Citizendia
Your Ad Here

For other uses, see Blackadder (disambiguation).
Blackadder

Left to right: (Back) Tim McInnerny,
Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie,
(Front) Rowan Atkinson and Tony Robinson
in Blackadder Goes Forth
Genre Period, Situational comedy
Created by Richard Curtis
Rowan Atkinson
Ben Elton
Starring Rowan Atkinson
Tony Robinson
Tim McInnerny
Miranda Richardson
Stephen Fry
Hugh Laurie
Theme music composer Howard Goodall
Country of origin UK
Language(s) English
No. Tim McInnerny ("McInnerny" is stressed on the penultimate syllable (mækɪˈnɝːnɪ (born 18 September 1956) is an English Actor Stephen John Fry (born 24 August 1957 is an English Humorist, Writer, Wit, Actor, Novelist, filmmaker James Hugh Calum Laurie, OBE (born June 11, 1959) is an English Actor, Comedian, Writer and Musician Rowan Atkinson (born 6 January 1955 is an English Comedian, actor and writer famous for his title roles in the British television comedies Blackadder Dr Tony Robinson (born 15 August 1946 in Leytonstone, London) is an English Actor, broadcaster and Blackadder Goes Forth is the fourth and final series of the BBC Situation comedy Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis " Period piece " is phrase that is used to describe creative works For the former state representative from Washington State see Richard Curtis (politician Richard Whalley Anthony Curtis, CBE (born Benjamin Charles Elton (born 3 May 1959 is an English Comedian, writer and director. Rowan Atkinson (born 6 January 1955 is an English Comedian, actor and writer famous for his title roles in the British television comedies Blackadder Dr Tony Robinson (born 15 August 1946 in Leytonstone, London) is an English Actor, broadcaster and Tim McInnerny ("McInnerny" is stressed on the penultimate syllable (mækɪˈnɝːnɪ (born 18 September 1956) is an English Actor Miranda Jane Richardson (born 3 March 1958 is an English stage film and television actress. Stephen John Fry (born 24 August 1957 is an English Humorist, Writer, Wit, Actor, Novelist, filmmaker James Hugh Calum Laurie, OBE (born June 11, 1959) is an English Actor, Comedian, Writer and Musician Howard Goodall (born 26 May 1958) is a British Composer of musicals choral music and The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States of series 4
No.  of episodes 24 (plus 3 specials) (List of episodes)
Production
Producer(s) John Lloyd
Camera setup Multi-camera
Running time 30 min. A television special is a Television program, typically a Short film or Television movie, which interrupts or temporarily replaces programming normally This is an episode list of the British sitcom Blackadder. Dates shown are original airdates on BBC One. John Hardress Wilfred Lloyd (born 30 September 1951) is a British comedy writer and television producer The multiple-camera setup (aka multiple-camera mode of production is a method of shooting films and television programs approx
Broadcast
Original channel BBC One
Picture format PAL (576i)
Audio format Monaural sound
Original run 15 June 1983 – 2 November 1989
External links
Official website
IMDb profile
TV.com summary

Blackadder is the generic name that encompasses four series of an acclaimed BBC One historical sitcom, along with several one-off instalments. PAL, short for Phase Alternating Line, is a colour -encoding system used in Broadcast television systems in large parts of the world 576i is a standard-definition video mode used in (former PAL and SECAM countries Monaural (often shortened to mono) sound reproduction is single-channel Events 763 BC - Assyrians record a Solar eclipse that will be used to fix the Chronology of Mesopotamian history Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) Events 1570 - A Tidal wave in the North Sea devastates the coast from Holland to Jutland, killing more than 1000 Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) A British sitcom is a Situation comedy (sitcom produced in the United Kingdom. This is an episode list of the British sitcom Blackadder. Dates shown are original airdates on BBC One. The first series was written by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson, while subsequent episodes were written by Curtis and Ben Elton. The Black Adder is the first series of the BBC Situation comedy Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis and Rowan For the former state representative from Washington State see Richard Curtis (politician Richard Whalley Anthony Curtis, CBE (born Rowan Atkinson (born 6 January 1955 is an English Comedian, actor and writer famous for his title roles in the British television comedies Blackadder Benjamin Charles Elton (born 3 May 1959 is an English Comedian, writer and director. The shows were produced by John Lloyd, and starred Rowan Atkinson as the eponymous anti-hero, Edmund Blackadder, and Tony Robinson as his sidekick/dogsbody, Baldrick. John Hardress Wilfred Lloyd (born 30 September 1951) is a British comedy writer and television producer Edmund Blackadder is the single name given to a collection of Fictional characters who appear in the BBC mock-historical comedy series Blackadder Dr Tony Robinson (born 15 August 1946 in Leytonstone, London) is an English Actor, broadcaster and SideKick was an early Personal Information Manager (PIM Software application by Borland launched in 1983 under Philippe Kahn This is an article about a military rank For the novel by Diana Wynne Jones, see Dogsbody (novel. Sodoff Baldrick is the name of several Fictional characters featured in the television series Blackadder.

In 2000, Blackadder Goes Forth ranked at 16 in the "100 Greatest British Television Programmes", a list created by the British Film Institute. Blackadder Goes Forth is the fourth and final series of the BBC Situation comedy Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis The British Film Institute ( BFI) is a charitable organisation established by Royal Charter to encourage the development of the arts of film television Also in the 2004 TV poll to find "Britain's Best Sitcom", Blackadder was voted the second best British sitcom of all time, topped by Only Fools and Horses. Britain's Best Sitcom was a poll conducted in 2004 by the BBC to identify the United Kingdom 's best Situation comedy. Only Fools and Horses is a British Television sitcom, created and written by John Sullivan, and made and broadcast by the BBC It was also ranked as the 20th Best TV Show of All Time by Empire Magazine. Empire is a British Film Magazine published Monthly by Bauer Consumer Media. [1]


Contents

Overview

Although each series is set in a different time era, all follow the fortunes (or rather, misfortunes) of Edmund Blackadder (played by Atkinson), who in each is a member of an English family dynasty present at many significant periods and places in British history. Edmund Blackadder is the single name given to a collection of Fictional characters who appear in the BBC mock-historical comedy series Blackadder The English people (from the adjective in Englisc) are a Nation and Ethnic group native to England who predominantly speak English A dynasty is a succession of rulers who belong to the same family for generations The history of the United Kingdom — British history — as an unified Sovereign state begins with the legistlative union between the kingdoms of England Although his intelligence levels rise over the course of the series (the character starts as being quite unintelligent in the first and gradually becomes smarter and more perceptive through each passing generation while decreasing in social status), each Blackadder is similar in that every one is a cynical, cowardly opportunist concerned with maintaining and increasing his own status and fortunes, regardless of his surroundings. Cynicism (Kυνισμός originally comprised the various philosophies of a group of ancient Greeks called the Cynics, founded by Coward redirects here For other meanings including as a surname see Coward (disambiguation. Opportunism is a term used in Politics and Political science. In each series Blackadder is usually a cynical (almost modern) voice puncturing the pretensions and stupidity of those around him, and what might — through modern eyes — be seen as the more ludicrous and insane follies of history (from the cruel and unjust medieval religious witch-hunts and the petty whims and insanities of various British monarchs to the bloodshed of World War I). "Witch trial" redirects here For the song by Rush, see Fear series. TalkCommonewalth realm.--> The monarchy World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All

The lives of each of the four Blackadders are also entwined with his servant, each called Baldrick (played by Tony Robinson), who in each generation acts as Blackadder's dogsbody and who decreases in intelligence (and in personal hygiene standards) just as his master's intellect increases. Dr Tony Robinson (born 15 August 1946 in Leytonstone, London) is an English Actor, broadcaster and This is an article about a military rank For the novel by Diana Wynne Jones, see Dogsbody (novel. Each Blackadder and Baldrick are also saddled with the company of a dim-witted aristocrat (who is arguably dimmer than even Baldrick) whose presence Blackadder must somehow tolerate. Aristocracy is a form of Government, where rule is established through an internal struggle over who has the most status and influence over society and internal relations This role was taken in the first two series by Lord Percy Percy (Tim McInnerny), in the third series by Prince George, Prince Regent, and in the fourth by Lieutenant George, the latter two played by Hugh Laurie (see George (Blackadder character)). Lord Percy Percy is the name given to a pair of related Fictional characters played Tim McInnerny ("McInnerny" is stressed on the penultimate syllable (mækɪˈnɝːnɪ (born 18 September 1956) is an English Actor James Hugh Calum Laurie, OBE (born June 11, 1959) is an English Actor, Comedian, Writer and Musician George is the name of two characters appearing in the historical BBC Sitcom Blackadder played by Hugh Laurie.

Each series was set in a different period of English history, beginning in 1485 and ending in 1917 (with one special set on New Year's Eve 1999) comprising six half-hour episodes. The history of England is similar to the history of Britain until the arrival of the Saxons New Year's Eve is on December 31, the final day of the Gregorian year and the day before New Year's Day. The first series, made in 1983, was called The Black Adder. The Black Adder is the first series of the BBC Situation comedy Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis and Rowan This was followed by Blackadder II in 1985, Blackadder the Third in 1987, and finally Blackadder Goes Forth in 1989. Blackadder II is the second series of the BBC Situation comedy Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis and Ben Blackadder the Third is the third series of the BBC Situation comedy Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis and Blackadder Goes Forth is the fourth and final series of the BBC Situation comedy Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis In addition to these, three specials were also made: Blackadder: The Cavalier Years appeared as a 15-minute insert during the 1988 Comic Relief telethon; Blackadder's Christmas Carol was a 45-minute Christmas installment, broadcast the same year; and Blackadder: Back & Forth was a 30-minute film originally shown in a special cinema at the Millennium Dome throughout 2000, and later transmitted by Sky and the BBC. Blackadder The Cavalier Years is a 15 minute one-off edition of Blackadder set during the English Civil War, shown as part of Comic Comic relief is the inclusion of a humorous character or scene or witty dialogue in an otherwise serious work often to relieve tension Blackadder's Christmas Carol is a one-off episode of Blackadder, a parody of Charles Dickens ' A Christmas Carol. Christmas themes have long been an inspiration to artists writers and weavers of folklore Blackadder Back & Forth ( 1999) is a 34 minute short film based on the BBC mock-historical comedy series Blackadder. Cinemaaustraliajpg|thumb|A movie theater in Australia ]]A movie theater, movie theatre, picture theatre or cinema is a venue The Millennium Dome, often referred to simply as The Dome, is the original name of a large Dome -shaped building originally used to house British Sky Broadcasting ( BSkyB — Sky Television and BSB) is a company that operates Sky Digital, a subscription television service in the A pilot episode was recorded in 1982, but has never been shown on television. The Black Adder is the unaired pilot episode of the television series Blackadder. In it Baldrick was played by a different actor (Philip Fox), and its plot was re-used for the episode "Born to be King" in Series 1. Philip "Phil" Fox is an English film and television actor known particularly for comic and semi-comic roles Born to Be King ( Chinese 胜者为王 also known as Young and Dangerous 6 Born to Be King, is a 2000 Hong Kong film Although DVD releases have never included the pilot, copies are known to circulate online.

Developments over the series

It is implied in each series that the Blackadder character is a distant descendant of the previous one, although none of the Blackadders are mentioned during their series as having fathered any known children (it was even stated in "The Queen of Spain's Beard" (1. " The Queen of Spain's Beard " was the fourth episode of the first season of the BBC Sitcom Blackadder ( The Black Adder 4) that Edmund was a virgin, although in a later episode he is alleged to have had relations with an old hag). Prince Edmund Plantagenet Duke of Edinburgh is a Fictional character in the first series of the BBC Sitcom The Black Adder. Lord Blackadder had relationships with Kate and Lady Jane Pottle, and often engaged prostitutes, one of whom was even seen in the episode "Money", but whether he sired any offspring is never stated. Edmund Blackadder Lord Blackadder ( 1531 - 1566) was the main character in the second series of the popular BBC Sitcom Bob is a pseudonym used by two characters in the Sitcom Blackadder, both female and played by Gabrielle Glaister. " Money " is the fourth episode of the BBC sitcom Blackadder II, the second series of Blackadder, which was set

With each observed generation, his social standing is reduced, from prince, to lord, to royal butler of the Prince Regent, and finally a regular army captain in the trenches of World War I in Blackadder Goes Forth. Social class refers to the hierarchical distinctions (or stratification) between individuals or groups in Societies or Cultures. The British Royal Family is the group of close relatives of the monarch of the United Kingdom. The Peerage of England comprises all Peerages created in the Kingdom of England before the Act of Union in 1707. A butler is a senior servant in a large Household. In the Great houses of the past the household was sometimes divided into departments with the butler George is the name of two characters appearing in the historical BBC Sitcom Blackadder played by Hugh Laurie. The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. Please see " Captain " for other versions of this rank Captain is a rank in the British armed forces that is used in the Army, Royal Navy A trench is a type of excavation or depression in the ground Trenches are generally defined by being deeper than they are wide (as opposed to a wider Gully or Ditch World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All However, he concurrently goes from being an incompetent fool (in the first series) to an ever more devious strategist in matters that affect him. The Macbeth-inspired witches, in "The Foretelling" (1. Macbeth is among the best-known of William Shakespeare 's plays, and is his shortest tragedy, believed to have been written some time between The Norns ( Old Norse: norn, plural nornir) are a kind of Dísir, numerous female beings who rule the fates of the various races of Norse " The Foretelling " was the first episode of the first season of the BBC Sitcom Blackadder ( The Black Adder 1) (thinking he is, in fact, Henry Tudor), promise that one day Blackadder will be king and, in "Bells" (2. The Kings of Wessex, who conquered Kent and Sussex from Mercia in 825 became increasingly dominant over the other kingdoms of England during " Bells " is the first Episode of the BBC sitcom Blackadder II, the second series of Blackadder, which was 1), the "wise woman" says "thou plottest Blackadder: thou wouldst be King!" In the first series, Edmund does become king for less than a minute, but then dies after succumbing to some poisoned wine: a fact alluded to in the closing credits song in "Head" (2. " Head " is the second episode of the BBC period comedy Blackadder II, the second series of Blackadder, which was set 2):

His great-grandfather was a king
Although for only thirty seconds

In the second series, Blackadder comes very close to marrying Elizabeth I but fails. Queenie was a Caricature of the historical figure Queen Elizabeth I of England, played by Miranda Richardson in the second series At the end of Blackadder the Third, the character assumes the role of Prince Regent after the real prince is killed in a duel with the Duke of Wellington and so presumably ascends the throne as George IV. George is the name of two characters appearing in the historical BBC Sitcom Blackadder played by Hugh Laurie. Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, KP, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS ( c After his general decline in status through the series, Blackadder, or at least the descendant of the original, finally becomes absolute monarch in Blackadder: Back & Forth through manipulation of the timeline. Absolute monarchy is a monarchical Form of government where the king and queen have absolute power over everything Time travel is a common theme in Science fiction and is depicted in a variety of media A Grand Admiral Blackadder of the far future is also seen in the Christmas special, and his status further rises when he manages to achieve control of the entire universe upon marrying Queen Asphyxia XIX. Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks of the highest Naval officers The Universe is defined as everything that Physically Exists: the entirety of Space and Time, all forms of Matter, Energy However, while Prince Edmund Plantagenet adopts the title "The Black Adder", Centurion Blacaddicus (presumably an ancestor) has it as a name. Prince Edmund Plantagenet Duke of Edinburgh is a Fictional character in the first series of the BBC Sitcom The Black Adder. Prince Edmund Plantagenet Duke of Edinburgh is a Fictional character in the first series of the BBC Sitcom The Black Adder. Centurion redirects here This article is about the Roman soldier It may be a cognomen, a nickname at the end of a Roman man's name. By the Republican era and throughout the Imperial era, a Name in Ancient Rome for a male citizen consisted of three parts ( tria A nickname is a Name of an entity or thing that is not its Proper name.

Similarities over the series

Theme tune

Howard Goodall's theme tune has the same melody throughout all the series, but is played in roughly the style of the period in which it is set. Howard Goodall (born 26 May 1958) is a British Composer of musicals choral music and The phrase theme music usually refers to that of a radio program, Television program, or Movie. In Music, a melody (from Greek μελῳδία - melōidía, "singing chanting" also tune, voice, or Music is found in every known Culture, past and present varying wildly between times and places It is performed mostly with trumpets and timpani in The Black Adder, typical scoring for middle-age renaissance music; with a combination of recorder, string quartet and electric guitar in Blackadder II; on oboe, cello and harpsichord (in Waltz time) in the style of a madrigal for Blackadder the Third; by a military band in Blackadder Goes Forth; sung by carol singers in Blackadder's Christmas Carol; and by an orchestra in Blackadder: The Cavalier Years and Blackadder: Back & Forth. Timpani (also known colloquially as kettledrums or kettle drums) are Musical instruments in the percussion family The recorder is a woodwind Musical instrument of the family known as Fipple Flutes ' or internal duct flutes &mdash whistle-like A string quartet is a Musical ensemble of four String instruments &mdash usually two Violins a Viola and Cello &mdash or a piece An electric guitar is a type of Guitar that uses pickups to convert the vibration of its steel-cored strings into an electrical current which is made louder "Hautbois" redirects here for the strawberry variety see Hautbois strawberry. The violoncello (abbreviated to cello, or 'cello, plural cellos or celli —the c is tʃ A harpsichord is a Musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. The time signature (also known as " meter signature" is a notational convention used in Western Musical notation to specify how many beats A madrigal is a type of Secular vocal music composition written during the Renaissance and early Baroque eras A military band is a group of personnel that perform musical duties for military functions usually An orchestra is an instrumental ensemble, usually fairly large with string brass woodwind sections and possibly a percussion section as well [2]

Popularity and effects on popular culture

After the first series — which had enjoyed a considerable budget for a sitcom, and had been shot largely on location — the BBC decided not to take up the option of a follow-up. However, in 1984, Michael Grade took over as the controller of BBC One and, after talks with the Blackadder team, finally agreed that a second series could be made as long as the cost was dramatically cut. Michael Ian Grade CBE (born March 8, 1943) is a British Businessman and a distinguished figure in the field of Broadcasting Blackadder II was therefore to be a studio-only production, with Ben Elton joining the writing team. Besides adding more jokes, Elton suggested a major change in character emphasis: Baldrick would become the stupid sidekick, while Edmund Blackadder evolved into a cunning sycophant. A sycophant (from the Greek συκοφάντης sykophántēs) is a Servile person who acting in his or her own self interest attempts to win favor This led to the now familiar set-up that was maintained over all the following series. Only in the Back & Forth millennium special was the shooting once again on location, due to the fact that this was a production with a budget estimated at £3 million, and was a joint venture between Tiger Aspect, Sky Television, the New Millennium Experience Company and the BBC, rather than the BBC alone. Tiger Aspect Productions is a British Television Production company, particularly noted for its situation comedies. For other uses see Sky Television (disambiguation. Sky Television plc (1989-1990 was a four-channel satellite television service launched by Rupert

While each episode was plot-driven, they were still formulaic to a degree. For example, starting with the third season, whenever Blackadder found himself in a difficult situation (as was the case most of the time), Baldrick would invariably suggest a solution, starting with the words, "I have a cunning plan". This became the character's catch phrase and, while his ideas were usually totally unhelpful, he would sometimes come up with a scheme that went towards saving the day. A catch phrase (or catchphrase) is a phrase or expression recognized by its repeated utterance

Blackadder was referenced in the House of Commons on November 21, 2007, during the 2007 UK child benefit data scandal. The House of Commons' is the Lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords Events 164 BC - Judas Maccabaeus, son of Mattathias of the Hasmonean family restores the Temple in Jerusalem. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The 2007 UK child benefit data scandal was a Data breach incident in October 2007 when two computer discs owned by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs containing Elfyn Llwyd, a Plaid Cymru MP, suggested it was "time for Blackadder to say goodbye to Darling", comparing Alistair Darling, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to his fictional namesake, Kevin Darling. Elfyn Llwyd (born September 26, 1951) is a Welsh Politician, and Member of the U Plaid Cymru (plaɪd ˈkəmri The Party of Wales often referred to simply as Plaid) is a Political party in Wales. Alistair Maclean Darling (born 28 November 1953 is a British Politician and Chancellor of the Exchequer since 28 June 2007 This article is about the fictional character For the football player see Kevin Darling Captain Kevin Darling was a Fictional character played by

Mark Bolland, the Deputy Private Secretary to the Prince of Wales from 1998 until 2002, was reportedly nicknamed "Lord Blackadder" by the young princes William and Harry. Mark Bolland was Deputy Private Secretary to the Prince of Wales 1998-2002 Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. For actual Princes of Wales called Henry see Henry Prince of Wales. [3]

Origin of Name

Dr. Eric Blackadder, Chief Medical Officer at the BBC at the time of the first programme, claims that the series is named after him. [4]

Series and specials

See also: List of Blackadder episodes

Chronological order

Series 1: The Black Adder

Main article: The Black Adder

The Black Adder was the first series of Blackadder and was written by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson, and produced by John Lloyd. This is an episode list of the British sitcom Blackadder. Dates shown are original airdates on BBC One. The Black Adder is the unaired pilot episode of the television series Blackadder. The Black Adder is the first series of the BBC Situation comedy Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis and Rowan Blackadder II is the second series of the BBC Situation comedy Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis and Ben Blackadder The Cavalier Years is a 15 minute one-off edition of Blackadder set during the English Civil War, shown as part of Comic Blackadder the Third is the third series of the BBC Situation comedy Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis and Blackadder's Christmas Carol is a one-off episode of Blackadder, a parody of Charles Dickens ' A Christmas Carol. Blackadder Goes Forth is the fourth and final series of the BBC Situation comedy Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis Blackadder Back & Forth ( 1999) is a 34 minute short film based on the BBC mock-historical comedy series Blackadder. The Black Adder is the first series of the BBC Situation comedy Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis and Rowan The Black Adder is the first series of the BBC Situation comedy Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis and Rowan For the former state representative from Washington State see Richard Curtis (politician Richard Whalley Anthony Curtis, CBE (born Rowan Atkinson (born 6 January 1955 is an English Comedian, actor and writer famous for his title roles in the British television comedies Blackadder John Hardress Wilfred Lloyd (born 30 September 1951) is a British comedy writer and television producer The series was originally aired on BBC 2 from 15 June 1983 to 20 July, 1983, and was a joint production with the Australian Seven Network. Events 763 BC - Assyrians record a Solar eclipse that will be used to fix the Chronology of Mesopotamian history Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) Events 1304 - Wars of Scottish Independence: Fall of Stirling Castle - King Edward I of England takes the last rebel stronghold The Seven Network is an Australian television network, owned by the Seven Media Group.

Set in 1485 at the end of the British Middle Ages, the series is written as a secret history which contends that King Richard III won the Battle of Bosworth Field, only to be accidentally murdered, and is succeeded by Richard IV, one of the Princes in the Tower. Great Britain during the Middle Ages (from the 5th century withdrawal of Roman forces from the province of Britannia A secret history (or shadow history) is a revisionist interpretation of either fictional or real (or known History which is claimed to have been deliberately Richard III ( 2 October 1452 &ndash 22 August 1485) was King of England from 1483 until his death The Battle of Bosworth or Bosworth Field ( 22 August, 1485) was Lancastrian Henry Tudor's defeat of Yorkist Richard The Princes in the Tower, Edward V of England ( November 4 1470 &ndash 1483? and his brother Richard of Shrewsbury 1st Duke of York ( The series follows the exploits of Richard IV's unfavoured second son Edmund (who calls himself "The Black Adder") in his various attempts to increase his standing with his father and his eventual quest to overthrow him.

Conceived while Atkinson and Curtis were working on Not the Nine O'Clock News, the series dealt comically with a number of medieval issues in Britain - witchcraft, Royal succession, European relations, the Crusades and the conflict between the Crown and the Church. Not the Nine O'Clock News is a Comedy Television programme shown on the BBC from 1979 to 1982 Witchcraft, in various historical anthropological religious and mythological contexts is the use of certain kinds of Supernatural or magical powers The Crusades were a series of military campaigns of a religious character waged by much of Christian Europe against external and internal opponents Throughout the Commonwealth realms The Crown is an abstract metonymic concept which represents the legal authority for the existence of any government The filming of the series was highly ambitious, with a large cast and much location shooting. The series also featured Shakespearean dialogue, often adapted for comic effect. William Shakespeare ( baptised

Series 2: Blackadder II

Main article: Blackadder II

Blackadder II is set in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558–1603), played by Miranda Richardson. Blackadder II is the second series of the BBC Situation comedy Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis and Ben The Kingdom of England was a State (927-1707 located in Western Europe dating from the ninth or tenth century to the early eighteenth century when it was legally Queenie was a Caricature of the historical figure Queen Elizabeth I of England, played by Miranda Richardson in the second series Miranda Jane Richardson (born 3 March 1958 is an English stage film and television actress. The principal character is Edmund, Lord Blackadder, the great-grandson of the original Black Adder. Edmund Blackadder Lord Blackadder ( 1531 - 1566) was the main character in the second series of the popular BBC Sitcom During the series, he often comes into contact with the Queen, her pretentious Lord Chamberlain Lord Melchett (Stephen Fry) and her demented former nanny Nursie (Patsy Byrne). TalkCommonewalth realm.--> The monarchy The Lord Chamberlain or Lord Chamberlain of the Household is one of the chief officers of the Royal Household in the United Kingdom, and is to be distinguished Stephen John Fry (born 24 August 1957 is an English Humorist, Writer, Wit, Actor, Novelist, filmmaker Patsy Byrne (born 13 July 1933 in Ashford Kent) is an English actress.

Following the BBC's request for improvements to be made to the show, several changes were made. The second series was the first to establish the familiar character of Blackadder: cunning, shrewd and witty, in sharp contrast with Prince Edmund of the first series. Prince Edmund Plantagenet Duke of Edinburgh is a Fictional character in the first series of the BBC Sitcom The Black Adder. To make the show more cost effective, it was also shot with far fewer outdoor scenes than the first series and several, frequently used, indoor scenes, such as the Queen's throne room and Blackadder's front room. Throne Room redirects here for the album by CeCe Winans see Throne Room (album A throne room is the room often rather a hall in the official residence

A quote from this series was placed in third position for the top twenty-five television 'put downs' of the last 40 years by the Radio Times magazine. For the US radio series see WHYY-FM. Radio Times is the BBC 's weekly Television and Radio programme It was the following insult directed at Lord Percy by Edmund Blackadder: "The eyes are open, the mouth moves, but Mr Brain has long since departed, hasn't he, Percy?"

Series 3: Blackadder the Third

Main article: Blackadder the Third

Blackadder the Third is set in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a period known as the Regency. Blackadder the Third is the third series of the BBC Situation comedy Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis and Artistic trends Regency architecture Regency fashions Regency dance Regency novels In the series, E. Blackadder Esquire is the butler to the Prince of Wales (the prince is played by Hugh Laurie as a complete fop and idiot). Edmund Blackadder Esq. (1762–1830 was the main character in the third series of the BBC Sitcom Blackadder. George is the name of two characters appearing in the historical BBC Sitcom Blackadder played by Hugh Laurie. James Hugh Calum Laurie, OBE (born June 11, 1959) is an English Actor, Comedian, Writer and Musician For the meanings of the acronym FOP see FOP (disambiguation. The fop (also known as a fribble, popinjay, fashion-monger Despite Edmund's respected intelligence and abilities, he has no personal fortune to speak of, apart from his frequently fluctuating wage packet from the Prince, as he says: 'If I'm running short of cash all I have to do is go upstairs and ask Prince Fat-head for a rise'.

As well as Rowan Atkinson and Tony Robinson in their usual roles, this series starred Hugh Laurie as the Prince Regent, and Helen Atkinson-Wood as Mrs. Miggins. For the station on the Docklands Light Railway, see Prince Regent DLR station. Helen Atkinson-Wood (born 14 March 1955) is an English actress and Comedian born in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport Mrs Miggins is a fictional character from the second and third seasons of the television series Blackadder, played in the latter by Helen Atkinson-Wood The series features rotten boroughs (or "robber buttons"), Dr. Samuel Johnson (played by Robbie Coltrane), William Pitt the Younger, the French Revolution (featuring Chris Barrie, Nigel Planer and Tim McInnerny as the Scarlet Pimpernel), over-the-top theatrical actors, squirrel-hating highwaymen, and a duel with the Duke of Wellington (played by Stephen Fry). The term "rotten" or "decayed" borough referred to a parliamentary borough or Constituency in Great Britain and Ireland Samuel Johnson (often referred to as Dr Johnson) (18 September Robbie Coltrane, OBE (born 30 March 1950) is a Scottish Actor, comedian and author William Pitt the Younger (28 May 1759 &ndash 23 January 1806 was a British politician of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The French Revolution (1789–1799 was a period of political and social upheaval in the History of France, during which the French governmental structure previously an Chris Barrie (born March 28, 1960) is a British Actor. He first achieved success as a vocal impressionist, notably in the Nigel George Planer (born 22 February 1953 in London) is an English Actor, Novelist and Playwright. Tim McInnerny ("McInnerny" is stressed on the penultimate syllable (mækɪˈnɝːnɪ (born 18 September 1956) is an English Actor The Scarlet Pimpernel is a classic play and Adventure novel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy, set during the Reign of Terror following the English Renaissance theatre is English drama written between the Reformation and the closure of the theatres in 1642. The word highwayman is first attested from the year 1617 The term "highwayman" is mainly applied to robbers who travelled on horseback as opposed to those who robbed on foot As practiced from the 11th to 20th centuries in Western societies a duel is an engagement in combat between two individuals with matched weapons in accordance with their combat Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, KP, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS ( c

Series 4: Blackadder Goes Forth

Main article: Blackadder Goes Forth

This series is set in 1917, on the Western Front in the trenches of the First World War. Blackadder Goes Forth is the fourth and final series of the BBC Situation comedy Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis See Western Front (disambiguation for other meanings Western Front was a term used during the First and Second World World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All Another "big push" is planned, and Captain Blackadder's one goal is to avoid getting shot, so he plots ways to get out of it. "Passchendaele" redirects here For the 2008 film by that name see Passchendaele (film The 1917 Battle of Passchendaele, also known as Captain Edmund Blackadder was the main Fictional character in the fourth and final series of the popular BBC Sitcom Blackadder, Blackadder is joined by the idealistic Edwardian twit Lieutenant George (Hugh Laurie), and their cook, Private S. Class and society Socially the Edwardian era was a period during which the British Class system was very rigid George is the name of two characters appearing in the historical BBC Sitcom Blackadder played by Hugh Laurie. Baldrick. Sodoff Baldrick is the name of several Fictional characters featured in the television series Blackadder. General Melchett (Stephen Fry) rallies his troops from a French mansion thirty-five miles from the front, where he is aided and abetted by his assistant, Captain Darling (Tim McInnerny), pencil-pusher supreme and Blackadder's nemesis, whose name is played on for maximum comedy value. This article is about the fictional character For the football player see Kevin Darling Captain Kevin Darling was a Fictional character played by

Except for the final episode, the episode titles are all plays on words involving military titles, e. g. "Captain Cook" (about food), "Private Plane" (involving Rik Mayall as a pilot).

The final episode of this series, "Goodbyeee . . . ", is known for being extraordinarily poignant for a comedy – especially the final scene, which sees the main characters (Blackadder, Baldrick, George, and Darling) finally venturing forward and charging off to die in the fog and smoke of no man's land. No man's land is a term for land that is not occupied or more specifically land that is under dispute between countries or areas that will not occupy it because of fear or uncertainty Melchett remains at his office but blithely orders a reluctant Darling to fight with the others. "Goodbyeee . . . " had no closing titles, simply fading from the protagonists charging across no man's land under fire, to a field of poppies in the sunlight: like the poem "In Flanders Fields". A poppy is any of a number of showy Flowers typically withone per stem, belonging to the poppy family. " In Flanders Fields " is one of the most famous Poems written during the First World War, and has been called "the most popular poem" produced during This particular poignant moment illustrates how the series had the capacity to be more than just a sitcom. In a list of the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes drawn up by the British Film Institute in 2000, voted for by industry professionals, Blackadder Goes Forth was placed 16th. The British Film Institute ( BFI) is a charitable organisation established by Royal Charter to encourage the development of the arts of film television

Specials

Main article: The Black Adder (pilot episode)

The Blackadder pilot was shot but never aired in the UK. The Black Adder is the unaired pilot episode of the television series Blackadder. One notable difference in the pilot, as in many pilots, is the casting. Baldrick is played not by Tony Robinson, but by Philip Fox. Philip "Phil" Fox is an English film and television actor known particularly for comic and semi-comic roles The script of the pilot is roughly the same as the episode Born to be King, albeit with some different jokes, with some lines appearing in other episodes of the series. Born to Be King ( Chinese 胜者为王 also known as Young and Dangerous 6 Born to Be King, is a 2000 Hong Kong film [5]

Main article: Blackadder: The Cavalier Years

This takes place at the time of the English Civil War. Blackadder The Cavalier Years is a 15 minute one-off edition of Blackadder set during the English Civil War, shown as part of Comic The English Civil War (1642-1651 was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists. It is a short episode, shown as part of Comic Relief's Red Nose Day in 1988. Comic relief is the inclusion of a humorous character or scene or witty dialogue in an otherwise serious work often to relieve tension Comic relief is the inclusion of a humorous character or scene or witty dialogue in an otherwise serious work often to relieve tension

The 15-minute episode was set in November 1648, during the last days of the Civil War. Sir Edmund Blackadder and his servant, Baldrick, are the last two men loyal to the defeated King Charles I of England (played by Stephen Fry, portrayed as a soft-spoken, ineffective, slightly dim character, with the voice and mannerisms of Charles I's namesake, the current Prince of Wales). Charles I, (19 November 1600 &ndash 30 January 1649 was King of England, Scotland and Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution. However, due to a misunderstanding between Oliver Cromwell (guest-star Warren Clarke) and Baldrick, the King is arrested and sent to the Tower of London. Oliver Cromwell (25 April 1599 Old Style &ndash 3 September 1658 Old Style) was an English military and political leader best known Warren Clarke (born April 26 1947) is an English actor Clarke was born in Oldham, Lancashire. Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London (and historically as The Tower) is a historic monument in central London The rest of the episode revolves around Blackadder's attempts to save the king, as well as improve his standing.

BBC One, Friday 5 February 1988, 9. Events 1576 - Henry of Navarre converts to Roman Catholicism in order to ensure his right to the throne of France. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) 45–10pm
Main article: Blackadder's Christmas Carol

The second special was broadcast in 1988. Blackadder's Christmas Carol is a one-off episode of Blackadder, a parody of Charles Dickens ' A Christmas Carol. In a twist on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Blackadder is the "kindest and loveliest" man in England. A Christmas Carol in Prose Being a Ghost Story of Christmas (commonly known as A Christmas Carol) is a Novella by Charles Dickens Ebenezer Blackadder is one of the many Blackadder ancestors from the BBC sitcom of the name The Spirit of Christmas shows Blackadder the contrary antics of his ancestors and descendants, and reluctantly informs him that if he turns evil his descendents will enjoy power and fortune, while if he remains the same a future Blackadder will live shamefully subjugated to a future incompetent Baldrick. This remarkable encounter causes him to proclaim, "Bad guys have all the fun", and adopt the personality with which viewers are more familiar.

BBC One, Friday 23 December 1988, 9. Events 962 - Byzantine-Arab Wars: Under the future Emperor Nicephorus Phocas, Byzantine troops stormed the city Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) 30–10. 15pm

Woman's Hour is a show on BBC Radio 4 consisting of reports, interviews and debates aimed at women, and also includes short serials during the last quarter of the show. On one instance of the show, in 1988, Blackadder and Baldrick show up, travel back in time and talk to Shakespeare (not for the last time!) and others.

The purpose of the "invasion" was to raise money for Children in Need. BBC Children in Need is an annual British charity appeal organised by the BBC. [6]

This non-canonical sketch was performed on stage at the Sadlers Wells Theatre on September 18, 1989. Events 96 - Nerva is proclaimed Roman Emperor after Domitian is assassinated Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) It was written for, and performed at an AIDS benefit concert directed by Stephen Fry, and features Rowan Atkinson as a Blackadder-esque character chatting with Hugh Laurie as "Bill" Shakespeare, talking about cutting various sections of Hamlet – in particular the "To be or not to be" soliloquy. Stephen John Fry (born 24 August 1957 is an English Humorist, Writer, Wit, Actor, Novelist, filmmaker Rowan Atkinson (born 6 January 1955 is an English Comedian, actor and writer famous for his title roles in the British television comedies Blackadder James Hugh Calum Laurie, OBE (born June 11, 1959) is an English Actor, Comedian, Writer and Musician William Shakespeare ( baptised Hamlet is a Tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601 The phrase " to be or not to be " comes from William Shakespeare 's ''Hamlet Prince of Denmark'' (written about 1600 act three scene one A monologue is an extended uninterrupted speech or poem by a single person Ultimately, Blackadder talks Shakespeare down from an over-long speech to the familiar 'snappy' phrase. From Will's first draft:

"To be a victim of all life's earthly woes, or not to be a coward and take Death by his proffered hand" via Blackadder's suggestion
"To be a victim, or not to be a coward," ultimately condensed to "To be, or not to be". The phrase " to be or not to be " comes from William Shakespeare 's ''Hamlet Prince of Denmark'' (written about 1600 act three scene one

To which Shakespeare naturally replies: "You can't say that – it's gibberish!"

The sketch was available on video as part of Hysteria 2 – The Second Coming, released by Palace Video on 21 May 1990. Events 878 - Syracuse Italy is captured by the Muslim sultan of Sicily. Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) [7]

This was the pilot for a prospective US Blackadder series. It was shot in 1992 and aired once, but failed to be picked up. Its cast was completely different and it was set in colonial Philadelphia. [1]

A short sketch performed at the Prince of Wales' 50th Birthday Gala. It featured Rowan Atkinson as Lord Blackadder and Stephen Fry as King Charles II, and was televised on ITV (in the UK) on 14 November 1998. Charles II (Charles Stuart 29 May 1630 – 6 February 1685 was the King of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Independent Television (generally known as ITV) is a public service network of British commercial television broadcasters set up under the Independent Events 1533 - Conquistadors from Spain under the leadership of Francisco Pizarro arrive in Cajamarca, Inca Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) [8]

Main article: Blackadder: Back & Forth

Blackadder: Back & Forth was originally shown in the Millennium Dome in 2000, followed by a screening on Sky One in the same year (and later on BBC1). Blackadder Back & Forth ( 1999) is a 34 minute short film based on the BBC mock-historical comedy series Blackadder. The Millennium Dome, often referred to simply as The Dome, is the original name of a large Dome -shaped building originally used to house It is set on the turn of the millennium, and features Lord Blackadder placing a bet with his friends – modern versions of Queenie (Miranda Richardson), Melchett (Stephen Fry), George (Hugh Laurie) and Darling (Tim McInnerny) – that he has built a working time machine. A millennium (pl millennia) is a period of Time equal to one thousand Years (from Latin la mille, thousand and la annum Time travel is a common theme in Science fiction and is depicted in a variety of media While this is intended as a clever con trick, the machine, surprisingly, works, sending Blackadder and Baldrick back to the time of the dinosaurs, where they manage to cause the extinction of the dinosaurs, through the use of Baldrick's best, worst and only pair of underpants as a weapon against a hungry T.Rex. A confidence trick or confidence game (also known as a bunko, con, flim flam, gaffle, grift, scam, scheme Finding that Baldrick has forgotten to write dates on the machine's dials, the rest of the film follows their attempts to find their way back to 1999, often creating huge historical anomalies in the process which must be corrected before the end. The film was notable for featuring cameo roles from all the main Blackadder actors, as well as a number of famous stars of stage and screen. A cameo role or cameo appearance (often shortened to just cameo) is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the Performing arts, such as

A short monologue performed at the Dominion Theatre for the Royal Variety Performance 2000. The Royal Variety Performance is a gala evening held annually in the United Kingdom, which is attended by senior members of the British Royal Family, normally It features Rowan Atkinson as the modern-day Lord Edmund Blackadder of Her Royal Highness's regiment of Shirkers. The sketch was written and introduced by Ben Elton, who was the compère of the evening. [9]

The Jubilee Girl was a 29 December 2002 BBC special about Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee Concert. Events 1170 - Thomas Becket: Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury is assassinated inside Canterbury Cathedral by followers of King Henry II See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II The Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II marked the fiftieth anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II 's accession to the throne The concert was hosted by Sir Osmond Darling-Blackadder (Keeper of Her Majesty's Lawn Sprinklers) and Dame Edna Everage. Dame Edna Everage is a character played by Australian Comedian Barry Humphries. Earlier, a BBC "advertisement" for the celebrations also featured this incarnation of Blackadder, in which Sir Osmond is told to announce the event, even though he thinks it is a terrible idea:

We don't want thousands of people wandering around here willy-nilly, leaving orange peel on the petunias and frightening the corgies.
I said to her, I said, you're the Queen, not Fatboy Slim. Fatboy Slim, also known as Norman Cook, (born Quentin Leo Cook on 31 July 1963 is a British DJ and Big beat musician [10]

A fifth series?

In January 2005, Tony Robinson told ITV's This Morning that Rowan Atkinson was more keen than he has been in the past to do a fifth series, set in the 1960s (centred around a rock band called the "Black Adder Five", with Baldrick – aka 'Bald Rick' – as the drummer). Independent Television (generally known as ITV) is a public service network of British commercial television broadcasters set up under the Independent This Morning is a British daytime television programme created by Granada Television and broadcast on ITV. Rock music is a genre of Popular music often though not necessarily employing Electric guitar, Bass guitar, and Drums. Sodoff Baldrick is the name of several Fictional characters featured in the television series Blackadder. Robinson in a stage performance June 1, 2007, again mentioned this idea, but in the context of a movie. Events 193 - Roman Emperor Didius Julianus is Assassinated 987 - Hugh Capet is elected Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. However, aside from a brief mention in June 2005,[11] there have been no further announcements from the BBC that a new series is being planned. Furthermore, in November 2005, Rowan Atkinson told BBC Breakfast that although he would very much like to do a new series set in Colditz or another prisoner-of-war camp during World War II, the chances of it happening are extremely low. Colditz (ˈkʰɔldɪt͡s is a city in the Free State of Saxony, Germany, near Leipzig, located on the banks of the river Mulde. A prisoner-of-war camp is a site for the containment of enemy combatants captured by the enemy in time of war and is similar to an Internment camp which is used for civilian World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including There were a couple of ideas that had previously floated for the fifth series. Batadder was intended to be a parody of Batman with Baldrick as the counterpart of Robin (suggested by John Lloyd). Batman is a 1960s American Television series, based on the DC Comic book character of the same name. Robin (also referred to as The Boy Wonder) is the name of several Fictional characters appearing in Comic books published by DC Comics, originally John Lloyd may refer to John Lloyd (tennis, British tennis player John Lloyd (rugby coach, former head coach to Wales national This idea eventually came to surface as part of the Comic Relief sketch "Spider-Plant Man" in 2005, with Atkinson as the title hero, Robinson as Robin, Jim Broadbent as Batman and Rachel Stevens as Jane Mary. Comic relief is the inclusion of a humorous character or scene or witty dialogue in an otherwise serious work often to relieve tension Spider-Plant Man is a Parody of Spider-Man, made for the Comic Relief 2005 appeal and aired on BBC One on March 11 Spider-Man is a Fictional character appearing in Comic books published by Marvel Comics. James "Jim" Broadbent (born 24 May 1949 is an English Academy Award -winning theatre film and television Actor. Rachel Lauren Stevens (born 9 April, 1978) is an British Singer, actress and occasional model. Mary Jane Watson is a fictional Supporting character appearing in Comic books published by Marvel Comics. Star Adder was to be set in space in the future (suggested by Atkinson)[12], though this too was touched upon in Blackadder's Christmas Carol. On April 10, 2007, Hello! reported that Atkinson was moving forward with his ideas for a fifth series. Events 879 - Louis III becomes King of the Western Franks. 1407 - the lama Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Hello! is a weekly magazine specialising in celebrity news and gossip published in Britain. He said, "I like the idea of him being a prisoner of war in Colditz. That would have the right level of authority and hierarchy which is apparent in all the Blackadders. "[13]

A post on www.BlackAdderHall.com from Ben Elton in early 2007 states that Blackadder will return in some form, whether it be a TV series or movie. Elton has since not given any more information on the putative Blackadder 5.

During an interview in August 2007 regarding his latest movie, Mr. Bean's Holiday, Atkinson was asked about the possibility of a further Blackadder series, to which the simple reply "No, no chance" was given:

"There was a plan for a film set in the Russian revolution, a very interesting one called The Red Adder. Mr Bean's Holiday (also known as Bean 2, Bean on Holiday and French Bean) is a Comedy film starring See also Russian Revolution (1905 The Russian Revolution of 1916 refers to a series of popular revolutions in Russia, and the events surrounding them He would have been a lieutenant in the Secret Police. Then the revolution happened and at the end he is in the same office doing the same job but just the colours on his uniform have changed. It was quite a sweet idea and we got quite a long way with it but in the end it died a death. "

During his June 2007 stage performance, chronicled on the Tony Robinson's Cunning Night Out DVD, Robinson states that after filming the Back and Forth special, the general idea was to reunite for another special in 2010. Robinson jokingly remarked that Hugh Laurie's success on House may make that difficult. House, also known as House MD, is an American Medical drama, which debuted on the FOX network on November 16 2004

Film

In June 2006, Rowan Atkinson (while filming Mr. Bean's Holiday in France) mentioned the possibility of a feature length version set during the Russian Revolution. Rowan Atkinson (born 6 January 1955 is an English Comedian, actor and writer famous for his title roles in the British television comedies Blackadder Mr Bean's Holiday (also known as Bean 2, Bean on Holiday and French Bean) is a Comedy film starring This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. See also Russian Revolution (1905 The Russian Revolution of 1916 refers to a series of popular revolutions in Russia, and the events surrounding them Stephen Fry has expressed the view that, since the series went out on such a good "high", a film might not be a good idea. Stephen John Fry (born 24 August 1957 is an English Humorist, Writer, Wit, Actor, Novelist, filmmaker [14]

Anachronism

The Blackadder series contain many instances of anachronism or anachronistic references. For example:

Cast

Ben Elton's arrival after the first series heralded the more frequent recruitment of comic actors from the famed "alternative" era for guest appearances, including Robbie Coltrane, Rik Mayall (who had actually appeared in the final episode of the first series as Mad Gerald), Adrian Edmondson, Nigel Planer, Mark Arden, Stephen Frost, Chris Barrie and Jeremy Hardy. Benjamin Charles Elton (born 3 May 1959 is an English Comedian, writer and director. Alternative comedy is a style of Comedy that originated in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s and 1980s which would eventually go on to become mainstream in the Robbie Coltrane, OBE (born 30 March 1950) is a Scottish Actor, comedian and author Richard Michael "Rik" Mayall (born 7 March, 1958) is an English Actor, Writer and Comedian. Adrian Charles "Ade" Edmondson (born 24 January 1957 is an English Actor, Comedian, director and Writer Nigel George Planer (born 22 February 1953 in London) is an English Actor, Novelist and Playwright. Mark Arden (born July 31 1956 in Newbury Berkshire) is an English Comedian and Actor, best known for being one half of "Steven Frost" redirects here For the television producer see Steve Frost. Chris Barrie (born March 28, 1960) is a British Actor. He first achieved success as a vocal impressionist, notably in the Jeremy Hardy (born 17 July 1961) is an English alternative Comedian. Elton himself played an anarchist in Blackadder the Third.

However, aside from the regular cast listed above, only one actor – Lee Cornes – appeared in an episode of all three Curtis-Elton series. Lee Cornes is a British actor He appeared in three series of Blackadder, as a talking extra in two episodes of The Young Ones He appeared as a guard in the episode Chains of Blackadder II; as the poet Shelley in the episode Ink and Incapability of Blackadder the Third; and as firing squad soldier Private Fraser in the episode Corporal Punishment of Blackadder Goes Forth. Percy Bysshe Shelley (August 4 1792 – July 8 1822 ˈpɝːsɪ ˈbɪʃ ˈʃɛlɪ was one of the major English Romantic poets and is widely considered to be among A Private is a Soldier of the lowest Military rank (equivalent to NATO Rank Grades OR-1 to OR-3 depending on the force served in

More 'establishment'-style actors, some at the veteran stage of their careers, were also recruited for roles. These included Brian Blessed, John Grillo, Simon Jones, Tom Baker, Jim Broadbent, Hugh Paddick, Frank Finlay, Miriam Margolyes, Kenneth Connor, Bill Wallis, Ronald Lacey, Roger Blake, Denis Lill, Warren Clarke and Geoffrey Palmer who played Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig in Goodbyeee..., the final, fatal episode of Blackadder Goes Forth. Brian Blessed (pronounced /ˈblɛsɪd/ born 9 October 1937) is an English Actor, Author and Adventurer, widely recognised Simon Jones may refer to Simon Jones (actor (born 1950 British actor (played Arthur Dent in the BBC Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy radio and TV-series Thomas Stewart "Tom" Baker (born 20 January 1934 is an English Actor. James "Jim" Broadbent (born 24 May 1949 is an English Academy Award -winning theatre film and television Actor. Hugh William Paddick ( 22 August 1915 &ndash 9 November 2000) was an English actor whose most notable role was in the 1960s Francis "Frank" Finlay, CBE (born 6 August 1926) is a British stage film and television Actor. Miriam Margolyes OBE (born 18 May 1941 is a BAFTA Award -winning British character actress and voice artist Kenneth Connor, MBE ( 6 June, 1916 &ndash 28 November, 1993) was an English comedy stage radio film and TV actor best Bill Wallis (born 1937 in Farnham, Surrey, England) is a British actor and comedian who has appeared in numerous radio and television roles Ronald Lacey ( 28 September 1935 – 15 May 1991) was an English actor Denis Lill (born 22 April 1942 in Hamilton New Zealand) is a British actor Warren Clarke (born April 26 1947) is an English actor Clarke was born in Oldham, Lancashire. Geoffrey Dyson Palmer, OBE (born 4 June 1927 is an English Actor, known for his role as Lionel Hardcastle in the television series As Time Field Marshal Douglas Haig 1st Earl Haig, KT, GCB, OM, GCVO, " Goodbyeee " is the title of the final episode of the BBC One sitcom Blackadder Goes Forth and was originally the final episode of

Unusually for a sitcom based loosely on factual events and in the historical past, a man was recruited for one episode essentially to play himself. Political commentator Vincent Hanna played a character billed as "his own great-great-great grandfather" in the episode Dish and Dishonesty of Blackadder the Third. This is also the name of a character in the 1995 film Heat. Vincent Leo Martin Hanna ( 9 August 1939 &ndash 22 July " Dish and Dishonesty " is the first episode of the third series of the BBC sitcom Blackadder. Hanna was asked to take part because the scene was of a by-election in which Baldrick was a candidate and, in the style of modern television, Hanna gave a long-running "live" commentary of events at the count (and interviewed candidates and election agents) to a crowd through the town hall window. A by-election or bye-election (called special election in the United States) is an Election held to fill a political office that has become vacant A city hall or town hall is the chief administrative building of a City or Town 's administration and usually houses the city or

List

Main article: List of characters in Blackadder

Each series tended to feature the same set of regular actors in different period settings. This article lists the characters (and the Actors who played them in the four series and three special episodes of the British sitcom Blackadder

The only character types to retain the same name throughout were:

Some characters recurred as their own presumed descendants:

Character types played by the same actor:

Non-recurring:

A few actors have made multiple guest appearances playing different characters, notably:

Precursors

The plot device of a 'modern' man in ancient times is not new, and has a venerable history in fiction.

In TV comedies, perhaps the most obvious 'ancestor' of the Blackadder series is Up Pompeii!. Up Pompeii! was a British Television comedy series of the 1970s starring Frankie Howerd. The series, starring Frankie Howerd as Lurcio, was set in ancient Rome and made similar play with historical characters. Frankie Howerd OBE (born Francis Alick Howard, 6 March 1917 &ndash 18 April 1992) was a distinctive English Even the apparent 'reincarnation' device found in Blackadder [15] is also used. The TV series inspired three feature films, the first of which, Up Pompeii!, was also set in Imperial Rome with Howerd as Lurcio. The Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial The film ended with the eruption of Vesuvius and had a final scene set in the present day, in which the actors all played tourists closely resembling their ancient roles, with Howerd being a tour guide, showing them around the ruins of Pompeii. Mount Vesuvius (in Italian Monte Vesuvio and in Latin Mons Vesuvius) is an active Stratovolcano east of Naples A tour guide is a person who guides visitors in the language of their choice and interprets the cultural and natural heritage of an area which person normally possesses a specific area The second was set in medieval times and called Up the Chastity Belt, with Howerd's character as 'Lurkalot' (cf The Black Adder). In this, Howerd's character is discovered to be a double of Richard Lionheart, and later assumes the throne under his identity while the real king leads a bawdy life as Lurkalot (cf Blackadder the Third). A political decoy is a person employed to Impersonate a Politician, in order to draw attention away from the real person or to take risks on their behalf Richard I (8 September 1157 &ndash 6 April 1199 was King of England from 6 July 1189 until his death Most strikingly, the third and final Up . . . film, Up the Front, sees Howerd's character reborn as 'Private Lurk' and fighting in the First World War (cf Blackadder Goes Forth). World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All

The shows draw on a variety of literary, historical, and film backgrounds for its story and characters. The first two series draw heavily upon the works of William Shakespeare. William Shakespeare ( baptised The first episode of The Black Adder, The Foretelling, references Richard III (the characters and setting), Macbeth (the three witches predicting Blackadder's rise to power and the appearance of King Richard's ghost at the dinner), and King Lear (the witches are named Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia). Richard III is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in approximately 1591 Macbeth is among the best-known of William Shakespeare 's plays, and is his shortest tragedy, believed to have been written some time between King Lear is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1603 and 1606 and is considered one of his greatest works Bells, the first episode of the second series, draws on Twelfth Night with its cross-dressing "Bob" character. Twelfth Night Or What You Will is a Comedy by William Shakespeare, based on the Short story "Of Apolonius and Silla" by The third series parodies at various points classic novels such as The Scarlet Pimpernel (Nob and Nobility), Cyrano de Bergerac (Amy and Amiability), and The Prince and the Pauper (Duel and Duality), and the titles themselves parody Sense and Sensibility. The Scarlet Pimpernel is a classic play and Adventure novel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy, set during the Reign of Terror following the Hector Savinien de Cyrano de Bergerac (6 March 1619 &ndash 28 July 1655 was a French Dramatist and Duelist who is now best remembered for the many works The Prince and the Pauper is a novel by Mark Twain. It was first published in 1881 in Canada before its 1882 publication in the United States Sense and Sensibility is a Novel by the English novelist Jane Austen. There are also many references to classic films, for instance Blackadder's forming of his dark army in The Black Seal is parodic of The Magnificent Seven (down to Blackadder holding up fingers to indicate the number of men he has), the Season 1 episode The Archbishop explicitly parodies Becket. The Magnificent Seven is a 1960 Western film directed by John Sturges about a group of hired gunmen protecting a Mexican village from Becket is a 1964 Film adaptation of the play Becket or the Honour of God by Jean Anouilh made by Hal Wallis Productions

Notes

  1. ^ The 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time - Number 20: Blackadder, EmpireOnline. com
  2. ^ "List of Musicians and Singers who Played or Sang on Blackadder and Red Dwarf Themes"
  3. ^ It was me what spun it, The Guardian October 27, 2003. Events 312 - Constantine the Great is said to have received his famous Vision of the Cross. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Accessed on May 29, 2008
  4. ^ MacGregor, James (2 February 2001). Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian defeats the Sassanid army in the Battle of Ctesiphon, under the walls of the 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 962 - Translatio imperii: Pope John XII crowns Otto I Holy Roman Emperor, the first Holy Roman Emperor Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. "Step Forward The Real (Unhappy) Blackadder". Netribution. co. uk. Retrieved on 2008-02-06. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar defeats the combined army of Pompeian followers and Numidians under Metellus Scipio
  5. ^ "The Pilot Episode", BlackadderHall.com
  6. ^ "Woman's Hour Invasion", BlackadderHall. com
  7. ^ Shakespeare Sketch at Blackadder Hall. Accessed on January 12, 2008
  8. ^ The King's Birthday at Blackadder Hall. Events 475 - Basiliscus becomes Byzantine Emperor, with a coronation ceremony in the Hebdomon palace in Constantinople 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Accessed on January 12, 2008
  9. ^ The Army Years at Blackadder Hall. Events 475 - Basiliscus becomes Byzantine Emperor, with a coronation ceremony in the Hebdomon palace in Constantinople 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Accessed on January 12, 2008
  10. ^ The Royal Gardner at Blackadder Hall. Accessed on January 12, 2008
  11. ^ "Faces of the week: Richard Curtis", News. Events 475 - Basiliscus becomes Byzantine Emperor, with a coronation ceremony in the Hebdomon palace in Constantinople 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common BBC. co. uk, BBC News, 3 June 2005. Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, proclaims himself Roman Emperor, entering Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Retrieved on 2008-02-06. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar defeats the combined army of Pompeian followers and Numidians under Metellus Scipio  "… Rowan Atkinson, whose collaborations with Curtis include television and cinema's Mr Bean and TV's Blackadder, which is to enjoy a fifth series next year. " 
  12. ^ "Black Adder Program Guide"
  13. ^ "Rowan toys with idea of 'Blackadder' return", HelloMagazine. co. uk, Hello!, 10 April 2007. Hello! is a weekly magazine specialising in celebrity news and gossip published in Britain. Events 879 - Louis III becomes King of the Western Franks. 1407 - the lama Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Retrieved on 2008-02-06. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar defeats the combined army of Pompeian followers and Numidians under Metellus Scipio  
  14. ^ "Atkinson Developing "Black Adder" Film", Darkhorizons. com
  15. ^ "The Blackadder Guide to Reincarnation"

References

External links

The Open Directory Project ( ODP) also known as dmoz (from directory

Dictionary

Blackadder

-proper noun

  1. an English surname
© 2009 citizendia.org; parts available under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License, from http://en.wikipedia.org
 Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic