Rik Mayall’s ‘single greatest pratfall in the history of TV’ has just gone viral and it’s impossible to disagree
We don’t want to make you feel old or anything but it’s 39 years – 39 years! – since Channel 4 aired the Comic Strip episode, Mr Jolly Lives Next Door.
We can just about remember it – we’ll be off trying to find a best of Comic Strip box set on eBay straight after this – but we have to confess we don’t remember this particular seven seconds featuring the late, great Rik Mayall.
So it was a particular treat when screenwriter, film maker and academic @PhillyDinkers sent it viral all these years later.
In honour of Rik Mayall, here he is performing the single greatest pratfall in the history of television pic.twitter.com/Vw23erX23w
— Phil Drinkwater (@PhillyDinkers) June 9, 2024
Hard agree, @PhillyDinkers!
The whole episode is a work of pure genius
— Jonathan Wade (@RubbleB) June 10, 2024
It’s the hand flailing for the window frame that sells it perfectly https://t.co/JVN4jWc4Z4
— Count Mysterioso (@MysteriosoX) June 10, 2024
Escorts Bestcorts!
— SanCastle Air (@SancastleAir) June 10, 2024
Ah, haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa #genius https://t.co/lRBdWYHHLb
— Mr David J Wilson (@mrdavidjwilson) June 10, 2024
Absolutely love Mr Jolly such a classic!!!
— Alex (@AlexHogg) June 10, 2024
And in case you were wondering about what it beat into the runners up spot (although you might have another in mind …)
2nd best pic.twitter.com/CFx175cMMf
— Nigel B6⭐️ (@B6Nigel) June 10, 2024
Source @PhillyDinkers