Rik Mayall 'King Herod's Song' from Jesus Christ Superstar

[Spudfish93]

I see what they were trying to do here; they wanted to create a film adaptation that still manages to capture the aesthetic of a live show, hence the unchanging setting.

Problem is, without the audience's cheering, it doesn't work, it seems tragic, and if it added applause it'd be even tackier.

Way I see it, if you are trying to make a film adaptation of a musical, it should either attempt to be a film in itself, or simply stay a live musical. Crossovers rarely work.

Still, A for effort.

[gahrzahk]

Andrew Lloyd Webber should have been flagellated and nailed to the cross to rot for writing this piece of shit. Other than that, this is the only version of the only song on the rotting album that's downright O.K.

[MrFameasser]

Wow, this Rik Mayall should be a great Joker in Batman...

[DAVIDNUNO711]

OMG that was horrible....they slaughtered that...the original was WAAAAAAAYYY better....FAIL

[captaincorcron]

alice cooper's version is better. rik mayall may b awesome but god i want 2 cut my ears off after listening 2 his attempt 2 murder music! it looked nice though..

[seanbelke]

he looks like hannibal lector

[DemetreEnterprises]

I'M FUCKED., GOT HIT WITH GAY WITCHERY, FROM 1607 ROOM 18.

[therealcritic28]

LOL 0:57 Jesus is just like "Oh fuck not the singing. Execute me now please."

[lmessaggiero]

Tbh I like this Herod more than the 70s one, unlike in the 70s one this one was more of a really posh git :D And also because its Rik Mayall :D

[BlackDiamondXx]

i absolutely love Rik Mayall!!! this is absolutely amazing, i honestly just love the british accent, and how he tries to seem so posh, i love seeing him like this, but then looking back and seeing him as spotty little Rick in the young ones, and then rick the completely sad wanker in Bottom. love love loveeee x3

[itzallegra]

i thought the 2000 version was okay goood but i liked the 73's version better....and there herod to me was terrible...and i hate to be mean but this herod makes the 73's herod GOOD! and theres had a weak voice and was creepy...

[Borysculus]

Oh the posh British accent! (-:

[redredlauren]

this is interesting interpretation.But anyone posh could do it.I can do it.This is a spoken word version rather than an actual song and I miss the camp value of herod.

[ralphyetmore]

Herod makes a good point. Jesus just has to do something to prove his honesty, and Herod would set him free. Jesus doesn't do that. Anybody can just claim that they're the son of god or god or whatever. Interesting.

[PtolemyJones]

Excellent Herod... Jesus looks ridiculously aryan though.

[SamanthaAngela14]

God, he will always be Drop Dead Fred to me... lol

[DramaMajor713]

Sounds a bit.. auto-tuned.. o.o I love Rik, though, so it's okay <3

[whiteheartmovies]

Didn’t Rik M have his serious head injury (head crushed when coming off a quad bike) not long before this performance?

[rrtodd95]

@whiteheartmovies He had two lesions on his brain and a fractured skull. The doctors induced him into a coma for a week and told his family he'd probably have severe brain damage if he woke up at all.

That was in september 1998.

His wife saw him laying outside in the yard and thought he was joking around and left him there.

I bet he never has to beg for a blow job now, just bring up the time she left him teetering on the brink of death in the yard, then nod toward his junk.

[TheQuantumIV]

2:33 feed my asshole with this bread, you can do it on your head!

wut?

[AndersCFischer]

@TheQuantumIV I think it's "household"

[MegaRockcool]

he is flash on blackadder

[ddbjg]

i love this song

[UniqueChiko]

Rick Mayall is an actor, not a singer. But this performance is just so much better then 1970's version, modern jazz-like choreography and the King himself is simply amusing.

[mrsilovemikeyway]

wish there was a love button

[TheSoggyWAffels]

Neat-o, this is my favorite song written by that artist.

[qwertyytrewq71]

i like this one almost as much as the 1973 version of this song

[chocolatcats]

I love this: I can also see Eddie Izzard in this role! Their both, comic Gods

[Cinedragon]

at 0:57 it almost seems like Jesus is thinking: My God...Not another song XD

[mrsilovemikeyway]

is this the only bit he is in or is he in more

[PattyP123]

@mrsilovemikeyway It's just this bit.

[mrsilovemikeyway]

@PattyP123 thanks

[Flasshbackk]

I may get hated for this but I actually prefer how Rik doesn't sing with the melody. It somehow makes it seem more powerful and evil. And when he sings "aren't you scared of me christ?" I was genuinely scared. But when the King Herod in the 1973 version sang this he just seemed like a child who wasn't getting his way. It's just my preference really..

[CelestiaRawr1]

he can only ever be richie from bottom or flash from blackadder!

[SPeacock]

@CelestiaRawr1 Or Drop Dead Fred. :)

[bpkeane1]

McFarlane is going to admit this before I leave this earth....

[BethMayallMcQueen]

i never knew Rik was a singer as well as a top comedian phenomenon

[Shenkure1]

priceless

[Rikairiify]

Yeah, love Rik being in it but Jesus' reactions just make the vid...

[sirenalol]

jesus is all 'wtf? ur not herod ur rik mayall!'

[craigusvegus]

lol he sure does sound like stewie

[MayallFan35]

ROTFL!! there goes that eyebrow again. :-)

[ethannintendonerd]

way better than Herod in the original movie. he's actually pretty bad ass

[bennettkaren]

3:02 I love how he is so straight faced and absolutly not scared in any way... :)

[SuperTasher]

I love rik so much, but i swear he sings come on king of the juice

[ooonurse33]

I never knew Jesus was in Chicago....

[sarahearth]

I always wondered.. one of the first lines of this song is about "healing cripples.. RAISING FROM THE DEAD" ...

ummmm... Am I wrong, or had the whole resurrection thing not happened yet? 

[Usurper99]

@sarahearth I believe he's talking about Lazarus.

[sarahearth]

@Usurper99 Lazarus?  ... ok I'm prolly gonna get flamed for this, but I actually know nothing about that.

[JPsSuperStairway]

@sarahearth Jesus (apparently) went to a town and met someone whos brother/husband (not incest, i just cant remember) lazarus had just died. He went to Lazarus' tomb and asked him to get up, and he did.

[Usurper99]

@JPsSuperStairway What he said.

[sarahearth]

@JPsSuperStairway oh I see! Thank you very much for the explanation!! It makes sense now!

[nickmandl]

@sarahearth youre totally right

but you know

it rhymes

[Rikairiify]

HE'S GOT THE WOMEN AGAIN! LUCKY BIATCHES!!!!

[mollysangelique]

jezus,in,je,hart,fluistert,in,­je,moet,doen,kiezen,welke,weg,­t,is,hoe,ik,het,ervaar,peter,p­etrus,1disipel,een,geeerde,naa­m,angel,

[mollysangelique]

velen,denken,geloof,niet,nodig­,te,hebben,tot,ze,in,het,nauw,­komen,ziek,zyn,dan,nog,niet,ze­,zyn,blind,voor,de,natuur,god,­is,natuur,liefde,is,ons,gegeve­n,door,god,ik,was,5,ofzo,ik,ba­d,al,childish,way,ik,had,geen,­godsdienst,een,klein,zaadje,in­,my,is,nu,een,kleine,boom,snap­,je,realiteit,is,straks,boodsc­happen,doen,best,moe,nog,

[waterwind2266]

I love Jesus' expression the whole time. You can tell he's just thinking, "When is this guy going to shut up?"

[lvkeyne]

Rik Mayall for Dr. Drakken!

[NUMB3RSLUV3R]

@lvkeyne so I'm not the only one who noticed? :)

[Karloff12969]

With that smile and wicked sense of humor, Rik Mayall would be awesome as The Joker in a Batman film.

[Konstantin1234]

I can't believe this is the guy from Drop Dead Fred....BRILLIANT! BRILLIANT! BRILLIANT!

[weeowee365]

What's wrong with these people? He obviously thought he was talking to the King of the Juice... What a tragic misunderstanding :(

[dfwmevr]

Lucky, kucky, baaaastard........jesus chwichsit1

[christl301]

He will always be "Rick" with a silent P from the young ones.

[thegirl44]

@christl301

Did you ever notice on The Young Ones when there was just some random guy sitting on the floor with his long brown hair hanging down ver his face? Like some mysterious other roommate?

Watch for him next time you watch the show. I know that he was is the episode "The Flood", for sure.

[Rikairiify]

Jesus's reaction makes this video funny.

[Lisi24601]

He sounds like Stewie from Family Guy...

[energuminum]

@Lisi24601 I thought the same thing!

[fugazi82]

@Lisi24601 Seth McFarlane got inspiration for Stewie's voice from Rik Mayall. Fact!

[Rikairiify]

@fugazi82 For real? Did Seth really say that?!

[euroafricasian]

@Lisi24601 looks a little like him too:P

[Oldsk0ol]

@Lisi24601 Maybe he is. He even looks a bit like Stewie.

[MauerEllsbury]

Trial whoops

[MauerEllsbury]

This and the trail (sort of)

[AlfieTobutt]

Is this the only scene that Herod appears in?

[Faustoteinmor]

King of the juices =D

[NHall609]

@Faustoteinmor jews*

[AliLu07]

I think it´s brilliant - who would have thought that a comedian would be an enrichment for a musical production though he apparently can´t sing at all -

but I can´t help but think that he doesn´t even try to sing "nicely" because it´s part of how he chose to personate herod here^^

[Rikairiify]

Lol, he cannot sing, but it's still funny!

[NHall609]

i'm in a production of JCS and our version of 'King Herold's song' is hilarious

[Indecisive1858]

this is funny... but altogether i can't help but describe it as awful. it's a musical. sing.

[HoustonClownFun]

Of Rik Mayall is perfect, but the actor playing Jesus makes it totally perfect. This is the only interpretation where The Lord doesn't crumple like a whipped puppy. This Jesus shows comtempt,boredom,sense of purpose,confidence,lack of fear,serenity,bemusement, and finally pity at the end. My favorite part is the look Jesus gives Herod when he sings " Aren't You scared of me?" The look he gives Herod is "just try something" and finally at the end - pity. Very amazing actors.

[thegirl44]

@HoustonClownFun

And I found the actor portraying Jesus in this to be subpar, not "in comparison" to Ian or Ted (As people like to do on JCSS videos, I've noticed), just subpar as an actor, all around.

Ah well, diff'rent strokes, my friend.

[HoustonClownFun]

Of Rik Mayall is perfect, but the actor playing Jesus makes it totally perfect. This is the only interpretation where The Lord doesn't crumple like a whipped puppy. This Jesus shows comtempt,boredom,sense of purpose,confidence,lack of fear and finally pity at the end. My favorite part is the look Jesus gives Herod when he sings " Aren't You scared of me?" The look he gives Herod is "just try something" and finally at the end - pity. Very amazing actors.

[butterflygirl52]

@HoustonClownFun if u think THIS is good, then see the original one!

[butterflygirl52]

@HoustonClownFun if you think this is perfect, then go see the real movie!

[Tiramarit]

Horrible voice

[butterflygirl52]

@Tiramarit ikr???

[sdsures]

I love it when he says, "So...!"

[MayallFan35]

@sdsures mmmmm me too. and when he says "hey aren't you scared of me, christ?" adn that tounge comes out, mmmmmmm. ;-)

[MrPepijnblommesteijn]

0:55 i love it when he brings his hand to his face, it's like he's saying ill take 100 lashes over this every day.

[0LunaClara0]

.... Jesus you just won't believe The hit you've made around here You are all we talk about You're the wonder of the year Oh what a pity If it's all a lie Still I'm sure That you can rock the cynics if you try So if you are the Christ Yes the great Jesus Christ Prove to me that you're no fool Walk across my swimming pool If you do that for me Then I'll let you go free C'mon King of the Jews ....

[aaronfromhastings]

Rick Mayall as Herod, looks good on paper, but what a disappointment. It's one of the more tuneful numbers, so he should have really kept to the melody - all the right intonations are already there in the music.

This whole number seems half hearted and lacking in energy. The only bit I like is where he says "Aren't you scared of me..." Yes, I am.

[urworstnightmare123]

@aaronfromhastings I would agree with you about how he doesn't sing much. Theres too much talking. This would be perfect if he just sang a bit more. Still, I think he's much better than the guy from the 1973 film :)

[aaronfromhastings]

@urworstnightmare123 I'm inclined to agree. I think it's a very tough role to cast well. Any suggestions? Stephen Fry?

[urworstnightmare123]

@aaronfromhastings Not stephen fry, I've read somewhere that he's completely tone deaf. Jack black? I think Rik mayall would make a good fagin.

[aaronfromhastings]

@urworstnightmare123 But he has to have an English, or at the very least, a Boston accent, surely!

[thegirl44]

@urworstnightmare123

Watch the episode of Never Mind the Buzzcocks that Stephen was on if you want an idea of just how tone deaf he is. It would have been painful to watch if you couldn't see the sincerity of his attempt.

[TBSArmstrong]

@urworstnightmare123 I would have to disagree with you. I prefer the '73 version better-there's too much over and under acting in the 2000 version. Also, more singing in the '73 version.

[NathalieVicious]

@TBSArmstrong Well, this version of King Herod's Song is a hell lotta better than the '73 version anyway.

[TBSArmstrong]

@NathalieVicious What I said was my personal opinion. I agree that there are some things in this version that are better than the 1973 version, but I personally prefer the '73 one, because I find in this version the actresses in the background are overdoing it, and Rik Mayall is underdoing it by a tad. Again, my opinion. Different than yours. Thanks for the reply though!

[NathalieVicious]

@TBSArmstrong I'm not a fan of Jesus Christ Superstar so I don't really know which one of the movies I prefer. But I definitely prefer Rik Mayall's version of this song. I like Rik's voice and the way he sings the most. And I like his body talk and expressions. He has always used his whole body when he's acting so I don't really know what you mean with underdoing it? And this version looks kinda 'classy', almost remind me of the musical Chicago. Just had to say. That's my opinion;-)

[Analoguejunk]

Rick Mayall could be the best satan evar!

[NobodyTossesADwarf91]

And they cut him out as Peeves in Harry Potter...

[NeedMoreLube72]

0:58

holy face palm

[jimbrown257]

It's Drop Dead Fred!

[DarthHapperth]

There's a local production of this coming up. I ran through the songs in the film and HATED the weak, mincing, fat, hippy Herod of the original film. Then I found this. Rik this is genius - a sort of aristocratic, spoiled brat vampire. I realised that this Herod really could have Jesus killed. Now I plan to audition in a good suit, tie, cufflinks etc. and I intend to scare the audition panel if possible. We shall see...

[jarretc]

@DarthHapperth -- exactly! Josh Mostel (son of the legendary comic Zero Mostel) couldn't sing, and his mincing around with his man-tits hanging out hasn't aged well at all.

However, the guy on the original JCS album COULD sing. Hope you can too! Good luck!

[thegirl44]

@DarthHapperth

And I liked Mostel better.

He was like the little kid with the tough big brother who had the big brother beat Jesus up because Jesus hurt his feelings and embarrassed him.

That's more befitting of the real Herrod who was, for all intents and purposes, Rome's bitch.

[MayallFan35]

OH GOD!!!! that man could twirl MY hair around his finger like that anytime. PHOWARRRRRR!!!

[wickedfeylady]

@MayallFan35 OH YEAH!

[MayallFan35]

@wickedfeylady ROTFLMAO!!!!! :-)

[lilluv11]

this is hilarious



[NiamhDanaholicsAnony]

wtf? this scene in the movie weirded me out to say the least... :0

[wickedfeylady]

jEeeeeeeeeEEEEESSSSSSSUS!

Haha I love the way he says it

[cfcfa]

has any one seen the full movie. its crap i suggest not to watch it no one in it can sing. no offense to the great Rik Mayall. i recon Rik was the best in the movie

[vidmaster540]

his singing was a little scratchy...

[JokerTONG]

I love Rik Mayall! Great Character actor and Comedian... This was a let down. Forced, Hamfasted, Wooden... what a shame... I bet that Rik could have done much better with more rehearsal and perhaps they gave him a few days to rest his throat...

[cfcfa]

@JokerTONG he had an accident in 1998 and it affected his voice he had an alright voice before the accident but thats wh he isnt doing much work these days

[Rikairiify]

@cfcfa All he's really doing is voice work nowadays...

[VanHowle]

why is Rik Mayall so funny? It must be something....what is it?

[divadoll013]

rofl, i love how god has that "oh god not another song" look on his face XD

[wew1llr0ckyou]

who cares if he can't sing? HE IS AWESOME :D

[efileym]

Rik is scary - good actor

[efileym]

excellent.. Rik is scary - good actor

[efileym]

excellent..

[flashnsac]

Fan flippin tastic!

[fachlehrerin]

wow, his prononciation is horrible... how he talks... i cant stand it oo

[itsRachelsaurus]

Rik Mayall will always be Drop Dead Fred to me.

[InspectorKaramazov]

lol, it's so weird to see Rick from Young Ones singing.

[akaDracoMafoy1]

when watching this a few days back, the kids thought he was weird.

:D lolz.

[tegakilove]

God I love love love love his expressions in this song~!

[sixstringer82]

Man he reminds me of Stewie from Family guy at the start of the song. Ha Ha

[Gahoyify]

LOL, Jesus is all like "Oh great.." At 0:57 to 0:59,

Ha ha!

[thedarksquirrel]

"said'D!", love the thing with the brow xD

[akaDracoMafoy1]

Started watching this in my RE class... it's quite good, I wanted to see this bit... and I'm lol. Rik's hair is odd. makes him look like an older Draco Malfoy. :D (lol)

[JarradDrand]

Dat's Satan not Herod o_e

even Jesus is like, didn't I seend you to hell alredy?

[hpfreako731]

Yes I do like the song but the guy who plays King Herod is creepy and the person who plays Jesus looks like a girl.

[Harriet123P]

I completely adore Rik Mayall but that can't distract from the fact that he really can't sing :P He's a phenomenal actor as ever, though. He was better in 'Shock Treatment' at singing...I also think it sounds like he's losing his voice in this :(

[123coxy123]

nowhere near as good as original

[mrmoreful]

I am gonna be king herod in the church of herøy ( moere and romsdal in norway) the 10 of april 2010. I`m really looking forward to sing and act this song ;-)

[MillaHirt]

Wow. :) Ich liebe dieses Lied. Wie der Jesus ihn anschaut! :D:D

[VanHowle]

Noel Coward called...he says congrats!

[samholdsworth]

rik mayall needs to make a comeback

[MysteriousStrangerJS]

Alot, lot better than the 1973 version

Very scary that one

[abremamelian]

Oh My god !!! Rik Mayall You Freakin ROK!

[thephantom3194]

jesus is thinking, i knew they were gonna torture me, but COME ON, id rather be crucified than listen to that guy sing, wonderful acting though

[Agentsmithisbuff]

@thephantom3194 Its not even that bad....

And plus it's Rik Mayall! I could listen to him 24/7 :D

[mcfat89]

i reckon he was the original stewie griffin

[tropicallanterns]

Other than ragtime, what other music influences does this song have?

[barnabybear91]

Response to tropicallanterns-The brass and piano solo have a hint of dixieland about them

[IAMJESUSmovie]

Jesus Christ has returned. I AM.

[annapunkchan]

awesome

[Applemask]

This is so perfect for him.

[BillyandBarry]

0:58 by god, he actually thinks he can sing

[charliesmakinme]

:) (apparently my comment was to short, that being the smiley face....even though this was my reaction to this vid.... so will this do youtube?)

[ThePharaoh91]

I feel with Jesus when Herod begins his song 0:53

[Lingonpay]

I love Rik Mayall, here he sometimes looks like Anthony Hopkins in silence of the lambs.

[longfoot]

Strange how movies made 27 years apart can share the same bed.

'73 Mostel's Herod is a bi-sexual king with a mixed sex harem, an r&b piano player, lots of finger dancing and a bevy of thrown bagels.

00 Mayall's Herod is a Jack Nicholson parody with cane, a chorus of closed leg fishtail dresses and 10 high stepping Michael Jacksons.

They're both loaded with camp and merit.

[MyHeroCaiaphus]

Rik Mayall is one of those lucky people who cannot help but be funny.

[CallumJStewart]

Goddamn, Rik looks like Stewie Griffin here!

[SenseOrSensibility]

He even SOUNDS like him!! :D

[laurengays]

hahahahahahahahaha

[Quive86]

Omg that was the first thing I thought seeing this vid!! :D

[saraomidvar]

woahhh what? rik mayell + jesus christ superstar? when did this happen? hahaha

[BeanDentist]

looks a bit like repo man: antony stewart head

[GogglesRequired]

This Guy is awesome! Best actor ever. He brings the name to british comedy!

[Scruffy193]

There are points in this wonderful number where Rik Mayall's Herod reminds me of the Joker - his mocking attitude, his voice and sometimes Mayall's appearance.

[KamranWho]

ha ha ha ha Brilliant

[CameronClarkeFilms]

Hahahaha.

0:58

Jesus is like, "Oh GOD, he's SO IRRITATING."

[VanHowle]

Noel Coward...anyone? Anyone?

[CrazyCleatus420]

Herod got pretty upset when Jesus refused to suck him off.

[BizarreObscure]

Brilliant

[ScareMeSexy71]

I love the fact that Rik changes Everyline from

'Jesus, you won't belieive'

to

'JESUS!!!! you won't believe'

very funny...terrible musical though, lloyd Webber is the anti christ of musicals

[Giovanni222]

Someone should make Transformers: The Opera.

Oh shit I already am! Arriving to Earth in 2012.

[taintedlove212]

rik mayall is the best king herod ever