Why are there only 13 Mr. Bean episodes?

Answer 1

Unlike the American television industry, in the UK and other countries (like Japan) there seems to be a greater appreciation for keeping shows limited, with a clear beginning, middle and end; a show's success isn't so closely tied in to whether it keeps going on and on indefinitely, and there's a sense of a "season's" worth of shows as being a unified, self-contained whole. That's probably why what we call "seasons" here in the US are referred to as "series" in England--the thirteen episodes of a show are considered a unified work, and the show is essentially done; if it so wildly successful that comes back for another "series," it's regarded a bit more like a sequel than a continuation. So don't think of "Mr. Bean" as a show that got cancelled, but more as a 13-episode miniseries.

That style of TV has been gradually creeping into American TV--shows like The Sopranos, where seasons are brief and far in between; shows like "24," with each season having a self-contained story; reality shows like "Survivor," which run about thirteen episodes rather than the more traditional 22-26 episodes that American primetime shows generate; and shows that have shorter runs on the calendar, but have no stretches of reruns within (like "24," and later seasons of "Alias").

Answer 2

Rowan Atkinson has cited the earlier comedy character Monsieur Hulot, created by French comedian and director Jacques Tati as an influence on the character of Mr. Bean. Stylistically, Mr. Bean is also very similar to early silent films, relying purely upon physical comedy, with Mr. Bean speaking very little dialogue. This has allowed the series to be sold worldwide without any significant changes to dialogue.
Music

Mr. Bean is unusual amongst comedy series in featuring a choral theme tune, written by Howard Goodall and performed by the Choir of Southwark Cathedral. The words sung during the title sequences are in Latin:

* Ecce homo qui est faba – "Behold the man who is a bean" (sung at beginning)
* Finis partis primae – "End of part one" (sung before the commercial break)
* Pars secunda – "Part two" (sung after the commercial break)
* Vale homo qui est faba – "Farewell, man who is a bean" (sung at end)

Goodall also wrote an accompanying music track for many episodes.

Mr. Bean often seems unaware of basic aspects of the way the world works, and the programme usually features his attempts at what would normally be considered simple tasks, such as going swimming, redecorating or taking an exam. The humour largely comes from his original solutions to any problems and his total disregard for others when solving them. Indeed, some of Bean's actions occasionally have a particularly malevolent aspect to them.

At the beginning of episode two onwards, Mr. Bean falls from the sky in a beam of light. These opening sequences were initially in black and white in episodes 2 and 3, and were intended by the producers to show his status as an "ordinary man cast into the spotlight". However, later episodes showed Mr. Bean dropping from the night sky in a deserted London street, against the backdrop of St. Paul's Cathedral; later, in the animated series, he was shown to be an alien. Atkinson himself has acknowledged that Bean "has a slightly alien aspect to him".

Answer 3

Because the UK is reknowed for having only 1 or 2 seasons of great comedies and then closing shop and doing new shows. They did at least have some specials later and brought him back.

Black Adder was the same way.

The real exceptions are East Enders, Dr. WHo, and Allo Allo these things ran forever.

BBC is more govt run not captialistic so they don't go by what make money.

Answer 4

Because the show sucked and 13 episodes was 13 too many!

Answer 5

British/European television produces only 12-13 episodes per season. I think it's where "tune in next week..." comes from.

Answer 6

Good question, that was a great show. I watched it every friday on PBS and then they just stopped airing it. I was so bummed.