Carnival (Bottom episode)
Encyclopedia
Carnival is the sixth and final episode of the third and final series of British
television
sitcom Bottom
. It was first broadcast on 10 February 1995.
blows", with one of the planned items to loot being a TV set. When they return to their flat with the events of their looting not seen to the viewers, it is discovered to them that Eddie dropped the TV while being run over by the "riot squad", but to his excitement still got the free rubber duck
that "came with the telly", although "everything came free with the telly". However, despite the disaster with the TV set loot, they still manage to pick up their shopping for the year and a large quantity of Orion
VCRs (which is revealed near the end of the episode as one of the items Eddie looted), as well as a BBC video camera with tape which Richie took while thinking he had every right to as he pays his television licence
fees, although Eddie says he don't, Richie replies "But they don't know that!" before Eddie calls him a "master criminal".
With the camera (which Richie reveals he stole after beating Eddie up for fantasing over Sharon Stone
), Richie comes up with an idea to make loads of films with the camera in the hope it would make him and Eddie both famous so they would get their "pick of the birds" afterwards. Firstly, Eddie comes up with an idea to make 9 1/2 Weeks, but changes this to Nude Birds Go Upstairs to Eddie's Bedroom, before Richie tells him to come back and comes up with the idea of doing his own prime time current affairs discussion program, after both suggesting Robert Kilroy-Silk
is the most popular TV male celeb of the moment. This leads to a segment in which Richie is filmed by Eddie wearing a white wig to resemble Kilroy's hair, doing a "Studio special report" asking the question "Should traffic warden
s be armed?", only to go falling down the stairs and then through a nearby plaster wall, before going head first into the toilet. Eddie then suggests that if he turned the camera on, they would have had a good video to send into the fictional TV show Jeremy Beadle
's Viciously Hilarious Domestic Violent Incidents, so he says to do it again with the camera on. Richie instead decides to return to the drawing room
and also the drawing board before agreeing on Eddie's idea to involve an accident in which you "accidentally catch a dart in your head".
In a parody suggesting all or most of the videos featured on You've Been Framed! at the time were set-up, Eddie is filmed at the stove cooking hot fat in a frying pan while wearing an apron suggesting that its "Just an ordinary day in my kitchen!", only to get a dart in the eye from Richie sitting behind the camera (after shouting "Oh Marjorie!"), seconds after Eddie said "I hope to goodness, gracious, me no viciously hilarious accidents happen!". In this first take however, the dart ends up in Eddie's eye instead of in his forehead, so they have to go again for a second time. The second take, which Richie tells Eddie is "The BAFTA
", sees Eddie act this time in a slight aggressive tone of voice due to the calamity during the first take, while informing the camera he's "lost the sight in one eye". This time round Eddie catches the dart in the forehead, suggesting one of the local youths threw the dart, before saying he's gone all dizzy and will fall into the frying pan of fat, only to spill it intentionally all over himself which leads to him to ask for matches. With this Richie goes up to Eddie appearing in the film informing him that they're losing their audience, before setting him alight. Eddie once on fire, then says he'll hope not to fall out out of the window nearby which he also says was left open, after this Eddie does fall out but by jumping through intentionally smashing the glass and the wooden frames that holds the glass panels in.
In the next scene, the audience find out that there was no tape in the camera all along, meaning he will have to go again despite smoldering in smoke. After Eddie's objections to do so in which he suggests is going "back to casualty
", Richie says that a blank tape is useless to him, only for this to give him an idea and make that the joke, suggesting that he was filming his wife "accidentally sewing her head to the curtains when suddenly joke on joke, I realised I suddenly forgotten to put the tape in the camera!". Richie is still unconvinced the tape is blank, but thinks they do not have a tape recorder to check, only for Eddie to reveal he looted 17 from the morning riot and still has 43 in the attic. On the eve of the following year's carnival and just after Richie returns from his holiday abroad singing "he rattled his maracas close to me!
", they manage to get the VCR to finally work, despite Eddie blowing it up at first. They get the video repair man out to sort out the VCR, only to send him tumbling down the stairs after pulling a lever, all this despite giving him a massive box of Malibu
in lieu of cash (earlier on in the episode, Eddie got angry that their flat was burgled during the riot, but only feeling this way after finding out that all his 156 cases of Malibu were stolen although he still had 50 upstairs).
While eventually viewing the tape, they find out despite the recording being made in mute, is a film of the Prime Minister having an affair (the film is never shown to the audience). They try to blackmail the Prime Minister with it, but this leads to them being gunned down by masked members of the SAS
(and possibly "killed" although the characters would appear in later live shows).
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
sitcom Bottom
Bottom (TV series)
Bottom was a British sitcom television series that originally aired on BBC2 between 1991 and 1995. It was written by comic duo Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson who star as Richie and Eddie, two flatmates living on the dole in Hammersmith, London...
. It was first broadcast on 10 February 1995.
Synopsis
The episode opens with Richie and Eddie sitting in "The best seats for the annual Hammersmith riot" (which is watching from out of their own lounge window). While admiring the ongoing violence taking place during what is supposed to be a carnival parade, Richie and Eddie decide to do some looting "When CurrysCurrys
Currys is an electrical retailer in the United Kingdom and Ireland and is owned by Dixons Retail plc. It specialises in selling home electronics and household appliances, with 295 superstores and 73 high street stores...
blows", with one of the planned items to loot being a TV set. When they return to their flat with the events of their looting not seen to the viewers, it is discovered to them that Eddie dropped the TV while being run over by the "riot squad", but to his excitement still got the free rubber duck
Rubber duck
A rubber duck is a toy shaped like a stylised Yellow-billed Duck , and is generally yellow with a flat base. It may be made of rubber or rubber-like material such as vinyl plastic...
that "came with the telly", although "everything came free with the telly". However, despite the disaster with the TV set loot, they still manage to pick up their shopping for the year and a large quantity of Orion
Orion (company)
Orion Electronics Ltd was established in 1913 in Hungary. Started as a manufacturer of electrical bulbs, Orion has been producing electronic goods since the 1920s.Radio production started in 1920s and televisions in 1956...
VCRs (which is revealed near the end of the episode as one of the items Eddie looted), as well as a BBC video camera with tape which Richie took while thinking he had every right to as he pays his television licence
Television licence
A television licence is an official licence required in many countries for the reception of television broadcasts...
fees, although Eddie says he don't, Richie replies "But they don't know that!" before Eddie calls him a "master criminal".
With the camera (which Richie reveals he stole after beating Eddie up for fantasing over Sharon Stone
Sharon Stone
Sharon Vonne Stone is an American actress, film producer, and former fashion model. She achieved international recognition for her role in the erotic thriller Basic Instinct...
), Richie comes up with an idea to make loads of films with the camera in the hope it would make him and Eddie both famous so they would get their "pick of the birds" afterwards. Firstly, Eddie comes up with an idea to make 9 1/2 Weeks, but changes this to Nude Birds Go Upstairs to Eddie's Bedroom, before Richie tells him to come back and comes up with the idea of doing his own prime time current affairs discussion program, after both suggesting Robert Kilroy-Silk
Robert Kilroy-Silk
Robert Michael Kilroy-Silk is an English former politician, former independent Member of the European Parliament, and former television presenter, best known for his daytime talk show Kilroy. He has been a university lecturer and Labour Party Member of Parliament...
is the most popular TV male celeb of the moment. This leads to a segment in which Richie is filmed by Eddie wearing a white wig to resemble Kilroy's hair, doing a "Studio special report" asking the question "Should traffic warden
Traffic warden
A traffic warden is a non-warranted officer employed by a statutory authority in jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Ireland, to assist in regulating the flow of traffic.- Ireland :...
s be armed?", only to go falling down the stairs and then through a nearby plaster wall, before going head first into the toilet. Eddie then suggests that if he turned the camera on, they would have had a good video to send into the fictional TV show Jeremy Beadle
Jeremy Beadle
Jeremy James Anthony Gibson-Beadle MBE was an English television presenter, writer and producer. During the 1980s, he was a regular face on British television and in two years appeared 50 weeks of the year. His shows regularly topped the charts beating Coronation Street and EastEnders on one...
's Viciously Hilarious Domestic Violent Incidents, so he says to do it again with the camera on. Richie instead decides to return to the drawing room
Living room
A living room, also known as sitting room, lounge room or lounge , is a room for entertaining adult guests, reading, or other activities...
and also the drawing board before agreeing on Eddie's idea to involve an accident in which you "accidentally catch a dart in your head".
In a parody suggesting all or most of the videos featured on You've Been Framed! at the time were set-up, Eddie is filmed at the stove cooking hot fat in a frying pan while wearing an apron suggesting that its "Just an ordinary day in my kitchen!", only to get a dart in the eye from Richie sitting behind the camera (after shouting "Oh Marjorie!"), seconds after Eddie said "I hope to goodness, gracious, me no viciously hilarious accidents happen!". In this first take however, the dart ends up in Eddie's eye instead of in his forehead, so they have to go again for a second time. The second take, which Richie tells Eddie is "The BAFTA
British Academy of Film and Television Arts
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is a charity in the United Kingdom that hosts annual awards shows for excellence in film, television, television craft, video games and forms of animation.-Introduction:...
", sees Eddie act this time in a slight aggressive tone of voice due to the calamity during the first take, while informing the camera he's "lost the sight in one eye". This time round Eddie catches the dart in the forehead, suggesting one of the local youths threw the dart, before saying he's gone all dizzy and will fall into the frying pan of fat, only to spill it intentionally all over himself which leads to him to ask for matches. With this Richie goes up to Eddie appearing in the film informing him that they're losing their audience, before setting him alight. Eddie once on fire, then says he'll hope not to fall out out of the window nearby which he also says was left open, after this Eddie does fall out but by jumping through intentionally smashing the glass and the wooden frames that holds the glass panels in.
In the next scene, the audience find out that there was no tape in the camera all along, meaning he will have to go again despite smoldering in smoke. After Eddie's objections to do so in which he suggests is going "back to casualty
Emergency department
An emergency department , also known as accident & emergency , emergency room , emergency ward , or casualty department is a medical treatment facility specialising in acute care of patients who present without prior appointment, either by their own means or by ambulance...
", Richie says that a blank tape is useless to him, only for this to give him an idea and make that the joke, suggesting that he was filming his wife "accidentally sewing her head to the curtains when suddenly joke on joke, I realised I suddenly forgotten to put the tape in the camera!". Richie is still unconvinced the tape is blank, but thinks they do not have a tape recorder to check, only for Eddie to reveal he looted 17 from the morning riot and still has 43 in the attic. On the eve of the following year's carnival and just after Richie returns from his holiday abroad singing "he rattled his maracas close to me!
Y viva España
"Eviva España" is a 1971 song sung by Belgian singer Samantha with music and lyrics written by Leo Roozenstraten and Leo Caerts...
", they manage to get the VCR to finally work, despite Eddie blowing it up at first. They get the video repair man out to sort out the VCR, only to send him tumbling down the stairs after pulling a lever, all this despite giving him a massive box of Malibu
Malibu Rum
Malibu Rum is a flavored rum made with natural coconut extract, possessing an alcohol content by volume of 21.0% . The brand is owned by Pernod Ricard and it is made in Canada.-History:...
in lieu of cash (earlier on in the episode, Eddie got angry that their flat was burgled during the riot, but only feeling this way after finding out that all his 156 cases of Malibu were stolen although he still had 50 upstairs).
While eventually viewing the tape, they find out despite the recording being made in mute, is a film of the Prime Minister having an affair (the film is never shown to the audience). They try to blackmail the Prime Minister with it, but this leads to them being gunned down by masked members of the SAS
Special Air Service
Special Air Service or SAS is a corps of the British Army constituted on 31 May 1950. They are part of the United Kingdom Special Forces and have served as a model for the special forces of many other countries all over the world...
(and possibly "killed" although the characters would appear in later live shows).
Continuity and production errors
- There is a scene where Richie asks Eddie if it is so good to get his feet up. Eddie responds with "No, I'm not that pervy", with Richie saying "Are you not?". In an out-take (seen on the Bottom Fluff video), Edmondson says "No. Do you know... I've forgotten my next line...!". In the next take, he forgets to say "no", and it looks as if Eddie ignored Richie's question.
- Eddie says that he is going to write to his MPMember of ParliamentA Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
, Tony BlairTony BlairAnthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...
. Blair was MP for the constituency of SedgefieldSedgefieldSedgefield is a small town and civil parish in County Durham, England. It has a population of 4,534.Sedgefield has attracted particular attention as the Member of Parliament for the wider Sedgefield constituency was the former Prime Minister Tony Blair; he was the area's MP from 1983 to 2008,...
, County Durham. Since Bottom is set in Hammersmith, London, it is impossible that he is their MP so this might be a play on their ignorance of life.
- When Richie is enacting the introduction to his daytime discussion programme, he trips on trailing cables and falls down the stairs. However, although he is wearing an navy blue jeans coupled with a navy suit jacket at the time, the stunt double is clearly wearing light blue jeans. Once Richie is stuck in the toilet, he is wearing the correct colour jeans again.
- Whilst setting up the VCR, Eddie announces that he will be connecting the scart socket to the lank connector. However, neither of these wires are actually attached to the VCR, rendering the action useless.
- In the opening sequences, when the shot momentarily switches to the inside of the flat to show Eddie's stash of Malibu crates, the outline of the camera used to film the opening shots, from the perspective of 'outside the flat' is visible through the window.
Cast
| Cast | Characters |
| Rik Mayall Rik Mayall Richard Michael "Rik" Mayall is an English comedian, writer, and actor. He is known for his comedy partnership with Ade Edmondson, his over-the-top, energetic portrayal of characters, and as a pioneer of alternative comedy in the early 1980s... |
Richie |
| Adrian Edmondson | Eddie |