Bean There, Done That | The Story of Mr. Bean | A Docu-Mini

Summary

The video script narrates the iconic journey of Mr. Bean, a character masterfully portrayed by Rowan Atkinson. From his first appearance in 1990 to becoming a global phenomenon, Mr. Bean's silent, physical comedy has transcended cultures. The character was inspired by silent film comics and evolved through collaborations with Richard Curtis and Robin Driscoll. The narrative covers Mr. Bean's TV series, feature films, animated spin-off, and his recent presence on social media, reflecting Atkinson's talent in making the world laugh without uttering a word.

Takeaways

• 😄 Mr. Bean, portrayed by Rowan Atkinson, first appeared in 1990 and became an international comedy sensation known for its non-verbal physical humor.
• 🎨 The character was inspired by silent film clowns and specifically by Jacques Tati's Hulot and Peter Sellers' roles, emphasizing physical comedy over dialogue.
• 🤝 Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis formed a partnership at Oxford University, which led to the creation of 'Black Adder' and later, Mr. Bean.
• 📺 The first episode of 'Mr. Bean' aired on January 1st, 1990, and was an instant hit, watched by over 13 million people, leading to more episodes and a long-running series.
• 🚗 Iconic elements of Mr. Bean include his lime green Mini Cooper, his teddy bear named Teddy, and his girlfriend Irma Gobb, adding depth to the character's world.
• 🎵 Howard Goodall composed the music for the TV series, contributing to the show's unique atmosphere.
• 🎬 Mr. Bean's success led to two feature films, 'Bean' and 'Mr. Bean's Holiday,' which expanded the character's reach and introduced him to new audiences.
• 📹 An animated spin-off of Mr. Bean began in 2002, with Rowan Atkinson voicing the character and providing physical inspiration for the animation.
• 🎉 Mr. Bean has made appearances in commercials and cameos, demonstrating the character's enduring popularity and adaptability.
• 🌐 The character has a significant online presence with a large following on social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube.
• 🔄 Despite Rowan Atkinson's occasional breaks from the character, Mr. Bean remains a beloved figure, with Atkinson expressing openness to return for an animated movie in the future.

Q & A

Who is the main character portrayed by Rowan Atkinson in the comedy series discussed in the script?

The main character portrayed by Rowan Atkinson is Mr. Bean.

When did the character of Mr. Bean first appear on British television?

The character of Mr. Bean first appeared on British television in 1990.

What type of comedy is Mr. Bean known for, according to the script?

Mr. Bean is known for non-verbal physical comedy.

Which two comics had a direct influence on the creation of Mr. Bean's character?

Jacques Tati and Peter Sellers had a direct influence on the creation of Mr. Bean's character.

What was the name of the character introduced by Jacques Tati that influenced Mr. Bean?

The character introduced by Jacques Tati that influenced Mr. Bean was Hulot.

How did Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis meet and start their partnership?

Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis met at a comedy writers group advertisement at Oxford University and formed a partnership due to their similar comedy sensibilities.

What was the first name considered for the character Mr. Bean before settling on the final name?

The first name considered for the character was Mr. White before they moved on to vegetable names and eventually settled on Mr. Bean.

Who was brought on board to help develop more stories for Mr. Bean after the demand for more episodes became clear?

Comedy writer Robin Driscoll was brought on board to help develop more stories for Mr. Bean.

What is the name of the character's teddy bear in the Mr. Bean series?

The teddy bear's name in the Mr. Bean series is Teddy.

What was the title of the first feature film adapted from the Mr. Bean character?

The first feature film adapted from the Mr. Bean character was titled 'Bean'.

What was the concept behind the second Mr. Bean movie, and how does it differ from the first?

The concept behind the second Mr. Bean movie was Mr. Bean winning a holiday to France, titled 'Mr. Bean's Holiday'. It differs from the first movie by relying more on comedy scenarios rather than a subplot involving new characters.

What was the animated spin-off of the Mr. Bean series, and how did Rowan Atkinson contribute to it?

The animated spin-off of the Mr. Bean series was aired from 2002, and Rowan Atkinson contributed by voicing the character and acting out bits physically for the animators.

What significant event did Rowan Atkinson perform as Mr. Bean during the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony?

Rowan Atkinson performed as Mr. Bean during the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, but he was not playing the exact same character.

What is the title of the Facebook video series that features Mr. Bean in how-to videos?

The title of the Facebook video series featuring Mr. Bean in how-to videos is 'Handy Bean'.

What is the current status of the Mr. Bean character according to Rowan Atkinson's statements in the script?

According to Rowan Atkinson's statements, he will probably retire the live-action portrayal of Mr. Bean but may return for a new animated movie.

Outlines

00:00

😀 The Rise of Mr. Bean

The paragraph introduces Mr. Bean, a character portrayed by Rowan Atkinson, who first appeared on British television in 1990 and became an international sensation. The character's enduring appeal is attributed to its non-verbal physical comedy and the creative minds behind it. Lesser-known aspects of Mr. Bean's history, such as an animated series, adverts, and cameo appearances, are mentioned. The video promises to explore the character's history, from its creation to its current status as a social media star, and to delve into the influences and inspirations behind Mr. Bean, including Jacques Tati's Hulot character and Peter Sellers' performances.

05:17

📺 Mr. Bean's Television Success

This paragraph discusses the creation and success of the Mr. Bean television series. The show was developed by Rowan Atkinson, Richard Curtis, and Ben Elton, and it premiered on January 1st, 1990, to an audience of over 13 million viewers. The writing team, including Robin Driscoll, contributed to the show's unique dynamic and humor. The series became known for its memorable elements like Mr. Bean's green Mini Cooper and his teddy bear, Teddy. The paragraph also highlights the show's ability to adapt to different settings and introduce new characters, keeping the series fresh and entertaining. The importance of the supporting cast and the use of a laugh track are also mentioned, along with Atkinson's approach to playing Mr. Bean as a nine-year-old child.

10:18

🎥 Mr. Bean's Transition to Film

The paragraph covers the transition of Mr. Bean from television to film. After the success of the TV series, Atkinson, Curtis, and Driscoll were approached to adapt the character for a feature film. The first movie, titled 'Bean,' was released in 1997 and focused on Mr. Bean causing chaos in an American family's life. The film was well-received and led to further commercial success for the character. The paragraph also mentions Mr. Bean's appearances in commercials for Fujifilm and the anticipation for a second film, which eventually became 'Mr. Bean's Holiday' in 2007, after an initial concept for a film set in Australia was not realized.

15:18

🎭 Animated Adventures and Live-Action Returns

This paragraph details the creation of an animated spin-off of Mr. Bean, which began airing in 2002 and continued until 2004, with new episodes released in 2014. The show expanded the Mr. Bean universe and introduced new characters. Atkinson not only voiced the character but also physically acted out scenes for the animators. The animated series was successful and led to new merchandise and appearances. The paragraph also discusses Atkinson's return to live-action portrayals of Mr. Bean in various sketches and commercials, including a series of Snickers adverts and a Comic Relief sketch, suggesting that Mr. Bean might be making a more substantial comeback.

20:22

📲 Mr. Bean's Digital Presence and Future

The final paragraph discusses the character's presence on social media, with a Facebook page and a YouTube channel boasting millions of followers and subscribers. It mentions the 'Handy Bean' series of Facebook videos, which show Mr. Bean in how-to videos. The paragraph reflects on the 30th anniversary of Mr. Bean and Atkinson's statement about potentially retiring the live-action portrayal of the character but possibly returning for an animated movie. The video concludes by acknowledging the character's impact on global humor and the desire for more content, suggesting a potential new series of sketches or a streaming show as a fitting medium for future Mr. Bean content.

Keywords

💡Mr. Bean

Mr. Bean is a fictional character portrayed by Rowan Atkinson, known for his silent comedy and iconic physical humor. The character first appeared in 1990 and has since become an international sensation. In the video, Mr. Bean's evolution from a British television character to a global phenomenon is explored, highlighting his enduring appeal through non-verbal comedy.

💡Rowan Atkinson

Rowan Atkinson is a British actor and comedian renowned for his portrayal of Mr. Bean. His ability to convey humor without dialogue is a central theme of the video, showcasing his talent in physical comedy. The script mentions Atkinson's creative process and his inspirations, such as Jacques Tati and Peter Sellers.

💡Non-verbal physical comedy

Non-verbal physical comedy is a form of humor that relies on body movements and facial expressions rather than dialogue. Mr. Bean's comedy is primarily based on this concept, as illustrated by his silent antics and the character's global appeal, which transcends language barriers.

💡Inspirations

The video discusses the influences that shaped the character of Mr. Bean, including Jacques Tati's Hulot character and Peter Sellers' roles in 'The Party' and 'The Pink Panther' films. These inspirations are crucial to understanding the development of Mr. Bean's comedic style.

💡Richard Curtis

Richard Curtis is a British writer and producer who partnered with Rowan Atkinson to create 'Black Adder' and later, the Mr. Bean series. His role in the creative process is highlighted in the script, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the character's development.

💡Sitcom

Sitcom, short for 'situational comedy,' is a genre of comedy centered around a fixed set of characters in a domestic or workplace setting. The Mr. Bean series is an example of a sitcom, with episodes featuring the character in various everyday situations that provide comedic scenarios.

💡Teddy

Teddy is Mr. Bean's beloved stuffed bear and one of the few recurring characters in the series. The bear serves as a symbol of Mr. Bean's quirky personality and is a staple in the show, representing the character's idiosyncrasies.

💡Feature films

The video mentions two feature films starring Mr. Bean, which expanded the character's reach beyond television. These films, 'Bean' and 'Mr. Bean's Holiday,' are significant as they adapted the character's silent comedy style to a longer narrative format.

💡Animated series

An animated spin-off of Mr. Bean was created in 2002, with Rowan Atkinson voicing the character. This series introduced new dimensions to the Mr. Bean universe and demonstrated the character's adaptability to different formats, attracting a new audience.

💡Social media

The video discusses Mr. Bean's presence on social media, particularly Facebook and YouTube, where the character continues to entertain audiences with new content. This highlights the character's ongoing relevance and adaptability to modern platforms.

💡Handy Bean

Handy Bean is a series of Facebook videos featuring Mr. Bean in how-to videos. Although the character's live-action portrayal may be retired, these videos showcase Mr. Bean's continued presence in digital media, offering a new way for fans to engage with the character.

Highlights

Mr. Bean, portrayed by Rowan Atkinson, became an international sensation after first appearing in 1990.

The character's enduring appeal is attributed to creative forces and non-verbal physical comedy.

Mr. Bean was inspired by silent clowns and characters like Jacques Tati's Hulot and Peter Sellers' roles.

Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis formed a partnership that contributed to Mr. Bean's development.

Mr. Bean's character was initially undefined but evolved through university stage performances.

The character's name, Mr. Bean, was chosen after considering various color and vegetable names.

ITV sought a 30-minute show, and Mr. Bean filled the gap in their schedule, premiering on January 1st, 1990.

Robin Driscoll joined the team to help develop stories for the series.

Howard Goodall composed the music for the TV series, contributing to its unique atmosphere.

Mr. Bean's iconic lime green Mini Cooper and Teddy bear became staples of the series.

The show maintained freshness by introducing new characters and settings.

A laugh track was added in post-production, though it did not enhance the physical comedy.

Rowan Atkinson played Mr. Bean as if he were a nine-year-old child, endearing him to audiences.

14 episodes were produced over a five-year period, reflecting a non-traditional sitcom production approach.

Mr. Bean's silent nature allowed the show to be sold worldwide, gaining international acclaim.

The character appeared in sketches on Comic Relief and later in feature films.

The first Mr. Bean movie, titled 'Bean', was filmed in 1996 and focused on Mr. Bean causing chaos in an American family's life.

Mr. Bean appeared in commercials for Fujifilm and MM's, expanding the character's reach.

An animated spin-off of Mr. Bean began airing in 2002, introducing new characters and scenarios.

Rowan Atkinson returned as Mr. Bean for live-action appearances in 2007's 'Mr. Bean's Holiday' and later advertisements.

Mr. Bean's 30th anniversary was celebrated with Rowan Atkinson hinting at retiring the live-action character but possibly returning for an animated movie.

The character's success is a testament to the universality of humor and the talent of Rowan Atkinson.

Transcripts

[Music]

one of the biggest success stories in

comedy has been the story of mr bean

the character portrayed by rowan

atkinson

first hit british airwaves in 1990

and in the years that followed the

character would become an international

sensation

part of the enduring fandom all over the

world stems from the creative forces

behind the character

but also the non-verbal physical comedy

at mr bean's core

while most are familiar with the classic

sketches that cemented the character's

legacy

as well as the two feature films that

followed there are other chapters in mr

bean's story

which are lesser known including not

only an animated tv series

but also adverts and cameo appearances

over the years

[Applause]

in this video i will explore the entire

history of the character

from his inception and design to his

present day status

as a social media star i will also look

into the minds of the men behind the

character and the man

in front rowan atkinson

[Music]

this is the story of a man who makes the

whole world laugh

without uttering a single word the story

of mr bean

in order to discuss mr bean we first

have to look at the characters that

inspired him

while the silent clowns of the golden

age undoubtedly influenced the character

it was two comics in particular that had

a much more direct hand in the molding

of mr bean

jacques tati

tati familiar to audiences as his muncia

hulo character

was a huge influence on atkinson's

characterization of mr bean

yulo much like bean is clumsy and naive

of the world around him

he also sports a distinguished outfit

inspired by the styles of keaton and

chaplin

the character of hulo was introduced in

monsieur hulo's holiday

in 1953 which would serve as an

inspiration for mr bean's holiday

54 years later it just struck a chord

with me i so admired it it was a

kind of an uncompromising comic attitude

and

setting that up that i really admired

the next major inspiration on mr bean's

style

was peter sellers particularly his

performance as the bumbling actor in the

party

[Applause]

as well as inspector clouseau in the

pink panther films

once again in these famous characters

peter sellers mostly found laughs

through their physical comedy

and much like mr bean they wore a

trademark outfit

while at oxford university rowan saw an

advert for a comedy writers group

it was at that group that he met writer

richard curtis

the two had similar comedy sensibilities

and formed a partnership

with richard often acting as the

straight man to rowan's zany stage

characters

and so there are many different kinds of

king the

benign king

[Music]

the benign king with a physical defect

in these early sketches it's very clear

that the mr bean character is there

just not yet fully defined first crucial

step

is having arranged to pick up your date

not to look like a complete idiot when

she opens the door

richard and rowan would go on to create

black adder together

which would become one of the most

influential british sitcoms

of all time

when the fourth series of black adder

had completed

rowan and richard returned their focus

to this odd silent character

that they had performed on stage at

university and began to develop

a comedy vehicle for him

when tasked to give this character a

name the two began to cycle through the

names of different colors at first

almost settling on mr white they then

moved on to vegetables

as they found those names to be more

comical

while mr cauliflower was considered they

eventually settled

on mr bean

at the time itv was looking for a

30-minute show

that could fill a gap in their schedule

and mr bean just so happened to fit the

bill

the first episode broadcast on january

1st

1990 was written by atkinson curtis

and ben elton it was viewed by over 13

million people that night

when the demand for more episodes became

clear comedy writer robin driscoll

was brought on board to help flush out

stories

rowan and i did the obvious ones we got

the low-hanging fruit

and what was brilliant about robin is

that he's just

kept as it were squeezing the lemon

finding new things

finding different ways

[Laughter]

the dynamic between these three provided

instant comic chemistry

no no no no no no i'm driving

richard curtis would often think of the

scenarios

rowan would then find even more ways to

mine comedy out of those scenarios

while robin driscoll would help flesh

out the world and the characters around

being

another essential member of mr bean's

creative team

was howard goodall who composed the

music for the tv series

[Music]

as time went on staples began to appear

in the series

such as mr bean's lime green mini cooper

or his seemingly only friend a teddy

bear named appropriately

[Music]

teddy

[Laughter]

he was soon given a girlfriend named

irma gobb

and an arch-nemesis in the form of a

faceless driver of a blue car

[Music]

by constantly changing the setting and

adding new characters

the writing team was able to keep the

series staying fresh

sending mr bean on a variety of

different adventures

including vacations

amusement parks back to school

and even the dentist finding incredibly

powerful comedy situations in everyday

mundane scenarios

and as much as rowan shines in his solo

scenes

he is always aided by an amazing

supporting cast

that knew how to draw out the comedy and

make his antics even more enjoyable

by their reactions

[Music]

as was standard for most sitcoms at the

time a laugh track was added in post

while i don't think this takes away from

the series it definitely doesn't add to

it

for instance here's a mr bean bit that i

re-edited

to reflect more of a silent movie feel

the physical comedy still comes through

even without hardly any sound

rowan always believed that the key to

playing mr bean was playing him as if he

were a nine-year-old child

as audiences found empathy in children

whenever we

try to think of mr bean and how he will

react or would react in certain

situations that were thinking of

putting him in i i always imagined him

as a nine-year-old boy that's how i

always see him

i also love that mr bean is also kind of

mean-spirited sometimes

but he still comes off as lovable it's a

true testament to the writing and

portrayal of the character

get in the car

while 14 episodes of the series were

produced they were done so over a

five-year period

following a non-traditional approach to

sitcom production

allowing the team to fully develop their

ideas and focus on other projects in

between production

production on these episodes was pretty

non-traditional to begin with

as new material was worked out on set

the day of filming

this new style resonated with audiences

all over the country though

and due to the silent nature of the

character the episodes could in turn be

sold

all over the world where they would find

even more acclaim

[Music]

and audiences all over the world fell in

love with his character

at this time mr bean also appeared in

sketches on comic relief

the final episode of the mr bean show

aired in 1995

followed by a best of compilation

eventually curtis driscoll and atkinson

could no longer ignore offers to adapt

the character to a feature film

this is a great and serious work of art

and dr bean will give the occasion depth

and dignity

while several high concept heist films

were considered

richard curtis kept coming back to the

idea of being wrecking the lives of an

american family

richard curtis felt that this way they

could use the family as a basis for the

movie story

and then interject mr bean into that

story

therefore not giving his character the

sole responsibility

to carry the entire movie no no no no

doc that is not for the tv

the movie which would eventually come to

be titled bean

began filming in 1996.

the story centers around mr bean being

sent to oversee an important art

acquisition

in los angeles what do you think

frame being sent by his co-workers from

london

who are just looking for an excuse to

get rid of him for a few months

here he makes life hell hers american

host

david langley and his family

[Music]

he's a genius right yeah he's he's

eccentric

but yes i find this film to be one of

the most underrated comedies of the 90s

i know some fans of the original series

found this film to be too american in

its style

but i've always loved it rowan is joined

by peter mcnichol in the film

who becomes the perfect straight man to

mr bean

peter's reactions elevate rowan's

performance so much

i love their balance and the friendship

that the characters find in each other

oh jesus oh god oh oh jesus god oh

mary mother of jesus jesus of nazareth

it's a dynamic that i find sorely

missing in the second mr bean movie

being the movie became a smash hit

worldwide

proving that success was just beginning

for mr bean

following the completion of the movie mr

bean would next appear in a series of

commercials for fujifilm

[Music]

traditional color films have only three

emulsion layers

red green and blue but now there's a

fourth layer

for exceptionally vivid colors new

fujifilm

superior as well as one for m m's

hey make way for rambo

now look at this guy

you're gonna need a pretty odd shape

ball to knock those down

oh no wait no

[Applause]

in 2001 itv announced rowan atkinson

would return to voice the character for

an animated spin-off

this series which began airing in 2002

expands on the universe of the original

show with characters such as teddy

armagob and the blue car driver

reappearing

at one point there's even an episode

that seems to confirm the theory that

bean is an alien

say hello

rowan would not only voice the character

he would also act out bits physically

for the animators to get inspiration

the show found a new audience for the

bean character inspiring a new wave of

merchandise

and appearances of the character it

lasted for three seasons of 18 episodes

each

but would later return for new episodes

in 2014

after the huge financial success of the

first mr bean movie

rowan was lured into playing mr bean and

live action for him once again

in 2001 richard curtis wrote a treatment

for a film

titled down under bean which found mr

being now married

and on a disastrous honeymoon in

australia

for whatever reason this idea never

materialized fully

and the movie eventually became french

bean

which later became mr bean's holiday in

2007

which found being winning a holiday to

france

the script was written by hamish mccull

and long time being writer robin

driscoll

this movie returns to the form of the

original show

relying instead on comedy scenarios than

the subplot involving new characters

i'll always prefer the first film

but this film definitely has its moments

you speak very good french glasses

it's fun to see mr bean alone and on his

own in a strange country

but i feel the film lacks that necessary

straight man character

to flesh out the comedy it also ends

with a bizarre musical number

which i always thought was a little out

of place for the character

the film was a huge success in the uk

but failed to find an audience in the us

the word holiday having a different

usage in the states might have had

something to do with it

with most americans using the term

vacation instead

rowan made a comic relief sketch that

year to promote the film

centering around mr bean going to a

wedding delight

and the tenderness of sexual union

which rowan said would be the last

appearance of the character

as he wanted to move on

for a while that seemed to be the case

rowan found new success with the johnny

english films which allowed him to

showcase his physical and verbal skills

yet again

everything in order english i think

you'll find it's rather more than just

in order sir

you're now entering the most secure

location in the whole of england

he would then play a mr bean-like

character during the opening ceremony

for the 2012 london olympics

and he was even credited as mr bean but

it's pretty clear he's not playing the

exact same character

when you watch that sketch

then in 2014 seemingly unannounced

rowan returned as the real mr bean for a

series of pretty fun snickers adverts

sneakers which seemed to open the

possibility

of the character making a more

substantial comeback

[Music]

the following year he made that

substantial comeback

in another comedy sketch for comic

relief which this time had the character

attending a funeral

with the characters seemingly out of

retirement rowan next appeared as bean

in a live bit to celebrate the show's

25th anniversary

in 2015. i can drive past buckingham

palace

goddess i just turn left out of here

recently the character began appearing

in a series of facebook videos titled

handy bean

in which mr bean appears in the opening

of several how-to videos

it's me and then shows the audience how

to make crafts

and cook things it's pretty clear from

watching these videos though

that they shot all of these intro

sequences at once

with the close-ups of mr bean's hands

being a different actor

the facebook page for mr bean had become

so large

with over 86 million likes and with the

mr bean youtube channel

having over 25 million subscribers

and while these videos are fun they

don't really satisfy the need that fans

have

to see this character again

this past year mr bean celebrated its

30th anniversary

and rowan went on the record stating

once again that he'll probably retire

the live-action portrayal of the

character

but will most likely return for a new

animated movie

as an artist i can respect that decision

even if it's hard to accept as a fan

it's clear that the character became a

phenomenon in ways that were never

expected

catapulting the shy comedian to an

instantly recognizable figure

worldwide rowan is a talented comedian

and actor

and i'd love to see him continue to

branch out to other roles

i get how being known as mr bean

everywhere he goes

would probably get annoying and he's

done some incredible work outside of the

mr bean character

that he should also be recognized for

why under these silly masks you'll find

no

craggy faced criminals but beardless

spotty-faced students on a rag stunt

well what are plenty of mature students

at college that probably causes rowan to

get burned out of the character every

few years so i understand his need to

distance himself occasionally

but i'd be lying if i said i didn't want

to see him return

for something that's not a commercial or

facebook video

i would love for richard curtis robin

driscoll and rowan to sit down and maybe

write a new series of sketches

with streaming now being the preferred

form of television

a new mr bean show would fit perfectly

in that medium

with no restrictions on length or

content

but if that never materializes and we

never get to see mr bean in his

live-action form again

i'm at least always glad we have these

other shows and sketches to look back on

watching mr bean proves that humor is

universal

and in an age when comedy has become so

defined by speech

and verbal humor it's always a welcome

change of pace

there are many ways to define talent but

watching a man

make generations of people laugh all

over the world

is talent that only comes around once in

a lifetime

and i'm at least glad i've been able to

witness it

oh

yes i normally stay till the end as well

bye

you can go in the house here if you wish

bye