Very watchable, except half the programme was taken up introducing what was coming up in the show
Blackadder Exclusive: The Whole Rotten Saga Page 2
Quote: The Cool Mikado @ October 10 2008, 11:07 AM BSTVery watchable, except half the programme was taken up introducing what was coming up in the show
We recorded it so just fast forwarded it 
I really enjoyed it.
Doesn't anyone find it odd how anonymous Rowan Atkinson is - you just don't see him as himself. Probably driving too fast in his car and couldn't stop. 
He was in this show but it was clearly a while ago in his interview. Seemed happy enough to chat then so why not now.
I think he's just a very private person.
Quote: Tuumble @ October 10 2008, 3:57 PM BSTDoesn't anyone find it odd how anonymous Rowan Atkinson is - you just don't see him as himself.
I think he's very cleverly kept himself out of the media spotlight so that the general public don't know what he's like as 'himself'.
There's no reason why comic actors shouldn't be anonymous when they're not performing- by his own admission Ronnie Barker was not particularly funny out of character.
I didn't have the channel that this was on but I really wanted to see the making of blackadder.
Do any of you kind people have it recorded or burned onto dvd that I could get a copy of, i'm a huge blackadder fan. I've already got the box set.
Thanks in advance.
I should have it all recorded. Haven't had a chance to check yet though.
Hi Aaron, thanks mate, if I could get a copy of that at some point that would be fantastic. Anytime that is best for you.
Just returned from the Blackadder talk with Richard Curtis, John Lloyd and Tony Robinson discussing the show. It was being recorded for a Tiger Aspect doc being made.
Lots of interesting things about the show, so here's a few quick points.
- A fifth series was discussed many times, they said time periods included the 60s, Neanderthal and cowboy era. They even wanted to do an 1980s satire with Blackadder being one of Thatcher's aides.
- Ben Elton was set to work on a Madness sitcom (as in the ska band) but that fell through allowing him the time to work with Curtis for series 2.
- Elton was in fact very distant from the show and was never present for filming or rehearsals. He would instead begin work in his novels in Australia.
- They wouldn't write together either, instead swapping floppy discs and going through the other's work adding jokes, trying to out do each other.
- Curtis said in their social time they wouldn't really write or discuss the show. He told how they were both big Kylie fans at one point and that Elton sent out Curtis to a record shop to buy her LP, saying that someone with his reputation couldn't be seen buying it.
- Curtis said that he and Elton wrote three episodes of a Dickensian era Blackadder, but it didn't work so it got scrapped.
- They also wrote half an Xmas special with Blackadder being present in the Inn for the birth of Christ.
- Series 1 was a shambles with Atkinson saying, just before filming began, 'Er, what voice shall I use?'
That's all I can remember!
Wow. thanks Seefacts!
Dickensian! That's the one I wanted.
And floppy discs! Aw. Old times.
Very interesting indeed, thanks!
No probs.
Trying to think of any other interesting bits that got mentioned.
- No bugger wanted to play Baldrick as it was too badly written. Robinson only took it because he was desperate for work.
- An electricians strike stopped the pilot going ahead, in which time they recast Baldrick for the unaired pilot.
- Miranda Richardson was about the 40th actress to be seen for Queenie, they said they knew from that point on that the series would be something special.
- Richard Curtis knew the costs were spiralling out of control when he saw that to get one of Blackadder's hats for series 1, it cost more than what he got paid to write the show.
- Curtis told a nice story about how one of his kids changed his Wiki entry to say 'is the best Dad in the world'
- The stress of series 1 gave the director piles, meaning he had to lie down to driect.
- Curtis wrote 50% of Not The Nine O'Clock news, and was there everyday writing sketches.
- He first sitcom idea (he said it was the natural writer's route to go from sketch to sitcom) was a detective drama. He decided against doing a standard 'real life' show because Fawlty Towers was too big and fresh in everyone's mind, so the period idea came up.
- John Lloyd told Hugh Laurie early on he thought he should also consider a career in straight acting. 20 years later and he's a massive star.
- Robinson thought Tim McInnerny was the best comic actor of the group, but his refusal to stay in one genre - i.e comedy - meant he never became a big star, instead doing lots of varied roles.
More, more!
Quote: Seefacts @ October 10 2008, 10:48 PM BST- Curtis told a nice story about how one of his kids changed his Wiki entry to say 'is the best Dad in the world'
Awwwwww!
Quote: zooo @ October 10 2008, 10:49 PM BSTMore, more!
Awwwwww!
Errrrr. I think that's it. I've probably ruined it all for the documentary that's obviously coming out at some point.
John Lloyd seemed to hint towards Michael Grade not telling the truth on that doc on Gold. Was Grade on it?
What else . . .
- Lloyd said the final shot in Forth ended up like it did due to the poor quality take of the gang running. Atkinson refused to do it more than one take saying it was quite harrowing to do. So a combo of editors all chipped in with the suggestions of slowing it down, making it black and white and then ended with the poppy shot. Lloyd said they all felt humbled by the way it looked.
- Tim McInnerny wasn't going to die in that finale, he actually asked Lloyd if he could because he wanted everyone to go down together. Certainly a lovely touch for the character.
That's all I can remember!
That's great, Seefacts.
You have been busy tonight.