Putting paid once and for all to the image of Rik Mayall as an anarchic, somewhat silly comic actor gained through such series as "The Young Ones", "Bottom" and to a lesser extent its prequel "Filthy, Rich and Catflap", "The New Statesman" stars the comedian in an almost serious role, though there is a lot of humour in the series. Mayall is Alan Beresford B'Stard, MP, a Conservative politician and representative of the constituency of Haltemprice. B'Stard, however, is no more interested in serving the people who elected him than he is in animal rights or the poor. He is a dyed-in-the-wool Tory, a caricature of all that is worst in politics, particularly on the right-wing side, and he spends his time scheming to make even more money, despite being immensely rich already. As he points out to his hapless sidekick on the event of the latter having lost him a big investment opportunity and cost him millions: "No, I don't
need it (the money), Piers! But I WANT it! Because I'm very very greedy!"
This statement encompasses B'Stard to a "t". He is certainly not above blackmailing his rivals --- or even those in his own party --- if he can get away with it, and he's always ready to cash in on any scheme that comes his way. He knows actually little about the law, but gets by on his dashing good looks and his sweeping contempt for just about everyone. He is generally loathed by his colleagues, right up to the Prime Minister, though fawned over and treated with affection and respect by his junior, Piers Fletcher-Dervish, despite the fact that B'Stard gives the young man a terrible time.
His Machievellan schemes are a joy to watch unfold --- and often, come crashing down in flames, but even when you know he's being totally self-serving and using everyone around him to achieve his ends, you can't help but feel a sneaking admiration for the man. Mayall plays the role perfectly, and it's a far cry from "Rick" in the "Young Ones" or "Ritchie" in "Bottom". This is serious stuff! Seriously funny, that is.
The series was created by Lawrence Marks and Maurice Gran at Mayall's request, and ran for four seasons, with two special episodes. Being a British series each season only had six episodes, so I'll be reviewing each in depth as we go along. The New Stateman won the BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts, the UK equivalent of the Emmys) in 1991 for Best Comedy Series and was a massive hit, probably originally off the back of Rik Mayall's comedy series prior but also surely due to the popularity of another, more gentle satire on British politics, "Yes minister" and its spinoff "Yes Prime Minister", the latter now resurrected for the twenty-first century. People have always wanted to see politicians slagged off, made fun of, exposed for the duplicitous, backstabbing, double-dealing reprobates they mostly are, and between them Mayall, Gran and Marks pull no punches in this biting satire.
CAST
The Rt. Hon. Alan Beresford B'Stard, MP, played by Rik Mayall. Having only attained his seat by the good graces of his father-in-law, who is chairman of the local Tory party, B'Stard milks the role for all it's worth. He hardly ever visits his constituency, except when it's derby week, and is less interested in the welfare of those poorer than him than he is in left-wing policies. He is however ambitious and wishes to rise through the ranks, by whatever means, fair or foul, he can employ. He's the knife in the dark, the whisper in the ear, the pusher down the stairs, and no-one can trust him.
Piers Fletcher-Dervish, played by Michael Troughton. Well-meaning, naive and impressionable, Piers is the perfect foil to Alan, and the ultimate patsy. When B'Stard wants something done he usually forces, cajoles, tricks or otherwise inveigles Piers into doing it. At heart Piers believes in his country, his party and the innate goodness of all people. Over time, his association with B'Stard changes that.
Sarah B'Stard, played by Marsha Fitzalan (hmmm...) is B'Stard's trophy wife. The two don't love one another, in fact they hate each other. Alan sees her as a credit-card-using shopaholic who taunts what he sees as his sexual prowess by sleeping with everyone --- and everything --- she can. He only stays with her because her father is the chairman of the local Tory party, as mentioned, and if he were to divorce Sir Roland's precious daughter he is likely to be thrown out of the party, and out of his lucrative and important position.
Sir Greville McDonald, played by Terence Alexander. A cabinet minister almost as corrupt as B'Stard himself, though more circumspect in his dirty dealings than the younger MP, Sir Greville and B'Stard cross swords many times, sometimes as adversaries, occasionally as allies.
Sie Stephen Baxter, played by John Nettleton. One of the old guard, Sir Stephen is an elderly MP who remembers how things used to be, and continually frowns at B'Stard's plans and shenanigans. He doesn't feature too heavily in the series, more as a sort of counterweight of morality and decency to B'Stard's rampant corruption and villainy.
Norman/Norma Boorman, played by Rowena Cooper. Although only featuring in the first season, Norman is Alan's accountant, and begins a transition towards a sex-change so that halfway through the season he has become she, Norman is now Norma, and even with a new gender she is still a pawn in B'Stard's political games.
Bob Crippen, played by Nick Stringer. B'Stard's nemesis on the opposition back benches, Bob Crippen is an honest, straight-talking Labour man, who hates B'Stard and all he stands for. They have many confrontations, most of which the Tory MP triumphs in.