Retro TV: Blackadder!

[Smurfie]

Running from 1983 - 1989, the Blackadder series starred Rowan Atkinson, Hugh Laurie, Steven Fry, Tony Robinson, Rik Mayall, Miranda Richardson, amongst a bunch of others....

Anyone else a fan of this series?

I added a poll too, so you could vote for your favourite one!

[Jan]

I loved them, i saw quite a bit of it on BBC Prime on satelite. I don't really know the difference between the series though.

[o]

Different periods in history Jan

The 1st series was ok, but I MUCH preferred the later ones, because he wasn't a simpering idiot, he was cutting and sarcastic, I voted the 3rd, as it was brilliant, George was hilarious, my socks keep disappearing! But #2 and #4 were also brilliant brilliant tv, I have them on tape somewhere, I may well watch some again soon. Maybe do an episode guide as well. Oh and the millennium thing they did, rubbish

[Sauron]

Although I love all of them I went with Blackadder Goes Forth. This one made me laugh more than the others, I have Blackadder the box-set, it's amazing

[Smurfie]

It's definitely Blackadder Goes Forth for me. The only criticism of that series was Lord Flashhard, who irritated me, but however it kept with the carrying on with characters from previous Blackadders such as Melchett and "Bob".

Blackadder II is also very good, but its all about Miranda Richardson in that series with her Queen Elizabeth.

I watched the "turnip" episode the other night with Miriam Margolyes, and the "You are wearing a pair of Devils dumplings" in the Auntie inheritence, is a crowd pleaser for me!

[o]

There are just classic lines every 2 minutes, absolutely hilareious tv, I'm going to dig out my videos and watch some!

[Robin]

They are all brilliant! I do have a fondness for the first series though, depsite Edmunds character being slightly different to in the other series'.

[Smurfie]

andy said:

Maybe do an episode guide as well.

I've just seen one of these - I'll post!

[Smurfie]

Series 1: The Black Adder (1983)

Written by: Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson
Director: Martin Shardlow
Producer: John Lloyd

Edmund is the son of King Richard IV (1485-1498)

Main Cast:
Edmund Blackadder: Rowan Atkinson
Baldric: Tony Robinson
Percy: Tim McInnerny
King Richard IV: Brian Blessed
The Queen: Elspet Gray
Prince Harry: Robert East

1. The Foretelling (1485)

Edmund accidentally kills King Richard III (Peter Cook), making his father
King while he hides Henry Tudor in his room.
[[Cast in chronological order]]

2. The Queen of Spain's Beard (1492)

In order to prevent a war with Spain, Edmund must marry a Spanish Princess.

3. The Archbishop (1487)

Edmund is made the Archbishop, which has not been a very safe office to hold,
especially when the King doesn't agree with the church.
[[Cast in order of Reverence]]

4. Born To Be King (1486)

With King Richard off to the crusades, Edmund comes across evidence that casts
doubt on Prince Harry's stature as next in line to the throne.
[[Cast, in geographical order]]

5. Witchsmeller Pursuivant (1495)

Edmund gets accused of being a witch by a witchsmeller (Frank Finlay).

6. The Black Seal (1498)

With the help of the "six most dangerous men in England", Edmund attempts to
take over the throne.

[Smurfie]

Series 2: Black Adder II

Written by: Richard Curtis and Ben Elton
Director: Mandie Fletcher
Producer: John Lloyd

E. Blackadder is a Lord in Queen Elizabeth's court.

Main Cast:
Lord Edmund Blackadder: Rowan Atkinson
Baldric: Tony Robinson
Lord Percy: Tim McInnerny
Lord Melchett: Stephen Fry
Queen Elizabeth I: Miranda Richardson
Nursie: Patsy Byrne

1. Bells ( Jan 9, 1986)

Edmund falls in love with his new man-servant (Gabrielle Glaister), who is
really a girl in disguise. Lord Flashheart (Rik Mayall) turns up to spoil
the wedding.

2. Head ( Jan 16, 1986)

Edmund is appointed Head Executioner and accidently executes the
wrong man, which causes a slight problem when his wife is given permission
by the Queen to see him.

3. Potato ( Jan 23, 1986)

Sir Walter Raleigh (Simon Jones) returns from exploring the New World. Edmund
decides to do some exploring to impress the Queen with the aid of Captain Rum
(Tom Baker).

4. Money ( Feb 6, 1986)

The Bishop of Bath & Wells (Ronald Lacey) arrives to collect on a debt that
Edmund owes.

5. Beer ( Feb 13, 1986)

Edmund has his Aunt and Uncle Whiteadder over for dinner, as well as hosting
a drinking party at the same time.

6. Chains ( Feb 20, 1986)

Edmund and Melchett are kidnapped by a German (Hugh Laurie) who plans to
overthrow England's Queen.

[Smurfie]

Series 3: Black Adder the Third (1760 - 1815)

Written by: Richard Curtis and Ben Elton
Director: Mandie Fletcher
Producer: John Lloyd

Edmund Blackadder is a butler to the Prince Regent.

Main Cast:
Edmund Blackadder: Rowan Atkinson
Baldric: Tony Robinson
Prince George: Hugh Laurie
Mrs. Miggins: Helen Atkinson-Wood

1. Dish and Dishonesty ( Sep 17, 1987)

Parliment is about to cut off the Prince Regent's support and Edmund takes
action to save him.

2. Ink and Incapability ( Sep 24, 1987)

Dr. Samual Johnson (Robbie Coltrane) asks the Prince for support of his
dictionary. which accidentally gets used for firewood. Edmund must re-write
it before Dr. Johnson finds out.

3. Nob and Nobility ( Oct 1, 1987)

The Scarlet Pimpernel is the talk of London, much to Edmunds chagrin. He is
captured by French revolutionaries and held captive. Tim McInnerny and Nigel
Planer guest as Lord Topper and Lord Smedley.

4. Sense and Senility ( Oct 8, 1987)

The Prince Regent enlists the aid of two actors to help him write a speech.
But are the actors really anarchists?

5. Amy and Amiability ( Oct 15, 1987)

The Prince is low on cash and Edmund sets out to find
a suitable dowry for the Prince Regent to marry. Amy Hardwood (Miranda
Richardson) looks to be the answer.

6. Duel and Duality ( Oct 22, 1987)

The Prince Regent "soils" two of the Duke of Wellington's (Stephen Fry)
nieces and is challenged to a duel. Edmund volunteers to fight for the
Prince and attempts to get his cousin, McAdder to fill in for him.

[Smurfie]

Series 4: Blackadder Goes Forth

Written by: Richard Curtis and Ben Elton
Director: Richard Boden
Producer: John Lloyd

Edmund Blackadder is a Captain in the trenches along the Western Front in 1917.

Main Cast:
Captain Blackadder: Rowan Atkinson
Private Baldric: Tony Robinson
Lt. George Barleigh: Hugh Laurie
General Melchett: Stephen Fry
Captain Darling: Tim McInnerny

1. Captain Cook ( 28-Sep-89 )

General Melchett is looking for an artist for a special assignment.

2. Corporal Punishment ( 5-Oct-89 )

In avoiding orders from Geneepisdes ral Melchett, Edmund eats a messenger
pigeon, which turns out to be a court-martial offense.

3. Major Star ( 12-Oct-89 )

In order to boost the troop's morale, Edmund organizes a show with hopes of
taking the revue to London.

4. Private Plane ( 19-Oct-89 )

Edmund joins the Air Corp and crashes behind the enemy lines with Baldrick.
Lord Flashheart (Rik Mayall) battles Baron von Richthoven (Adrian Edmondson)
to rescue him.

5. General Hospital ( 26-Oct-89 )

Edmund is assigned to find a spy in a hospital, which has a beautiful nurse
(Miranda Richardson) and a man with a strong German accent called "Smith".

6. Goodbyeee ( 2-Nov-89 )

The big push is coming, so Edmund goes mad. Will a last minute call to
Field Marshal Haig (Geoffrey Palmer) save him?


_{Sources for all the above: filmtv.eserver.org/}

[o]

Ahh, the memories! The fact that there were only 6 in each series, means it was kept to the bare minimum, and so each is a classic, no dragging it out like in the US This is why Fawlty Towers is also excellent, they knew when to stop!

[frag]

Series 2 is my favourite, but it's close between that and S.3...

[o]

Just watched this last night!

1. Dish and Dishonesty ( Sep 17, 1987)

Parliment is about to cut off the Prince Regent's support and Edmund takes
action to save him.

It's the one with Baldrick and his first name of Sodoff Also, we get introduced to people accidently killing themselves with razors and combs, ie he accidently killed himself by cutting his head off with his comb! Oh and the rotten borough bit with the prince regent, "What's a rubber button?" I'm going to have so much fun with this!

[PurpleCareBear]

I only ever watched the odd episode here and there,maybe one from each series.
I remember liking Queen Elizabeth and Nursie,so I voted for the second series.

[Smurfie]

Nursie was brilliant! It's a shame neither her or Patsy Byrne ever appeared again in the Blackadder series.

Nursie: You're so clever today, you better be careful your foot doesn't fall off.
Queen: Does that happen when you have lots of brilliant ideas? Your foot falls off?
Nursie: It certainly does. My brother, he had this brilliant idea of cutting his toenails with a scythe, and his foot fell off.

[PurpleCareBear]

oh pfft hahaha.

[Smurfie]

I just watched the last episode of Blackadder Goes Forth on UK TV Gold, and it was a very good episode to end the Blackadder series' with. It was very funny, and very thoughtfully written.

I'm actually glad they didn't make another series after this (excluding the one-offs of course), as with any good series, I think it had run its course nicely, and they didn't kick the arse of it and get less and less funny through every series #cough# Absolutely Fabulous #cough#

I'm sure I saw an interview a few years back with Rowan Atkinson where they were planning to make another Blackadder, but set in 60's London. I'm glad they didn't!

[o]

Totally agree, every ep is a classic, and at some point they may have lost the successful formula.