The Young Ones 1982
What is The Young Ones?
The Young Ones is a British television sitcom that first aired on BBC2 in 1982. Written by Rik Mayall, Ben Elton, and Lise Mayer, the series features the surreal and anarchic adventures of four students living together in a shared house during the era of Thatcher's Britain.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1982
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 12
- Runtime
- 29 minutes
- First aired
- Nov 9, 1982
- Last aired
- Jun 19, 1984
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- GB
- Networks
- BBC Two
- Genres
- Comedy
- Updated
Where to watch
Buy
Apple TV Store
Stream
Sky Go
Now TVBuy
Amazon VideoApple TV Store
Fandango At HomeStreaming availability data provided by JustWatch via TMDB. Availability changes by country and date; verify on the provider before subscribing or purchasing.
How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 12 episodes and an average 29-minute runtime.
Trailer
Overview
The Young Ones is a British television sitcom that first aired on BBC2 in 1982. Written by Rik Mayall, Ben Elton, and Lise Mayer, the series features the surreal and anarchic adventures of four students living together in a shared house during the era of Thatcher's Britain. The main characters include Rick, who is politically minded and fond of Cliff Richard; Vyvyan, an experimental scientist and part-time anarchist; Neil, a worried hippy; and Mike, who considers himself a ladies' man. The show stars Rik Mayall, Adrian Edmondson, Nigel Planer, Christopher Ryan, and Alexei Sayle. Spanning two series and a total of 12 episodes, the program is credited with helping to bring alternative comedy to television during the 1980s. Following its initial run on British television, which concluded in 1984, the series was broadcast on MTV in 1985. The show remains recognized for its offbeat humor and its portrayal of the misadventures of its four distinct lead characters.
Should you watch it?
“Chaotic student housemates clash in absurd sitcom anarchy.”
- Groundbreaking British comedy with unique characters
- Influential cult classic with quotable dialogue
- Wildly creative and unpredictable scenarios
- Dated cultural references may confuse modern viewers
- Intentionally abrasive humor not for everyone
You enjoy offbeat British humor and chaotic ensemble casts.
Suitable for adults who appreciate surreal, irreverent comedy.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about The Young Ones — answers are spoiler-safe.
Your verdict
Is The Young Ones worth watching?
Cast
Episode guide
Season 1 · 6 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide →- E1 Demolition Nov 9, 1982
- E2 Oil Nov 16, 1982
- E3 Boring Nov 23, 1982
- E4 Bomb Nov 30, 1982
- E5 Interesting Dec 7, 1982
- E6 Flood Dec 14, 1982
Frequently asked questions
Is this show appropriate for children?
No, the show contains adult themes and crude humor not suitable for children.
What makes this show different from other sitcoms?
Its anarchic humor and surreal approach set it apart from traditional sitcom formats.
Are the characters based on real people?
The characters are fictional exaggerations of student stereotypes from the era.
Is the humor still funny today?
The humor remains fresh for viewers who appreciate British absurdist comedy.
What is the show's cultural significance?
It influenced alternative comedy and remains a cult classic in British television.