Rowan Atkinson BBC2 spoof

A parody of BBC2's opening night, broadcast on 21 April 1989 as part of the channel's 25th anniversary.

[@darganx]

And there I was thinking Denis Tuohy was the first presenter on BBC2! They got the set so accurate it looked like Rowan Atkinson was transplanted back to 1964, well done!

[@carlchapman4053]

This is the BBC you are talking about, they probably still had the original set in a storage warehouse in case it was needed for a new Doctor Who episode but Rowan beat them to it!

[@paul1964uk]

It's a great impression of Richard Baker that Rowan is doing.

[@slytherinsheirx]

"£95 Pinds.." "Good evening, Rich People." So many more funny lines!

[@KKAkuoku]

This is Look Around You-level convincing for a spoof of older media.

[@johnking5174]

Love this video. Rowan was born in County Durham in the North East of England, and I wonder when he lost his accent, as for as long as I remember Rowan has always spoken in a standard english accent. Love how he upped the posh here.

[@ultrademigod]

I believe his family were well off, so he probably had elocution lessons from a young age.

[@johnking5174]

@@ultrademigod Rowan's dad Eric started off as a farmer, and progressed into farm management.

[@CricketEngland]

The first programme on BBC2 was an episode of “Play School” at 11am the following morning The first night’s programs were shown later that evening

[@flakfanatic]

"If you were able to see us in colour, you certainly are hallucinating." I would be hallucinating if I saw this in 1964.

[@Orlabobz]

It's almost hilarious that he plays mr bean as rowan has such a wonderfully perfect 'posh' (and i hesitate to use that word, as he is not uppity, but his accent is very brittish). Shows his brilliant range. Such a marvelous actor...

[@damwaterthomas1980]

Mr. Bean is great as a character and even the films are funny to watch.

[@WimpyKelv12]

Wow! Reginald “Rowan” Atkinson is actually a lot older than I thought he was! Didn’t know he had been working in TV for so long!

[@ferraridinoman]

Rowan NEVER puts a foot wrong in my opinion! Great talent!! (Swine!!) ha ha!

[@OldBigCD]

The photo of Rowan Atkinson is taken in front of Saltburn Pier, Wahay!

[@Khorney]

Good evening rich people, and thank you for being so rich :)

[@hugh0221]

Reginald Atkinson lol

[@philjamieson5572]

I think this is such a well written monologue.

[@AengusFallon]

I love the way he says "zany". So funny.

[@thesmithersy]

Funny how they didn't parody the first lines ever heard on BBC2. Probably for good reason

[@johnking5174]

Please explain?

[@peterwilliamskelhorn6675]

​@@johnking5174the first person on BBC 2 was Denis Tuohy

[@paulwalker9014]

Ah..Black and White TV. Remember watching upstairs in a spare bedroom, to avoid the TV detector van.

[@adamsblog2161]

0:00 (music) talks

[@didiask4485]

21st April 1989

[@alangiles2763]

That was extremely clever.

[@giuferfg]

Complimenti per la fedeltà della ricostruzione.

[@AddsMusical]

is it just me or did i here tom bakers voice at the beginning of the video ?

[@wisteela]

Superbly done

[@serfer1983]

....and another one gone, and another one gone.....

[@CirkusBolgen]

Nice symbolism... Rowan was lying...

[@mmutasim2]

@Christorix Haha! So money DOES make the world go round....and create new languages! Thanks for correcting me by the way.

[@MrSean64]

Somebody give me the link to the full BBC2 launch video.

[@chucklefun487]

Great video 🙂

[@KB-im2dj]

His haircut look like Mr. Bean

[@SpongeDan]

That's because it IS Mr. Bean.

[@usmcfutball]

lol God bless Great Britain and the Royal Navy!

[@AccordionManiac]

lol! What show was this from?

[@johnking5174]

A programme which celebrated 25 years of BBC 2 in 1989.

[@soccom8341576]

lol, rich people watching tv. youtube!

[@LaytonBear]

How did Mr bean Star Rowan Atkinson presented the BBC Two launch

[@alfiejmulcahy]

He didn't. It's a spoof

[@anukiran1735]

Plot twist: Tony Robinson tried to do a sketch for BBC1's reopening in 1981 ,being Tommy Robinson who nearly became controller had it not been for a last minute replacement storming in and sacking him ,and Tony is said to be in his womb and Tommy says 'According to his uncle Tommy ,he is only 2 months and 8 days from being born ,the reason he may miss this while his daddy watches this on a 405 line tv set ,says that BBC2 will launch in 1964 ,and 2 years after that is in colour ,BBC1(that was renamed from BBC tv) in 1969 ,will begin transmitting in 625 line Colour ,will go on satellite in '85 and will switch to true electronical tv(digital) in 2010 ,before saying 'If you can see and remember me on the TV as a child ,and you live in Kent ,Sussex or London(Only option) ,thank you for being born and being above 1 day old.' ...........And Richard Curtis stole the idea ,revamping it for BBC2's 25th anniversary.

[@cameronsstopmotionvideos7426]

What Year is it in? 0:01

[@SpongeDan]

1 BC

[@cameronsstopmotionvideos7426]

@@SpongeDan no it’s between the 7️⃣0️⃣s

[@absage2001]

people people relax! enjoy the comedy

[@jessenoelreyes4658]

Candle

[@giuferfg]

90 sterline erano soldi nel 1964 e lo sono ancora adesso.

[@tangofizz77]

@LimeClassRules10 I have to disagree. These look allot like there cameras, they may have even used the old VCR Recorder attachment to create the look. I think these cameras were Kodak. Not sure.

[@MrMLD1972]

♥

[@lijluvr356]

It's a grey suit and a red tie. ... No really, it's a GREEN suit and a BLUE tie.

[@didiask4485]

1964

[@asthmaticmonkey1]

Wibble....

[@DeeepValue]

LOLOL

[@JonnyRidley]

lol

[@mattitude2690]

haha funny

[@philipfallatik8945]

Where do y'all find funny shit like this?

[@mmutasim2]

95 pounds. not pinds

[@C.I...]

The story about the fire is entirely true. Also the first broadcast was thought lost until 2003. It's on KZbin.

[@khangphamchannel016]

Kudos to that guy who was able to get the supposedly BBC2 launch, but it was unable to launch due to a power cut.

[@johnking5174]

@@khangphamchannel016 I believe someone based at Alexandra Palace managed to record the opening night that never was. Ally Pally was the main BBC News headquarters, and was not affected by the powercut, so the opening was recorded. However they felt it would not be needed, as it was a non event. And so that recording was taken home by someone at Ally Pally and not discovered for many years.

[@khangphamchannel016]

@@johnking5174 wow that was so interesting :))

[@johnking5174]

@@khangphamchannel016 Thank you

[@justplainjimmy1481]

Rowan is one of England's greatest comedians.

[@Hammern28]

I would dare say, one of the greatest comedians in the world.

[@justplainjimmy3601]

@@Hammern28 I agree.

[@Inescapeium]

Rowan is one of the most iconic actors of all time

[@kataka64]

Good evening rich people! hahahhaha

[@hilarioph]

Nice going Mr Bean you my favorite 😊

[@tangofizz77]

They used there old cameras!? AWSOME!

[@newforestpixie5297]

in 1969 i was 5 yrs old my much older sister worked as childrens nanny (as it was called) at a large house & one day I remember a rare visit where i was with the youngest tot & also in front of me was a tv screen with colourful stripes & boxes . The colour was indeed unusual but I remember thinking Dr Who & High Chapperell were much more fun even though in black & white. Life never became less confusing to be honest.

[@WhattheFools001]

Hello Mr bean

[@dwho19951]

Or "BBC 2 Rowan Atkinson reconstruction"?

[@uenoe233tatrkbussid]

Looks like mr bean

[@tangofizz77]

@LimeClassRules10 ok, so whats Noise Levels? Gain? Color Correction? VSTs?

[@MiscPractice]

Rowan Atkinson is Mr. Bean

[@tangofizz77]

@LimeClassRules10 Wheres your sources?

[@Fonziedaz1]

Rowan Atkinson is so funny 🤣 😂 😆

[@slytherinsheirx]

I know that... It's the way he says it.

[@tomosburton1756]

Very educational.

[@FrostyButter]

What a zanny character.

[@JHollowayNetwork]

21st April 1964

[@julianhanc8272]

Yes

[@solojinglesradio1]

@@julianhanc8272 no

[@julianhanc8272]

YES!!!

[@didiask4485]

@@julianhanc8272 21st April 1989