'Blackadder the Third' at 30

This weekend marks thirty years since the debut of the BAFTA award-winning comedy series Blackadder the Third. For those not familiar with this franchise written by Richard Curtis (of Love Actually and The Vicar of Dibley fame) and Ben Elton (The Young Ones and Upstart Crow), the series chronicles the frequent misadventures of four generations of Blackadders, a British family dynasty that finds itself in the thick of events at many significant periods and places in British history.

As the generations progress, each Blackadder (portrayed by Rowan Atkinson) advances in intelligence and shrewdness while the family's social status systematically dwindles. What remains constant is that all the Blackadders are cynical, self-absorbed opportunists.

Blackadder the Third is set during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, approximately during the reign of George III. Mr. Edmund Blackadder, Esquire holds the unfortunate position of being the head butler to the Prince of Wales (Hugh Laurie), a vain, spoiled twit. As always, Edmund’s subordinate Baldrick (Tony Robinson) is on hand to suffer the verbal and physical abuse of a frustrated disdainful master. In short, Blackadder is trapped in a situation he can’t escape with idiots he can barely abide.

I’m a fan of the entire series, but after binge watching the six episodes of Blackadder the Third, I am reminded that this chapter is full of some particularly funny characters and hilarious bits. I've compiled a handful for your consideration.

Episode 1: 'Dish and Dishonesty'

This scene highlights the prevalence of rotten boroughs and unfair voting practices of the time while placing it in the context of modern election coverage in the UK. The commentator, Vincent Hanna, was an actual television journalist famed for his coverage of British by-elections.