Blackadder the Third facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Blackadder the Third
Title screen of Blackadder the Third
Written by	Richard Curtis Ben Elton
Directed by	Mandie Fletcher
Starring	Rowan Atkinson Tony Robinson Hugh Laurie Helen Atkinson-Wood
Theme music composer	Howard Goodall
Country of origin	United Kingdom
No. of episodes	6 (list of episodes)
Production
Producer(s)	John Lloyd
Running time	30 minutes
Release
Original network	BBC 1
Original release	17 September (1987-09-17) – 22 October 1987 (1987-10-22)
Chronology
Related shows	Blackadder II Blackadder: The Cavalier Years

Blackadder the Third is a funny TV show from the BBC. It's the third part of the Blackadder comedy series. Richard Curtis and Ben Elton wrote it. The show was first shown between September 17 and October 22, 1987.

This series takes place during the Georgian Era, a time in British history. The main character, Mr. E. Blackadder, works as a butler. He serves the Prince Regent, who is a bit silly. Blackadder often tries to use the Prince's trendy ideas to his own advantage.

Blackadder the Third has fewer main characters than the last series. But it features many famous comedians in small, special roles. The show won a BAFTA award for Best Comedy Series in 1988. It was also nominated for three other awards.

What's the Story of Blackadder the Third?

Blackadder the Third is set around the late 1700s and early 1800s. This time is known as the Regency period. It's hard to say exactly when each episode takes place. This is because the show mixes up historical events and people on purpose.

For example, the real Regency period was from 1811 to 1820. During this time, King George III was unwell. His son, George, Prince of Wales, ruled in his place as "Prince Regent." The show often calls George the "Prince Regent."

However, one episode shows Samuel Johnson working on his famous dictionary. Samuel Johnson died in 1784, and his dictionary came out in 1755. Another episode is set just before the Battle of Trafalgar (1805). But it still calls George the Prince Regent. It also mentions Wellington, who became a "Viscount" in 1809.

Meet the Main Characters

Blackadder is very smart and capable. But he doesn't have much money of his own. Still, he's usually comfortable financially. This is because he can easily trick the Prince. Blackadder says he has served the Prince Regent his whole life.

Baldrick (Tony Robinson) is Blackadder's servant. He is similar to how he was in Blackadder II. His "cunning plans" are usually not smart at all. But he often knows more about what's happening in the world. Blackadder calls him his "dogsbody" (a person who does all the hard work).

In this series, Baldrick sometimes talks back to Blackadder. He even calls him names. Blackadder often calls Baldrick "Balders" in a friendly way. Baldrick sometimes calls Blackadder "Mr. B."

Where Does the Show Take Place?

There are three main places where the show happens. First, there are the Prince's rooms. These are fancy and richly decorated. Second, there's the kitchen area where Blackadder and Baldrick hang out. This place is dark and messy. But it's also very big with a high ceiling.

Third, there's Mrs. Miggins' coffeehouse. In Blackadder II, Mrs. Miggins' pie shop was often mentioned but never seen. In this series, a descendant of Mrs. Miggins is finally shown. She is played by Helen Atkinson-Wood.

What Kinds of Adventures Happen?

The show's stories involve many different things. They include rotten boroughs (old voting districts). They also feature Dr. Samuel Johnson (played by Robbie Coltrane). The French Revolution is also part of the fun, with Chris Barrie appearing. There's even a character like the Scarlet Pimpernel.

Other episodes feature over-the-top actors. There are also female highwaymen who hate squirrels. Characters settle arguments with a duel. And they discuss battle plans with the Duke of Wellington (played by Stephen Fry).

In the last episode, Rowan Atkinson plays Blackadder's Scottish cousin, MacAdder. MacAdder is supposed to be a fierce swordsman. This leads to a funny scene where Atkinson acts as both characters. At the end, Blackadder becomes rich. He pretends to be the Prince Regent permanently. This happens after the real Prince, dressed as Blackadder, is shot by the Duke of Wellington.

Episodes of Blackadder the Third

The series had six episodes. They were shown on Thursdays at 9:30 pm on BBC 1. The episode titles are always two nouns that start with the same letter. This is like the titles of Jane Austen novels, such as Sense and Sensibility. For example, "Dish and Dishonesty."

Who's in the Cast?

The main actors of Blackadder the Third in their old-fashioned costumes. Hugh Laurie (sitting), Tony Robinson (bottom), Rowan Atkinson (standing) and Helen Atkinson-Wood.

• Rowan Atkinson as Edmund Blackadder
• Tony Robinson as Baldrick
• Hugh Laurie as George, Prince Regent
• Helen Atkinson-Wood as Mrs Miggins

This series had a smaller main cast. But it featured guest actors in every episode. Tim McInnerny chose not to play Lord Percy again. He worried about being typecast (always playing the same kind of role). However, he did appear as a guest in one episode. Stephen Fry and Miranda Richardson, who were main actors in Blackadder II, also had guest roles. Fry and McInnerny later returned as regular actors for the fourth series of Blackadder.

Music and Opening Titles

The show's opening music is a minuet (a type of dance music). It's played on a harpsichord, oboe, and cello. While the music plays, the camera shows close-ups of Blackadder looking through a bookcase. The show's title and the names of the people who made it appear on the spines of the books. Each book looks different to match a character. For example, Baldrick's book looks plain and old.

Other funny book titles appear, like From Black Death to Blackadder and The Blackobite Rebellion of 1745. There's also The Encyclopædia Blackaddica. Inside a hollow book, Blackadder finds a romance novel. This book has the title of that episode on its cover. The closing credits look like a theatre programme from a play in the Regency era. The closing music uses an accordion and sounds like the main theme.

Awards and Recognition

Blackadder the Third won a BAFTA award for Best Comedy Series in 1988. It was also nominated for three other awards. Rowan Atkinson was nominated for "Best Light Entertainment Performance." Antony Thorpe was nominated for "Best Design." Victoria Pocock was nominated for "Best Make Up." In 2004, all four Blackadder series were voted second in the BBC's Britain's Best Sitcom poll.

How to Watch Blackadder the Third

Blackadder The Third is available on BBC Worldwide-distributed DVD and VHS video. You can buy it as a single series or as part of a box-set with the other Blackadder series. There's also an audio version from BBC Radio Collection on cassette and CD. All four seasons and the Christmas special can be found on iTunes.

DVD Releases