I also thought their idea of doing one set in the 1960s showed some promise. Especially if they leaned into the whole "Carry On" style of humor from that period. A shame it never happened. On another note, we all know the S in S. Baldrick stands for "Sod-Off"
@@cageygutman7027 no it's not. Stealing an act or stealing material is someone directly taking someone else joke, and telling it as their own. This is an impression. At no stage do Paul and Harry act like the original joke is theirs.
It's easy to parody something that is patently crap. But to successfully parody something that is already a work of comedic genius takes immense talent
@@themadplotter'Tory' comedy?!!! Written by Ben Elton and Richard Curtis?!!! The staunch supporters of Labour and all their Anti British, paedo enabling far Left insanity? Yeah, alright mate! You obviously have no idea regarding politics so I'd avoid bringing it up if I were you.
While it's only one word, that POOEY! is a perfect copy executed with total accuracy. If they didn't show the actress we'd have thought Miranda Richardson was playing herself here
This parody is brilliant - from the perfect impression of Stephen Fry's Melchett, the eye twitch of Captain Darling and the delivery of Blackadder's derisory comments :L
@@Bob3D2000 Everything mentioned (Edward VIII, Baldwin, invasion of the Rheinland) takes place in 1936, around the time when the interwar period ends and the proper build up to WWII starts.
If there's a more versatile actor than Paul Whitehouse, I can't name them. He's not just the greatest comic actor of his generation, he's an outright great actor.
@@buddhistsympathizer1136 I think they meant the guy at 2:00 (I know that time code starts with a half second of Kevin Eldon but the first guy to speak after it)
@@gregtaylor6146 nope, that’s me. Popped him out like a ping pong ball, I did. Was going for the distance world record, but that bloody umbilical cord acted like a bungee.
I dunno ... it's quite ironic taking the p!ss out of something that takes the p!ss - that's pretty ironic for starters. Then there's layers of comic genius here - the originals and the pretenders. Then there's the irony that a WW2 Black Adder is probably the best series never made. Then there's Paul Whitehouse turning up on a sketch that parodies comedy catchphrases (among other things) whilst being the British comedian probably most associated with catchphrase comedy (The Fast Show). Then there's the whole thing about the BBC taking its comedy too seriously when the BBC's best comedy creations have consistently done the opposite. I dunno, that's quite a lot of irony and quite a few layers I'd say.
@@edwardspencer-small7021 It's just that "icon" and "genius" are over-used cliches, nowadays. In reality, I think they're fairly creative people who had the opportunity to put their comedy on TV. I think a significant minority of the UK population could do as good or better than them, if they were given the opportunity. And, I don't think they would refer to themselves as a "genius", respectively, either.
This is so good that in my mind it's morphed into an actual Blackadder programme/series... when I think of Blackadder I'm as likely to think of this sketch as any of the actual programmes! Enfield's Blackadder is outstanding and his Melchett is even better.
I needed to watch this twice. I was too stunned to appreciate the humour on the first viewing! Not only are the impressions perfect, but it's an ideal pitch for a fifth Blackadder series. Edward VIII (Hugh), being totally swept up by Wallis (Miranda) and utterly perplexed that anyone is worried about 'that Adolf chap'. Stephen could play a Melchett-like figure who appeases Edward to his face, but plots behind his back to make sure Edward doesn't collapse the Monarchy and/or send state secrets to Hitler. Tommy Lascelles would be a good historical equivalent there. Blackadder and Baldric, of course, are the poor palace staff who have to keep Edward happy and carry out Tommy's orders, often failing to do both. It just works so well.
Isn't it just that, after all? (Nah, it's not. It's good. But I love that Harry and Paul clearly hate it and all its accolades just like with Gervais and The Office.)
@@Fyrdman Agreed, mate. It's nowhere near as unfunny as the "public schoolboy humour" of Monty Python (which I've never understood for a second), but it's a cousin at the very least.
I never liked Harry Enfield's style of comedy or his shows back in the day when I was younger, I found it very subtle. But looking at this I can see now his genius, a very talented man ... it only took around 35 years to see it !!
Just brilliant, and the sad thing is there isn't anything like this comedy now on tv. We were lucky having the likes Harry and Paul, Smith and Jones, French and Saunders, Not the Nine o'clock news but it seems we don't have anyone that can do these comedy shows anymore.
Some people don't understand Harry Enfield. He has a lot of respect for a great many comedians and actors. Taking the piss out of them is his way of showing it.
Irony can also parody irony in reality. Since Baldrick - Sir Tony Robinson is a Knight of the Realm, whereas sadly Blackadder - Rowan Atkinson is not. 🤣
Tony Robinson was a New Labour creep through and through, I'm guessing that had a lot to do with it. Rowan Atkinson never expressed much support for any political party.
The whole special seems very mean-spirited. It kind of undercuts how brilliant a job they're doing capturing the essence of the actors. His Rowan Atkinson is weirdly spot on.
There had been plans to take blackadder thru the 2nd ww and finish in the 1960s ( think of the fun they cud have had there ) but decided to call it a halt after the final episode of blackadder goes forth as they thought it couldnt be beaten, What l always wondered was how did blackadder have any kods, he always got frustrated before getting sex and then always got killed off so where did his prgeny come from 😂
I thought a Blackadder set in the 1960s, with Edmund as a pop manager and Tony Robinson as a follically challenged drummer called - wait for it - Bald Rick, would be a good idea. I later found out they actually considered it, exactly the same concept . . . wish they'd done it.
God I wish there had been a blackadder series set in 1936, simply for Prime Minister Stanley Baldrick alone, that joke is priceless
I also thought their idea of doing one set in the 1960s showed some promise. Especially if they leaned into the whole "Carry On" style of humor from that period. A shame it never happened.
On another note, we all know the S in S. Baldrick stands for "Sod-Off"
Being able to parody what is already a parody is pretty rare
they failed
"Being able to parody what is already a parody is pretty rare" Yes. This is splendid.
Also known as stealing another comic's act.
@@cageygutman7027 Why do you believe that?
@@cageygutman7027 no it's not. Stealing an act or stealing material is someone directly taking someone else joke, and telling it as their own.
This is an impression. At no stage do Paul and Harry act like the original joke is theirs.
It's easy to parody something that is patently crap. But to successfully parody something that is already a work of comedic genius takes immense talent
Unfortunately The "Parody" isn't Funny
Yeah, I'm not sure that's what is going on here.
Blackadder is just tory comedy with noises, same as mr bean
@@themadplotter'Tory' comedy?!!! Written by Ben Elton and Richard Curtis?!!! The staunch supporters of Labour and all their Anti British, paedo enabling far Left insanity?
Yeah, alright mate! You obviously have no idea regarding politics so I'd avoid bringing it up if I were you.
@@themadplotter Made by infamous Tory Ben Elton
Comedy's an incredibly serious business. Anyone who tells you otherwise simply isn't taking it seriously enough.
Dave Chappelle's latest special? 0%
good for you that we meaning me and you can share - fact- that we do not have so called sense of humour only humus and potatoes
The Stephen Fry impression is impeccable.
+jaxxstraw Brilliant.
*GENTLEMEN'S DIARRHEA*
You mean…. That wasn’t actually Stephen Fry?
It's ok. All of Harry's mimicry happens in his throat.
bbbaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh !
The impression of Atkinson reading the school register at the start was also spot on!
I was surprised they did that, a relatively unknown piece of comedy.
The impression of Miranda Richardson’s ‘pooey’ was superb
While it's only one word, that POOEY! is a perfect copy executed with total accuracy. If they didn't show the actress we'd have thought Miranda Richardson was playing herself here
Glad im not the only one, it's actually admirable how skillfully accurate she got it
It's Rosie Cavalero a criminally underrated comedic actor/actress (whatever Rosie would prefer!)
Especially as Wallis Simpson is expecting to become "Queenie" in this scene! 😂
This parody is brilliant - from the perfect impression of Stephen Fry's Melchett, the eye twitch of Captain Darling and the delivery of Blackadder's derisory comments :L
I was trying to sort who General Disaster was.
@@kingofthejungle3833 I’m glad you sort it out Darling.
@@kingofthejungle3833 Is it Kevin Eldon
Its a good impression of decent comedians.
@@hankhardigan1104
No; Tim McInnery.
Unironically would have loved for them to make a Blackadder series with this setting.
Absolutely. Seems like it would have been the ideal setting for the fifth installment. First series, start of the war; 1941 when the Americans join.
@@trevorsimmons3811 This was set in WWI not WWII.
@@Bob3D2000 don't think Hitler invaded the Rhineland in WW1.
Wouldn't work
@@Bob3D2000 Everything mentioned (Edward VIII, Baldwin, invasion of the Rheinland) takes place in 1936, around the time when the interwar period ends and the proper build up to WWII starts.
Nailed them all, I hadn't noticed how Baldrick does that 'turn' thing until now
If there's a more versatile actor than Paul Whitehouse, I can't name them. He's not just the greatest comic actor of his generation, he's an outright great actor.
@@george474747 Well said, he's a comedy genius. His characters in the Fast Show are second to none. Same with Mark Williams, he just cracks me up
That 'POOEY' is perfectly done.
Why have I never seen this? Paul Whitehouse as Baldrick? Genius.
Whole show was a gem, well worth looking up.
The guy doing the impression of Hugh Laurie was so good I had to do a double take, oh my word
The brilliant 'Kevin Eldon'
@@buddhistsympathizer1136 I think they meant the guy at 2:00 (I know that time code starts with a half second of Kevin Eldon but the first guy to speak after it)
I thought it was crap, are you the actor's mum?
@@gregtaylor6146 nope, that’s me. Popped him out like a ping pong ball, I did. Was going for the distance world record, but that bloody umbilical cord acted like a bungee.
@@DissociatedWomenIncorporated - well, rather like your supposed offspring, you wasted your time, that act, like this, remains deep doodoo!
There are so many layers of irony to this, and it’s quite incredible
Irony...how so?
@@johnlegrand5127 Leave him alone, he just wants to use "big" words.
I dunno ... it's quite ironic taking the p!ss out of something that takes the p!ss - that's pretty ironic for starters.
Then there's layers of comic genius here - the originals and the pretenders.
Then there's the irony that a WW2 Black Adder is probably the best series never made.
Then there's Paul Whitehouse turning up on a sketch that parodies comedy catchphrases (among other things) whilst being the British comedian probably most associated with catchphrase comedy (The Fast Show).
Then there's the whole thing about the BBC taking its comedy too seriously when the BBC's best comedy creations have consistently done the opposite.
I dunno, that's quite a lot of irony and quite a few layers I'd say.
@@cnrspiller3549How ironic.
Harry Enfield is one of the funniest people in the world and he just keeps getting better! The Harry and Paul series is fucking genius!
It's because he takes his art so seriously.
Agree... His later comedy is his funniest...
The Actor Kevin Eldon bringing his A game. 👍
Harry enfield comic genius. and this stuff has aged nicely like fine wine.
WOW. That John Lloyd impression is perfection.
1:07 I love how "Stephen Fry" says "bum trouseringly good news eh, BLACKADDERRRRR!?!?" The way his voice breaks when he says it is just priceless 😂😂
"BaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
....and I mean that quite sincerely! 🇬🇧🏆
When comedians can make fun of a comedy then you know they are very gifted.
Oh dear. You'll be calling them "genius" and "iconic", next.
@@TheBestPrevail do not really get your meaning?
@@tiberius5245 I was just commenting on how people generally exaggerate entertainers' talent to the point of cliche.
@@TheBestPrevail Harry Enfield is an icon and a genius though.
@@edwardspencer-small7021 It's just that "icon" and "genius" are over-used cliches, nowadays. In reality, I think they're fairly creative people who had the opportunity to put their comedy on TV. I think a significant minority of the UK population could do as good or better than them, if they were given the opportunity. And, I don't think they would refer to themselves as a "genius", respectively, either.
Harry enfeild is an unappreciated national treasure 🤣 loved his work on the viz cartoons lol.
Nobodies talking about the Richard Curtis impression!! Amazing!!
Enfield captures them all so we'll, it's the little touches, comedy gold x
The Old Guard of British comedy is beginning to eat itself.
It's only black and Asian stand up "comedians" now
@@jamesjameson4566 Of course it is, snowflake 🥱
@@jamesjameson4566 ah, "coloured people are replacing white comedians" is it
@@soupalex 2 virtue signallers in 2 minutes 😂
@@jamesjameson4566 what exactly is it that i'm signalling here?
The Stephen Fry is amazing. I wish this skit was 10x longer! (Just waiting for Rowan to say "bob" or "hobnob.")
That Melchett is a hoot and spot on - ‘BLACKADDAIIIIIIR’
Harry’s Jon Lloyd impersonation is spot on! How have I never seen this before!
Harry always "gets" people in general, but that one is amazingly accurate.
Spot on. A very irritating person he is too.
Stephen Fry and Rowan atkinson impressions are pretty amazing.
"bum chums and willy biscuits" rofl
Great that Stephen Fry and Rowan Atkinson agreed to appear in this Documentary.
We need much more Harry and Paul....
Not sure we'll get it though. Shame.
Spot on John Lloyd
"Balderdash and big bugger burps Blackadder!" 🤣
This. On repeat. Forever.
That's how I want to die.
When a comedian parodies you in their sketches you know you've got it made.
I mean, I think the people behind Blackadder had had it made for several decades by this point...
or that you're full of it and not actually very good.
@@jemimallah2591 the best parodies come from a place of admiration.
I think the Blackadder people were doing alright by this point.
This is so good that in my mind it's morphed into an actual Blackadder programme/series... when I think of Blackadder I'm as likely to think of this sketch as any of the actual programmes! Enfield's Blackadder is outstanding and his Melchett is even better.
I needed to watch this twice. I was too stunned to appreciate the humour on the first viewing!
Not only are the impressions perfect, but it's an ideal pitch for a fifth Blackadder series. Edward VIII (Hugh), being totally swept up by Wallis (Miranda) and utterly perplexed that anyone is worried about 'that Adolf chap'.
Stephen could play a Melchett-like figure who appeases Edward to his face, but plots behind his back to make sure Edward doesn't collapse the Monarchy and/or send state secrets to Hitler. Tommy Lascelles would be a good historical equivalent there.
Blackadder and Baldric, of course, are the poor palace staff who have to keep Edward happy and carry out Tommy's orders, often failing to do both. It just works so well.
Paul Whitehouse does a very good Baldrick.
Conway79 it's lance. That is all.
@@iggypopshot the only reply to that is 'Is that wot you want, Baldrick, cos that's wot'll happen'
Would love to see a new Blackadder series like this
Man they do that well. Absolutely spot on.
0:08 when I saw that shot for the first time I practically leapt for joy. I cannot stand that infernal sketch.
Yes, how on earth that was ever construed as "funny" I will never know.
Which sketch is it?
One where he's a schoolmaster reading out silly names.
It's like a condensed version of the comedy I love.
That "Story of the Twos" special is the funniest hour of TV I've ever seen
Parodying comedy is one of the hardest things to do in entertainment . This is exceptional.
Exactly my thoughts, the double-satire dialogue is amazing.
You should look up the Two Ninnies.
You know this is good because it makes you briefly think Blackadder really might be just silly accents, naughty words and childish puns. Hmmmmm...?
Isn't it just that, after all?
(Nah, it's not. It's good. But I love that Harry and Paul clearly hate it and all its accolades just like with Gervais and The Office.)
@@Fyrdman Agreed, mate. It's nowhere near as unfunny as the "public schoolboy humour" of Monty Python (which I've never understood for a second), but it's a cousin at the very least.
@@michaelpalmer5351 Although the ending of Blackadder Goes Forth was one of the best, saddest endings to any series, ever.
@@michaelpalmer5351 Both shows filled with people we now know (if we didn't then) to be fucking dreadful. (Maybe Atkinson aside).
Ben Elton was involved so it would have to be.
Kevin Eldon's take on Captain Darling is sublime!
I never liked Harry Enfield's style of comedy or his shows back in the day when I was younger, I found it very subtle. But looking at this I can see now his genius, a very talented man ... it only took around 35 years to see it !!
You found Harry Enfield subtle? Is this sarcasm?
Bloody ell. Harry enflield subtle. Theres a first
Goes to prove the adage, better late then never.
I bet my bottom britches that Rowan and the cast and crew would love this! xD
Just brilliant, and the sad thing is there isn't anything like this comedy now on tv. We were lucky having the likes Harry and Paul, Smith and Jones, French and Saunders, Not the Nine o'clock news but it seems we don't have anyone that can do these comedy shows anymore.
This would actually make a great episode of blackadder.
BlackaddEAAAH!
C'mon people, let's have this as a series then, that would be a cunning plan, better than spitting image 👍🥃🥳
Some people don't understand Harry Enfield. He has a lot of respect for a great many comedians and actors. Taking the piss out of them is his way of showing it.
Sounds an awful lot like they actually did get Hugh Laurie to voice King Edward VIII.
It definitely sounds like Hugh Laurie being dubbed in.
Harry and Paul The comedians comedians❤️😂
General Disaster's tic lol.
ozmond2600 'tic'
Thanks to this sketch I now want a season of Yes Prime Minister starring Stanley Baldrick
A Blackadder series where he’s Edward VIII’s butler during the abdication would have been amazing
His Lord Melchett impression is amazing
GENERAL Melchett
Absolutely wonderful and totally super.
Irony can also parody irony in reality. Since Baldrick - Sir Tony Robinson is a Knight of the Realm, whereas sadly Blackadder - Rowan Atkinson is not. 🤣
Tony Robinson was a New Labour creep through and through, I'm guessing that had a lot to do with it. Rowan Atkinson never expressed much support for any political party.
@@thelawenforcerhd9654 They're both left-wing anti-White loonies.
This is bloody exquisite!!
Kevin Eldon steals the show yet again
Ooooh Pardon?
that Hugh Laurie character was obviously dubbed
LOL @ the facial expressions of Darling.
The best impression on here is Jon Lloyd
I love Kevin Eldon so much 😆🤣
Does he voice Speccy in Angry Kid? 😂
Enfield and whitehouse are absolute legends. As well as Atkinson
Enfield’s Melchett is better than Fry’s. They should do a remake 😂
Brilliant. The whole thing.
The one line that keeps running through my mind when I watch these --
"It's a fair cop"
Very funny but it seems so bitter too.
The whole special seems very mean-spirited. It kind of undercuts how brilliant a job they're doing capturing the essence of the actors. His Rowan Atkinson is weirdly spot on.
An excellent piece of oneupmanship
An excellent piece of oneupmanship
There's nothing like a good impression of the cast of Blackadder....
And that was nothing like a good impression of the cast of Blackadder!!
oh! has it upset you? you tool
“Botty boiled baaastarddd!!” 😂
Omg this is great up there with the Two Ninnies
This is so good it makes me wish I didn't like Blackadder
Enfield and co probably do like Blackadder - doesn't mean they can't send it up.
The idea of a pre WWII Blackadder is actually pretty good.
There had been plans to take blackadder thru the 2nd ww and finish in the 1960s ( think of the fun they cud have had there ) but decided to call it a halt after the final episode of blackadder goes forth as they thought it couldnt be beaten,
What l always wondered was how did blackadder have any kods, he always got frustrated before getting sex and then always got killed off so where did his prgeny come from 😂
Rowan Atkinson may genuinely be the most serious man in comedy. And definitely one of the most funny.
* Also *.
Blooming marvellous 😂❤
I really wish this was a real series of Blackadder.
"It is hard work, and great art, to make life not so serious." -John Irving (The Hotel New Hampshire.)
At 1:09 he says "Blackadder" even more Melchettly than Stephen Fry.
Stephen, of course, invented adult humour.
The first time I saw this I thought he said "Stephen, of course, invented Adolf Hitler."
@@alexlee2237 that too.
I thought a Blackadder set in the 1960s, with Edmund as a pop manager and Tony Robinson as a follically challenged drummer called - wait for it - Bald Rick, would be a good idea.
I later found out they actually considered it, exactly the same concept . . . wish they'd done it.
So long as it gets laughs, it's all good!
🤣
That pretty much sums up Blackadders
I bought a waste paper basket yesterday and all I could think of was this sketch
The Captain Darling is great
Did you know that Fry is so clever he doesn’t need to wear the glasses at 3D cinemas...
OH, MY, GOD. That was funny.
Blackadder is funny.
Wow! Spot on!
The impressions are spot on 👍
That is so brilliant.
Nothing like Enfield and Whitehouse to deflate some self important comic egos 😂
Brilliant parody of Blackadder. I wonder what Rowan Atkinson thought of this sketch?
This did not last long enough!!!! :D
Spot on.