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Blackadder S1 Ep1 "The Foretelling" REACTION!

All Hail the King!!!

Blackadder S1 Ep1 "The Foretelling" REACTION!

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Jack Carter

That's because you aren't intimidated by clever jokes and writing...

Sparky The Maxx

They literally had to dumb the show down season 2 to become successful for mass consumption. Brian will think this season is hilarious, because Brian isn't a meathead. And Rowan didn't want to write anymore. He just wanted to act in it, because he was already doing a million things at that time. So the jokes become more palatable for, to be frank, dumber audiences to enjoy as well. Now, the later 3 seasons are better overall, but only slightly. Disregarding the first season as bad or less than, when it is still fantastic and top notch television, is just plain stupid.

Sparky The Maxx

Nah, it's an understatement. Season 1 requires more brainpower to get the jokes. That's why the fanboys love the later seasons. More easily consumable fart and peepee jokes.

Sparky The Maxx

Thank God you aren't like the other reactors who listened to a bunch of doofus fanboys crying about season one because the formula is slightly different and the comedy takes more brainpower to comprehend.

Sparky The Maxx

Bit of an over statement. It's just the weakest season. Still got plenty of laughs though

Adam Senior

as if the majority of people know anything about some dumb dudes fighting in a field hundreds of years ago , nope! meaningless to most people , you know a lot more than the avg brit about these meaningless scraps haha i still love blackadder tho! and great reactions as always :)

TheHigh

Even though a bunch of them say it isn't bad.

Grady Parsons

Everyone cries like a bitch about the first season for no real reason.

Grady Parsons

Great shout! :D

Jason Scade

Amazing miniseries. I'd like to see his reaction at some of the actors who pop up in the show.

MissyWeatherwax

I am a massive, MASSIVE Blackadder fan and so is every other member of my family. We know all the scripts by heart, love quoting them at each other and have found that there's a quote for every conceivable modern situation you can think of!

Katherine Birkett

I love Baldrick. I think you're right. I think the Queen would enjoy him too.

Sally Waites

I am not a fan of season one but since you're watching it, I will join you.

Sally Waites

I thought Grumio was quite Baldrick-ey too at times.

Jason Scade

Brian Blessed has such an amazing voice, his role as Grampy Rabbit in Peppa Pig was oscar worthy 👌🏻😂

Jonny Dade

Good knowledge of medieval English history KB. If it's not already on your extensive list then Yes Minister would be a good addition at some stage.

Waldemar

I normally suggest S1, but to confess, I haven't actually watched it in its entirely. So I'm here for the ride too! 😀

Matthew Seaward

Luckily, the BBC would only grant a 2nd season if they cut their budget and restricted it to studio filming more like a traditional sitcom so, Richard Curtis started writing it with Ben Elton and it became the much funnier show everyone loves.

Neal Murdoch

I’ve always enjoyed series 1.

Jamie Edwards

That would make sense, but most of the comments are positive so.....

LyingSecret

Don't think I've ever seen so many comments on an upload here. That's how bad season 1 is.

TomPalmer

Yes!!! Reacting to Inbetweeners you say.. too this day I still watch your YouTube Inbetweeners videos over and over again

Jamie L

Man, I am patiently waiting like a saint for KB's KMKWwAP. ♥ But 3 weeks isn't long in the timeframe of a reactor. That's like 4 days to them. 👍

Jason Scade

Omg that would be awesome! Great call! He will *love* that show. Ancient Rome, Roman Army, royal families, intrigue, treachery, power grabs. The script, the acting. 🏆

Jason Scade

Boomer has mentioned he'll be doing it

Mark Jones

Season 1 has some great moments especially the episode called the queen of Spain's beard

Julian

Probably not for a reaction, but you should watch I Claudius ( Brian Blessed plays Augustus)

Mark Jephson

Never seen Season 1 in full, as a kids I came in at Season 2 but happy to sit through with you KB. It's not that season 1 is just the weakest, it's almost a completely different show to the other seasons. I don't do spoilers but what I will say is the characters in the other seasons have vastly differently personalities than in this first one. I just hope you don't give up on the show before Season 2 as the style and comedy is superb in those seasons

Steve King

Good call not skipping series 1, its still good

Mark Jephson

please watch 'the great escape' from 1963, its a great anglo-american war film.

Thomas Stirrup

I think what helped the later series, apart from changing Blackadder's character, was that they had their budget cut by quite a bit so there was more interior studio work, less location shooting and a smaller cast with less extras. It tightened the whole thing up and made it more immediate. The first series was quite lavish for a comedy at that time with large sets and an extended cast, maybe all that got in the way of writing a tight script.

David Mannion

I think for those who skipped season one until later, Season one does seem a bit inferior. However for those of us who commenced with season one, it is still fabulous comedy and in some ways better than the later seasons.

matthew lockyer

Ooooh Blackadder nice. Still patiently waiting for your Knowing me, Knowing You reaction. It's been a good three weeks aince you mentioned you were gonna react to it. 😊

Wilss

man, i’ve not seen the first series since school days circa 1990 when I was about 13yrs old, I still remember going into school & laughing with friends about the scene where he’s trying to revive him after chopping his head off, but as far as comedy goes this series isn’t that good, he’s playing a bumbling fool when in series 2, 3 and 4 he’s playing the exact opposite character with perfect dead pan one liners, my opinion S2 is very good, S3 even better and S4 is the pinnacle 👍

Duncan

Thank God you are not skipping Series 1. So many people suggest doing so, and I just don't get it. It's rough around the edges compared to the other series but its still great.

Menty

I am so pleased you didn't skip season 1. All the other seasons were written by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton. Season 1 has Edmond as a more Mr Bean type character because it is written by Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis. With characters Brian Blessed and Peter Cook (who is the father of British Humour) it is a delight.

John Allen

Yes, it is slightly overrated and although I used love watching it as a kid with my dad, it probably wouldn't make my top ten now but still worth watching.

BigChanChan

He said it's next on his list to add to the reactions 👍

BigChanChan

As someone who is a fan of history, I think this will end up being one of your favourite series. As people have mentioned this first season isn't a great representation of future ones but it's still fun.

Michael Leighton's Karl Pilkington Animations

ETS skipped it as well after In Alan Partridge. I love them both but I feel like KMKY has a lot more funny moments.

Chris H

King Boomer has an excellent knowledge of British history. Enough to put most Brits to shame

David Ridley

Nice one on going your own way and ignoring those that say skip series one. Yes, it's not as funny as the others but it still has a charm of its own that is worthy of your time.

Rob Walters

Henry Tudor defeated richard III at the battle of Bosworth field in 1485 and he ascended to the throne as King Henry the VII.

David Marriott-Hallam

The 1997 Mr Bean Movie trip to the USA, is a great film!

David Marriott-Hallam

YESSSSSSSSSSSSS

Michael Leighton's Karl Pilkington Animations

so glad you've added this

kris walker

Oh my, and this (to my mind anyway) is the worst series of Blackadder. It's not bad, just the rest are much much better

irreverend

seasons 2-4 are pure gold found their voice and stride and one of the best ever endings - one of the earliest post credit scenes - yellow to red

Craig McCulloch

Armed and ready have patience Big Chan Bear

Craig McCulloch

Where is KMKY Alan Partridge!! ❤️

Rhys Jones

Wonderfully put!

Craig McCulloch

Made my week, Blackadder on KB

Chug

Nah, I saw series 1 on tv as a kid. Didn’t think it was good. Loved series 2 from the first episode.

John

Also, I think you should've done this with Queen Boomer. At least from s2, I think. She would like Baldrick.

Joe Thornhill

Happy to join the chorus of those chuffed to see you finally doing Blackadder! As everyone else has said, after Series 1 the show didn't so much evolve as completely and totally reboot the entire concept - characters, style of comedy, the whole works - which is why some fans are quick to dismiss these early episodes. As you might have worked out from stuff like the "stolen" Henry V speech (which was from the Siege of Harfleur, btw), the ghost of the dead king and the three witches at the end, Series 1 isn't just a comedy about history but a parody of Shakespeare's historical plays, and the kind of adaptations of them the BBC used to churn out in the 1970s and 1980s, complete with smoke-wreathed heaths, horses thundering across misty battlefields and so on. As a character, this earliest incarnation of Blackadder is basically a medieval Mr Bean, and Richard Curtis stuck to one of the oldest comedy tropes in the book in making the servant (Baldrick) smarter than his master; it has its charms, but is very hit-and-miss. Elements of the Shakespearean parody carried over into Series 2, and for later eras they riffed on the work of other authors (Austen, Dickens, PG Wodehouse), but the change in Blackadder and Baldrick was the smartest thing Curtis and Ben Elton did. From Series 2 onward, they basically become a historical version of Basil & Manuel from Fawlty Towers - the witty and frustrated master constantly mistreating his well-meaning but useless underling - and it makes the show. It was also a landmark for Rowan Atkinson, who'd only ever played clownish "buffoon" roles before, but was suddenly able to transform himself into a charming, cynical rogue, and never looked back from that moment on. For that reason, I think you're right to start with Series 1: it'll be a fun journey to watch!

Ian Richards

I've never really seen why people hold up Blackadder in such high regards, I mean it's fine but never been one of these must see's like everyone else here seems to feel it is. However I think you'll love it due to you being a history nerd :) The ending is quite something! But they are right, 1 is really different from 2-4. It's not only a lot better overall but even the tone of the comedy is much different. Respect for not just skipping it. Oh and Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie appear between 2-4. There will also be a ton of other appearances of actors you'll recognise from some of the other reactions, will be fun to see if you can spot them!

Matt

I've been meaning to comment on that. No show or band will get it bang on, the first series or album. They've got to find their feet or sound and you should go through the journey with them. I think he said he liked Series one of Alan Partridge better than series 2.

Joe Thornhill

Well, I’ll be the son of a fox that just got promoted to professor of cunning at Oxford University… You’re finally bloody doing it 🙌🏻

Craig McCulloch

Brian Blessed (pronounced bless-ed) is famous for his big booming voice. He has appeared in so many programmes from quiz shows, chat shows and movies, especially known for appearing in Flash Gordon (1980) as the leader of the hawkmen and famously asking "Gordon's alive?"

Yaapsdad

Richard 3rd is played by Peter Cook, who is a legend of British comedy, I'd recommend you check out some of his sketches with Dudley Moore

Oliver Chapman

Definitely

Richard M

The unique difference between this series and the rest of Blackadder is that they essentially rebooted the entire format, as opposed to refining and improving it like many other sitcoms. It's very interesting to watch the first series just to see the drastic change (and improvement) to all the characters, but the comedy is wafer thin in S1.

Jay

I love series one I love them all actually . I’ve been Blackadder obsessed all my life when I passed my exams my present from my dad was the book with the full scripts . The budget for this first series was high and the bbc didn’t want to commission a second series but compromised as you’ll see as the other series have much lower budgets but they are bloody brilliant

Erica

I like series one watched it loads as a kid I learnt all the lyrics of the theme tune for some reason

Erica

I’ll watch along with KB so hopefully he does stick with it. Most first seasons aren’t the best when it comes to sitcoms tbh. It must be worth sticking with since it’s so highly regarded!

JJ M

Terrified me as a kid but I still watched it over and over 😂

Erica

It's not necessarily the first episode that drags, its the first series in its entirety that's poor. The "real" Blackadder starts from Series 2 onwards, so it would be a shame if you lose interest before seeing the best of the show.

Jay

Brian Blessed played a huge part in Flash Gordon in 1980. He played the winged Prince Vultan and he also voiced Boss Nass in Star Wars The Phantom Menace. Peter Cook who played Richard the third here was the other half of the comedy double act with Dudley Moore in the 60s and 70s. I loved their Derek and Clive audio records and tapes.

Mouse

Exactly. It’s pretty obvious from KB’s personality that he would never start a new show at season 2. I don’t know why people keep going on about it.

Julian T

Yay! Haven't watched Blackadder in years! I think The Witchsmeller Pursuivant is my favourite from series 1.

Neal Murdoch

This is a unique series for me because I haven't watched it (although i'm familiar with it) but have also really wanted to so this a first time reaction to a long standing/instant British classic for the both of us, really looking forward to it. From what i've read the general agreement about skipping the first season is mostly because it's unlike the rest of the show due to having too large a cast and number of sets, and basically because a lot of the jokes were too nerdy for most to understand. I do wanna watch the first season as well though to see it's roots.

LiamShaer7

I have never understood why so many people try to talk others out of watching the first season. Is it as laugh out loud hilarious as later ones? No. But it has some great moments, an amazing cast, and it's only 6 half hours, people! I can understand if you don't like it, not watching it again, but let people make their own minds up. Of course I say this as someone for whom not watching literally every second of something is completely alien. I know others don't bear the completionism curse.

Paflad

Glad I’m not the only one! I was born in the 90s so this was before my time. Still grew up with OFAH cos my family watched it a lot

JJ M

I just said this to me GF.

Nothinghalo

hell yeah

Nathan

They changed the writers for S2-4 from Curtis and Atkinson to Curtis and Elton- you can tell the difference between the humour of Atkinson versus Elton

Kiwi Tau

I've only ever seen clips myself. Never watched it properly.

Matt

Oh ok ots been so long since I last watched it I thought it was on all of them

Chris C

Don’t come for me in the comments 😅 but I’ve never seen Blackadder. So I’m watching this along with you KB! I’ve heard all about how it’s classic British comedy. As always the first episode is likely an intro and I’m expecting to love it by the end!

JJ M

Ep 1 is a bit of a scene set, the rest improve

Mike Doel

"Daddy" a great character from Man Down. Sir Tony Robinson is brilliant whatever he does

Yaapsdad

Riddle me this > Gordon's Alive!

Daz

So pleased you are starting with season 1. Instantly loved it when it first came out. Awesome

Steve Oxley

And series 1 does get a bit panned…even by those who were in it 😆 but it is well worth watching the whole lot - great choice!

Tom

Hurrah!! Glad you got onto it KB! Bizarrely they get better with each season…series 4 (Goes Forth) is one of the greatest comedy concoctions you will react to ✌🏼

Tom

Series 1 is more of a Shakespearean comedy of errors, whereas the following series are more sitcommy with nob gags. Take that however you fancy ;)

David Lyons

Thanks for the compliment. I know some about the War of the Roses but not nearly as much as others.

Brian Moran

Amen to that!

Tom

If you liked Grumio then you’re going to love Baldrick

Richard Long

Only for Season 2 do the lyrics change each episode. Season 1 it's always The sound of hoof beats cross the glade etc. except for the very last episode.

Relyx

Oh good call KB, some dont bother with series 1 but you definitly should. Good call

Mike Doel

Doing more Partridge would just top it all in terms of high quality series reactions. It would complete a very strong roster of shows

Yaapsdad

In this and later series there are so many great comedy actors and british acting royalty. Brian Blessed and Peter Cook here to name but two. Later on Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie and the two from Bottom and the Young Ones, Rik Mayall (who was also the father in Man Down) and Ade Edmondson appear. Tim McInnery, as Percy, appears in most of the various series is a great foil for Blackadder and is generally just as stupid as Baldrick, without possessing any "cunning plans".

Yaapsdad

Yep basically

Rob Green

The changes that come in the later three series are Richard Curtis writing them with Ben Elton instead of with Rowan Atkinson. Blackadder is stupid in the first series and Baldrick is much smarter. Whereas in later series Blackadder is by far the smartest character, though still beset by misfortune at every turn and Baldrick is thick from season two onwards.

Yaapsdad

The other week before you started any new shows I predicted Blackadder and am now soooooooooooooooo happy to see this, glad to see you starting at season 1 too, this is so awesome, such a great show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're going to fecking love Baldrick!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mark Jones

Yes you're right there, just saying the viewing public generally ignored it. It was the series 2's when they both took off . The quality level for OFAH was quite good from the off.

Fordy7169

KB, you have an impressive knowledge of British history! (way better than mine, and I'm a Brit), but you've let yourself down with not knowing who Brian Blessed is!

AdamMcAdamface

I wonder if people don't like series 1 so much because they saw it after seeing the other series first because they got repeated on TV, whereas I don't ever remember seeing series 1 on TV, only after I bought the collection on DVD. It is so different to the rest of the series. Interestingly the pilot episode (which can be found on Youtube) is much more like series 2-4 and the specials.

BurmaCuWin

I don't think the drop off in quality for S1 of OFAH compared to S2 was anywhere near as much as Blackadder though... I'd happily watch S1 of OFAH again but I'll definitely not watch Blackadder S1 again after these reactions!

BigChanChan

I'm looking forward to Knowing Me, Knowing You... One of my all time favourites!

BigChanChan

KB, stick with it . Series 1 was not a success overall at the time (much like Only Fools and Horses) although there are some great characters in and probably actors crop up who you would have seen before. Stylistically the creators/writers admit they went a bit too cinematic with the extensive outside shots, extras, costumes, etc at the expense of actual humour/jokes. With Blackadder II they brought in Ben Elton to increase the humour quota to make it a more traditional British sitcom style . Also it was shot on video/confined to a few studio sets and the character of Edmund Blackadder completely flipped, as you'll see.

Fordy7169

Brian Blessed is the actor with the fine voice, playing King Richard the 4th here. He is or was a keen mountaineer who made a few unsuccessful attempts to reach the summit of Everest, but nearly made it at least once.

South Coast Rich

There’s a reason Ben Elton came on board and they completely changed the show.

John

Bad idea to start with series 1.

John

Love Brian Blessed, what a character he is, he's certinaly lived a full life!

Si Cr

Ball-bouncingly funny!

Jason Scade

I thought he did great.

Jason Scade

King Richard was played by the legendary comic Peter Cook...try reacting to some of his stuff..Pete and Dud. Yea series 2 and 3 and 4 are very different and very very good..the final episode is perfection

Paul Liversage

So happy you've started on Blackadder. It is the weakest series of the 4, but still has it's moments.

Mackem

No need to apologise. Your knowledge of British history is probably better than most British people's!

Marty D

You should watch all the Wallace & Gromit films!

Max

Oh this is going to be good, once we get past series 1. Also listen to the lyrics to the song in the end credits because they change in each episode.

Chris C

Enjoyed it. Looking forward to the next. Yes more Partridge please 🙏

Dave Martin

Blackadder is one of the most loved comedy's ever on British TV. You will get a lot of people like this, especially series 2 onwards. But I did like this first series but not as much as the others.

Mouse

the history part of this isnt really that relevant because they already said Henry Tudor lied about everything and perverted history .. and so for the first time they are telling the true version ..and i guess anything is possible in this version lol

Markos

Refreshed the page after watching the recent Red Dwarf reaction, in case there was a chance you uploaded another reaction and saw this gem, so pleased you've finally got around to reacting to this. IMO Season 1 is weaker but still very funny and glad you didn't skip it.

MJ87

The first season is like a first draft. They change it from season 2, where it focusses more on comedy and less on history, makes Edmund Blackadder more cunning and switched on (though he never comes out on top), and its just damn funny. This version of Blackadder makes Edmund a complete simpering idiot, and it doesn't quite work.

Ash X

Been waiting for this one!

Andrew Powell

Great show could ov skipped a season but still great choice 👍

Dango247

Blackadder is a really good choice. You may struggle with the first season as this incarnation of blackadder is a bit simple and stupid. The second series onwards Blackadder is very clever and devious and it's that wit and cleverness that makes Blackadder so entertaining. The whole Blackadder/baldrick thing doesnt really kick in for me until series 2. I still love the first series but it just gets better and better with each new time period.

Ged Fazakerley

Season 1 is the weakestbust still well worth a watch

ezza

Yes, it's 'Daddy' from Man Down... Baldrick in this and his real name is Tony Robinson... As you see him in the coming seasons, you'll probably think that Grumio was based on Baldrick, they're very similar, especially in the next season of Blackadder.

BigChanChan

Yes, Baldrick is played by the same actor as the old boyfriend in Man Down, Tony Robinson.

Jason Scade

holy crap i thought you had seen this .. what a great surprise !!! people complain about season 1 but it has a special place in comedy for me especially because of brian blessed :)

Markos

S1 is good i'm glad you aren't skipping it.

Owen Rhodes

Season 1 is the weakest but it’s not as bad as some people like to make out so glad you’re not skipping it.

Jason

honestly i only enjoyed blackadder 3. 1 and 2 are not funny IMO

the_greenlion

Nice choice KB! Looking forward to S2 and S3, S3 is my favourite. S4 is good but some of the gags from previous series are repeated. Glad you're doing them in order 🙂

Lz Bristol

Nice, will be great to get to s2, 3 and 4

Nothinghalo

With this and Phoenix Nights you're on fire now KB. Really peak British sitcom viewing

Yaapsdad

Just to add my voice to all those who have said, if you don't like season 1, at least give season 2 a chance. Though personally I like season one a lot, haha.

ALW

Yay great choice! I shall join the chorus of people urging you to stick with it! Series 1 is a very inauspicious start to this classic show! They addressed all the weaknesses and the show greatly improved from series 2 onwards. Series 4 is considered one of our all time great sitcoms (I'd probably recommend newcomers to watch the four series in reverse order)

Tim Mountford

Seasons 2-4 are best so don’t give up cos of S1

Kiwi Tau

S2 S3 and S4 are sooo much better, looking forward to them :)

AitchyB

Great choice but S1 is not considered real Blackadder by many including me, don't be put off by it. There are good moments and you get to see Bryan Blessed and comedy legend Peter Cook at least!

Richard Stokes

When you come to the specials eventually. A Christmas Carol is by far the best

Yaapsdad

Oddly enough, I'm glad you're starting from Series 1. It's by far the worst Blackadder, but it does have some genuinely funny moments, and its beautifully shot. As others have said, if you decide to skip it and move on to Series 2 onwards, no one would blame you.

Jay

Blackadder series 2-4 are as good as any sitcom ever made

Yaapsdad

"I get to see Rowan Atkinson, not playing Mr. Bean." Eventually.

Z is for Zed

Not even so much because it’s the weakest (it is) but it’s pretty stylistically different from the Blackadder we all love. The slimy, idiotic version of him just isn’t as funny and the show just suits the multi-camera, studio audience style. It does have a few moments and Brian Blessed to save it though.

Mark Fraser

Blackadder, Phoenix Nights and Black Books.... These are good times for me 🤩🤩🤩 Just do bear in mind as everybody will also say that series one is definitely the weakest! Good to watch it anyway in order to understand how so 👍🏻

Stuart Gunpowder

Awesome, what a great surprise. :D As others have commented, series one is the poorest of them all by marathon miles. Blackadder is played as a spineless, simpering, gormless cretin. The character's ancestors have a very radical change of personality from s2 onwards. You'll dig it. Series 2,3,4 are so fantastically good, you can't even compare series 1 to them.

Jason Scade

Exactly, even rowan and the producer said series 1 wasn't great

Rob webber

Fantastic. This is not the best start. But stick with it. It has some good moments. In order of quality it's probably series 2 or 3 (3 or 2) is the best then series 4 then a drop off to series 1 followed by the specials, one of which is good , another is indifferent and one is just crap

Yaapsdad

Please don't be put off by how not very funny the 1st series is, series after are far super, also please please watch teachers

Rob webber

As others have said, power through series 1 ... or skip it, no one will blame you. Then it gets much much better!

Jon Edwards

Yaaaaaassssssssssssss

Ross stewart

Amazing program. Just bare with season 1 (I would have skipped it) it’s so much worse than the others. Season 4 is outstanding

Chris

😆 came to say just that!

Mema Random

Interesting! You'll probably get a load of similar comments, but this show grows in strength through its run. So don't throw in the towel if you don't enjoy the first series!

Joshua

Awful series from the collection, so woefully different from the others. Universally hated by fans, suprised no one said skip this shite and start on series 2. I'll look out for series 2 as Blackadder is classic British nonsense take on history.

Phoenix

Fantastic BA ..... honestly I've never seen series 1 so should be interesting 🤔

Dave Martin

Bare with season 1. It's not the best and it was almost cancelled after the first series. They completely change the characters for the rest though and it's one of the best tv shows that's come out of the UK in my opinion. Particularly series 4.

Mike Currie

Woooo! Finally :-)

Will Lynch

Nice. Sure everyone's already said this but hold out till season 2. That's when it changes into the BA everyone loves.

TomPalmer


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