"My Brief Tribute To Rowan Atkinson Timed To Coincide With The Release Of His New Film, "Johnny English" From A Guy Who Doesn't Know Much About A Guy Named Johnny Or The English"(not necessarily in the order of importance)
First, let me say that i'm saddened by the fact that i've retired my VCR and will no longer be able to watch my "Black Adder" or "Mr.Bean" videos thanks to the purchase of a PS2 and Blockbuster's fazing out of the video tape. Over time of course, I will replace my collection with the DVD versions but until then, I will have to re-live the antics of "Edmund - Lord of Adder's Black" in my mind.
For those of you unfamiliar with Rowan Atkinson outside of the few supporting roles he's had in recent American made movies, let me say that in my humble opinion, he's without doubt, one of the true comic geniuses of the century. To truly appreciate his talents however, you'd have to seek out much of the work he's done over the past 20 years and broadcast by the BBC. To make a judgement of his characters and talents based on his supporting role in, "Rat Race" say (which I haven't seen) would do him a huge disservice.
Ok... keeping with my promise to keep this short, I will only say that anyone who is unfamiliar with Rowan Atkinson outside of "Mr.Bean" or his recent stint in a few of our movies but who loves true wit (no, that's not a John Wayne movie!) I highly suggest you seek out his other works. I guarantee you, you won't be dissapointed and if you are... what do you know about humor!? ;)
Here's a link to learn more:
www.rowanatkinson.org
I like Black Adder a lot, but I can't say I care for Mr. Bean. Black Adder kicks anus, though!
If you ever get a chance to see his "drum solo" do so. I believe it's part of a stand-up routine that i've never seen completely. I was fortunate to come across it one evening while watching PBS but all I saw was this drum solo which consisted of Atkinson playing an imaginary drum kit. I believe the sole purpose was to showcase his drum playing skills which again, i've never seen. Not only is it quite amusing but also quite amazing... he's pretty good.
Blackadder was indeed genius, matched only ever by Fawlty Towers. The first two Mr Bean specials were also brilliant (started as a one-off, but its success dictated follow-ups), and subsequently began to run out of steam.
I have the book   Blackadder: the Whole Damn Dynasty: 1485-1917   with the scripts from all four series.   Instrumental in the script-writing department was Richard Curtis
who has also written many other great scripts, including screenwriter for   Notting Hill   and   Four Weddings and a Funeral.   I believe he also contributed to the writing for Mr Bean.