All the grown ups will say "But why are the kids crying?" And the kids will say "Haven't you heard? Rik is dead! The people's poet is dead!"
I'm not usually interested in celebrities, but I was genuinely upset to hear that Rik Mayall died today, aged 56. The Young Ones is the first TV series I remember watching growing up. We would watch it over and over again and my family can probably recite entire episodes off by heart. A lot of the jokes have earned a permanent place in our family set of "in-jokes" and I was greatly pleased when I met Jay that he loves it as much as we do and can quote along with us.
However, Jay's favourite is Bottom. I don't love it as much as I do The Young Ones, but me and mam would always dance around the living room, copying Eddie and Richie in the closing credits.
One of my favourite films of all time is Drop Dead Fred and I've lost count of the number of times I've seen it. Jay even got my nickname, Snotface, from that film.
Rik Mayall paved the way for alternative comedy in the 1980s and going forward. He was a genius writer and comedy actor and will be sadly missed.
In other sad news, Max, the dog who I looked after at the weekend, had to be put to sleep today. His owners say he took a turn for the worse in the night and took him to the emergency vet. The vet told them to take him home and make him comfortable and they went round to his house at midday to put him to sleep.
I feel bad that he spent his last two nights with me instead of the people who have loved and nurtured him since he was a puppy and throughout countless illnesses. I'm sure they wouldn't have gone away if they'd known. But it was obvious that he was suffering and he is at peace now.
Camdengirl ⋅ June 09, 2014
Oh what a shame... my mum and dad once left me with their dog who had a heart condition and my dad actually knew the dog wouldn't make it thru the weekend. But to be honest, he'd had a wonderful life and because I didn't know we had the loveliest day ever - he got to come to the pub with me and eat crisps sat on a bar stool, then we went for a run on the beach and he crashed out snoozing on my feet on the sofa that evening.
Camdengirl ⋅ June 09, 2014
He died the next morning with a massive heart attack - it took me ages to realise that he wouldn't have had that fun day had I known.
Bomb Shell Camdengirl ⋅ June 09, 2014
Oh bless him, that's such a sad and happy story at the same time! Nice to hear he had a fun last day.
mutedexposure ⋅ June 10, 2014
How sad that they had to put him down. Sometimes it is best for them though. That is no life waking nonstop and full of anxieties.
I was saddened by the news today too. My daughter's favorite movie is Drop Dead Fred. I watched clips on facebook all day that people were posting and laughing so hard. I wish people in the US got to see more of this trailblazer of comedy. He never really caught on mainstream here.
Bomb Shell mutedexposure ⋅ June 10, 2014
Indeed, looking at him (Max), it was obvious his quality of life was very low. Since last week, his backs legs have been giving way, to add to everything else. He was upset and anxious all the time, I think they made the right decision.
And with Rik, to be honest, I was surprised with the amount of tributes on my Facebook timeline from people in the UK. I didn't realise so many people were fans of his work as it was quite alternative.
~Twinkle~ ⋅ June 10, 2014
Sorry about Max :( x
Babe In Toyland ⋅ June 10, 2014
Have you told mam? She's been asking me about Max this morning, that was before I knew he'd been put to sleep. How sad for his owners. :(
Bomb Shell Babe In Toyland ⋅ June 10, 2014
No I haven't spoke to mam for a while, I might ring up for a chat tonight. It's always sad and a tough decision to make. They really miss him but were expecting it to happen some point soon and they're happy he's at peace now.
Deleted user ⋅ June 10, 2014
Oh what a sad entry :( Drop Dead Fred was an amazing movie. I love it! Poor pup. At least he is no longer in pain :(
Bomb Shell Deleted user ⋅ June 11, 2014
Sorry for the sad entry, it was a sad day :o( Yes, he was suffering and it's good he's at peace now.
puffin ⋅ June 10, 2014
Poor max, and poor owners :(
Miso Honey ⋅ June 11, 2014
Rik was awesome. I grew up watching The Young Ones as well.
Bomb Shell Miso Honey ⋅ June 11, 2014
Wow I keep hearing from people from Australia and North America about how they were big fans, I had no idea he was so well known and popular in other countries.
Miso Honey Bomb Shell ⋅ June 11, 2014
We was only popular to awesome people.