The article looks back at Rowan Atkinson’s early television career through a collection of behind-the-scenes rehearsal photographs from the British sketch comedy series “Not the Nine O’Clock News,” which aired from 1979 to 1982.Long before becoming internationally famous as Mr.

Bean or starring in “Blackadder,” Atkinson gained recognition on the satirical BBC program alongside Mel Smith, Griff Rhys Jones, and Pamela Stephenson.

The show was created as a fast-paced and irreverent alternative to traditional television news programming and quickly became influential in British comedy.

The piece highlights Atkinson’s distinctive performance style, especially his expressive facial acting and ability to portray both highly intelligent and absurdly foolish characters.

Several memorable sketches are mentioned, including “Gerald the Gorilla,” in which Atkinson plays an articulate gorilla who appears more sophisticated than the scientist studying him.

Other examples include his exaggerated authority figures, awkward politicians delivering absurd statements, and chaotic musical performances that showcased his talent for physical comedy.

The article also notes the importance of the show in launching Atkinson’s long-term collaboration with writer Richard Curtis, a partnership that later led to the creation of “Blackadder.

” Although the program relied heavily on satire and dialogue, Atkinson’s performances demonstrated his ability to entertain audiences through visual humor alone, paving the way for the largely silent comedy style of Mr.Bean.

The article concludes by mentioning that Atkinson won the 1981 British Academy Television Award for Best Entertainment Performance for his work on the series.