I absolutely love this show. The story line is great and all the characters have ridiculous names, which just adds to the fun. It's such a shame that there were only six episodes. Even though Rik is great in this series, his butler Albumen steals the show. He's constantly implying that he wants to have sex with Rik and it never gets old. At the same time Rik treats him like garbage, in classic Rik style. This is a must see for all fans of comedy.
9 Reviews
A-W-E-S-O-M-E-!
filmfreak-57 January 2004
This is awesome, recently discovered this show. Not living in the UK and not watching much TV for that matter I never heard of this show, in spite of the fact that I price myself of being Denmark's #1 Rik Mayall fan!
Well...this show is hilarious...as always when Mayall touches something, to me this guy cannot possibly fail..
Like "Bottom" (1991) (qv) in many ways reminds you of "Young Ones, The" (1982) (qv) (or for that matter, the, to me, greatly underestimated and forgotten "Filthy Rich & Catflap" (1987) (qv)), this show reminds me a whole lot of "New Statesman, The" (1987) (qv) in which Mayall stars as Alan B'Stard - it's not the same character, but as in all his previous role fascism shines through, in a very distinguished (read: NOT AT ALL!) way..
I definately recommend this show if you found his previous shows laughable. This will tear you up just as much!
Well...this show is hilarious...as always when Mayall touches something, to me this guy cannot possibly fail..
Like "Bottom" (1991) (qv) in many ways reminds you of "Young Ones, The" (1982) (qv) (or for that matter, the, to me, greatly underestimated and forgotten "Filthy Rich & Catflap" (1987) (qv)), this show reminds me a whole lot of "New Statesman, The" (1987) (qv) in which Mayall stars as Alan B'Stard - it's not the same character, but as in all his previous role fascism shines through, in a very distinguished (read: NOT AT ALL!) way..
I definately recommend this show if you found his previous shows laughable. This will tear you up just as much!
What a Cnut!
Rabical-9116 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers
2002 saw my two most favourite comedians trying to make a sitcom comeback, with not altogether successful results. In January 2002, Gregor Fisher took on the role of a golf mad police detective ( which was an attempt to shake off the shadow of 'Rab C. Nesbitt' ) in the BBC sitcom 'Snoddy' but sadly viewers were unimpressed and after six episodes it was dropped. In July 2002, Rik Mayall took on an ITV show scripted by his 'New Statesman' reliables Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran entitled 'Believe Nothing' which had him cast as Quadruple Professor Adonis Cnut - the richest, most intelligent man in the world. It was obvious that Marks and Gran were attempting to conceive another Alan B'Stard ( well, look at both characters surnames ). Both were rich, vain, greedy, sleazy and were not above stooping to underhand methods to get what they wanted. Much publicity hype was made about the show ( like with 'Snoddy' ) but sadly it was all in vain. 'Believe Nothing' achieved only disappointing ratings and only lasted six episodes before ITV axed it, which is a great pity as 'Believe Nothing', whilst not up to the standard of Marks and Gran's earlier show, was a handsome production with many witty lines and situations.
It starts off like this - Adonis, despite his success, is a lonely man whose only companion is his servant, the dour Albumen ( Michael Maloney ), who Adonis has a Piers and Alan relationship. One day, he meets attractive Dr. Hannah Awkard ( who believes she is grotesque ) and becomes smitten by her right away, however Hannah constantly rebuffs his advances.
The plots sometimes could be rather difficult to follow but overall when the show hit the target, it really hit the target. Rik put his usual obnoxious energy into the character and I suppose could easily have been a distant relative of B'Stard. Michael Maloney, whilst nowhere near as funny as Michael Troughton's Piers was nevertheless good value as Albumen. Emily Bruni also made a good female foil for Rik.
It really needed a second series to get it up and running but ITV ran out of patience and gave up on it very early on. Perhaps if it hadn't been drafted into the comedy unfriendly prime-time slot of 10:00 PM it may have found a better audience
It starts off like this - Adonis, despite his success, is a lonely man whose only companion is his servant, the dour Albumen ( Michael Maloney ), who Adonis has a Piers and Alan relationship. One day, he meets attractive Dr. Hannah Awkard ( who believes she is grotesque ) and becomes smitten by her right away, however Hannah constantly rebuffs his advances.
The plots sometimes could be rather difficult to follow but overall when the show hit the target, it really hit the target. Rik put his usual obnoxious energy into the character and I suppose could easily have been a distant relative of B'Stard. Michael Maloney, whilst nowhere near as funny as Michael Troughton's Piers was nevertheless good value as Albumen. Emily Bruni also made a good female foil for Rik.
It really needed a second series to get it up and running but ITV ran out of patience and gave up on it very early on. Perhaps if it hadn't been drafted into the comedy unfriendly prime-time slot of 10:00 PM it may have found a better audience
"Ahhh, thank you, Sir!"
Mrs_Twelvetrees30 July 2003
This is a brilliant comedy! I already knew Rik Mayall as Flasheart in Blackadder II and Blackadder Goes Forth, but as Professor Adonis Cnut (or should I say QUADRUPLE Professor) he is even better. The quotes from Believe Nothing are absurd and cruel, which is exactly why this series is so funny. Cnut is a selfish, narcissistic professor and he certainly doesn´t underestimate himself: "Quickly! I have to translate the koran into Icelandic by bedtime..." My favourite character from Believe Nothing has GOT to be Albumen (Michael Maloney), who is a sort of slave-like, masochistic butler: When his master, Cnut, hurts him in any mental or physical way, he just moans "Ahhh, thank you, Sir!" He´s a sort of loyal dog, really. Emily Bruni is wonderful as the extremely intellectual but extremely weird Dr. Hannah Awkward, who seems to suffer from every mental disorder you can think of. Also, there are very funny (and of course exaggerated)imitations of the British Prime Minister Blair and President Bush ("Call me dubyah!")
If you liked Mayall in Blackadder, you´ll certainly LOVE Believe Nothing!!!!!
If you liked Mayall in Blackadder, you´ll certainly LOVE Believe Nothing!!!!!
Rik Mayall - Just fantastic as Adonis Cnut!
duranlvr4 September 2005
"Believe Nothing" is a wonderfully funny sitcom with a small but fantastic cast. You can't really compare this show with anything else he's done (except "The New Statesmen", so I've heard). Nothing lewd or crude, like in "The Young Ones" or "Bottom" (which I love just as much though). You can't help but laugh at quadruple professor Adonis Cnut - who knows everything about anything, but nothing about the common man. The relationship between Adonis and Albumen (his manservant) is wildly outrageous. I would have really liked to see the outcome of his relationship with Dr. Awkward (had the series gone on longer). It's the "misplaced vanity" that actor Rik Mayall finds so funny that keeps you laughing, and the better than average story lines that keeps you watching. The DVD has some really great outtakes too. It's just a shame that there are only six episodes.
Rik is a real favorite of mine right now, and I only wish he was more popular here in the U.S. because I buy most of his shows directly from Britain.
Rik is a real favorite of mine right now, and I only wish he was more popular here in the U.S. because I buy most of his shows directly from Britain.
Comic Genius
Spirito47326 January 2003
Warning: Spoilers
(Contains minimal spoilers)
Within the past 20 years, Rik Mayall has memorably given us The Young Ones, The New Statesman and Bottom (amongst others). The Young Ones and Bottom shared the same characteristics (mindless violence, mutual hatred etc) and understandably. The equation worked well in The Young Ones, why not reincarnate it into the 90's? Believe Nothing is suppose to be the second coming of The New Statesman. In principle I can make the link to this thinking, but on the screen it is hard to look at Adonis Cnut and see Alan B'stard. Technicalities aside, as one could make cases for and against both arguments, Believe Nothing will not disappoint genuine Rik Mayall fans. Professor Adonis Cnut, sorry, quadruple Professor Adonis Cnut, accompanied by his ever-faithful pet Albumen and Dr. Awkward, the mentally brilliant, but deranged attractive female professor who is both anorexic and bulimic, suffers from low self-confidence, has a mad mother and knows martial arts, Cnut clones himself, blocks up the Channel Tunnel, manipulates the Prime Minister and the President of the United States, sits on the shadowy Council for International Progress with Sir. Richard Chutney and The Colonel from KFC, finds a cure for depression, solves the Watergate Conspiracy and at the same time solves the mystery of global warming, convinces the entire British population to eat GM food and via discreet communications technology allows Albumen to win Get Rich Quick. Rik, Michael and Emily are all fantastically good actors, and watching them screw up is often as funny as when they get it right. Michael Maloney, well known for portraying Shakesperian characters does not fail to disappoint by getting beaten regularly by Adonis with the aid of some painful instrument (the punishment plank, the iron, and not forgetting Adonis' fists) are the most memorable ones. i can think of no derogatory word to write about this piece of comic excellence. Well done Rik, Michael, Emily, Laurence and Maurice. We await patiently for the arrival of series 2...
Within the past 20 years, Rik Mayall has memorably given us The Young Ones, The New Statesman and Bottom (amongst others). The Young Ones and Bottom shared the same characteristics (mindless violence, mutual hatred etc) and understandably. The equation worked well in The Young Ones, why not reincarnate it into the 90's? Believe Nothing is suppose to be the second coming of The New Statesman. In principle I can make the link to this thinking, but on the screen it is hard to look at Adonis Cnut and see Alan B'stard. Technicalities aside, as one could make cases for and against both arguments, Believe Nothing will not disappoint genuine Rik Mayall fans. Professor Adonis Cnut, sorry, quadruple Professor Adonis Cnut, accompanied by his ever-faithful pet Albumen and Dr. Awkward, the mentally brilliant, but deranged attractive female professor who is both anorexic and bulimic, suffers from low self-confidence, has a mad mother and knows martial arts, Cnut clones himself, blocks up the Channel Tunnel, manipulates the Prime Minister and the President of the United States, sits on the shadowy Council for International Progress with Sir. Richard Chutney and The Colonel from KFC, finds a cure for depression, solves the Watergate Conspiracy and at the same time solves the mystery of global warming, convinces the entire British population to eat GM food and via discreet communications technology allows Albumen to win Get Rich Quick. Rik, Michael and Emily are all fantastically good actors, and watching them screw up is often as funny as when they get it right. Michael Maloney, well known for portraying Shakesperian characters does not fail to disappoint by getting beaten regularly by Adonis with the aid of some painful instrument (the punishment plank, the iron, and not forgetting Adonis' fists) are the most memorable ones. i can think of no derogatory word to write about this piece of comic excellence. Well done Rik, Michael, Emily, Laurence and Maurice. We await patiently for the arrival of series 2...
Just believe Rik Mayall is superb
Jerichoholics_Anonymous3 September 2002
Believe Nothing isn't necessarily a programme which breaks new ground, nor does it necessarily have an award-winning script, but one thing you would have to be a complete and total 'w*nk biscuit' (Bottom quote) to deny, is that Rik Mayall is absolutely amazing. From the facial expressions, to the delivery of lines, to his off-camera interaction with the studio audience... Rik is plain and simply a comedy genius and anyone who doesn't agree with that simply will not understand any of the style of humour Rik has used at all. You might go so far as to say he is funny even when he is being serious.
So, I would argue that even though the actual programme Believe Nothing may not be anything special on its own, with Rik Mayall as the main character, it is easily as good as anything else they are showing on British television at the moment.
Lets hope Rik is back on television TO STAY.
So, I would argue that even though the actual programme Believe Nothing may not be anything special on its own, with Rik Mayall as the main character, it is easily as good as anything else they are showing on British television at the moment.
Lets hope Rik is back on television TO STAY.
Not bad for A Cnut
comfortablynumb_13 August 2005
This show got me more interested in British comedy. To my delight it is far funnier than the American trash I have grown up with (excluding Frasier). Since this I have seen The Office, Absolutely Fabulous, Black Books and Keeping up Appearances. They are all great but have not matched the Tall yardstick of Believe Nothing.
The characters are very likable in their dysfunctional interaction with each other. I really enjoy Adonis's dominance and arrogance and Albumens willingness to serve his "Master". Of course Dr. Awkward is everything her name lives up to as is Adonis Cnut, the quadruple professor.
I am optimistic that the show will make a comeback. I will get bored of watching the same 6 episodes repeatedly in about 10 years.
The characters are very likable in their dysfunctional interaction with each other. I really enjoy Adonis's dominance and arrogance and Albumens willingness to serve his "Master". Of course Dr. Awkward is everything her name lives up to as is Adonis Cnut, the quadruple professor.
I am optimistic that the show will make a comeback. I will get bored of watching the same 6 episodes repeatedly in about 10 years.
Proof that Mayall's lost it.
towersthegreat12 August 2002
Believe Nothing is a bland and unfunny "comedy".
The reviewers identify this as a 2002 update of "The New Statesman" also starring Rik Mayall, a satirical comedy about a dirty rotten cad, Alan B'Stard, Tory MP.
Down to the similar name (Adonis Cnut), Rik attempts to be the charming, suave yet ruthless anti hero of past fame, but unfortunately he comes off as irritating, arrogant, pompous and thoroughly unlikable.
The jokes of New Statesman were witty and satirical. In Believe nothing, you'd be forgiven for thinking that you were watching "Bottom". Yes, Rik Mayall *still* hasn't got bored of penis and bum jokes yet.
The reviewers identify this as a 2002 update of "The New Statesman" also starring Rik Mayall, a satirical comedy about a dirty rotten cad, Alan B'Stard, Tory MP.
Down to the similar name (Adonis Cnut), Rik attempts to be the charming, suave yet ruthless anti hero of past fame, but unfortunately he comes off as irritating, arrogant, pompous and thoroughly unlikable.
The jokes of New Statesman were witty and satirical. In Believe nothing, you'd be forgiven for thinking that you were watching "Bottom". Yes, Rik Mayall *still* hasn't got bored of penis and bum jokes yet.
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