Max and Paddy
Encyclopedia
Maxwell "Max" Bygraves and Patrick "Paddy" O'Shea are fictional nightclub bouncers
created by comedian Peter Kay
and performed by Kay and fellow comedian Patrick "Paddy" McGuinness.
Both characters originally appeared in an episode of That Peter Kay Thing
. They subsequently featured as central cast members in the comedy series Phoenix Nights and starred in their own spin-off series Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere
.
Max and Paddy are essentially kindred spirits, sharing many characteristics, such as both being of limited intelligence and have very little drive or conscientiousness for their jobs. Both are single and repeatedly signal their attraction to women entering the club, typically with comments made to each other after a group of women has passed them, although Paddy does have a brief relationship with Holy Mary's daughter, who is a student, and also called Mary. Max has one brother, Terry, and drives a light blue 1985 Volvo 200 series
saloon, which he has Ray Von fit with a customisable car alarm which features Max’s voice shouting, “Get away, or I’ll break your legs!”
The relationship between Max and Paddy is categorised by their (albeit limited) shared interests, such as TV shopping purchases, and a common sense of humour. The two appear to share a mutual respect for each other, despite jokes made at each other’s expense, for example, a running joke through the two series of Phoenix Nights is Max’s insistence that Paddy is going bald, and he frequently points out Paddy’s apparently thinning hair. Despite Paddy’s concern generated by Max’s comments, it is never revealed if Paddy is really going bald or not. When a last minute booking of band Right Said Frank results in the band members stealing stereos from all the cars parked outside, as Max confronts the thieves, Paddy rushes to back him up and together they tackle the two men to the ground.
Following the destruction of the Phoenix Club at the climax of the first series of Phoenix Nights, Brian Potter, whilst attempting to reform his staff line up, calls Max and Paddy as they are driving elderly Asian gentlemen to the mosque and singing at the tops of their voices to Is This the Way to Amarillo
by Tony Christie
, which is playing on Chorley FM
, in what was to become an iconic moment for the series.
Tasked with acquiring alcohol in order to supply the club following the loss of Potter’s licence and subsequently his contract with his alcohol supplier, Max and Paddy drive a van to France, and unwittingly pick up two Chinese immigrants
in the process.
Towards the end of the second series of Phoenix Nights, Max is accosted by a woman, known as ‘Fanny’ as she is wearing a badge with a fake name on it, who wants her husband killed. Max bargains with ‘Fanny’ and agrees to kill her husband for fee of £8000. He then lies to Paddy that ‘Fanny’ will pay them each £1000, and Paddy agrees to go with him to do the job. Max, Paddy and Terry travel to an isolated spot and practice their shooting using a Broomhandled Mauser
which Max's grandfather left to him, however, when Paddy takes his turn, he accidentally shoots Terry, injuring him. When it comes to the night of the murder, Max and Paddy find they can't bring themselves to kill the man and instead bribe him with £3000 in cash to leave the country, Max gives Paddy £1000, and spends the remaining £4000 on a motor home
. A number of days later, however, Max and Paddy spot the man they were meant to kill in town, and are later confronted by ‘Fanny’, who hints that she has put a hit out on them. During the heated exchange, she also reveals that she paid Max £8000, which angers Paddy, who only received £1000 from Max.
At the conclusion of the final episode of the second series of Phoenix Nights, Max, terrified that ‘Fanny’ may have contracted some other criminals to murder him, is about to flee the area in his motor home, when Paddy decides to come with him. This sets the scene for the spin-off series Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere.
Bouncer (doorman)
A bouncer is an informal term for a type of security guard employed at venues such as bars, nightclubs or concerts to provide security, check legal age, and refuse entry to a venue based on criteria such as intoxication, aggressive behavior, or attractiveness...
created by comedian Peter Kay
Peter Kay
Peter John Kay is an English comedian, writer, actor, director and producer. His work includes That Peter Kay Thing , Phoenix Nights , Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere , Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and other independent productions which have included two sell out tours.-Early career:Peter Kay...
and performed by Kay and fellow comedian Patrick "Paddy" McGuinness.
Both characters originally appeared in an episode of That Peter Kay Thing
That Peter Kay Thing
That Peter Kay Thing was a series of six spoof documentaries shown on Channel 4 in January 2000. Set in and around Bolton, these followed the lives of different characters and starred Peter Kay as the subject of each documentary. All of the episodes displayed Kay's penchant for nostalgic humour and...
. They subsequently featured as central cast members in the comedy series Phoenix Nights and starred in their own spin-off series Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere
Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere
Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere was an award-winning British comedy television show on Channel 4 starring and written by Peter Kay and Patrick McGuinness. All the episodes were also directed by Kay. It began on 12 November 2004 and ran for six 30 minute episodes up until 17 December 2004, with each...
.
Max and Paddy are essentially kindred spirits, sharing many characteristics, such as both being of limited intelligence and have very little drive or conscientiousness for their jobs. Both are single and repeatedly signal their attraction to women entering the club, typically with comments made to each other after a group of women has passed them, although Paddy does have a brief relationship with Holy Mary's daughter, who is a student, and also called Mary. Max has one brother, Terry, and drives a light blue 1985 Volvo 200 series
Volvo 200 series
The Volvo 200 series is a range of large family cars , produced by Volvo from 1974 to 1993, with more than 2.8 million units sold worldwide. The 200 series was essentially an updated version of the 140; both were designed by Jan Wilsgaard. It shared the same body, but included a number of...
saloon, which he has Ray Von fit with a customisable car alarm which features Max’s voice shouting, “Get away, or I’ll break your legs!”
The relationship between Max and Paddy is categorised by their (albeit limited) shared interests, such as TV shopping purchases, and a common sense of humour. The two appear to share a mutual respect for each other, despite jokes made at each other’s expense, for example, a running joke through the two series of Phoenix Nights is Max’s insistence that Paddy is going bald, and he frequently points out Paddy’s apparently thinning hair. Despite Paddy’s concern generated by Max’s comments, it is never revealed if Paddy is really going bald or not. When a last minute booking of band Right Said Frank results in the band members stealing stereos from all the cars parked outside, as Max confronts the thieves, Paddy rushes to back him up and together they tackle the two men to the ground.
Following the destruction of the Phoenix Club at the climax of the first series of Phoenix Nights, Brian Potter, whilst attempting to reform his staff line up, calls Max and Paddy as they are driving elderly Asian gentlemen to the mosque and singing at the tops of their voices to Is This the Way to Amarillo
Is This the Way to Amarillo
In the United States, a version by the writer of the song Neil Sedaka made to number 44 in the Billboard charts in 1977, and the title was shortened to "Amarillo".-Tony Christie featuring Peter Kay version:...
by Tony Christie
Tony Christie
Tony Christie is an English musician, singer and actor. He is best known for his track, "Is This The Way To Amarillo", a double UK chart success.-Career:Tony Christie has sold over 10 million albums Worldwide...
, which is playing on Chorley FM
Chorley FM
Chorley FM is a radio station based in Chorley, Lancashire, England. The station was created by volunteers back in 2001 to broadcast a special two week licence in conjunction with the Midsummer Festival which was located on Botany Bay near the M61.-History:...
, in what was to become an iconic moment for the series.
Tasked with acquiring alcohol in order to supply the club following the loss of Potter’s licence and subsequently his contract with his alcohol supplier, Max and Paddy drive a van to France, and unwittingly pick up two Chinese immigrants
Overseas Chinese
Overseas Chinese are people of Chinese birth or descent who live outside the Greater China Area . People of partial Chinese ancestry living outside the Greater China Area may also consider themselves Overseas Chinese....
in the process.
Towards the end of the second series of Phoenix Nights, Max is accosted by a woman, known as ‘Fanny’ as she is wearing a badge with a fake name on it, who wants her husband killed. Max bargains with ‘Fanny’ and agrees to kill her husband for fee of £8000. He then lies to Paddy that ‘Fanny’ will pay them each £1000, and Paddy agrees to go with him to do the job. Max, Paddy and Terry travel to an isolated spot and practice their shooting using a Broomhandled Mauser
Mauser C96
The Mauser C96 is a semi-automatic pistol that was originally produced by German arms manufacturer Mauser from 1896 to 1937...
which Max's grandfather left to him, however, when Paddy takes his turn, he accidentally shoots Terry, injuring him. When it comes to the night of the murder, Max and Paddy find they can't bring themselves to kill the man and instead bribe him with £3000 in cash to leave the country, Max gives Paddy £1000, and spends the remaining £4000 on a motor home
Recreational vehicle
Recreational vehicle or RV is, in North America, the usual term for a Motor vehicle or trailer equipped with living space and amenities found in a home.-Features:...
. A number of days later, however, Max and Paddy spot the man they were meant to kill in town, and are later confronted by ‘Fanny’, who hints that she has put a hit out on them. During the heated exchange, she also reveals that she paid Max £8000, which angers Paddy, who only received £1000 from Max.
At the conclusion of the final episode of the second series of Phoenix Nights, Max, terrified that ‘Fanny’ may have contracted some other criminals to murder him, is about to flee the area in his motor home, when Paddy decides to come with him. This sets the scene for the spin-off series Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere.