The True History of the Blackadder: The Unadulterated Tale of the Creation of a Comedy Legend

by J.F. Roberts

___________________
They had a cunning plan.

A few decades ago, three young grads from England's greatest universities - Oxford, Cambridge, and Hull (actually, Manchester) - came up with a historical comedy series. Few thought it would live long in the memory.

Today, Blackadder is a timeless comic masterpiece, and its stars have gone on to glittering careers. The True History of the Black Adder is the first ever history of one of Britain's greatest and most unique sitcoms, from its medieval beginnings to its legendary tragic finale.

Informed by exclusive - and hilarious - interviews with essential figures like Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Ben Elton, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed and many more, this the definitive account of how a British institution came to be, as well as a fascinating look into how this classic comedy was almost very different - and a compendium of brilliantly funny anecdotes from a team of Britain's most celebrated comedians.

British history is a patchwork of questionable stories, constantly rewritten, re-evaluated and ridiculed; final editorial control has always belonged to the winners. And nobody likes winners...

At last, Blackadder enthusiasts can now uncover THE cunning plan, in all its hideous hilarity.

Genres: Nonfiction, Comedy, Biography, Humor, Tv, History, British Literature

476 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Daren · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this is definitely not a book for the casual Black Adder fan. To benefit from this book one must be a definite fan of British comedy, or a Black Adder nerd.
While a big fan of Black Adder, I suspect I am not quite a 'big enough' fan to really have enjoyed this book.
For a 400 page book, there was probably 100 pages worth of good stuff for me, the rest was filler. There is so much crossover in British comedy with the 50 or so acting comedians, it really was just an ego stroking, self congratulatory romp through who did what with who when, how well it was received, and how much we all did for charity.

But, before I get carried away, this was my favourite part: (P200)
"... that when the present incumbent the Right Reverend Peter Price took up the post in 2001, he felt obliged to tell the House of Lords in his maiden speech "In the aftermath of the Blackadder television series, there are always perils for the bishops of Bath and Wells. I am constantly reminded of the alleged activities of one of my predecessors as a baby-eater... Entering your Lordships' House has proved no exception, and the greeting from the doorkeeper on my first day was capped only by the Bishop of Southwark seeing my five year-old granddaughter arrive and remarking "The bishop has brought his own lunch!""

So three stars for me.

[Tim Worthington · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first in-depth overview of a series where even the 'official' complete colletions have tended to leave out actual proper episodes, Jem traces the entire history of the dastardly Blackadder dynasty literally (from the first historically identified Adder to the one who made the Royal court miss Twenty Thousand Years Of The Two Ronoids), figuratively (from Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis' university silliness right up to their big budget wasting of everyone's time), and historically (from Richard III's reign to the discovery of his car park-covered remnants literally as the finishing touches were being put to the book). Along the way there are plenty of surprises such as Rowan's ownership of an HGV license, chances to renew your acquaintance with half-familiar works like their early Radio 3 effort The Atkinson People, excavations of little-known spinoff appearances, and an even-handed look at similarly historically-set sitcoms that both preceded and anteceded the adventures of Edmund and co., some of them clearly more significant historical artefacts than others. Like those audience-amusing roller caption introductions, this is a story rather than a study, and an excellently told one at that. And now I just have one thing left to say to you... MACBETH!

[rowan]

Why I read it: I've been a fan of the Black Adder since my first semester of uni, when I binged the show while doing art projects. I watched it mostly to see what the fuss was all about, as it's considered, y'know, a classic of comedy, and turns out I absolutely love it. Various bits of it have entered my household's jargon, and I routinely watch a handful of episodes here and there.

Thoughts: As many reviews rightly point out, YMMV when it comes to the enjoyment you'll get out of this. A great big chunk of it references 70s and 80s comedy, so there are a lot of names and a lot of titles of shows and sitcoms, and comedy groups and acts. I found the names and titles to be a lot of boring detail, but ultimately useful, because I like British comedy, and having a list (plus there's a videography listed in the appendices) beats googling "what British comedy thing should I try to watch".

More interesting were the more-extensive-than-I-expected biographies of the major players in the making of Blackadder. I don't care so much about Richard Curtis (I hate Love Actually with such a passion, I could never like this man) and Ben Elton, but John Lloyd seems interesting and intense, and I found out a bunch of stuff about Rowan Atkinson that's also really neat. Things I will probably still remember a year from now: he's got degrees in electrical engineering; he really loves cars; he got a lorry licence to support himself as a young actor, plus he likes being alone and lorry driving struck him as perfect; while at uni, he was working on a synthesiser of his own (I think my memory is conflating his liking of music/sound and pipe organs with this, but in my head he was working on a pipe organ synth); he's shy, retiring; everyone was surprised when they zhuzhed him up for Blackadder II and he turned out to be a babe, and especially surprised when he was shirtless in one of the episodes and he was a mega babe; he's a perfectionist who practices his physical acting (including his facial expressions) until his performance is honed to the keenest edge.

The histories of the actual making of the show were also very very interesting. My one greatest fear was that I would read this book and end up disliking the show. It's why I don't often read memoirs and biographies; I don't want to risk ruining something I like for myself by knowing too much about someone. Luckily, this book hit the sweet spot of learning just enough that I get the picture, you know? Based on it, I have the feeling the making of Blackadder was a really tense and intense experience, a perfect storm of writers and actors and producers, a bunch of perfectionists working with each other on and off stage and screen over many years. I get the feeling that sometimes, it wasn't great. Sometimes, the major players probably got on each other's nerves quite a lot, being that they each brought themselves and their own senses of humour to their work. And I'm sure there were times when someone went "We've been finetuning this one joke for three hours now, can we actually shoot the bloody show?" But with all that, I'm genuinely glad that Blackadder is something they all look back upon fondly, without disavowing or disowning it.

There are still things I wish I could know about shooting Blackadder. I want to know who came up with some of my favourite scenes and jokes. I want to know even more about what it was like to shoot the first series at Alnwick Castle. I want to know where I can get Edmund's silly hat from the first series. I want to know how they chose which historical elements to use in each episode. And I'm sure if I watch the show again, I'll end up with more questions that this book can't answer.

Would I read more from this author: Looking at other things he's written, I might one day read his history of Fry & Laurie, though I shudder to think of how much of those 400 pages overlap, content-wise, with the 460 pages of this book. I'll tell you what I definitely would read though: Stephen Fry's memoirs (read the first two eons ago and I remember liking them), and Tony Robinson's memoir. Tony Robinson, as far as I can glean from this book and from Time Team and his wikipedia page, is a treasure of a man, well-worth the knighthood he has, and if I were a regimental mascot goat, I'd be honoured to be called Baldrick.

Would I recommend it: Yes.

[Sean O'Hara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Depending upon your knowledge and interest in British comedy of the 1970s and '80s, you will either find this book exhaustive or exhausting. Although the book purports to be about the Blackadder TV show, it'd be more apt to describe it as a general history of British Alternate Comedy movement, with the series being the nexus that brought them all together. Along the way we go behind the scenes on Not the 9 O'Clock News, Saturday Live, Mr. Bean, Jeeves and Wooster, A Bit of Fry and Laurie, The Young Ones, Spitting Image, The Thin Blue Line and dozens of other shows, along with getting biographical details about Atkinson, Robinson, Fry, Laurie, Ben Elton, John Lloyd, Miranda Richardson, and a slew of other players, minor and major. About the only major series that aren't covered are Red Dwarf and AbFab, and even those get passing reference. You only know the book's about Blackadder because it gets more coverage than the other shows.

For Brits this is of course like a history of Cheers bringing up M*A*S*H, Taxi, Fraser, The Cosby Show, Seinfeld and Wings, but for Americans a lot of details are esoteric -- The Young Ones, for instance, never found traction in the US, so all the references to how groundbreaking Rik Mayall and Ade Edmondson were will fly over most people's heads until they realize Mayall played the various Flashhearts. The long sections talking about how Elton wrote this series, and Fry guest starred on the other between seasons of Blackadder will come across as long and tedious, or lead to long hours surfing YouTube in search of clips. If, on the other hand, you're the sort of person whose idea of a fun Saturday night ever involved watching BritComs on PBS, you'll love the wealth of detail you get here.

[Monty Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only a very in-depth look at the making of Blackadder, it also follows the career of all the people who were involved. And that means it doubles as a history of British comedy of the 1980s, since people like Ben Elton did a LOT of work.

The thing I was happiest to learn was that, as I always suspected, Rik Mayall's performance as Lord Flashheart in the second series was done with the explicit goal of making sure that every one of his lines was funnier than any line Rowan Atkinson had in the episode. And he didn't turn up the juice until the cameras were on, so the other actors were taken off-guard with how over-the-top he was. I always thought they looked a little dazed.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really solid and informative history of a classic sitcom. I really appreciated that the author adopted a straightforward style and didn’t lapse into jokiness, as is so common the case with these kinds of books.

[David]

Full of interesting details, gossip, anecdotes, interviews, unpublished/unreleased script snippets, etc. Lots of fun. Very cunning.

[Stephen Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written and considered history that had me captive until the bits that followed 'goes forth'.
While the four series were in frame the sheer brilliance of the writers and actors excused the mutual backslapping, but once the fractured aftermath begins the narrative loses all its lustre and drifts which is very disappointing. I skimmed the final quarter of the book after devouring the first three quarters.

[Paul Stuart Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for a great series. A very well researched piece (bordering on obsessive), with a wealth of information that even the most knowledgable fan of the show should find something new on reading it. If you have an interest in Blackadder then this book is a must.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of background information about Blackadder (the comedy). To really enjoy the book you need to be a fan of the comedy series.

[Michael Pryor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love an insight into the creation of a landmark work, and this book provides it for 'Blackadder',so some sort of hat is in order.

[Alexander Theofanidis · Rating 3 out of 5]

ΑΝ ΜΠΟΡΕΙΤΕ ΝΑ ΔΙΑΒΑΣΕΤΕ ΑΥΤΟ, ΔΕΝ ΧΡΕΙΑΖΕΣΤΕ ΓΥΑΛΙΑ (εξόν και φοράτε ήδη). Κι αν δεν έχ��τε δει τη σειρά (πόσω μάλλον αν δεν έχετε επαφή με την αγγλική κωμωδία), μάλλον δεν υπάρχει λόγος να διαβάσετε το βιβλίο και σίγουρα δεν υπάρχει λόγος να συνεχίσετε να διαβάζετε αυτή την κριτική.

Ένα βιβλίο για τη σειρά που αγαπήθηκε και στη χώρα μας (θυμάμαι ακόμη ένα κανάλι της παρακμής να βάζει τα επεισόδια του Blackadder λίγο πριν την εκπομπή της Αννίτας Ναθαναήλ, τις οποίες όλοι ξεχάσαμε γρήγορα σε αντίθεση με τη σειρά) χάρη στο χιούμορ και το ειδικό βάρος των συντελεστών.

Βέβαια, εδώ δεν είναι το κλασικό tribute σε μια σειρά, αλλά μερικές φορές ένα παζλ για δυνατούς λύτες της κωμωδίας της Βρετανίας των δεκαετιών 70-80. Δεν είμαι. Έχω αγαπήσει το Black Adder, το Fawlty Towers, το Yes Minister/Prime Minister, το Red Dwarf, έχω δει με συμπάθεια το Only Fools And Horses και το «Αλό αλό», ίσως και καμιά δυο ακόμη που μου διαφεύγουν μετά από τόσα χρόνια, αλλά μέχρις εκεί, χώρια το ότι δεν ξέρω κάθε ηθοποιό που έπαιξε εκείνη την περίοδο με αποτέλεσμα συχνά να διαβάζω περιμένοντας πότε θα επανέλθει στα της σειράς ο συγγραφέας.

Σίγουρα το αποτέλεσμα είναι έργο… εργώδους ερεύνης και αφοσίωσης στο βρετανικό κωμικό στοιχείο, αλλά δεν παύει να έχει τον αναθεματισμένο Έντμοντ στο εξώφυλλο και το «The True History of the Blackadder» στον τίτλο…

[Nick Vossen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good fun book, it really is. But, oh boy if you haven't read or watched up on all of your UK sitcom classics you're going to have a rough time with this book. The biggest part of this book, the meat if you will, does not directly have anything to do with Blackadder directly. Rather, its an incredibly detailed historical overview of everyone who ever so much as worked on any of the main four series of the show, or its offshoots. Pages upon pages are filled with sometimes obscure references or long forgotten names of people who, once upon a time, did a few matinee shows with Rowan Atkinson or something like that. Don't get me wrong, if you're into that sort of thing this is really a fantastic read. But, if you're in the probably majority of people that like or love the Blackadder show but are not experts on everything British comedy has been pushing out since the 70s, you'll soon be lost and hoping that the next chapter you'll start will be about Blackadder again.

Truly complete and full of amazing detail. But, definitely not for everyone.

[David Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a big fan of Blackadder, and someone who thoroughly enjoyed the author's previous book (The Clue Bible) I was eager to snap this one up, and I wasn't disappointed. Roberts presents an excellent overview of not only the making of Blackadder but also the careers of all involved. It's an entertaining and enlightening read which not only enhances the readers enjoyment of the show itself but sheds light on the state of UK sitcoms and the reason why we nothing has really hit the heights of Blackadder in the days since. While it's clear that Elton and Curtis were credited as writers throughout the show's run, they were assisted at every step by Atkinson, Fry, Laurie and Robinson, who all contributed lines, and Lloyd who wrote entire scenes. No sitcom since has benefited from that level of combined writing talent.

[Elizabeth Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not so much a true history of the Blackadder himself, as it is a true history of the people who made Blackadder such a amazing, timeless comedy. To appreciate this book it helps if you have a working knowledge of British comedy because loads of comedy people are referred to and it can feel a little like you're on the edge of a conversation about people you don't know at times. But apart from that I found the book really interesting; I love all that behind the scenes television stuff. But it was also hilarious in parts, not so much for the writing itself but because as you read it you could make connections with the episodes and characters of Blackadder who were just freaking hilarious - the Spanish interpreter, Flashheart, Mad Gerald . . . I think it's time for a re-watch.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a book about Black Adder, there's a lot about The Young Ones in here. Not that I'm complaining (and it's a good excuse to rewatch both shows this weekend). The British comedy scene of the 1980s was rather incestuous. Roberts did an excellent job with research and interviews, but the book felt a little long since it included a lot on non-Black Adder stuff.
I fell for Black Adder in my teens when it showed up on the Arts & Entertainment Network in the mid-80s. I've always found it a bit sad that Rowan Atkinson is mostly know for the silent Mr. Bean when he is so good as the verbally gifted Edmund. I should probably give Bean another go and try to judge it on its own merits. Atkinson is just so darned talented.
Funniest bit on the book was the paragraph on honors received by the cast. Tony Robinson is called a "staunch antimonarchist" who is "unlikely to be answering any royal edicts in the future". Of course, he's now Sir Tony.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and well researched book.
As a massive Blackadder fan, I found it fascinating but it's certainly not one for someone with just a flitting interest in the show. There is a lot of biographical information background included of all the main actors, writers, producers etc., as well as background information of comedy shows (revues and televised) that inspired the whole Blackadder team.
A great read if you have more than a passing interest in Blackadder or indeed British comedy from the 1970s onwards. If not, then this will be a rather dry read for you.

[Vadim Ozerianski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great history of the Black Adder however, this book covers more than the history of the tv show (Black Adder) and a lot more to do with the history of the British comedy from the late 1970's. I had some trouble following some chapters as you really need to be familiar with the British comedy scene from the late 70's through the 80's and 90's. Overall a good book but I like I said, people will get more out of it if familiar with the names (actors, writers, producers etc) from the early British comedy years.

[Charles · Rating 2 out of 5]

What I was promised: the complete history of Blackadder. What I was delivered: hundreds and hundreds of pages about a bunch of other shows and revues and god only knows what else. There were also a bunch of absolutely awful pretend history sections which I skipped after painfully working my way through a couple pages of the first one.

I'm sure this would all be interesting to someone. But I am not that someone.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative book on the entire saga which is the wonderful comedy Blackadder. I think Blackadder is one of the best historical sitcoms of all time and reading this book was really interesting. It includes details on the cast, directors and writers etc, how the show came about and how it changed and evolved over the years. It was a tad TOO detailed & informative at times for me but that’s just my problem. It’s certainly a good read about probably one of the best British comedies ever made.

[Derek Blackadder · Rating 3 out of 5]

You'll love it if you're a seriously over the top fan of the series or if you and I share a surname. Otherwise it might appeal to fans of Rowan Atkinson but it's not for the rest of us. The goofy pretend history sections are just annoying, not funny, and even this Blackadder couldn't see the point of them.

[John Barclay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book for fans of the show. It has some annoying things about it, the fake history stuff is dull and unfunny, some of the more 'lovey' moments about British TV personalities gets grating, but for the most part it's a lot of interesting information and fun stories about a great TV phenomenon.

[Jessica]

This was a good idea but it is so full of stuff that my mind couldn’t grasp anything.
All this over information. Then telling the story of real history mixed with fictional Blackadder history had me even more confused.
A brilliantly influential show like this deserves more.
🐍

[Nathcaz · Rating 2 out of 5]

A biography of the cast & crew involved in the show. Was hoping it was a humorous history book. Sorry guys found it rather boring

[Mr Mark Francome · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very detailed book about an iconic series. Being funny is a serious work.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting, although the last couple of chapters are somewhat laboured.

[Lisa Emmerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like British comedy and loved Blackadder this is the book for you, I came away needing to re watch to spot all the co-stars over the years who had guest spots before they became famous!

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really excellent - combines biographies of key figures, accounts of development, and brief summaries into a very enjoyable read.

[Ben Philcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely guide to the best TV show ever written!

[Rachael Eyre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blackadder's a funny old show. After an expensive flop of a first series, its creators were forced to go back to basics, relying on writing and character driven comedy instead. It paid off- three more series and a couple of specials later, it's very probably the UK's best loved sitcom, making superstars of its cast. (Who can think of World War I poetry without recalling Baldrick's modernist effort The German Guns?)

When the focus was on the show itself, it was very good indeed, but at times it descended into something of a love in, going off on tangents (though I was very pleased to learn more about Maid Marian, as near as you can get to Blackadder for kids). If it had lost a hundred pages or so, I might have given it four stars.