From the Vault: Rowan Atkinson in ‘Not the Nine O’Clock News’
In addition to Atkinson, who went on to star in ‘Blackadder,’ the series launched the careers of Pamela Stephenson, Mel Smith and Griff Rhys-Jones.
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Happy 63rd, Rowan Atkinson!
Rowan Atkinson, English actor, comedian, and screenwriter turned 63 on Saturday. While best known to audiences for his work on the sitcoms Blackadder and Mr. Bean, I first stumbled upon Atkinson’s brilliant talent in the BBC2 sketch comedy series, Not the Nine O’Clock News. Airing from 1979-1982, the series featured satirical sketches on current news stories and popular culture […]
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1979 – The year ‘Fawlty Towers’ crossed paths with ‘Not the Nine O’Clock News’
Not the Nine O’Clock News, the late 70s/early 80s television sketch comedy series designed as a comedic alternative to the Nine O’Clock News on BBC1, featured satirical sketches on current news stories and popular culture. Produced by John Lloyd (best known for his work on such comedy television programs as Spitting Image, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Blackadder and QI, Not the […]
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R.I.P. Mel Smith
Mel Smith, English comedian, writer, film director, producer and actor, best known for his pioneering work on the sketch comedy shows Not the Nine O’Clock News and Alas Smith and Jones has died of a heart attack at the age of 60. Smith and comedy partner, Griff Rhys Jones, founded Talkback in 1981, which grew […]
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Happy 55 – Rowan Atkinson
Rowan Atkinson turns 55 today. From this end, all we can do is wish him a Happy Birthday. He’s given us the gift of laughter over the years beginning with Not the Nine O’Clock News, then Blackadder, Mr. Bean and, finally, The Thin Blue Line. Stops along the way for specials like Bernard and the […]
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Not the Nine O'Clock News – Daily Show of the 70's?
From the British comedy vault Prior to the brilliance of Blackadder and Mr. Bean, Rowan Atkinson spent three years collaborating with Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones on Not the Nine O’Clock News, a sketch comedy show that premiered in the late ’70s. It was originally conceived as an “alternative” and aired at the same […]
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