I loved Blackadder, but would hate to see them bring it back.
The last attempt, Blackadder Back And Forth, was mediocre to say the least, and I suspect any future revival would also fail to match the standards of the original series.
As a writer, Ben Elton has gone from being edgy, radical and alternative to being a smug part of the establishment, writing plebby musicals. Similarly Richard Curtis has descended into writing middle-class, nauseating rom-coms. I doubt either still has the fire or youthful passion to write something as sharp and original as Blackadder.
The original episodes verge on comedy perfection, and so I strongly suspect anything new would just be a let down.
In a modern political setting, it would give Ben Elton much more room to be critical and "his old self".
Imagine Miranda Richardson as ruthless Margaret Thatcher, Stephen Fry as the PM's Private Secretary - Sir Melchett, Tim McInnerny as the Press Secretary - Percy Darling, fouling up everything and under the control of the Chief Whip - Edmund Blackadder MP, Rowan Atkinson, and his lackey, "Backbench" Bauldrick, Tony Robbinson...
Ben Elton was at his peak in the 80's, and so if he goes back to his views of Maggie from those days, he could pull it off!
I loved Blackadder, but would hate to see them bring it back.
The last attempt, Blackadder Back And Forth, was mediocre to say the least, and I suspect any future revival would also fail to match the standards of the original series.
As a writer, Ben Elton has gone from being edgy, radical and alternative to being a smug part of the establishment, writing plebby musicals. Similarly Richard Curtis has descended into writing middle-class, nauseating rom-coms. I doubt either still has the fire or youthful passion to write something as sharp and original as Blackadder.
The original episodes verge on comedy perfection, and so I strongly suspect anything new would just be a let down.
Completely agree - the Millennium episode should never have happened.
If it is bought back I think it'll probably be something similar to the recent Allo Allo revival - more of a retrospective than a comeback.
I loved Blackadder, but would hate to see them bring it back.
The last attempt, Blackadder Back And Forth, was mediocre to say the least, and I suspect any future revival would also fail to match the standards of the original series.
As a writer, Ben Elton has gone from being edgy, radical and alternative to being a smug part of the establishment, writing plebby musicals. Similarly Richard Curtis has descended into writing middle-class, nauseating rom-coms. I doubt either still has the fire or youthful passion to write something as sharp and original as Blackadder.
The original episodes verge on comedy perfection, and so I strongly suspect anything new would just be a let down.
Completely agree - the Millennium episode should never have happened.
If it is bought back I think it'll probably be something similar to the recent Allo Allo revival - more of a retrospective than a comeback.
Back and Forth was an awful attempt at a retrospective edition...
I loved Blackadder, but would hate to see them bring it back.
The last attempt, Blackadder Back And Forth, was mediocre to say the least, and I suspect any future revival would also fail to match the standards of the original series.
As a writer, Ben Elton has gone from being edgy, radical and alternative to being a smug part of the establishment, writing plebby musicals. Similarly Richard Curtis has descended into writing middle-class, nauseating rom-coms. I doubt either still has the fire or youthful passion to write something as sharp and original as Blackadder.
The original episodes verge on comedy perfection, and so I strongly suspect anything new would just be a let down.
I'd agree with those views. Maybe Tony Robinson and Rowan Atkinson could write any new episodes? Perhaps with some input from Stephen Fry. That could be worth a shot
If I remember correctly there were rumours or a return a couple of years ago. I think the it was to be set in the 70s with them in a band and the drummer being called Bald Rick.
:-(
A former member
I heard it would be the 1960's, but I like that idea of the 1980's.
did the speical not get that awful laugher track add to the bbc?
