Mr. Bean (1990–1995) User Reviews

An excellent comedy series, filled with visual gags that can make you laugh over and over again!

[Beta_Gallinger · 9/10 · 18 January 2008]

"Mr. Bean", starring the legendary Rowan Atkinson, was a huge hit during its run in the 1990s, and I probably first saw it when I was around ten, shortly after it ended, so I was seeing reruns. I certainly wasn't much of a fan at the time, and didn't see too many episodes. I didn't really get into the show until my late teens, just a few years ago, which was when I finally watched every episode. Unlike before, it made me laugh many times, and since then, that has always been the case during repeat viewings of episodes!

Mr. Bean is a mysterious, self-centred, antisocial, extremely naive buffoon whose best friend is his Teddy! He is pretty much isolated from society, and life is not easy for him, as he constantly struggles with very simple things! This is because he lacks some fairly basic knowledge, and has the mind of a child. He finds himself in various kinds of trouble wherever he goes, and comes up with very bizarre ways to try and solve the problems he faces! Not only does he often cause trouble for himself, but sometimes for other people as well, which he often doesn't tend to realize! In other words, Mr. Bean is a walking disaster!

The humour in this show is very visual, and there is very little dialogue. The gags are almost always sight gags, which is mostly what the show is about. While there may be an occasional lacklustre gag, I would say the vast majority of them are funny, often hilarious, (there are so many highlights)! While "Mr. Bean" is certainly not the most sophisticated comedy ever made, it's still great for many of those who like visual humour, and due to the very limited dialogue, you don't even have to speak fluent English to enjoy the show, which is why it has received such a world-wide reputation! The show ran for a few years, but the episodes were made very gradually, so only fourteen were made in total. Nonetheless, it is a classic series, and deserves its wide appeal!

Great humour and a grand step away from all the crassness and vulgarity of modern humour

[wellthatswhatithinkanyway · 10/10 · 5 November 2006]

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning

Mr Bean (Rowan Atkinson) is in this world, but not of this world. His mind simply doesn't seem to comprehend things the way an average person would and his life is one long disaster because of this, getting himself into constant mishaps and far out, zany situations, which he is left to sort out on his own as he doesn't seem to mix with anyone and he rarely speaks. But he never gives up and, despite the simplest of tasks being a constant struggle for him, applying his own zany methods of solving the problem always pays off for him in the end.

To look at the sorry state of modern British humour, with all it's focus of sex and general vulgarity, you'd be forgiven for forgetting that a show like Mr Bean was made at one time. There's nothing unsuitable going on here, just good, clean U rated humour of the type Tommy Cooper and the like made in the 50s. And I find it just as laugh out loud funny now in my early 20s as I did when I was a young boy in the early 90s.

Although I can look at it a little deeper now and see there must be more to this character than than meets the eye. There must be a reason why he does things the way he does and things seem to keep going wrong for him. As others have noted, it looks like he may have a type of autism. In fact I'm so convinced about it that I really think were a professional psychologist to analyse him, I think Mr Bean could be the first famous, fictional character to be diagnosed with something like Asperger's Syndrome.

If you'd like to see some truly hilarious British humour at it's very best before it all became obsessed with sex and vulgarity, then this would come highly recommended. Shows like Little Britain do work because it's well realised but it's really just as vulgar as the rest. Shows like this show we were more restrained and civilised once, and hopefully we might start putting out this type of humour more again sometime soon. *****

Perhaps the funniest show I have ever seen...I do wish they'd make more

[planktonrules · 10/10 · 29 June 2010]

I can understand why Rowan Atkinson doesn't make more Bean TV shows--he's probably rich as can be (based on his car collection) and the movies (which are far inferior) make a ton of money. I still wish they'd make more of these delightful shows, as they are possibly the funniest show ever made--it's THAT good.

One of the reasons I enjoy Bean so much is because my daughter is deaf and we can both equally enjoy the shows, as you really don't need closed captions for it. And, importantly, this makes the show amazingly easy to export abroad. It's so amazing how the show is able to make you laugh even without the use of much language--just wacky situations and terrific pantomime by Atkinson.

The bottom line is that if you don't like this show, you are either dead or have absolutely no sense of humor! I have not only watched the episodes repeatedly but have shown them to my students and they never fail to elicit tons of laughs--and the teens want to see them again and again. And who can blame them? The show is so clever and well made.

Genius!

[British_Revolver · 5 August 2005]

"Mr. Bean" is one of the funniest shows ever created. American shows need to be more like the British ones. Rowan Atkinson is a very creative actor and this is the role that he was made to do. Whenever I see a car similar to his' now, I'll just remember it as the best supporting object that's never won an Emmy (sadly).

But anyways, everybody should watch this show no matter what. Because of this show, I now have new ways of doing things and such.

And last, but not least, is the teddy bear Mr. Bean always carries around. He's another one that should win an Emmy for his performance.

So for anybody reading this, go to the nearest video store and buy "Mr. Bean."

Classic UK comedy , forever funny!!!!

[cool_cool_1 · 10/10 · 9 August 2006]

Mr Bean was great fun, i loved it, every episode was really funny, Rowan Atkinson was perfect for this role, he's a funny looking bloke and his facial expressions were hilarious!!!

The series was so successful that they even made a Mr Bean movie in 1997, which was also pretty funny by the way!!

It's funny seeing all the adventures and situations he gets himself into, this series was a classic for sure, and i still watch an episode from time to time.

Mr Bean is well worth a 10/10 in my book, fans of offbeat comedy must check this out.

I honestly can't remember...

[Tamphex · 10/10 · 6 November 2007]

...the last time I laughed this much. It's a testament to the talent of Rowan Atkinson that he has managed to create a comic character with several layers and a clearly defined personality - without hardly ever speaking a word. The whole success of the program rests on Atkinson's shoulders, but he carries it with ease. Despite the fact that the show only ran for one season, anyone even vaguely in touch with pop culture recognizes the rubber-faced social 'tard, so great is the talent and effort put into the performance. At times exasperating, at times lovable, Mr Bean is an innocent, unlucky chap who also happens to be evil incarnate. The brilliance of this character cannot be put into words, you have to see for yourself.

The show gets almost too depressing at times, like in the infamous New Year's Eve sketch, or when Bean celebrates his birthday by going alone to a restaurant, offering himself a congratulatory card signed by himself, and being served a stake he doesn't quite fancy. Still, there are times when you can't help but feel impressed by the inventive methods by which Bean gets himself out of trouble, like when he disposes of said stake in numerous clever-ish ways, or when he changes into swimming trunks without taking his trousers off first! Whatever your reaction to Bean and his unorthodox lifestyle, you're bound to throw fits of laughter while watching.

Finally, I'd like to point out that although "Bean" is classified as a program for children, it is just as enjoyable for any grown-up with a sense of humour. Because the more "adult" jokes will go over the heads of the little ones and the intelligent slapstick (yes, there is such a thing) is funny no matter what age you are, "Bean" is the truest definition of a family show. This is justly a classic and it always brightens up my day.

One of the Funniest Characters of the 20th Century!

[Gunn · 10/10 · 9 February 2009]

Rowan Atkinson's Mr. Bean ranks right up there with Laurel & Hardy, Buster Keaton, the Marx Brothers and other comedy greats. I have never seen people laugh out loud so heartily and literally fall out of their chairs as when I introduced them to Mr. Bean via my videos and now DVDs. I'll never forget the first time my brother saw him. He was over for a visit and I asked him if he'd ever seen Mr. Bean? "Who?" he said. So I got out my video and showed him the one where Mr. Bean is in church and starts to nod off. My brother laughed so hard he fell out of the chair and was holding his stomach from laughing so hard. He became an instant fan of Mr. Bean. We all know how hilarious these episodes are, but the fun is in sharing them with others. I have seen so many people laugh 'til it hurts! Favorite episodes are: the visit of the Queen, the Hotel room stay, late for the Dentist appointment, the Christmas episode (a classic...plus kids love it!) and the New Year Party. Rowan Atkinson is a comic genius!

A complete delight, never ceases to be hilarious and original

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 30 May 2010]

Okay, Mr Bean mayn't be the most sophisticated comedy series ever, and it sure is one of the funniest. I do agree there may be the occasional gag that doesn't quite work, but an overwhelming majority of them work brilliantly. Mr Bean does have minimal dialogue so a lot of the humour comes from the visual gags and slapstick. That is not a bad thing whatsoever, because it actually works wonders.

The story ideas are really interesting and are always constructed really well. The photography, scenery and costumes are great to look at, and the music is delightful. Other than the gags and slapstick, it is Mr Bean himself who makes the series. Mr Bean is naive, self-centred and clueless, he can't do anything right, but we love him anyway. Rowan Atkinson is perfect at conveying these character qualities; I thought he was brilliant in Black Adder, but he was just amazing in this. His facial expressions and the situations his character gets into are simply priceless. The guest appearances are also excellent, but it is Atkinson's show all the way.

Overall, a complete delight of a comedy series. It is hilarious and original, like a comedy series should be, if anything though I think it should have lasted longer. 10/10 Bethany Cox

I love beans!

[sashank_kini-1 · 10/10 · 16 March 2008]

Mr. Bean has always been my favorite. No matte how many times you watch the same thing, the show never gets monotonous or repetitive. Mr. Bean is one of the greatest comedians in the world who doesn't need to even speak to make people laugh. His gestures, his facial expressions and his face itself is so funny to watch. The situations which he faces on the show is simply hilarious and the way he handles them is even greater. There is simply no reason why this show shouldn't receive a 10 because it is fabulous. Its something that would even make the most serious or sad person in the universe laugh. Some of my all time favorites episodes from the show are: 1) When Mr. Bean lodges at a hotel 2) The one where he watches the scary film 3) Mind the baby ( The diaper scene especially). In fact, all the episodes are so good that it is really difficult to criticize the show. Mr.Bean can go to any heights to prove that he is funny, including completely stripping himself in one of the episodes. the way he handled that situation was simply mind blowing. 10 out of 10.

Bean - one of the best comedy characters ever!

[general-melchett · 10/10 · 24 January 2007]

Mr. Bean has shaped the face of British TV comedy. He has proved that you do not need wicked words or wit, a massive budget, a great deal of intelligence or even any intelligence to make something brilliant. And Mr. Bean is one of those characters who you just can't forget. Some of these episodes had me in stitches - yes, they're not realistic at all and they're all pretty stupid, but to be honest, realism is one of the barriers Bean has broken on its way to greatness. Rowan Atkinson and co. always manage to cook up interesting new ideas - and hilarious new gags - remember when Mr. Bean drove his green Mini whilst sitting on a sofa on the roof? Mr. Bean is one of those things that never gets weak - the movie wasn't as good as this, but Bean has introduced a distinct new sense of humour to the world, and kids and adults alike will marvel at its immense fun factor. "Extras" and "Little Britain" can be damned - this is British comedy at its best and most original. These escapades never get old! 10/10

good...

[angelorwez · 7/10 · 18 May 2022]

This was probably the Charlie Chaplin of its time...

it does extra...but that's its trademark...slapstick humour...visual humour...it's all here...

Atkinson's face tells the comedy...it's crazy how he does that...

it's not bad...it will make you laugh.

Pure Comedic Genius

[thebigeasy555 · 9/10 · 12 February 2007]

Rowan Atkinson's creation Mr.Bean has stood the test of time and will be forever etched upon the memory of those who viewed it.

Living alone and appearing not to have a job of any description Mr.Bean goes around doing day to day activities in a rather comedic fashion.The mistake prone Mr.Bean induces heartfelt laughter when put even in the most simplest situations.Though he barely spoke any coherent words his jovial actions more than made up for this.

Even when driving in his beloved Mini Mr.Bean still manages to cause inadvertent chaos.Not very much is known about his background but his ability to draw tears of laughter from the audience at his funny shenanigans is well known.

Before he found fame Nick Hancock can be seen in a couple of the episodes

Forgot how good this was

[flook75 · 7/10 · 25 March 2020]

Recently revisited Mr. Bean and I forgot how funny this show was

Very little dialogue which makes Rowan Atkinson's performances even better as a majority of the shows are physical humour rather then spoken

I did feel the quality dropped towards the last few episodes but I think it may have been getting difficult to continually put Bean in different scenarios without getting to repetitive

According to the trivia a theory is that he is a alien. I'm not religious but I thought more of a Angel kicked out of heaven and he's got to earn his wings to go back up. He's sent down to learn how to behave and grow up a bit.

Because essentially he is a good guy but he can be a bit of a wind up merchant to other people. Intentionally as well.

Only 14 episodes at half hour a time so definitely worth a watch for some classic British humour

Tediously Unfunny

[Rabical-91 · 1/10 · 19 August 2015]

'Mr. Bean' has secured itself a loyal fan base all over the world, spawning not only two film spin-offs but a cartoon series as well. If it makes people happy, that's fine by me but personally I do not like the show at all. It is childish and banal to the point that whenever I try to tune in, I feel my concentration wandering after about two minutes. I find it a great chore to sit through.

Rowan Atkinson plays the title character, a man who never speaks coherently, cannot touch anything without breaking it and whose habits and ways set him some distance from normality. Whilst I liked Atkinson in shows such as 'Not The Nine O'Clock News', 'Blackadder' and 'The Thin Blue Line', I don't feel he is terribly good at working without dialogue. He just comes across as gormless and emotionless. It is like watching someone who is mentally retarded.

One of my biggest bugbears about the show is the fact that people label it as silent comedy. Bean is the only one who doesn't talk, everyone else, however, does, unlike in the later and far superior series 'The Baldy Man' ( which starred Gregor Fisher ), where no dialogue was used at all. The latter, incidentally, was slated by the critics who claimed that it was nothing but a cheap rip-off of 'Mr. Bean'. Whilst it is true that the series of 'The Baldy Man' came after 'Mr. Bean', it must be noted that the character of Baldy was created on 'Naked Video' in 1986, a good four years before this show started. Also, in 'The Baldy Man', Baldy only reacted to situations, 'Mr. Bean' however was responsible for them, so oft-repeated comparisons between the two shows are largely unfair.

I would be lying if I were to deny the show's popularity but I just could not take to the show at all. If you ever manage to come across 'The Baldy Man', tune into that instead. Trust me, it is funnier by miles.

MR.BEAN--A PORTRAIT OF COMEDIC GENIUS

[Barnabasat45 · 15 April 2001]

Most Britcom imports that I have seen over the years have always brought laughter. It the mid 90's PBS began running episodes of Mr. Bean.

Rowin Atkinson, far better known in the UK and Europe then here in the States, is one of the most talented actors and comedians anywhere. He has to be. To take a character that is normally mute, always plotting mischief, and goes on more hair brained schemes and adventures then the entire Monty Python crew is,as Mr. Bean would put it," Absolutely Brilliant".

Even the most hardened sceptic will find this series so overwhelming funny that they would scream for more. Alas, there were only 13 episodes filmed. Rowin Atkinson has stated that he felt there was nothing more for Mr. Bean to do. Too bad. I can see a series, such as this going on for hundreds of episodes.

If you want to have a really good time with a wonderfully lovable goof ball, Watch this BBC classic!

Funny as a kid, funny as an adult.

[TusharViv · 10/10 · 3 December 2022]

A true masterpiece. A timeless classic which can be watched no matter how old you are or where you're from. The humour relies on the character being "wacky" but they pull it off without it being cringe or over the top. Something that is extremely rare.

I watched this when I was a kid living in India and found it funny and 12+ years later with my friend I watched it as a joke, expecting to not laugh and see how much I've outgrown this show. Turns out I was laughing even more. I understood so many more references and the acting is just so brilliant, for a character that basically says nothing, he does it all with his body language alone. He says nothing, instead speaks a language we all understand, the body language. What makes it amazing is that the situation keeps changing, they don't just milk the same joke over and over, they keep doing something new.

I'm not the type of guy who finds many comedy based movies or tv shows or anime funny. Indeed popular comedy tv shows or films just fly over my head. I think the humour is too forced or just cringe and unfunny to a point where the shows main attraction is my main distaste towards it. Plus the show has to rely on characters being the same typical way everytime. It's like they copy each others work and just use the same jokes too. This is probably the only show where I've just watched it and just had a good laugh. Iconic character and iconic show, no matter who you are or where you're from.

Legendary

[CaliforniaRoll · 10/10 · 9 April 2022]

You will never encounter such a talent in the world again. No matter how many times I watch it, it's good to burst into laughter every time I watch it. No words to say, literally legendary.

Nostalgia

[vasukaukuntla · 10/10 · 12 February 2022]

Everyone watched Mr. Bean and have memories of binging episodes on cartoon channels.

It is as nostalgic as it gets.

Rowan Atkinson gave life to the character, making it a comedy icon.

This is a 10/10 for me.

Easily the best British sitcom of the 1990s!

[manchester_england2004 · 10/10 · 28 July 2009]

The 1990s was a great decade for British sitcom with many popular creations such as ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE, ABSOLUTELY FABOULOUS THE THIN BLUE LINE, THE BRITTAS EMPIRE and MEN BEHAVING BADLY arriving onto TV screens for the first time.

However, MR. BEAN is, hands down, the greatest sitcom of the 1990s.

MR. BEAN represents the first major attempt at a throwback to the era of silent greats such as Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton for several decades. It brings to the audience a single character - Mr. Bean - played to perfection by Rowan Atkinson.

Many people who have commented on this page as well as on the message boards on this and other websites have engaged in debates about whether or not Mr. Bean has a mental disability or has significant learning difficulties arising from such a disability. However, I believe this debate is unnecessary because I highly doubt that the creators of this show expected anyone in the audience for a single moment to even consider Mr. Bean in such a context.

Mr. Bean is shown to be a character who seems to have very few friends, rarely speaks and chooses to solve problems by himself with no guidance from others. Some of his methods to approaching day-to-day tasks such as preparing lunch or going to the dentist are approached in a manner bizarre to anyone watching the show. This is where the humour derives from. Mr. Bean is not necessarily someone with a mental disability, he may just be an eccentric person accustomed to dealing with things his own way. And naturally some of his methods to completing a single task often result in disaster, which we then see Mr. Bean try to resolve.

Sometimes, we see Mr. Bean show a mean or petty streak, often trying to compete with those around him or play pranks on those least expecting it. But no real harm comes to anyone at the end of the day and outcomes are always reassuring.

Unlike most examples of British comedy in the past 30 years, MR. BEAN is simple, inoffensive, harmless U-rated entertainment suitable for everyone in the family to enjoy. It is for this reason why the TV series became a big hit in dozens of countries throughout the world. It is also why it will still be remembered in several decades from now when lots of other TV shows will have come, gone and been forgotten.

Some critics claim the show only appeals to children yet I laugh just as much at Mr. Bean's antics now as I did when I first saw the episodes as a kid in the 1990s. Rowan Atkinson has used his natural ability to create effective visual gags that seem just as funny on repeat viewings as they did the first time.

The TV series has to date spawned two spin-off movies, BEAN and MR. BEAN'S HOLIDAY. As one familiar with the type of humour shown in the TV series would expect, it does not translate to success on the big screen. The two movies do little justice to the TV series and fail to truly capture the magic of the episodes. The greatest failing in both movies perhaps resides in the change of setting. In both movies, the producers take Mr. Bean out of his normal British surroundings into America (the first movie) and France (the second movie). As a result, the movie characters around Mr. Bean respond differently to his behaviour than their TV series counterparts. Both movies re-use gags from the TV series, and the evidence shows that the gags were done right the first time. In the second movie, Mr. Bean is shown to be behaving out-of-character with some aspects of his personality exaggerated to the point where some gags seem dumb rather than funny. At various times, I found myself thinking that the character I was watching was not Mr. Bean but a pale caricature. It is clear that Rowan Atkinson was not enjoying himself as much as he did in the TV series. His heart just wasn't in the performance. After the second movie came out, he stated publicly that he would not play Mr. Bean again. I realise how he felt.

Returning to the TV series, each episode shows evidence of meticulous planning in terms of writing and execution in every single scene. Even the weakest episode is still highly enjoyable and well ahead of the two movies.

My favourite episodes are the first three - these set the high standard that was to continue. I consider the final episode to be the weakest but still hilarious nonetheless.

To summarise, MR. BEAN is a truly superb sitcom suitable for all the family. Rowan Atkinson is a true comic genius and the evidence is in the 14 episodes of this TV series. My recommendation - watch and enjoy. But only see the movies if you consider yourself a die-hard fan after seeing the TV series.

Almost Brilliant Comedy!

[Sylviastel · 9/10 · 6 April 2008]

Rowan Atkinson delivers an unforgettable performance as the clueless Mr. Bean who never goes far without his Teddy Bear. The appeal of Mr. Bean is largely his childish behavior and innocence. We don't know if he came from the sky or another planet. He is the kind of strange character that you can't make up quite easily. He is often alone and used to it. He has a hard time communicating through speech which might be why we only hear his grunts at times. There are other characters who speak to him and he responds. The character of Mr. Bean is a mystery and still is. He lives alone and does the unthinkable when he can do the sensible thing. Mr. Bean is rather an odd man out who does not mind it much. He rather live a simple life with his yellow car and teddy bear and hopes to get to work on time.

Funniest show ever

[WeAreLive · 10/10 · 9 May 2018]

I remember when I was about 9 and I really loved watch Mr Bean when I was really. I wasn't born when it was out but I saw reruns on ITV and sometimes Cartoon Network would air it. If you haven't seen this show I am telling you now you are really missing out.

If you are looking for a good comedy to watch I would honestly recommend Mr Bean even today.

Some epsiodes amazing, some not so much.

[Kdosda_Hegen · 6/10 · 11 May 2020]

As for a whole thing I feel kind of mixed, while there are some truly hilarious and genius episodes, there as many which are pretty lame and unfunny.

Probably the funniest TV show that has ever been made, and it never gets old!

[bellino-angelo2014 · 10/10 · 21 September 2020]

I have always loved MR BEAN, first the cartoons and then the live action version, and I also liked the two movies. And the reason is simple: Rowan Atkinson's physical humour makes everyone laugh because it's so simple and you would always root for him no matter what he does.

Here's the formula for the typical MR BEAN episode: Mr Bean wants to do something, but something goes in his way. Then, with his naiveness and brilliance combined, he always succeds. I don't need to explain the situations that happen in the episodes since it's a show known all over the world.

If you never saw this TV show before, what are you waiting for? At the first occasion watch it, and only if you are the biggest curmudgeon of all you won't love it!

Physical comedy Masterpiece, however...

[jordymadueno · 7/10 · 9 October 2023]

Concept: The brilliance lies in the idea of such a peculiar character in typical British settings of the time.

Plot: There is no overarching narrative that connects all the episodes. However, each episode does follow certain narrative patterns such as scene contextualization, problem development, and even low points for the main character. In short, it's a rather minimal and straightforward version of a usual plot.

Characters: There is only one character, Mr. Bean himself, who at first glance may not seem outstanding or recognizable. However, he has such a unique personality and attitude that he becomes iconic. From his mumbling, facial expressions, monotonous clothing, walking style, and more. Undoubtedly, it's a great character that Atkinson managed to build.

Complexity: The character itself is not complex. Starting with the fact that there is no backstory explaining where he came from or where he wants to go. Because of this, there is no character development. He remains the same from the first episode to the last, and although it offers a certain consistency, it becomes monotonous and loses appeal after each episode. Fortunately, it was a short series.

Performance: Rowan Atkinson is a genius. Not only for writing and developing such a unique character but also for portraying it perfectly. There is no doubt that his mastery of body language is what allows us to enjoy his work regardless of the country we are in. I must say it's not a primitive or childish performance; it requires great preparation to know how to define the ideal rhythm to entertain and make the audience laugh.

Aesthetics: It's not particularly outstanding. It simply reflects the English context of that time. Moreover, it uses a typical English style of presenting scenes with a raw, almost unaltered aesthetic of what reality would be.

Sound: Nothing in particular, perhaps the most relevant aspect is the sound effects to help highlight Mr. Bean's actions.

A classic which didn't age well

[cmelaniesenf · 5/10 · 21 December 2021]

When I was a kid, I loved Mr. Bean and tried to watch these 15 episodes multiple times but never made it through.

With some help from the almighty Amazon, I finally got what I wanted and wish I hadn't. Why?

Because it shattered my illusion.

He represents everything we dislike about others these days. We are "the girlfriend", we dislike the way he's trying to be funny; we dislike the way he treats people including us (girls). We dislike the way he lives; we dislike the way he handles difficult situations. We disapprove of the way he's trying to win us back after realizing (too late) that he might have done something wrong. But what he wouldn't admit.

I'm deeply sorry for turning this into some psychologic review especially as we all know that Mr. Bean should be seen as a comedic character. But fact is, this classic didn't age well.