Believe Nothing

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!!!!!

"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.

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.

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.

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.