After four series and three specials we’ve come to the end of our Blackadder odyssey. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look back at the best the show had to offer and consider how well it stands up 30 years on.

 
Blackadder is presently available on Netflix (which rotates Seasons 1 & 2 with 3 & 4 on a regular basis) and a remastered set of the whole series is available on DVD around the world (Region 1) (Region 2).

The post The Last Podcast – Episode 28 first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.

General Hospital was the fifth episode of Blackadder Goes Forth and features a budding relationship between Blackadder and a nurse at the local hospital. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider ways to spot a spy and – perhaps more importantly – ways not to.

This episode featured a crowd-pleasing return for a Blackadder legend as Miranda Richardson showed up and stole the show as Nurse Mary, the object of poor George’s infatuation and a satisfying foil for Edmund. Bill Wallis also appeared as a secret agent who had spent a little longer under cover than might have been good for him.

Blackadder Goes Forth was written by Ben Elton and by Richard Curtis and all six episodes were directed by Richard Boden, who made his series debut in the previous year’s Blackadder’s Christmas Carol. Once again, John Lloyd produced the series and Howard Goodall was responsible for the music, with the title track performed by The Band of the 3rd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment (The Pompadour) with bandmaster Tim Parkinson.

General Hospital was released in 1989. It is 30 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. Blackadder Goes Forth is presently available on Netflix and a remastered set of the whole series is available on DVD around the world (Region 1) (Region 2).

The post General Hospital – Episode 19 first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.

Private Plane was the fourth episode of Blackadder Goes Forth and features a cunning effort to escape the front lines by signing up en masse for the Air Corps. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider good uses of a final twenty minutes, give or take a few seconds.

Besides a brief return for Gabrielle Glaister as Bob, the audience was spoiled in this episode by appearances from both Adrian Edmondson (Baron von Richthoven) and his long-term comedy collaborator Rik Mayall, reprising his Flashheart character for a new generation.

Blackadder Goes Forth was written by Ben Elton and by Richard Curtis and all six episodes were directed by Richard Boden, who made his series debut in the previous year’s Blackadder’s Christmas Carol. Once again, John Lloyd produced the series and Howard Goodall was responsible for the music, with the title track performed by The Band of the 3rd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment (The Pompadour) with bandmaster Tim Parkinson.

Private Plane was released in 1989. It is 30 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. Blackadder Goes Forth is presently available on Netflix and a remastered set of the whole series is available on DVD around the world (Region 1) (Region 2).

The post Private Plane – Episode 18 first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.

Blackadder’s Christmas Carol was a special festive episode of the show and features three of literature’s most memorable spirits combined as one and a monarch with the common touch. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider whether Jo Rowling took significant influence from this episode when she created a popular member of her Harry Potter ensemble.

Alongside the series regulars this special featured returning guests Robbie Coltrane, Miranda Richardson, Miriam Margolyes and Jim Broadbent (who we have of course still to encounter on the podcast). The show is a twist on the classic Dickens Christmas Carol tale as Mr Blackadder – the nicest man in the world – is visited by three spectres rolled into one.

Blackadder’s Christmas Carol was written by Ben Elton and by Richard Curtis and directed by Richard Boden, his first stint in the chair ahead of Blackadder Goes Forth. Once again, John Lloyd produced the special and Howard Goodall was responsible for the music.

Blackadder’s Christmas Carol was released in 1988. It is 42 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. Blackadder’s Christmas Carol is presently available on Netflix and a remastered set of the whole series is available on DVD around the world (Region 1) (Region 2).

The post Blackadder’s Christmas Carol – Episode 17 first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.

Major Star was the third episode of Blackadder Goes Forth and features a cabaret extravaganza and a surprising proposal of marriage. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider the ethics of using live moustache substitutes.

Alongside the series regulars this episode featured a welcome guest appearance from Gabrielle Glaister, who of course portrayed Kate/Bob in the Blackadder II episode Bells (which we covered in Episode 1 of the podcast).

Blackadder Goes Forth was written by Ben Elton and by Richard Curtis and all six episodes were directed by Richard Boden, who made his series debut in the previous year’s Blackadder’s Christmas Carol. Once again, John Lloyd produced the series and Howard Goodall was responsible for the music, with the title track performed by The Band of the 3rd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment (The Pompadour) with bandmaster Tim Parkinson.

Major Star was released in 1989. It is 30 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. Blackadder Goes Forth is presently available on Netflix and a remastered set of the whole series is available on DVD around the world (Region 1) (Region 2).

The post Major Star – Episode 16 first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.

Corporal Punishment was the second episode of Blackadder Goes Forth and features an impulsive decision that Blackadder soon comes to regret. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider justice, beloved pets and amateur lawyering.

Alongside the series regulars this episode featured guest appearances from Jeremy Hardy as Blackadder’s jailer Corporal Perkins and Stephen Frost, Lee Cornes, Paul Mark Elliott and Jeremy Gittins as Corporal Jones and Privates Fraser, Robinson and Tipplewick respectively – Edmund’s jovial firing squad.

Blackadder Goes Forth was written by Ben Elton and by Richard Curtis and all six episodes were directed by Richard Boden, who made his series debut in the previous year’s Blackadder’s Christmas Carol. Once again, John Lloyd produced the series and Howard Goodall was responsible for the music, with the title track performed by The Band of the 3rd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment (The Pompadour) with bandmaster Tim Parkinson.

Corporal Punishment was released in 1989. It is 30 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. Blackadder Goes Forth is presently available on Netflix and a remastered set of the whole series is available on DVD around the world (Region 1) (Region 2).

The post Corporal Punishment – Episode 15 first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.

Captain Cook was the first episode of Blackadder Goes Forth and features an artistic plan designed to allow Blackadder to leave the trenches of World War I’s Western Front. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider opportunism, art and fine dining.

A new series meant a traditional cast reshuffle as Tim McInerney and Stephen Fry resumed regular participation (as Captain Darling and General Melchett respectively). Hugh Lawrie remained in a regular role, now as Lieutenant The Honourable George Colthurst St. Barleigh (George), while Rowan Atkinson and Tony Robinson reprised their usual roles as the latest incarnations of Blackadder and Baldrick.

Blackadder Goes Forth was written by Ben Elton and by Richard Curtis and all six episodes were directed by Richard Boden, who made his series debut in the previous year’s Blackadder’s Christmas Carol. Once again, John Lloyd produced the series and Howard Goodall was responsible for the music, with the title track performed by The Band of the 3rd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment (The Pompadour) with bandmaster Tim Parkinson.

Captain Cook was released in 1989. It is 30 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. Blackadder Goes Forth is presently available on Netflix and a remastered set of the whole series is available on DVD around the world (Region 1) (Region 2).

The post Captain Cook – Episode 14 first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.

The Cavalier Years was a Comic Relief special aired in 1988 after the conclusion of Blackadder the Third. The special features a tense moment in history for the Cavaliers as their monarch, Charles I, faces execution. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider honour, valour and finding original ways to enter employment.

The special featured series regulars Rowan Atkinson and Tony Robinson, along with Stephen Fry and Warren Clarke who are both well known to Blackadder fans at this stage.

Blackadder: The Cavalier Years was written by Ben Elton and by Richard Curtis and directed by Mandie Fletcher. John Lloyd produced the special and Howard Goodall was again responsible for the music.

The Cavalier Years was released in 1987. It is 15 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. Blackadder: The Cavalier Years is sadly not available on Netflix, but a remastered set of the whole series is available on DVD around the world (Region 1) (Region 2).

The post Blackadder: The Cavalier Years – Episode 13 first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.

Duel and Duality was the final episode of Blackadder the Third and features a dramatic showdown when the Duke of Wellington discovers George has been getting a little too friendly with his nieces. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider family honour and the consequences of role-reversal.

In the penultimate episode of Blackadder the Third there was only one major guest – the returning Stephen Fry as the Duke of Wellington. Gertan Klauber made a brief cameo as King George III, the Prince Regent’s father, towards the end of the episode.

Blackadder the Third was written by Ben Elton and by Richard Curtis and all six episodes were directed by the returning Mandie Fletcher. Once again, John Lloyd produced the series and Howard Goodall was responsible for the music.

Duel and Duality was released in 1987. It is 30 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. Blackadder the Third is sadly not available on Netflix, but a remastered set of the whole series is available on DVD around the world (Region 1) (Region 2).

The post Duel and Duality – Episode 12 first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.

Amy and Amiability was the fifth episode of Blackadder the Third and features a prospect of romance for the lovelorn Prince Regent. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider the pitfalls of falling in love with a highwayman.

In the penultimate episode of Blackadder the Third there were again two principal guests – the effervescent Miranda Richardson as Amy Hardwood and Warren Clarke as her father. Roger Avon and Barbara Horne appeared briefly as the Duke of Cheapside and his amorous daughter.

Blackadder the Third was written by the said Ben Elton and by Richard Curtis and all six episodes were directed by the returning Mandie Fletcher. Once again, John Lloyd produced the series and Howard Goodall was responsible for the music.

Amy and Amiability was released in 1987. It is 30 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. Blackadder the Third is sadly not available on Netflix, but a remastered set of the whole series is available on DVD around the world (Region 1) (Region 2).

The post Amy and Amiability – Episode 11 first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.

Sense and Senility was the fourth episode of Blackadder the Third and features some lessons in posture, presentation and diction for the Prince Regent from a pair of popular thespians. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider whether there are some things that simply cannot be taught and reveal the content of the Macbeth anti-jinx.

In the fourth episode of Blackadder the Third there were two principal guests – Hugh Paddick and Kenneth Connor as the Regent’s tutors, Keanrick and Mossop. Ben Elton also had a brief cameo as an anarchist who tries to assassinate Prince George in the early part of the episode.

Blackadder the Third was written by the said Ben Elton and by Richard Curtis and all six episodes were directed by the returning Mandie Fletcher. Once again, John Lloyd produced the series and Howard Goodall was responsible for the music.

Sense and Senility was released in 1987. It is 30 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. Blackadder the Third is sadly not available on Netflix, but a remastered set of the whole series is available on DVD around the world (Region 1) (Region 2).

The post Sense and Senility – Episode 10 first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.

Back and Forth was a special episode of Blackadder created as part of an exhibition to mark the turn of the century at the Millennium Dome and saw the Lord Blackadder of the time travel through history to impress his friends. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider skipping ahead to the next episode.

Series regulars Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Tim McInnerney, Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie took centre stage in the special, with returns for familiar faces Miranda Richardson, Rik Mayall and Patsy Byrne. There were also cameos for Kate Moss, Simon Russell Beale and Colin Firth in a star-studded ensemble.

Blackadder: Back and Forth was written by Ben Elton and by Richard Curtis and was directed by Paul Weiland. Sophie Clarke-Jervoise produced the special and Howard Goodall was responsible for the music.

Back and Forth was released in 1999. It is 33 minutes long and originally aired as part of the Millennium Dome’s opening exhibition. Blackadder is presently available on Netflix (which rotates Seasons 1 & 2 with 3 & 4 on a regular basis) and a remastered set of the whole series is available on DVD around the world (Region 1) (Region 2).

The post Back and Forth – Episode 27 first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.

Nob and Nobility was the third episode of Blackadder the Third and features a daring escapade to revolutionary France. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider the nature of heroism and a certain je ne sais quoi.

In the third episode of Blackadder the Third there were, appropriately, three guest stars, all of whom will be familiar to British comedy audiences. Tim McInerney, Blackadder II’s Lord Percy Percy, returned to the show as Lord Topper and his alter ego, Le Comte de Frou Frou. Nigel Planer shone as his cohort Lord Smedley (also, a famed and feared French tortuerer, Mme Guillotine) and Red Dwarf / The Brittas Empire legend Chris Barrie completed the trio as a French revolutionary who is able to capture Blackadder and Baldrick.

Blackadder the Third was written by Ben Elton and Richard Curtis and all six episodes were directed by the returning Mandie Fletcher. Once again, John Lloyd produced the series and Howard Goodall was responsible for the music.

Nob and Nobility was released in 1987. It is 30 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. Blackadder the Third is sadly not available on Netflix, but a remastered set of the whole series is available on DVD around the world (Region 1) (Region 2).

The post Nob and Nobility – Episode 9 first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.

Ink and Incapability was the second episode of Blackadder the Third and features an expedited rewrite of an historical tome. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider a searing indictment of domestic servitude in the eighteenth century with some hot gypsies thrown in.

In the second episode of Blackadder the Third the principal guest was Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane as Dr Samuel Johnson, famed compiler of the first dictionary. His contemporaries (for the purposes of the story!) Shelley, Byron and Coleridge, romantic junkie poets all, were portrayed by Lee Cornes, Steve Steen and Jim Sweeney respectively.

Blackadder the Third was written by Ben Elton and Richard Curtis and all six episodes were directed by the returning Mandie Fletcher. Once again, John Lloyd produced the series and Howard Goodall was responsible for the music.

Ink and Incapability was released in 1987. It is 30 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. Blackadder the Third is sadly not available on Netflix, but a remastered set of the whole series is available on DVD around the world (Region 1) (Region 2).

The post Ink and Incapability – Episode 8 first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.

Dish and Dishonesty was the first episode of Blackadder the Third and features political shenanigans of the highest order. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider a rotten borough and the ennoblement of a most unlikely Lord.

For the first episode of Blackadder the Third, series regulars Rowan Atkinson (Mr E Blackadder) and Tony Robinson (Baldrick) returned in familiar, if slightly different, roles while a new regular character was introduced in the shape of Hugh Lawrie‘s Prince Regent. Helen Atkinson Wood appeared for the first time as Mrs Miggins, while there were guest roles for Geoffrey McGivern (Ivor Biggun), Simon Osborne (Pitt the Younger), BBC presenter Vincent Hanna (his own great-great-great grandfather), Denis Lill (Sir Talbot Buxomley MP) and Dominic Martelli (Pitt the Even Younger).

Blackadder the Third was written by Ben Elton and Richard Curtis and all six episodes were directed by the returning Mandie Fletcher. Once again, John Lloyd produced the series and Howard Goodall was responsible for the music.

Dish and Dishonesty was released in 1987. It is 29 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. Blackadder the Third is sadly not available on Netflix, but a remastered set of the whole series is available on DVD around the world (Region 1) (Region 2).

The post Dish and Dishonesty – Episode 7 first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.

Chains was the final episode of Blackadder II and features a dramatic escape from the clutches of a ruthless villain. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider an unfortunate incident with a sheep in the nighttime and look back on the series.

The Blackadder II finale featured appearances from Max Harvey as a torturer and Mark Arden and Lee Cornes as soldiers, but it was ultimately about the return of Hugh Lawrie as the master of disguise, Prince Ludwig, along with an expanded role from the wonderful Stephen Fry as series regular Lord Melchett. Melchy and Blackadder are kidnapped by Ludwig and with the Queen unable to choose which to random, must escape from captivity on their own wits.

Blackadder II was written by Ben Elton and Richard Curtis and all six episodes were directed by Mandie Fletcher. John Lloyd produced the series and Howard Goodall was responsible for the music.

Chains was released in 1986. It is 29 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. Blackadder II can be viewed on Netflix in the UK and Ireland and a remastered set of the whole series is available on DVD around the world (Region 1) (Region 2).

The post Chains – Episode 6 first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.

Beer was the fifth episode of Blackadder II and features the unfortunate confluence of two wholly incompatible social events. In this podcast Gerry and Iain take a look at a little goblin and his little feet.

Returning to the show after an appearance in The Black Adder was Miriam Margolyes as Edmund’s aunt, the Lady Whiteadder, along with Daniel Thorndike as her husband. Hugh Lawrie made his first Blackadder appearance as Simon Partridge, recruited to pose as a drinking buddy of Edmund’s along with Roger Blake as Geoffrey Piddle and William Hootkins as an inebriated monk.

Blackadder II was written by Ben Elton and Richard Curtis and all six episodes were directed by Mandie Fletcher. John Lloyd produced the series and Howard Goodall was responsible for the music.

Beer was released in 1986. It is 29 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. Blackadder II can be viewed on Netflix in the UK and Ireland and a remastered set of the whole series is available on DVD around the world (Region 1) (Region 2).

The post Beer – Episode 5 first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.

Money was the fourth episode of Blackadder II and features Edmund’s increasingly desperate endeavours to raise enough cash to settle a debt owed to the Bank of the Black Monks.  In this podcast Gerry and Iain take a look at a delicious piece of blackmail.

Stealing every scene and chewing every piece of scenery available in this episode was Ronald Lacey as the Bishop of Bath and Wells, while there were supporting roles for Cassie Stuart as Molly, a prostitute familiar with both Blackadder and the Bishop; John Pierce Jones as Arthur the horny sailor; and Barry Craine and Lesley Nicol as Mr & Mrs Pants, who purchase Blackadder’s home.

Blackadder II was written by Ben Elton and Richard Curtis and all six episodes were directed by Mandie Fletcher. John Lloyd produced the series and Howard Goodall was responsible for the music.

Money was released in 1986. It is 29 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. Blackadder II can be viewed on Netflix in the UK and Ireland and a remastered set of the whole series is available on DVD around the world (Region 1) (Region 2).

The post Money – Episode 4 first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.

Potato was the third episode of Blackadder II and features an epic voyage of discovery, a remarkable historical figure and a unique, if somewhat eccentric, captain.  In this podcast Gerry and Iain take a look at fine wine from distant shores and other such riches.

Only two actors besides the series regulars appeared in this episode. Simon Jones portrayed the returning hero, Sir Walter Raleigh, while Captain Redbeard Rum was memorably brought to life by the fourth Doctor, Tom Baker.

Blackadder II was written by Ben Elton and Richard Curtis and all six episodes were directed by Mandie Fletcher. John Lloyd produced the series and Howard Goodall was responsible for the music.

Potato was released in 1986. It is 30 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. Blackadder II can be viewed on Netflix in the UK and Ireland and a remastered set of the whole series is available on DVD around the world (Region 1) (Region 2).

The post Potato – Episode 3 first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.

Head was the second episode of Blackadder II and features a new course of employment for Lord Blackadder and a couple of cracking impersonations.  In this podcast Gerry and Iain take a look at life working on death row in Elizabethan London.

Alongside the six series regulars this episode featured key contributions from Bill Wallis as Gaoler Ploppy, Linda Polan as the unrelated Mrs Ploppy – death row’s cook, responsible for preparing the last meal for the condemned, Holly De Jong as Lady Farrow who successfully persuades the Queen to allow her to meet with her (unfortunately recently executed) husband and Patrick Duncan as Lord Farrow’s brother, who petitions for the commutation of his sibling’s sentence.

Blackadder II was written by Ben Elton and Richard Curtis and all six episodes were directed by Mandie Fletcher. John Lloyd produced the series and Howard Goodall was responsible for the music.

Head was released in 1986. It is 26 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. Blackadder II can be viewed on Netflix in the UK and Ireland and a remastered set of the whole series is available on DVD around the world (Region 1) (Region 2).

The post Head – Episode 2 first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.

Bells was the first episode of Blackadder II as the show returned after the two-and-a-half year hiatus that followed The Black Adder. This series is set in Elizabethan London and re-introduced audiences to Rowan Atkinson and Tony Robinson in their now-familiar roles as Blackadder and Baldrick.  In this podcast Gerry and Iain take a look at the plot, characters, actors and others involved in the creation of Bells as well as some more general thoughts on the series.

Besides Atkinson and Robinson, Bells featured four additional regular characters and some dynamic guest appearances. Miranda Richardson‘s Queen Elizabeth, her wet nurse, Nursie (Patsy Byrne), Lord Melchett (Stephen Fry) and Lord Percy Percy (Tim McInnerny) would all return in future episodes, while Rik Mayall‘s Lord Flashheart and Gabrielle Glaister as Kate/Bob showed up for the only time in Blackadder II.

Supporting the main cast were John Grillo as the homophobic Dr Leech, Edward Jewesbury as Kate’s father (who wishes she would take a different career path), Sadie Shimmin as a Young Crone in Putney and Barbara Miller as a Wise Woman who offers Blackadder three options to resolve his predicament.

Blackadder II was written by Ben Elton and Richard Curtis and all six episodes were directed by Mandie Fletcher. John Lloyd produced the series and Howard Goodall was responsible for the music.

Bells was released in 1986. It is 30 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. Blackadder II can be viewed on Netflix in the UK and Ireland and a remastered set of the whole series is available on DVD around the world (Region 1) (Region 2).

The post Bells – Episode 1 first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.

From the team behind the Columbo Podcast and the Jonathan Creek Podcast comes the Blackadder podcast, an affectionate retrospective of the iconic BBC comedy series. The show will look at each series of Blackadder, as well as the special episodes, beginning with Blackadder II (don’t worry, we’ll circle around to The Black Adder in due course!). You can hear a short introductory episode below:

The Blackadder Podcast will launch on Wednesday 17th May 2017 with new episodes every other Wednesday.

The post Welcome to the Blackadder Podcast first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.

The Black Seal was the final episode of The Black Adder and saw Prince Edmund take the destiny of the crown into his own hands. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider team-building strategies and robust recruitment policies.

There were a number of prominent guest performances in this episode. Edmund’s troupe of rogues included John Hallam as Sir Wilfred Death, Roger Sloman as Three-fingered Pete, Paul Brooke as Friar Bellows, Patrick Malahide as Guy of Glastonbury, Ron Cook as Sean, the Irish Bastard and Mick Walter as Jack Large. Rik Mayall appeared relatively briefly as Mad Gerald, while John Barrard and Patrick Allen each played an element of The Hawk, first in disguise and later revealed.

The Black Adder was written by Rowan Atkinson and by Richard Curtis and all six episodes were directed by Martin Shardlow. John Lloyd produced the series and Howard Goodall was responsible for the music.

The Black Seal was released in 1983. It is 30 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. The Black Adder is presently available on Netflix and a remastered set of the whole series is available on DVD around the world (Region 1) (Region 2).

The post The Black Seal – Episode 26 first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.

Witchsmeller Pursuivant was the penultimate episode of The Black Adder and featured one of the first televised criminal trials to include evidence from an equine witness. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider the greatest challenges to face this nation since the Swiss Invasion.

This episode was ultimately a showcase for the comic talents of Academy Award nominee Frank Finlay. There were a number of minor supporting roles, including Lords of the realm (with Valentine Dyall and Corporal Punishment‘s Stephen Frost amongst their number) and some villagers (including Roy Evans, Forbes Collins and Perry Benson).

The Black Adder was written by Rowan Atkinson and by Richard Curtis and all six episodes were directed by Martin Shardlow. John Lloyd produced the series and Howard Goodall was responsible for the music.

Witchsmeller Pursuivant was released in 1983. It is 30 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. The Black Adder is presently available on Netflix and a remastered set of the whole series is available on DVD around the world (Region 1) (Region 2).

The post Witchsmeller Pursuivant – Episode 25 first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.

The Queen of Spain’s Beard was the fourth episode of The Black Adder and featured a masterclass in the noble art of translation. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider shotgun weddings and the nutritional value of a glass of water at midnight.

This episode featured a couple of high-profile guests in the shape of Miriam Margolyes and Jim Broadbent as the Spanish Infanta and her translator, the cunningly names Don Speekingleesh. There were also cameos for Howard Lew Lewis and Jane Freeman as Mr & Mrs Applebottom, while David Nunn returned as the portly messenger.

The Black Adder was written by Rowan Atkinson and by Richard Curtis and all six episodes were directed by Martin Shardlow. John Lloyd produced the series and Howard Goodall was responsible for the music.

The Queen of Spain’s Beard was released in 1983. It is 33 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. The Black Adder is presently available on Netflix and a remastered set of the whole series is available on DVD around the world (Region 1) (Region 2).

The post The Queen of Spain’s Beard – Episode 24 first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.

The Archbishop was the third episode of The Black Adder and featured a cunning attempt by King Richard to cut short the dispute between church and state over bequests from the wealthy. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider secret escapes and the ethics of selling authentic relics online.

This episode featured a larger cast than the previous show, including Arthur Hewlett as an Archbishop of Canterbury and also his twin; Joyce Grant and Carolyn Colquhoun as the Mother Superior and Sister Sara; and Bill Wallis and David Delve as Sir Justin de Boinod and Sir George de Boeuf respectively.

The Black Adder was written by Rowan Atkinson and by Richard Curtis and all six episodes were directed by Martin Shardlow. John Lloyd produced the series and Howard Goodall was responsible for the music.

The Archbishop was released in 1983. It is 35 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. The Black Adder is presently available on Netflix and a remastered set of the whole series is available on DVD around the world (Region 1) (Region 2).

The post The Archbishop – Episode 23 first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.

Born to be King was the second episode of The Black Adder and saw Edmund seek to take advantage of the King’s presumed death in battle to usurp the throne. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider the importance of getting your dates right.

This episode featured primarily the regular cast introduced in The Foretelling, but with the welcome – if temporary – addition of Alex Norton as McAngus, Duke of Argyll.

The Black Adder was written by Rowan Atkinson and by Richard Curtis and all six episodes were directed by Martin Shardlow. John Lloyd produced the series and Howard Goodall was responsible for the music.

Born to be King was released in 1983. It is 35 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. The Black Adder is presently available on Netflix and a remastered set of the whole series is available on DVD around the world (Region 1) (Region 2).

The post Born to be King – Episode 22 first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.

The Foretelling was the first episode of The Black Adder and introduces viewers to Edmund, Duke of Edinburgh and a couple of familiar cohorts. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider the value of first impressions and whether historical context is important to a comedy show.

This episode established the core cast of characters for the season – King Richard IV (Brian Blessed), Prince Harry (Robert East) and the Queen (Elspet Gray) along with the subsequently familiar trio of Edmund (Rowan Atkinson), Baldrick (Tony Robinson) and Lord Percy (Tim McInnerney).

There were additional supporting roles for well-known faces Peter Cook (Richard III) and Peter Benson (Henry Tudor).

The Black Adder was written by Rowan Atkinson and by Richard Curtis and all six episodes were directed by Martin Shardlow. John Lloyd produced the series and Howard Goodall was responsible for the music.

The Foretelling was released in 1983. It is 35 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. The Black Adder is presently available on Netflix and a remastered set of the whole series is available on DVD around the world (Region 1) (Region 2).

The post The Foretelling – Episode 21 first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.

Goodbyeee was the final episode of Blackadder Goes Forth and features one last desperate attempt by Edmund to avoid going over the top. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider the values of comradeship, sacrifice and recognition of the realities of war.

This episode featured a brief cameo from Geoffrey Palmer as Field Marshal Haig, but otherwise focused on the principal cast in their characters’ (presumably) final moments.

Blackadder Goes Forth was written by Ben Elton and by Richard Curtis and all six episodes were directed by Richard Boden, who made his series debut in the previous year’s Blackadder’s Christmas Carol. Once again, John Lloyd produced the series and Howard Goodall was responsible for the music, with the title track performed by The Band of the 3rd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment (The Pompadour) with bandmaster Tim Parkinson.

Goodbyeee was released in 1989. It is 30 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. Blackadder Goes Forth is presently available on Netflix and a remastered set of the whole series is available on DVD around the world (Region 1) (Region 2).

The post Goodbyeee – Episode 20 first appeared on Blackadder Podcast.