Blackadder (1983-1989)

You might not be able to tell one member of Monty Python from another, but you definitely know who this man is.

Rowan Atkinson as Mr. Bean.

 It's Mr. Bean, of course! The dimwitted title character of the TV show Mr. Bean (1990-1995) and the films Bean (1997) and Mr. Bean Takes a Holiday (2007)!

So, how about this guy? 

Mr. Atkinson, now with pencils up his nose.

It's Edmund Blackadder, of course! What, that name doesn't ring a bell?

Even with the pencils up his nose, it's not hard to tell that the man in the second picture is the same as the man in the first. The important difference, I think, is that while Mr. Bean made Rowan Atkinson's face famous worldwide, his work in Blackadder is practically unknown in America. I find this utterly confusing since British polls regularly name Blackadder one of the best television shows of all time.

Rowan Atkinson starred in Blackadder from 1983 to 1989, first as Edmund, The Duke or Edinburgh; then as Edmund, Lord Blackadder; then as Edmund Blackadder, Esquire; and finally as Captain Edmund Blackadder. During each of the show's four seasons, Atkinson played the character in a different time period, ranging from the Middle Ages to World War I. Blackadder isn't the only character to reborn with each new era, though. His dimwitted servant, Baldrick (Tony Robinson), is also a main character in all four seasons. Other characters who made repeat appearances were Lord Percy Percy (Tim McInnery) in the first and second seasons (and as Captain Kevin Darling in the fourth), Lord/General Melchett (Stephen Fry) in the second and fourth seasons, and Prince/Lieutenant George (Hugh Laurie) in the third and fourth seasons.

Yeah, this guy:

Hugh Laurie in the role that made him America's favorite doctor.

Played this guy:

Mr. Laurie, now as a dimwitted, foppish royal.

AND this guy:

And now as a wounded teddy bear-snuggler.

Have you noticed a theme in how each character's name from season to season? You know, Prince to Lord, Lord to General, Prince to Lieutenant...their social stock is sinking. I'm not sure what the reason for this is, but it's consistent with every character except for Baldrick. He's always just a servant, poor dumb thing.

"Dumb" is an important word here, because it accurately describes every character. Not Blackadder, of course. Unfortunately for him (and fortunately for the viewer), he has to deal with these idiots. 

Here's a perfect example from the fourth season, which is known as Blackadder Goes Fourth.

Blackadder Goes Fourth is the first season I watched, and it's still my favorite. The trenches of World War I doesn't sound like much of a set up for a comedy, but the bleakness of the situation only adds to the humor. If World War I isn't your thing, maybe the Middle Ages, the Elizabethan period, or the Regency period is. There's something for everybody!

Blackadder is available to watch instantly on Netflix and Amazon. It is also available on DVD.