cunning plans

[barber]

n television which character was well known for his bad cooking,poor personal hygiene and his nener -ending suply of cunning plans

[Postdog]

baldrick, black adder

[iwbus]

Antony Worral-Thompson?

[vehelpfulguy]

Well Baldrick in Blackadder is the answer, but I prefer the answer Antony Worral-Thompson.

Did you know the guy who played Baldrick is the host of Time Team ?

[campbellking]

Yes, and there's going to be a programme on about elderly care featuring his Mum on Channel 4 tomorrow.

[snook]

Yeah, Tony Robinson is Blackadder and hosts Time Team (wonder if he's ever uncovered evidence of his own earlier incarnations while overseeing a dig?).

Also, strangely, he's the secretary (?) of the actor's union, Equity (or he was when I read that fact somewhere, a while ago). I say strangely 'cos he always looks to me (and sounds) like he's a bit of a half-wit. Obviously he's not, but it's hard sometimes not to judge by appearances, isn't it?

[SeaJayPea]

He's also on the National Executive of the Labour Party

[stoo_pid]

He's definitely not a half-wit & he's one of the nicest blokes you could meet. He once did the voice-over for a campaign / promotional video produced by a charity that I once worked for - not only was he a total professional he wouldn't send us a bill for his work, saying the funds would be better spent on the campaign.

[snook]

He sounds like a very decent bloke, and he's clearly a consummate professional. I'm sorry if I gave the impression I thought he actually was a half-wit, I certainly don't think that at all. It was just a comment on his appearance and voice, and the fact that it's hard to dissociate these things (specially once you've seen him playing the part of Baldrick so many times, and so well) from the man himself.

If by any chance you're reading this, Tony, my apologies!

[mandele-lcc]

His programme on Ch4 Worst jobs in history was amazing. 2 that stuck in my mind were:

1. the guys who used to pedal a machine that acted as a type of crane carting huge blocks of masonry to the top of cathedrals and as they were only made of wood would often give way bringing the 4 tonne blacks of stone crashing on the poor peddlars heads,

2. In old times when you needed to dye clothes the process involved getting the cloth to a certain stage by trading the material in a vat of pee (similar to the way grapes are crushed) nice job.

Just re-iterating what a varied scope the guy has, Blackadder was probably the most under-rated comedy show in history. Tony robinson contributed to that enormously. Can anyone else imagine who could have played baldrick better?

[stoo_pid]

No worries snook - I hope you didn't think I was having a dig at you. I realised you didn't think he was a half-wit (even if he looks like one! ; - ) I just couldn't resist the opportunity to big him up!

And while we're talking about his range - how about his Sheriff of Nottingham in "Maid Marion and Her Merry Men" (which he also wrote I think)? Comic genius.

[fourteen85]

I think he has now resigned from the National executive of the Labour Party

[snook]

Psst! He's on Channel 4, 9 o'clock tonight, "Me and My Mum". Should be worth a look. The write-up in the TV guide makes it out to be a very moving documentary.