Mr. Bean:
The title character, played by Rowan Atkinson, is a childish buffoon who brings various unusual schemes and contrivances to everyday tasks. He lives alone at the address of Flat 2, 12 Arbour Road, Highbury, and is almost always seen in his trademark tweed jacket and a skinny red tie. He also usually wears a digital calculator watch. Mr. Bean rarely speaks, and when he does, it is generally only a few mumbled words which are in a comically low-pitched voice. His first name (he names himself "Bean" to others) and profession, if any, are never mentioned. In the first film adaptation, "Mr." appears on his passport in the "first name" field, and he is shown employed as a guard at London's National Gallery.[12]
Mr. Bean often seems unaware of basic aspects of the way the world works, and the programme usually features his attempts at what would normally be considered simple activities, such as going swimming, using a television set, interior decorating, or going to church. The humour largely comes from his original (and often absurd) solutions to problems and his total disregard for others when solving them, his pettiness, and occasional malevolence.
At the beginning of episode two onwards, as part of the opening credits, Mr. Bean falls from the sky in a beam of light, accompanied by a choir singing Ecce homo qui est faba("Behold the man who is a bean"), recorded by Southwark Cathedral Choir in 1990. These opening sequences were initially in black and white in episodes two and three, and were intended by the producers to show his status as an "ordinary man cast into the spotlight". However, later episodes showed Mr. Bean dropping from the night sky in a deserted London street against the backdrop of St Paul's Cathedral. At the end of episodes three and six he is also shown being sucked right back up into the sky in the respective background scenes (black scene in episode 3 and street scene in episode 6). Atkinson has acknowledged that Bean "has a slightly alien aspect to him".[13] In an episode of the animated series, "Double Trouble", the alien aspect of him was used in a storyline, in which he is taken inside a spacecraft with "aliens" who look exactly like him and even have their own plushy toys. In an obvious homage towards the end, the aliens send him back home in a beam of light and music similar to the opening of the original Mr. Bean series. Whether Bean is an extraterrestrial is not made clear.
In an interview in 2016, Atkinson stated that he would never retire the character.[14]
Mr.Bean Teddy:
Teddy is Mr. Bean's teddy bear and perhaps Mr. Bean's best friend. The little brown bear is a knitted oddity with button eyes and sausage-shaped limbs, which invariably end up broken in half or in various other states of destruction and disfiguration. Although Teddy is inanimate, Mr. Bean often pretends it is alive. For example, when Mr. Bean hypnotises Teddy, he snaps his fingers and the bear's head falls backwards as if it had fallen asleep instantly (Bean used his finger to prop Teddy's head up). Mr. Bean behaves as if the bear is real, buying it a Christmas present or trying not to wake it in the mornings. The bear is often privy to Mr. Bean's various schemes and doubles as a tool or other items in emergencies; it has been decapitated ("Mr. Bean in Room 426"), used as his paint brush ("Do-It-Yourself Mr. Bean"), and shrunk in the wash ("Tee Off, Mr. Bean"). Teddy is also Mr. Bean's "pet" in "Hair by Mr. Bean of London" and is used to win a pet show.
The Teddy used in filming sits in the windscreen of the replica of Mr. Bean's Mini that is on display at the National Motor Museum.[17] Over the years, Teddy has undergone several changes. When it debuted on "The Trouble with Mr. Bean", it had a smaller head. Two episodes later, its head reached its current size, but its "eyes" were not present until Bean placed gold thumb tacks on its face. The "eyes" have since been replaced with two small white buttons sewn over Teddy's face, giving it a distinct image.
Teddy is Mr. Bean's teddy bear and perhaps Mr. Bean's best friend. The little brown bear is a knitted oddity with button eyes and sausage-shaped limbs, which invariably end up broken in half or in various other states of destruction and disfiguration. Although Teddy is inanimate, Mr. Bean often pretends it is alive. For example, when Mr. Bean hypnotises Teddy, he snaps his fingers and the bear's head falls backwards as if it had fallen asleep instantly (Bean used his finger to prop Teddy's head up). Mr. Bean behaves as if the bear is real, buying it a Christmas present or trying not to wake it in the mornings. The bear is often privy to Mr. Bean's various schemes and doubles as a tool or other items in emergencies; it has been decapitated ("Mr. Bean in Room 426"), used as his paint brush ("Do-It-Yourself Mr. Bean"), and shrunk in the wash ("Tee Off, Mr. Bean"). Teddy is also Mr. Bean's "pet" in "Hair by Mr. Bean of London" and is used to win a pet show.
The Teddy used in filming sits in the windscreen of the replica of Mr. Bean's Mini that is on display at the National Motor Museum.[17] Over the years, Teddy has undergone several changes. When it debuted on "The Trouble with Mr. Bean", it had a smaller head. Two episodes later, its head reached its current size, but its "eyes" were not present until Bean placed gold thumb tacks on its face. The "eyes" have since been replaced with two small white buttons sewn over Teddy's face, giving it a distinct image.
Mr Bean's car:
Mr. Bean's car, a 1976 British Leyland Mark 3 Mini 1000, was central to several antics, such as Mr. Bean's getting dressed in it, driving while sitting in an armchair strapped to the roof, or attempting to avoid a car park fee by driving out through the entrance. In the pilot, the car used was an orange 1969 BMC Mini Mark 2 (registration RNT 996H), but this was destroyed in an off-screen crash at the end of the episode. From then on, the car was a 1976 model (registration SLW 287R), Austin Citron Green in colour[18] with a matte black bonnet. Throughout the sitcom, Bean keeps it locked with a bolt-latch and padlock, rather than the lock fitted to the car, which formed a running joke in several episodes; in two episode, he demonstrated an additional, innovative security measure, in that he removes the security wheel instead of the key, which in one episode deterred a car thief. In "Back to School Mr. Bean", Bean's Mini is crushed by a tank as part of a demonstration, after he replaced an identical mini (registration ACW 497V) meant for the demonstration, with his own to secure a parking space. Despite losing it, he later removes his padlock and bolt-latch from it, and finds another to use sometime after the episode.
After filming ended, one of the original Minis was sold to Kariker Kars to be hired for various events, whereupon it was then temporarily displayed as a major attraction at the Rover Group's museum. In 1997, it was purchased by the Cars of the Stars Motor Museum and displayed for a while, before it was later sold on to a private buyer in America. One other is privately owned and nearing the end of a restoration in the south of England. BMW Germany has built a replica, and another replica — the one used to promote the animated series — is on display at National Motor Museum, Beaulieu.[19]
The car was initially slated to feature as part of the film Bean (1997), under the registration C607 EUW, in which as part of a sequence, it was driven through Harrods Department Store by Mr. Bean. Although the sequence was filmed, it was not included in the final cut.[20][21] The car eventually had its debut on the big-screen when it featured in the film Mr. Bean's Holiday, with the registration YGL 572T. The film featured a second version, with exactly the same colour scheme, but with left-hand drive, driven by a character befriended by Bean.[citation needed]
When the sitcom was revived as an animated series, the Mini was given the same design as the live-action show, but with the registration STE 952R. In 2015, Mr. Bean returned in a sketch for Comic Relief to celebrate his 25th anniversary, in which he drives his Mini to attend it, which bore the same registration as the one in the animated series.[citation needed]Mr. Bean's car, a 1976 British Leyland Mark 3 Mini 1000, was central to several antics, such as Mr. Bean's getting dressed in it, driving while sitting in an armchair strapped to the roof, or attempting to avoid a car park fee by driving out through the entrance. In the pilot, the car used was an orange 1969 BMC Mini Mark 2 (registration RNT 996H), but this was destroyed in an off-screen crash at the end of the episode. From then on, the car was a 1976 model (registration SLW 287R), Austin Citron Green in colour[18] with a matte black bonnet. Throughout the sitcom, Bean keeps it locked with a bolt-latch and padlock, rather than the lock fitted to the car, which formed a running joke in several episodes; in two episode, he demonstrated an additional, innovative security measure, in that he removes the security wheel instead of the key, which in one episode deterred a car thief. In "Back to School Mr. Bean", Bean's Mini is crushed by a tank as part of a demonstration, after he replaced an identical mini (registration ACW 497V) meant for the demonstration, with his own to secure a parking space. Despite losing it, he later removes his padlock and bolt-latch from it, and finds another to use sometime after the episode.
After filming ended, one of the original Minis was sold to Kariker Kars to be hired for various events, whereupon it was then temporarily displayed as a major attraction at the Rover Group's museum. In 1997, it was purchased by the Cars of the Stars Motor Museum and displayed for a while, before it was later sold on to a private buyer in America. One other is privately owned and nearing the end of a restoration in the south of England. BMW Germany has built a replica, and another replica — the one used to promote the animated series — is on display at National Motor Museum, Beaulieu.[19]
The car was initially slated to feature as part of the film Bean (1997), under the registration C607 EUW, in which as part of a sequence, it was driven through Harrods Department Store by Mr. Bean. Although the sequence was filmed, it was not included in the final cut.[20][21] The car eventually had its debut on the big-screen when it featured in the film Mr. Bean's Holiday, with the registration YGL 572T. The film featured a second version, with exactly the same colour scheme, but with left-hand drive, driven by a character befriended by Bean.[citation needed]
When the sitcom was revived as an animated series, the Mini was given the same design as the live-action show, but with the registration STE 952R. In 2015, Mr. Bean returned in a sketch for Comic Relief to celebrate his 25th anniversary, in which he drives his Mini to attend it, which bore the same registration as the one in the animated series.[citation needed]
Other appearances:
Rowan Atkinson has appeared in character as Bean in many normally factual television broadcasts, sometimes as a publicity stunt to promote a new episode, DVD or film.
| # | Event/Title | Directed by | Written by | Original airdate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1 | Going Live! | Amanda Gabbitas | TBA | 1991 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mr. Bean answers question about himself on the Saturday morning magazine show Going Live! with Phillip Schofield. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | This Morning | TBA | TBA | 1995 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bean arrives at the Albert Dock car park in time for filming a special TV appearance, however, is unable to find a suitable space. He then accidentally reverses his Mini into a car belonging to Richard and Judy, hurling it into the river. He is then taken into the studio to be interviewed by the pair, where they realise what he has done. They then invite him into the This Morning kitchen, where he causes mayhem while trying to prepare his favourite meal. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | The National Lottery Draws | TBA | TBA | 1997 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aired on BBC One's National Lottery Results Show. Bean arrives in the studio, and informs the viewers that he is heading to the United States to star in his film all about his adventures. He then introduces his creation, which is used to select the exact balls on his lottery ticket. He is then refused the winnings by host Bob Monkhouse. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Interview on Japanese television | TBA | TBA | 1999 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Only ever aired in Japan. Bean appears on Japanese television for an interview, and instead of embracing the culture, manages to embarrass himself by sticking chopsticks up his nose and falsely translating the Japanese language. He is then escorted off set for his tomfoolery and is told never to return to Japan. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Blue Peter Safety film | TBA | TBA | 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bean enlists the help of the Blue Peter team in order to help him construct a fireworks safety film for a new evening class project he is undertaking. When he later arrives at the class, he disposes of the film and instead begins to plug a series of new DVDs featuring himself. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | The Dame Edna Treatment | TBA | TBA | 2007 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aired during the first episode of The Dame Edna Treatment. Bean arrives at a local spa, and poses as a doctor in an attempt to gain access to the sauna and relaxation room. First, Bean pulls the hose out forcibly from underneath the customer. Then he sets another hose and puts it underneath the customer. After that, he connects the hose into the vacuum tube and he turns on the vacuum cleaner. The smoke emerges from the vacuum and Bean tries to fix it up. As the nurse comes in, he accidentally squirts her in dirt. However, the receptionist works out what he is up to and manages to subdue him before he gets a chance to speak to Dame Edna. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Blue Peter – Mr. Bean's Holiday Promotion | TBA | TBA | 2007 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aired during a 2007 episode of Blue Peter. Bean invites the Blue Peter team to look at his holiday snaps he had taken while he was filming on the set of Mr. Bean's Holiday. However, Bean's camera breaks down, and instead shows a series of clips from the film. Mr. Bean's Holiday is in French Rivera. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | 2012 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony | TBA | TBA | 27 July 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rowan Atkinson made a special appearance, in character, as Mr. Bean (though without the suit, tie and brown hair) at the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony. He pretended to accompany the London Symphony Orchestra in performing the theme from Chariots of Fire while taking pictures with his phone and blowing his nose.[40] In a filmed sequence shown during the performance, Bean daydreams of joining the runners in the movie's iconic scene along West Sands at St. Andrews. He is shown beating the other runners by riding in a car, and then tripping the front runner.[41] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | Dragon TV Tonight 80s Talk Show | TBA | TBA | 14 September 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rowan Atkinson went to Shanghai, in character, as Mr. Bean. He was on the Tonight 80s Talk Show with Wang Zijian. It was his first visit to China.[42] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | Red Nose Day | TBA | TBA | 13 March 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rowan Atkinson performed a sketch, in character, as Mr. Bean. He was on Red Nose Day attending a funeral. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11 | Top Funny Comedian: The Movie | TBA | TBA | 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bean is set to appear in the Chinese film known as 《歡樂喜劇人》先行版電影預告片 郭德綱主演 (Top Funny Comedian: The Movie). He can be seen in the trailer.[43] Mr. Bean also appeared at the premiere on 19 March [44] and on 9 April 2017 in an episode [45]Other appearances[edit]
Rowan Atkinson has appeared in character as Bean in many normally factual television broadcasts, sometimes as a publicity stunt to promote a new episode, DVD or film.
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| Title | No. of episodes | Release date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rowan Atkinson in Mr. Bean: 1 | 3 | 1 November 2004 | Episodes: Episode 1: Mr. Bean, Episode 2: The Return of Mr. Bean, Episode 14: Hair by Mr. Bean of London. Bonus Features: In the Pink, The Library. |
| Rowan Atkinson in Mr. Bean: 2 | 3 | 31 October 2005 | Episodes: Episode 3: The Curse of Mr. Bean, Episode 4: Mr. Bean Goes to Town, Episode 5: The Trouble with Mr. Bean. Bonus Features: Royal Bean. |
| Rowan Atkinson in Mr. Bean: 3 | 3 | 13 November 2006 | Episodes: Episode 10: Mind the Baby, Mr. Bean, Episode 8: Mr Bean in Room 426, Episode 6: Mr. Bean Rides Again. Bonus Features: Behind the scenes of Mr. Bean's Holiday. |
| Rowan Atkinson in Mr. Bean: 4 | 3 | 19 March 2007 | Episodes: Episode 9: Do-It-Yourself Mr. Bean, Episode 11: Back to School Mr. Bean, Episode 12: Tee Off, Mr. Bean. Bonus Features: Treasure!. |
| Rowan Atkinson in Mr. Bean: 5 | 2 | 12 November 2007 | Episodes: Episode 7: Merry Christmas Mr. Bean, Episode 13: Goodnight Mr. Bean. Extra Features: 2007 Comic Relief Sketch, Art Thief, Scaredy Bean, Haircut. |
| Mr. Bean: Beantastic Complete Collection | 14 + 26 (cartoon) + 2 (movies) | 12 November 2007 | All 14 TV episodes, all 26 episodes of the Mr. Bean Animated TV Series, Mr. Bean's Holiday & Bean – The Ultimate Disaster Movie |
| Rowan Atkinson in Mr. Bean: The Complete Collection of the Classic TV Series (5 DVD Set) | 14 | 18 November 2008 | Contains: Rowan Atkinson in Mr. Bean: 1 and 2 (2 DVD Set), Rowan Atkinson in Mr. Bean: 3 and 4 (2 DVD Set) and Rowan Atkinson in Mr. Bean: 5. |
| Mr. Bean: Best Bits | 17 November 2008 | Highlights | |
| Mr. Bean: Vol. 1 (Digitally Remastered 20th Anniversary Edition) | 5 | 6 September 2010 | Universal Pictures UK |
| Mr. Bean: Vol. 2 (Digitally Remastered 20th Anniversary Edition) | 5 | 6 September 2010 | Universal Pictures UK |
| Mr. Bean: Vol. 3 (Digitally Remastered 20th Anniversary Edition) | 4 | 6 September 2010 | Universal Pictures UK |
| Mr. Bean: Vol. 4 (Digitally Remastered 20th Anniversary Edition) | The Best Bits, The Story of Mr. Bean, Interviews with Rowan Atkinson | 6 September 2010 | Universal Pictures UK |
| Rowan Atkinson in Mr. Bean: Bean's Brilliant Boxset (Digitally Remastered 20th Anniversary Edition) | 14 | 6 September 2010 | Universal Pictures UK |
| Happy Birthday Mr. Bean | 3 | 6 September 2010 | Contains: The Restaurant from The Return of Mr. Bean, Birthday Bear (Animated Episode), The Disco from Mr. Bean Goes to Town, Dinner for Two (Animated Episode), The FunFair from Mind the Baby, Mr. Bean, The Restaurant (Animated Episode). |
| Merry Christmas Mr. Bean | 1 | 1 November 2010 | Episode 7: Merry Christmas Mr. Bean. |
| Holiday Havoc With Mr. Bean | 9 Sketches | 8 August 2011 | |
| Back to School Mr. Bean | 3 | 4 August 2014 | Contains: Episode 11 Back to School Mr. Bean, The Library, The Exam. |
| Mr. Bean: Funny Faces | 2 | 4 May 2015 |
