained their relationship. Edmondson told Mayall he no longer wanted to work with him. "We never really got to an understanding about that," says Edmondson, visibly stricken. Mayall collapsed and died of a heart attack on 9 June 2014.

A balanced tone

While the documentary celebrates Mayall's greatest hits, it doesn't shy away from difficult moments, such as the 1995 production of "Cell Mates" that collapsed after Stephen Fry's disappearance. Co-creator Ben Elton sometimes pushes toward hagiography, but the overall tone remains celebratory without being sycophantic. The lasting impression comes from the genuine fondness of contributors and the enduring love from Mayall's children.