'Masterpiece' BBC TV series still 'hilariously funny' after 40 years

For those looking to watch a comedy that has ripened wonderfully with age, few shows can match the enduring brilliance of Blackadder. First aired on the BBC over 40 years ago, this sharp, witty, and utterly British sitcom remains as hilariously funny today as it was in the 1980s.

Created by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson, Blackadder is a masterclass in historical satire. Each of its four series transports viewers to a different era of British history - from the muddled Middle Ages to the muddy trenches of the First World War - all linked by the same scheming anti-hero, Edmund Blackadder. Played with dry perfection by Rowan Atkinson, he is forever trying (and failing) to rise above the fools and aristocrats surrounding him.

Beside him throughout is Baldrick, the loyal yet dim-witted servant, portrayed brilliantly by Tony Robinson.

His hopeless 'cunning plans' have become part of British pop culture, quoted by generations of fans. The supporting cast reads like a who's who of comedy royalty - Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Tim McInnerny, and Miranda Richardson all add their own brand of brilliance.

What makes Blackadder stand out even today is the quality of the writing. Curtis and Ben Elton combined razor-sharp wit with historical parody, creating dialogue that sparkles with intelligence and absurdity. Beneath the laughs, though, there's often a darker edge - most memorably in the final moments of Blackadder Goes Forth, when humour gives way to heartbreak.

Four decades on, Blackadder remains a masterpiece of British television: smart, silly, and still funny. It's proof that truly great comedy never goes out of style.

With over 40,000 ratings, the TV series scores 8.0 out of 10 on IMDb.

One reviewer wrote: "I absolutely love Black Adder, it is hilarious, and is filled with wit and tongue-in-cheek humour. This first series is not the absolute best, but it is still worth watching, as there are so many good things about it. The production values, as always, are superb, the costumes are great, and the sets are authentic and stay true to the time period. The opening and closing credits are a delight, and the story lines are cleverly structured. What I love most about the Black Adder is the writing, extremely witty, tongue-in-cheek and simply hilarious."

Claiming that the TV series "gets better", another viewer said: "The start of an excellent series, this bears the marks of them not really having determined the exact tone yet. At this point, some gags and jokes are based on ridiculous and overdone stuff, such as costumes and people just being manic, yelling or talking in a goofy way. But the real core of the masterful satire and comedy of the franchise is already evident here, if less strong and with fewer memorable ones than later (particularly in the next one), including the satire, social commentary, and clever material."

Another, saying the show holds up despite being four decades old, said: "I know this is an old show, but it is one of the best I have seen."