Blackadder

A random episode of Blackadder II is scheduled to air tonight on BBC One at 9.25.

A rather random thing to show on BBC One on a Saturday night. But still nice to see the BBC make more use of their classic comedies.

They appear to be re-running Blackadder on Saturday evenings - it's not a "random episode" but the first episode of the series, which continues next week.

This kind of thing was always going to happen, given the schedule holes caused by Covid-19 restrictions. The entire run seems to be available on iPlayer too, if it's your thing: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006xxw3/episodes/player

Vicar of Dibley from Monday too, which I suspect will have broader appeal.

I re-watched the Vicar of Dibley on Netflix recently. I don't know how they looked on the original airings but on some of the Netflix episodes the pan across the village on the opening titles looks very "sharp" as if someone's tried to remaster it.

I wouldn't be surprised if it's a combination of BBC One needing to fill holes but also increasing the amount of content on iPlayer. I imagine a lot of these series wouldn't get an airing on BBC One if the production companies hadn't agree a boxset rights deal in exchange for a linear run.

Blackadder instead of Casualty is an excellent compromise.

A Blackadder Casualty crossover though is the show I didn't know I needed.

TBH if it was the 4th series I'd probably watch it but don't remember the earlier ones being that great.

The Black Adder is the worst of the four series although it's not terrible. Blackadder II is where the template for the characters was established.

The original pilot is floating around the internet and it's more in the style of the later series than the first series,

Cynical Britbox plug opportunity perhaps? Looks like all series are on there.

Does the BBC even promote Britbox? I don't know if that comes under one of their own services or as external advertising.

BBC Studios only has a 10% stake in BritBox.

I doubt they'd be allowed to advertise it anyway.