Mr. Bean is a British television comedy series created by Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis and and starring Atkinson as the title character who solves various problems presented by everyday tasks and often causes disruption in the process.
The series aired in the UK on ITV from 1 January, 1990 to 15 November, 1995. There are 14 half-hour episodes in the series.
Mr. Bean originally aired in South Africa on the old SABC service in the 1990s. It later aired on SABC2 and on DStv's BBC Entertainment channel.
Mr. Bean premiered on BBC Entertainment on Tuesday 3 April 2012, at 20h35. New episodes broadcast weekly.
Synopsis
Mr Bean is a selfish, sometimes ingenious character who frequently gets into hilarious situations due to his various schemes and contrivances, with his best friend, Teddie, and his dependable Mini.
The series sees the unfortunate buffoon attempt to cheat his way through an exam, track down a thief who stole his camera, acquire a baby during a visit to the fun fair, and treat himself to a weekend at a hotel only to find himself competing with another guest for the best service.
Uniquely hysterical, Mr Bean is the perfect showcase for Rowan Atkinson’s extraordinary talent for physical comedy.
Based on a character originally developed by Atkinson while he was studying for his master's degree at Oxford University, the series follows the exploits of Mr. Bean, described by Atkinson as "a child in a grown man's body", in solving various problems presented by everyday tasks and often causing disruption in the process.
Bean rarely speaks, and the largely physical humour of the series is derived from his interactions with other people and his unusual solutions to situations.
The series was influenced by physical performers such as Jacques Tati and comic actors from silent films.