Every TV series starts with episode one

Between Blackadder series one and two, there was a complete turnabout in the characters. In the first series, Blackadder was inept and foolish, with Baldrick being the one who came up ideas to help his master. By the time of series two, the situation was completely reversed. 2, 3 and 4 follow the same format and style, and no character ever evolves, but the first season stands in stark contrast to the others.
 
paranoid marvin said:
Between Blackadder series one and two, there was a complete turnabout in the characters. In the first series, Blackadder was inept and foolish, with Baldrick being the one who came up ideas to help his master. By the time of series two, the situation was completely reversed. 2, 3 and 4 follow the same format and style, and no character ever evolves, but the first season stands in stark contrast to the others.
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That was because the first series was written by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson, while for the subsequent series they brought in Ben Elton as co-writer with Curtis. Apparently, Rowan Atkinson is a much better actor than writer.
 
paranoid marvin said:
Between Blackadder series one and two, there was a complete turnabout in the characters. In the first series, Blackadder was inept and foolish, with Baldrick being the one who came up ideas to help his master. By the time of series two, the situation was completely reversed. 2, 3 and 4 follow the same format and style, and no character ever evolves, but the first season stands in stark contrast to the others.
Click to expand...
A prime example of this thread’s topic, things are often very different at the start.

There was a three year gap after series 1, location filming was expensive and the BBC didn’t want to shell out for a second series, so it became studio only up until Blackadder Back & Forth, which was only partly funded by Auntie Beeb.
 
Pyan said:
That was because the first series was written by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson, while for the subsequent series they brought in Ben Elton as co-writer with Curtis. Apparently, Rowan Atkinson is a much better actor than writer.
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I see what you mean. Having had a quick look on Wikipedia, it appears that Rowan's characters that he is best known for (Thin Blue Line, Blackadder, Mr Bean) have all been made without him being credited as a writer, usually being a combination of Ben Elton and/or Richard Curtis.
 
paranoid marvin said:
I see what you mean. Having had a quick look on Wikipedia, it appears that Rowan's characters that he is best known for (Thin Blue Line, Blackadder, Mr Bean) have all been made without him being credited as a writer, usually being a combination of Ben Elton and/or Richard Curtis.
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You'll find he also has only two writing credits for the entire run of Not the Nine O'Clock News...
 
Harpo said:
A prime example of this thread’s topic, things are often very different at the start.

There was a three year gap after series 1, location filming was expensive and the BBC didn’t want to shell out for a second series, so it became studio only up until Blackadder Back & Forth, which was only partly funded by Auntie Beeb.
Click to expand...


Yes from memory I think the first series was made on film, on location and with costumes which seemed authentic (and probably very expensive). It was almost like a period piece costume drama, but converted into a 30 minute situation comedy.

It really is a wonder that a second series was commissioned.
 
Dee daadle ee daah daah daaaah
dumpdededumpdededuddledum



And the heroine didn't even get painted gold
 
paranoid marvin said:
Yes from memory I think the first series was made on film, on location and with costumes which seemed authentic (and probably very expensive). It was almost like a period piece costume drama, but converted into a 30 minute situation comedy.

It really is a wonder that a second series was commissioned.
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I like The Witchsmeller Pursuivant from the first Blackadder. I also quite like the finale, because (like Monty Python and the Holy Grail) it brings a flavour of "proper" Medieval adventure along with the comedy (or in The Black Adder's case, "comedy"). As you say, it does have the production values of a serious period drama.

Maybe the last two episodes being the best ones helped with its recommissioning.
 
I always liked the opening to the Rat Patrol. Rat Patrol Opening

As a series, it was ok, not great.

I know you folks across the pond didn't get to see it - it sort of took American credit for SAS activities in North Africa, and was banned in the UK.
 
Harpo said:
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Johhny Ball was a genius, and he making maths an enjoyable programme for kids to watch was genius. But around this time there were many clever tv people, and children were given the same serious consideration for informative, entertaining tv as adults were. So the likes of Think of a Number, Animal Magic, John Craven's Newsround and Take Hart were just as entertaining for kids as they were for adults. And with the likes of Stig of the Dump, Chocky, The Clifton House Mystery, Doctor Who, Into The Labyrinth, King of the Castle, Come Back Lucy, The Adventure Game, The Haunting of Cassie Palmer etc etc etc we also got some brilliant fantasy and science fiction with first rate directors and actors that still hold up really well to this day.

A quick glance on CBBC tomorrow looks like mainly cartoons.
 
Yes Minister was a classic:

 
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