The Return Of Blackadder - Good Idea Or Not?

[sp1814]

I remember reading many years ago that there was an idea floated for the proposed fifth series of Blackadder which would have had Edmund managing a 60s beat group, with Sir Tony Robinson playing Bald Rick (geddit), the band's hapless drummer.

But how do you feel about a possible new series?

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/blackadder-set-to-return-with-new-series-says-baldrick-star-tony-robinson-10467754.html?icn=puff-8

And if it goes ahead, what era should it be set in?

[andy-hughes]

Naomi - "I think Birds of a Feather is funny. "

I think that encapsulates our differing views on this world of ours, don't you?

[sp1814]

I really like the idea of Blackadder set on a pirate ship (especially if they could get Tom Baker involved).

However, I think that would be going against 'the rules' of the show. Each series has taken place chronologically after the last series, so to set it on a pirate ship, they would have to go back in time.

A colleague and I were talking about this over lunch, and he suggested this idea - Blackadder set in the 1930s, where he runs an upmarket London hotel. The setting would be perfect as it would give the scriptwriters licence to feature guest stars playing celebs of the time (Noel Coward, Oscar Wilde, Gracie Fields, Agatha Christie).

The only problem is that any sitcom set in a hotel is going to be held up against Fawlty Towers...and this would be especially true of Blackadder, because to all intents and purposes, Baldric is Manuel.

[-Talbot-]

They could cover the Cold War years.

[Svejk]

Be some artistic licence to 'shoe-horn' Oscar in with those others.

[sp1814]

-Talbot-

Brilliant idea.

That opens up lots of comedic possibilities...and it would be new ground in terms of the era (no sitcom that I can think of has been set during that time).

[-Talbot-]

-Talbot-

Brilliant idea.



I know....get that 'best-answer' sorted then! :0)

[Ellipsis]

Cold War may be a bit too Bond / Johnny English?

They have done three "royal" and one "war", so they could do ...

* one around Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson (probably deemed too upsetting to QEII)
* one set in WWII, e.g. Bletchley Park
* one post-WWII, e.g. Malayan Emergency (may be too "MASH"-like, but anything later e.g. Falklands would be a bit too recent)

[naomi24]

Jordyboy9, I think it's a girl thing.

[naomi24]

.... got to wonder why you bothered to watch two series of it to know it was 'krepp' though. ;o)

[-Talbot-]

They must move forward to keep true to the format, Ellipsis.

[Ken4155]

Let's face it, if a new series were made and it was only half as good as the previous ones, it would still be head and shoulders above the majority of today's offerings.

[naomi24]

Jordyboy9, would a crossword be allowed? ;o)

[sp1814]

Yes...it's a pity about Johnny English, because a 60s Bond-style Blackadder might have worked, but it would have been prohibitively expensive. I'm thinking that to properly spoof Bond, you would need some serious location filming.

If the producers were to forget the chronological rule, the Roman Empire offers up a few tempting possibilities...Hugh Lawrie as Julius Ceasar? Miranda Richardson as Cleopatra? Rowan Atkinson as the head of security? Baldric as a gladiator?

would certainly tune in for that.

[Answerprancer]

May I be the first to say: I think this is a cunning plan :-)
(Yes, good idea)

[sp1814]

Ahem...

Lawrie, not Lawrie.

And yes Svejk - you've exposed my lack of historical knowledge. Forget Oscar Wilde and replace him with Winston Churchill.

[Baldric]

/// to all intents and purposes, Baldric is Manuel.///

Err, No, Baldric'K' is Manuel!

[sp1814]

Argggh...

Laurie.

Bloody autocorrect.

[mccfluff]

love blackadder, not sure about a new series, but i'll certainly watch. i think the 60's idea is a good one, but i also like the idea of 90's madchester...