Our winner is: Matthew Zwick from USA
Matthew wins a signed copy of Chris Shield’s book. ‘Early Rik: Thoughts of a Clown – Rik Mayall in the Early Eighties’ a Waiting for Godot flyer, The Government Inspector programme, a B&W photo and an original copy of NME from 1981.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter this first competition. Your entries will be rolled over and automatically entered into the next one, to be launched in the new year.
The winning entry
The story behind my initial affinity for the great Rik Mayall is probably shared with the overwhelming majority of his fans. As a young teen in the early 1980s, I was exposed to The Young Ones and The Comic Strip Presents back to back on Sunday nights on the USA’s music television network, “MTV.” Both shows were a hit to me. A mixture of alternative, rebellious comedy mixed in with witty political and historical references and a bit of slapstick sprinkled in was a great formula for the younger generation of the time. I went on to follow his subsequent shows, especially fond of Bottom, The New Statesmen, and The Dangerous Brothers skits with Ade.
While living across the pond prevented me from seeing him perform or any sort of impromptu photo opportunity with him, I do have a rather amusing and unique story that Rik is ultimately responsible for.
It was 2006, the wife and I were travelling home from Las Vegas celebrating my birthday weekend. I had taken Rik’s new book, “Bigger Than Hitler, Better Than Christ” with me to read on the flight to pass the time. As I approached airport security, a female agent inquired about the book that I had clutched up against my chest with the back cover (key to the story) facing outward. I told her it was just some “light, funny reading by a British comedian that I was a fan of.” Well that explanation didn’t satisfy her and I was prompted to a private room for a bit of interrogation by her supervisor. I was in a slight panic as I had NO IDEA why I was being detained as if I was carrying some illegal contraband or a book on “introductory bomb making” through security. Well long story short, it was actually the PHOTO of Rik on the back cover that piqued the interest of the initial airport screener. If you’re familiar with the back cover, you are probably already laughing about my debacle, but just in case, I included the incriminating photo that got me flagged and briefly detained by Las Vegas airport security. I still get a kick out of retelling the story and if Rik were alive today, I know he would get a good laugh out it.
Respectfully submitted for your entertainment regarding the comic god/genius that is Rik.
Cheers,
Matthew Zwick, MDKentucky, USA
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