January 8th 2008
Battle of the giants - the most vile TV character
Who is the most vile character in TV’s history? And no, people featured on so-called reality shows do not count. It seems that British writers and comedians have mastered the skill of breathing life into characters that are literally vile in everything they do – word, deed and appearance. So I give you tadadada Baldrick from Blackadder and Richie Richard from Bottom.
Definition of the word vile
- Loathsome; disgusting: vile language.
- Unpleasant or objectionable: vile weather.
- Contemptibly low in worth or account; second-rate.
- Of mean or low condition.
- Miserably poor and degrading; wretched: a vile existence.
- Morally depraved; ignoble or wicked: a vile conspiracy.
Baldrick from Blackadder
Role in the series – punching bag and sidekick to Blackadder (although his job description changes through centuries from ex-dung shoveller to septic tank cleaner). Baldrick is also an inventor of ludicrous cunning plans.
General appearance – oh Lord where to even start? All through the centuries Baldrick has a distinctive appearance of a person whose body and clothes have not seen water ever in his life. Blackadder also insists he has never changed his pants. Baldrick is also prone to warts, moles and pimples the size of a small Eastern European country.
Saving grace – dimwitted though he may be there is nothing malicious about Baldrick.
Hobbies – cooking and poetry. Recipe for coffee a la Baldrick - coffee (hot mud), milk (spit), sugar (dandruff) and chocolate sprinkles (I don’t even want to go there).
Richie Richard from Bottom
Role in the series – Richie Richard is a sidekick and only friend to an alcoholic Eddie Hitler. The coined term frienemy would best describe their relationship. Richie also suffers from delusions of grandeur, is a virgin, quite violent and thinks women are lesbians when they do not want to have sex with him.
General appearance – white polyester shirt tucked into his y-fronts, a tie, jeans and sometimes he dons a raincoat. Combine this with his greasy hair and general twitchiness he looks like a man you would cross the street to avoid thinking he might be a flasher.
Saving grace – mothering Eddie
Hobbies – making up elaborate stories and setting his genitalia on fire.
The winner?
I am torn on this one and the competition is tough. But I would have to go with Richie Richard because he truly is vile in every sense of the word. Baldrick although generally dirty and a bit disgusting has a benevolent charm about him that makes you think of a endearing stray dog that you want to pet (although with gloves on).