Blackadder

Blackadder is the generic name that encompasses four series of an acclaimed BBC One historical sitcom, along with several one-off installments. The first series was written by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson, while subsequent episodes were written by Curtis and Ben Elton. 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.

In 2000, Blackadder Goes Forth ranked at #16 in the "100 Greatest British Television Programmes", a list created by the British Film Institute. Also in the 2004 TV poll to find "Britain's Best Sitcom", Blackadder was voted the second best British sitcom of all time, beaten by Only Fools and Horses.

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. 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 ironically decreasing in social status), each Blackadder is similar in that they are all cynical cowardly opportunists concerned with maintaining and increasing their own status and fortunes in life, regardless of their surroundings. In each series, however, 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 pointless bloodshed of World War I).

The lives of the four Blackadders are also entwined with their servants, all called Baldrick (played by Tony Robinson), who in each generation acts as Blackadder's dogsbody/punching bag and who decreases in intelligence (and in personal hygiene standards) just as his master's intellect increases. Each Blackadder and Baldrick are also saddled with the company of a dim-witted aristocrat (who is even dimmer than even the dimmest Baldrick) whose presence Blackadder must somehow tolerate. In the first two seasons, this role was taken by Lord Percy Percy (Tim McInnerny), whereas this position was assumed in the third season by Prince George (Hugh Laurie) and in the fourth by Lieutenant George, again played by Laurie (see George (Blackadder character)).

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Blackadder Episodes

Blackadder Pilot

P- 0 Pilot

Blackadder Season 1

1. 1- 1 15 Jun 83 The Foretelling
2. 1- 2 22 Jun 83 Born to Be King
3. 1- 3 29 Jun 83 The Archbishop
4. 1- 4 6 Jul 83 The Queen of Spain's Beard
5. 1- 5 13 Jul 83 Witchsmeller Pursuivant
6. 1- 6 20 Jul 83 The Black Seal

Blackadder Season 2

7. 2- 1 9 Jan 86 Bells
8. 2- 2 16 Jan 86 Head
9. 2- 3 23 Jan 86 Potato
10. 2- 4 5 Feb 86 Money
11. 2- 5 13 Feb 86 Beer
12. 2- 6 20 Feb 86 Chains

Blackadder Season 3

13. 3- 1 17 Sep 87 Dish and Dishonesty
14. 3- 2 24 Sep 87 Ink and Incapability
15. 3- 3 1 Oct 87 Nob and Nobility
16. 3- 4 8 Oct 87 Sense and Senility
17. 3- 5 15 Oct 87 Amy and Amiability
18. 3- 6 22 Oct 87 Duel and Duality

Blackadder Special

S- 7 23 Dec 88 A Blackadder's Christmas Carol
S- 8 5 Feb 88 The Cavalier Years

Blackadder Season 4

21. 4- 1 28 Sep 89 Plan A: Captain Cook
22. 4- 2 5 Oct 89 Plan B: Corporal Punishment
23. 4- 3 12 Oct 89 Plan C: Major Star
24. 4- 4 19 Oct 89 Plan D: Private Plane
25. 4- 5 26 Oct 89 Plan E: General Hospital
26. 4- 6 2 Nov 89 Plan F: Goodbyeee

Blackadder Special

S- 7 14 Nov 98 (A Royal Birthday Celebration)
S- 8 31 Dec 99 Blackadder Back & Forth

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