The first series of Blackadder

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Inspired by the other sitcom thread, and the fact that a friend lent me all four series on DVD and I've been watching through them.

The first series seems to be outside the sitcom canon to an extent, it never gets talked about or quoted or even repeated on television most of the time. Partly because its so different to the others - feeble, inept and snivelling Blackadder, a clever Baldrick, no Ben Elton or Stephen Fry or Hugh Laurie, considerably less of the self-conscious public school humour.

Some of the humour is pretty feeble, at times it works though. But Brian Blessed as the King is undeniably classic.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:15 (twenty-one years ago)

Dud, apart from the episode where he marries the Infanta.

― Wooden (Wooden), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Haven't seen it since it was first shown. Remember the Blackadder character and voice as being very irritating. Am I right in thinking that Ben Elton only got involved in Blackadder AFTER the first series and so is the presiding genius of the show?

― Derridadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Thats a classic episode. That stars oscar winner and Roy Slater from Only Fools & Horses -Jim Broadbent doesn't it?

Brian Blessed is indeed fantastic in it.

― Dougal, Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, the first series was written by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson.

xpost

― Wooden (Wooden), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Ben Elton's fingerprints are all over the other series of Blackadder - i.e., the funny ones

― Derridadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:23 (twenty-one years ago)

Elton only got in from the second series, replacing Atkinston on writing duties, while Richard Curtis was involved from the start. But its possible that Atkinson was just responsible for all the crap bits.

The Blackadder character is hugely irritating, this is 95% down to the voice, mind. From the 2nd series the main characters were largely constant.

I think the episode when the King returns from the Crusades is better than the Infanta one, actually. Its the only one that made me laugh out loud in a number of places.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Peter Cook makes an appearance, yes?

― Alba (Alba), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Pity he turned into such a twat.

xpost

― Wooden (Wooden), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:24 (twenty-one years ago)

The best episode is either the one with the play, or the Magnificent Seven parody that closes the series, shurely?

(It's actually my favourite of all the series I think - Atkinson's smugness pervades the rest in a way I don't like.)

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:29 (twenty-one years ago)

I remember being surprised at how much I enoyed the first Blackadder, when I finally saw it. This may be because I was a bit fed up of the Blackadder bashes Baldrick routine by then.

― Alba (Alba), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Surely its Blackadder's smugness? The point of the later three series is that there's one man surrounded by gibbering idiots, and part of the problem with the first is that everyone's a gibbering idiot.

Also having not seen any of them for years I'm unconvinced as to the classicness of the later series (the fourth one aside). The situations work but a lot of the one liners seem forced and unfunny these days. This might down to my anti-Ben Elton bias that's built up in the meantime.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:31 (twenty-one years ago)

To chime in with conventional wisdom -- yeah, first series pretty sporadic at best. But Peter Cook does indeed appear as Richard III in the first episode, beheaded by Blackadder himself by accident.

The quantum leap between the first and second series can be seen by how flatout brilliant the first minute alone of "Head" is.

"Yes...*and* no."

Matt is however right that apparently after the 1980s Ben Elton decided to stop making fun of the right in order to join it.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:32 (twenty-one years ago)

I find it hard to watch series 2-4 objectively, having memorised every episode when I was 11.

― Wooden (Wooden), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:33 (twenty-one years ago)

I won't claim credit for that observation - its been the most common Elton-bashing stick for some time.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Classic. The jumping Jews of Jerusalem?

For the millionth time, comedy series need time to warm up. In Blackadder's case, that involved starting off as essentially a comedy drama with big budgets and over-ambitious ideas. But it was still original and uniquely funny, and has a real charm that the others, for all their knowing hilarity kind of lose.

― Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Markelby does have a point, of all the series it's easily the most expensive and extensive in terms of sets and set pieces and size of cast and so forth -- in fact I think it's about the only series that regularly filmed outdoor sequences.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:39 (twenty-one years ago)

The BBC were hardly likely to give Atkinson and Curtis that kind of budget again - they obviously told them to go away and make it funnier and cheaper

― Derridadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:42 (twenty-one years ago)

There are a lot of extras and street scenes in the first series. Every subsequent Blackadder tended to rely on more or less the same six or seven characters.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Apparently it was totally borderline as to whether it would get a second series at all.

― Wooden (Wooden), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:44 (twenty-one years ago)

... so drastically cutting the budget and getting in a gag writer would be major selling points

― Derridadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Blackadder really isn't that good, is it? I mean, yeah, some good acting and gags, but there's no depth to it at all, and all those convoluted Baldrick put-downs - yawn!

― Alba (Alba), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Wait, you needed depth?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:48 (twenty-one years ago)

it's amazing how big a budget the first series had in stark contrast to the subsequent ones - yet it's they that are funnier. Blackadder I is classic and dud in equal measure (Blessed, Cook, great cameos from Mayall - as usual).

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:49 (twenty-one years ago)

as a character the most likeable and 'cool' Blackadder is unquestionably Blackadder II, and that's probably my favourite of the series (the best episode being 'Head')

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:51 (twenty-one years ago)

the best Blackadder I is the last one when he rounds up all the rogues around the country (Sir Wilfred Death, Three Fingered Pete, Friar Bellows, Sean, The Irish Bastard etc.) with a view to taking over the Kingdom.

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:53 (twenty-one years ago)

The trouble with Blackadder II was that he looked far too much like Peter Sutcliffe

― Derridadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, that's right, I keep forgetting Blessed's scenery chewing par excellence. Actually his funniest moment may be the opening credits for the episode where Blackadder becomes the archbishop -- you see Blessed as the king preaching a sermon from a pulpit in full armor, pounding his fists and waving his sword. It's only two seconds long but it's pure hilarity.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:58 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.mgnet.karoo.net/blackaddport.jpg

http://www.fortunecity.com/roswell/streiber/273/cf_sutcliffe2.jpg

― Derridadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:58 (twenty-one years ago)

that's almost Julio

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:02 (twenty-one years ago)

Ouch!

― Derridadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:03 (twenty-one years ago)

fucking rubbish.

The third series was by far the best.

― Ste (Fuzzy), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:18 (twenty-one years ago)

first was best in my eyes - william shakespeare is a better co-writer than ben elton anyday. as alba said, the later series were just convoluted putdowns. and toadying.

― koogs (koogs), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:27 (twenty-one years ago)

and funny.

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Blackadder I probably featured more inane and contrived gags than the follow-ups (e.g. Edmund trying to decide on a new name, deciding on The Black Vegetable, Baldrick saying 'how about The Black Adder my Lord?', Edmund THEN saying 'wait! i've got it! The Black Adder!')

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:35 (twenty-one years ago)

I love all 4 series unconditionally.

― Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:36 (twenty-one years ago)

I think I preferred series 1 to series 4

― Derridadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:36 (twenty-one years ago)

How can you make me choose between my babies thus, you brutes? I love them all too. While the first one is clumsy in parts, (as perhaps befits the mores of late Plantagenet England) Blessed is hilarious and I always remember Blackadder, the monoglot Englishman, deciphering the Inquisitor's Castillian, "Oh, a scythe!" Miranda Richardson as Elizabeth is quite good, and Laurie and Fry in the Regency ones are lovely. The WWI ones are great and the last shot is still poignant to me, which, considering that it's broad comedy, is an achievement.

― Michael White (Hereward), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:54 (twenty-one years ago)

>Edmund: Unfortuately no I don't. I find his films about as funny as getting an arrow through the neck and discovering there's a gas bill tied to it.

> Edmund: Let me put it another way, Bob, you are a girl. And you're a girl with as much talent for disguise as a giraffe in dark glasses trying to get into a 'Polar Bears Only' golf club.

>Edmund: Personally, I thought you were the least convincing female impressionist since Tarzan went through Jane's handbag and ate her lipstick.

> Edmund: Baldrick, NO! It's the worst plan since Abraham Lincoln said, 'Oh I'm sick of kicking around the house tonight. Let's take in a show.'

see, this for me is typical of the fourth series - just lists of things, just similes. Popcorn was also terrible.

― koogs (koogs), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:55 (twenty-one years ago)

That schtick was getting very tired by the 4th series, true

― Derridadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:56 (twenty-one years ago)

I LOLed three times at Andy's last post. So :p

― Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:56 (twenty-one years ago)

i like those examples, but yes perhaps there was too much of it. you could've had a bonus point for 'we've made about as much progress as an asthamtic ant with some heavy shopping' (tho half the fun in that is the way Atkinson delivers words and syllables so sharply abruptly ala 'Bob')

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:57 (twenty-one years ago)

The last one was funny, the Lincoln one

― Derridadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:57 (twenty-one years ago)

all from here btw: http://www.gazmac.freeserve.co.uk/blackadderfront.htm

that was just half of one episode above. it'd make more sense on radio.

― koogs (koogs), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 15:01 (twenty-one years ago)

that tarzan joke was pretty funny

― kyle (akmonday), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 15:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Melchett: Excellent. And if you come back with the information, Captain Darling will pump you thoroughly in the debriefing room.

Edmund: Not while I have my strength, he won't.

__________

Mary: So you're going to be around for quite a while, then.

Edmund: Looks like it.

Mary: Good, because, er, it can get pretty lonely round here, you know.

God, it's nice to have someone healthy to talk to. (offers) Cigarette?

Edmund: No, thank you. I only smoke cigarettes after making love. So, back in

England, I'm a twenty-a-day man.

Mary: (blows smoke in Edmund's face) A man should smoke. It acts as an

expectorant and gives his voice a deep, gravely, masculine tone.

Edmund: God, I love nurses -- they're so digustingly clinical!

Mary: Tell me, Captain Blackadder...

Edmund: Edmund.

Mary: Edmund. When this war is over do you think we might get to know each

other a little better?

Edmund: Yes, why not? When this madness is finished, perhaps we could go

cycling together, take a trip down to the Old Swan at Henley and go

for a walk in the woods.

Mary: Yes, or we could just do it right now on the desk.

Edmund: (looks at the desk) Yeah, OK.

― Michael White (Hereward), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 15:13 (twenty-one years ago)

I got my haircut last week.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 15:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Edmund, you are wearing a pair of devil's dumplings!

― Wooden (Wooden), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 15:24 (twenty-one years ago)

George: I hear you've been seeing rather a lot of Nurse Mary
Edmund: Yes...almost all of her in fact

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 15:26 (twenty-one years ago)

It's OK Julio, you never looked like the Yorkshire Ripper anyway

― Derridadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 15:28 (twenty-one years ago)

Koogs is quite right in all he says.

― Alba (Alba), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 16:00 (twenty-one years ago)

apart from the first being the best?

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 16:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Maybe not that. I don't know. I'd have to watch it again.

― Alba (Alba), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 16:47 (twenty-one years ago)

2, 3, 4 all stellar

first series = arse

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 16:50 (twenty-one years ago)

I just watched the episode with the witch hunt. I kind of appreciate the silly childish humour of it all, especially the bit with the two guards.

Guard 1 - Fancy coming round to mine for dinner tonight?
Guard 2 - No not really. The food tastes like manure and I find you very boring.
G1 - What about next Thursday?
G2 - (pause) Yeah, I can do that.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 19:06 (twenty-one years ago)

five years pass...

I've been showing Blackadder II to my advanced students recently (I teach EFL). The French contingent particularly enjoyed it, the Turks seemed amused, South Americans and Asians not so much. One Frenchman, after watching: "Ze English 'umour - she is delicious!"

― BTW, I'm frightfully middle-class (chap), Sunday, 24 January 2010 20:16 (fifteen years ago)

and the germans?

― mookieproof, Sunday, 24 January 2010 20:26 (fifteen years ago)

Germans tend to learn pretty good English in school, I've only ever taught one.

― BTW, I'm frightfully middle-class (chap), Sunday, 24 January 2010 20:30 (fifteen years ago)

And come to think of it, he was Austrian.

― BTW, I'm frightfully middle-class (chap), Sunday, 24 January 2010 20:31 (fifteen years ago)

three years pass...

Rowan Atkinson has reportedly met with Blackadder producer John Lloyd to discuss the possibility of a Blackadder movie.
Rowan, Tony Robinson, Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, Tim McInnerny and Rik Mayall all starred in the hit BBC sitcom written by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton, which followed character Edmund Blackadder through out the ages.
John told The Sun: "Rowan and I had this great idea, because we are all getting a bit old, of doing a kind of Dad's Army.
"They are a platoon in Walmington-on-Sea where they get kidnapped by a German submarine and taken to Colditz. They then have to escape.
"Because Tony Robinson is probably very near 70 now he would be just about the right age. We'd do it as a Blackadder - it would make a good movie, I think."

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/cunning-plan-for-a-blackadder-movie-29467868.html

― (The Other) J.D. (J.D.), Thursday, 8 August 2013 01:54 (twelve years ago)

"Because Tony Robinson is probably very near 70 now.. "

0_o

― piscesx, Thursday, 8 August 2013 03:16 (twelve years ago)

two years pass...

gah

http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/aug/23/blackadder-new-series-on-the-cards-tony-robinson?CMP=share_btn_fb

― piscesx, Sunday, 23 August 2015 15:06 (ten years ago)

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The first series of Blackadder - classic or dud?