Each week, we will be taking an in depth look at some of the best sitcoms and comedy shows from both the UK and the USA.

This week we will be looking at a show that was such a big hit that it took the UK by sort, and is still going strong today as an animated series Mr Bean

Opening Titles / Theme Tune

The title music “Ecce homo” (“Behold the man”), like many TV themes by Howard Goodall, was originally written as a serious piece of church choral music. New lyrics (in Latin) were written for “Mr. Bean”: “Ecce homo qui est faba. Vale homo qui est faba” (“Behold the man who is a bean. Farewell the man who is a bean”).

About the Show

Summary of Plot

Life is difficult challenge for Mr Bean, who despite being a grown adult, has trouble completing even the simplest of tasks. Thankfully his perseverance is usually rewarded, and he finds an ingenious was around the problem – IMDB

Number of Seasons / Episodes

15 episodes

Characters:

Rowan Atkinson – Mr Bean

Teddy – Teddy

Matilda Zielger- Mr Beans girlfriend

Trivia

+ The blue vehicle (whose occupant’s identity is never revealed) that Mr. Bean encounters and causes to get into accidents in some episodes is a light blue Reliant Regal Supervan III. This model has a history of being highly unstable and easily tipped.

+ The original proposed name for the character was Mr. White. Names of vegetables were next, including Mr. Cauliflower, ending with the choice of Mr. Bean.

+ The show has been sold in over 245 territories worldwide.

+ Rowan Atkinson has a stutter which requires him to stress very carefully when saying words beginning with “B.” This explains the odd way that Bean pronounces his own name.

Classic Clips

The Hairdresser

Judo Class

Asleep in Church 

On the train