Well, the very last episode, "Blackadder goes forth", was certainly truly great television comedy, albeit, of the sort that leaves the smile frozen on your face! Also, there can be no doubt that the very last scene of the very last episode is totally unforgettable. I am jogged into these thoughts by an excellent article from Tom Fordy in The Telegraph which I urge you all to read because not only am I unable to precis it but also because I have no wish to do so. Mr. Fordy says everything and more than I could manage.
David it was just comedy. Our men fought valiantly to fight the ambitions of the Kaiser. The officer class were thrown into the grinder with the men. You cannot hide the fact that officers died in their thousands fighting for our country. Visited Niuewpoort on the Yser in Belgium today where our men with the Belgium army held the line. We should honour them.
Posted by: Glesga | Friday, 27 September 2019 at 22:14
I could simply not get over laughing at the "upright" codpiece that Rowan Atkisson sported.
Great comedy even if most yanks could not understand it. Myself being a yank that was Brit educated, simply rolled on the floor at each episode.
Methinks that this kind of comedy would not get approved or aired today.
Posted by: terrapod | Friday, 27 September 2019 at 22:29
Terrapod...I have wondered about that series for years. My wife and I love British comedy but I have never been able to figure out if it was true comedy or biting satire or just what?
Posted by: Whitewall | Friday, 27 September 2019 at 23:15
I'd put Black Books up there.
Posted by: Andra | Saturday, 28 September 2019 at 01:24
Was "Blackadder" the greatest British TV comedy series?
Er.......No
Posted by: david morris | Saturday, 28 September 2019 at 10:54
"Black Books", Andra? That's a new one on me!
Come on, David, tell us what was!
Posted by: David Duff | Saturday, 28 September 2019 at 16:04
Jimmy, sorry, I meant to respond to your comment but those damned "events, dear boy, events" interfered.
I think you may have misunderstood me - and 'Blackadder'. The very best of tragedy always has a streak of comedy in it - the gravedigger scene in 'Hamlet' is an example. Equally, the best of comedy, if it is dealing with a fundamentally tragic tale, will allow that underlying tragedy to show, as it does in 'Blackadder', particularly in the *very final shot* as 'Blackadder' and his comrades 'go over the top'.
Posted by: David Duff | Saturday, 28 September 2019 at 17:14
David, er, anyone...I'm still trying to figure out if I should buy the series and understand it as a top notch comedy product?
Posted by: Whitewall | Saturday, 28 September 2019 at 17:51
I realised it's been a while since I saw Black Books. Started at Series 1, Episode 1, and I'm laughing like a loon. Absolutely wonderful stuff.
Posted by: Andra | Sunday, 29 September 2019 at 02:56
You can, and should, see all the Black Books episodes on Youtube.
Posted by: Andra | Sunday, 29 September 2019 at 23:08