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.