The Big Night In

This Episode: 2020 Comic Relief Segment
Black Adder Overall: Special 5
Airdate: 23 Apr 2020
Written by ???
Directed by ???

Notes

• This was not a proper Black Adder episode or special, it was a segment as a larger comedy special produced during Covid-19.  As such, it’s not got any of the usual Blackadder trappings (theme music, Rowan Atkinson, etc).  It is also only 5 minutes long.
• The only actual actor from Blackadder to appear is Stephen Fry (as Lord Melchett Head of the Royal Household, Melchett Manor).
• The only other person to appear besides Fry (in the segment portion) is the real life Prince William Duke of Cambridge.
• It is not known who wrote or directed this – but given Stephen Fry is the only person who appears in it, it is entirely possible he wrote and directed it.  If I had to guess, Rowan Atkinson might have had something to do with it, but that’s pure speculation – I have no facts on this one way or the other.
• Melchett says “I can spell most words from ‘cat’ to ‘contrafibularities”.  That is a reference to the Series III episode “Ink and Incapability“.
• There is a photo shown of General Melchett & Lt George – in universe as “his Grandfather from World War I”.  In reality it was a promo photo from Black Adder Goes Forth.  It is in colour, where if it was a real photo from WWI, it would have been in black and white.
• Baldrick’s turnip obsession is referenced here.
• It is said that “Lord Blackadder” is in the house quarantined with him (a reference to covid-19 which was then current). This version of Blackadder is said to be the grandson of the version from Black Adder Goes Forth, but he is not seen.

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