January's List: Historical Comedies
There is an endless list of comedy inspired by history. The majority of it is entirely irreverent, but the genre lends itself to irreverence in a way no other does. There are too many examples to write them all down, so I'll just stick in some TV shows and movies (we could do a whole other list on books) that hold a special spot in my library.
Blackadder:
This show may not always stick to historical facts, but it is definitely one of the best. Rowan Atkinson is hilarious and executes the role (or should I say roles) or Edmund Blackadder perfectly. The show includes four seasons and a number of specials and spans several centuries. The idea is that Edmund Blackadder is a character in different historical settings, as a descendant of the previous Blackadder. Season one we follow him in the alternate history of Richard IV's reign (there was no such British king), the snivelling son of the king, Edmund Blackadder had no end of misfortune and cunning plots. The second season we see Blackadder as a well instated noble of the Queen Elizabeth's court. Yet again the cunning plans ensue. This season marks a change in humour from the more slapstick approach of the first season to a wittier dialogue seen throughout the remainder of the show. Seasons three (Blackadder is butler to the regent prince, future George IV) and four (Blackadder is in the trenches during WWI) show a more satirical approach. This is one of my favourite shows of all time, and definitely worth the watch.
Horrible Histories:
This is quite different from Blackadder. Aimed at a younger audience, Horrible Histories is one of the things that got me interested in history as a whole. With a scatological sense of humour and a tendency to sensationalize the grossest and goriest bits of history, this British children's show is a fun way to get kids hooked on history, and I continue to love it even well into my teens. The show covers all sorts of things, from the Aztecs to the World Wars, and there are books as well (Someday I should do a whole post on Horrible Histories). The majority of episodes even feature a song. One song is just a list of all the British monarchs starting with William the Conqueror and ending with Queen Elizabeth II. It was a challenge designed for their fans. Could they learn the song? Turns out they could.Personally, I will remember it till the day I die. Here's the chorus:
"William, William, Henry, Stephen, Henry, Richard, John, Oi!
Henry, Ed, Ed, Ed, Rich two then three more Henrys join our song.
Edward, Edward, Rich the third, Henry, Henry, Ed again,
Mary I, Good Queen Bess, Jimmy, Charles and Charles and then
Jim, Will, Mary, Anna Gloria, George, George, George, George, Will, Victoria.
Edward, George, Edward, George six and Queen Liz two completes the mix.
That's all the English Kings and Queen since William first that there have been!"1
Sometimes I write it from memory when bored in class, sometimes I use it as a party trick. So many uses for Horrible Histories!
Monty Python's Life of Brian:
Set in Ancient Rome, Life of Brian is a wonderful piece of satire, so here it is. Monty Python is wonderful in general, but I've chosen to include Life of Brian specifically because of the satire
within the piece. Life of Brian satirizes the birth of religions, but not in a disrespectful way. Instead, they show the humour behind being too easily convinced or too quick to believe. For example: at the very beginning of the film, the titular character, Brian, is confused for baby Jesus by the three wise men. This is because he was born on the same night in the cowshed near the stable where Jesus was born. The wise men soon realize their mistake when they walk back outside and see that the star of Bethlehem is really shining next door.
I would include more, but I've already written a lot for the three selections I did make. I'll put the February list together soon.
Citations for covers:
Blackadder: Blackadder Remastered: The Ultimate Edition. Written by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson, performances by Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Tim McInnery, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie. BBC, 1983.
Horrible Histories: Horrible Histories: Series 1-5. Directed by Dominic Brigstocke, performances by Matha Howe-Douglass, Simon Farnaby, Ben Willbond, Laurance Rickard, Mathew Baynton and Jim Howick. CBBC, 2009.
Life of Brian: Monty Python's Life of Brian: The Immaculate Edition. Directed by Terry Jones, Performances by John Cleese, Terry Jones, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and Graham Chapman. Python (Monty) Pictures Limited. 1979.
1. "Episode VII." Horrible Histories Series Three. Directed by Dominic Brigstocke, Performances by Marthe Howe-Douglass, Simon Farnaby, Ben Willbond, Laurance Rickard, Mathew Baynton and Jim Howick. CBBC, 2009.
