I remember the very first time I saw Mr. Bean. I was at a movie theatre, and surprised to see a short film being presented before the feature (this was years ago, before the recent addition of commercials and the like). The short featured a somewhat bumbling British gentleman at a theatre, getting in a line and preparing to meet the Queen. As he prepared, everything that could possibly go wrong did, and by the time it was over I had laughed so hard as to almost fall out of my seat. To be honest, that few minutes of comedy ended up being far more entertaining the feature I was there to see. Once I got home, I started looking up everything I could about this character. I found out that he was played by an English comic by the name of Rowan Atkinson. That was the first I had ever heard the name. Further investigation led me to find out I could catch episodes of “Bean” on HBO, but even more so enlightening, I could find other shows featuring Atkinson on PBS.

Within a few weeks, I had made the determination that Rowan Atkinson was nothing short of a comedic genius. Over a period of time I became familiar with the “Black Adder” series as well as catching him in a few movies. Portraying different characters over several generations of the Black Adder clan, Atkinson proved he could play a whiny little sniveler with as much ease as he could dish out apathetic sarcasm. Short of Monty Python, this had to be one of the funniest British comedies ever. I later caught him in a series called “The Thin Blue Line” where he portrayed Inspector Raymond C. Fowler, whose utter ineptitude and cynicism made the series yet another standout amongst PBS’ terrific Sunday night line-ups.

There was no question in my mind that the man was talented, but it was a concert of sorts that I caught late one night on one of the old pay cable channels (it might have been HBO, but I honestly cannot remember). It featured Atkinson at his absolute funniest, performing sketches live on stage and running the gamut of comedy styles. Throughout the concert's hour running time, Atkinson became an annoying parishioner, a school master taking attendance, a train commuter being harassed by an invisible man and a bumbling actor performing Shakespeare. And these are just a few of the 10 characters tat he hilariously brings to life. His comic timing and talent are unsurpassed throughout the entire show.

I had originally taped the show, knowing full well that it was going to be good. But I made the mistake of loaning it to a friend who subsequently lost it, so I had not been able to see it again for more than 10 years. But A&E is releasing this 1991 concert on DVD this month so I finally got to revisit it to see if it was as funny as I remembered. After laughing my butt off, I had to admit that it hadn't lost any of its appeal.

Along with the concert, the DVD includes three extra skits that were cut from the original presentation. I can see why they were cut, as they weren't as funny as the rest of the show, but they are still totally worth watching.

So if you only know Rowan Atkinson as "Mr. Bean", treat yourself to a whole new look at the his considerable comic talents.

Directed by: Tommy Schlamme
Starring: Rowan Atkinson
Extras: Bonus Sketches, Biography and Filmography
Specifications: Dolby Digital Stereo
Studio: A&E
Release Date: 8/14/2007
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give Rowan Atkinson Live! a B.