Happy Birthday Mr Bean
Rowan Atkinson celebrates three decades of his classic comedy character Mr Bean…
SUN 10 Jan, 8pm ITV Factual
Mr Bean fans are in for a real treat as Rowan Atkinson celebrates 30 years of his hapless comedy character with classic clips and interviews with some of the show’s other key creators. We also get to find out exactly why Mr Bean has gone on to become a global superstar with an animated spin-off, two feature films, a London 2012 Olympics appearance and more than 110 million online fans.
There’s a treat for fans of Mr Bean this week as Rowan Atkinson returns in an ITV documentary that celebrates 30 years of the hapless comedy hero.
Rowan first played Mr Bean on
TV in 1990, having developed the oddball ‘silent’ character while studying for a master’s degree at the University of Oxford – and Mr Bean was almost called Mr Cauliflower!
But despite only 15 episodes ever being made, the ITV comedy has since been sold to 245 territories worldwide and has produced an animated spin-off, two movies and Rowan’s memorable live Chariots of Fire performance as a bemused Mr Bean in the orchestra at the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony.
‘I always believed Mr Bean had a very good chance of being successful and having longevity,’ says Rowan. ‘Partly because the comedy is mainly visual, and partly because Mr Bean is essentially a child in a man’s body. Childish, anarchic behaviour will always be funny.’
The documentary makes nostalgic viewing, with classic clips and interviews with many of the other key creators involved in the show. We also get to find out exactly how Mr Bean has gone on to become a global superstar with more than 110 million online fans.
Despite Mr Bean’s extraordinary success, Rowan, who rates
Merry Christmas Mr Bean as his favourite ever episode, admits he didn’t actually enjoy making the comedy and doubts there will ever be a new series.
‘I’m sorry to say that I find all filming stressful, but Mr Bean filming especially so, because of the burden of responsibility I feel to make it funny,’ he explains. ‘There does come a point when you feel as though you’ve done all you want to do with him.
I doubt he’ll reappear. But you must never say never!’
Global superstar