Comedian Rowan Atkinson appeared on The One Show last night - Wednesday, June 22 - but laughter turned to anger after the interview as viewers slated BBC presenters Angela Scanlon and Jermaine Jenas for their interviewing technique.
The Blackadder and Mr Bean star was promoting Man Vs Bee. a new Netflix comedy which is due to air on Friday, June 24. In true Atkinson style, the show centres around a bumbling character, Trevor. Show makers describe the storyline as having a dad at the heart of the programme who is trying to "get the best of a cunning bee while house-sitting a posh mansion — but only unleashes more chaos in this comedy series".
The nine-part series is formed of 10-minute episodes, making it perfect for "binge-watching", Atkinson said. He said: "It's largely visual because it's just Trevor in a house with a bee – and the bee doesn't talk," he said. "I liked playing him because he's genuinely sweet, a genuinely good-natured man."
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Atkinson added: "He's got his problems and his issues. He's not a perfect individual and the real problem he has is his obsessiveness. Trevor Bingley is a much nicer man than Mr Bean, who's really quite a nasty piece of work. A self-centred, self-regarding, natural-born anarchist."
While the actor managed to give viewers an overview of the new show, and also revealing making it was more challenging and expensive than expected due to the pandemic, viewers weren't happy that the presenters interrupted their guest. Taking to social media, one viewer wrote: "Pointless getting Rowan Atkinson if you ask him a question then keep butting in to try and shut him up!" Another implored: "You have Rowan Atkinson. TALK TO HIM!!"
The comments continued: "I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more uncomfortable guest than Rowan Atkinson. The introvert is coming out, clearly not an experience he’s enjoying."
But the love for the comedian and his work was clear. One social media user wrote: "Bring back #MrBean on the telly my grandson watching this he loves it." Another said: "omg does the UK desperately need a return to Blackadder. The whole team, a new setting and they all older in life... do it!"
The One Show airs weekdays at 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Man Vs Bee will be shown on Netflix on Friday, June 24, 2022.
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