This TV special was released when I was less than six years old, before I had ever seen comedian Rowan Atkinson in anything. It was later in the 90's when I first saw episodes of "Mr. Bean", with Atkinson's famous goofy, dimwitted alter ego. After that, I would later see the comedian in the role of the bitter, mean-spirited, sarcastic "Blackadder", and I think both characters are really funny, as different as they are. I had never heard of "Rowan Atkinson Live" until four years ago, in late 2005. It had not yet been released on DVD at the time, but I rented a VHS copy, and as I expected, it was hilarious! Late last month, I watched it on VHS again, for the first time since 2005, and finally this month on DVD. These second and third viewings didn't change my opinion.Filmed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1991, this TV film shows Rowan Atkinson performing a series of comedy sketches before a live audience at the Boston University Theatre. It begins with "It Started with a Sneeze", which "Mr. Bean" fans are bound to recognize, but then expands into a variety of different sketches, often very different from that first one. There are more Beanesque sketches, such as "Invisible Man", plus a lot of dry humour in such sketches as "Fatal Beatings", "The Good Loser", and "With Friends Like These". The only other actor who ever joins Atkinson on stage for any of these sketches is Angus Deayton, who plays supporting roles in some of them. Whether Atkinson uses dry verbal humour or goofy, mime-like visual humour, none of the sketches fail to make the audience laugh! My least favourite sketch here is probably "Pink Tights and Plenty of Props", which is a little tedious, but even that one is far from laugh-free. I would say most of the special is hilarious (which was just what I thought the first time), mainly thanks to the dry wit, though the sight gags are usually very funny as well. "Elementary Dating," "Guys After the Game," and "Tom, Dick and Harry" are apparently all sketches missing from the original version (I never saw them on VHS), but they are bonus features on the DVD release, which is good, since they definitely deserve to be seen as well! There's not much else to say about "Rowan Atkinson Live", except that if you're a fan of the comedian, and are old enough for some crude humour (especially in "No One Called Jones") and occasional swearing, I don't think calling this a must-see it too extreme! Even if you're one of his fans who don't like "Mr. Bean", then you wouldn't like every sketch here, but would probably still like the majority of them.

This summary of all of Mr. Bean's and Rowan's favorites make Rowan Atkinson live! the best comedy collection available in the world. I've seen a lot of comedy and nothing beats this one. It is witty, funny, smart and unexpected. If you've seen mr. bean before and don't like it because it seems a bit dumb, this collection has some sketches that may change the way you think about British comedy and about the mastermind and genius of Rowan Atkinson (don't anyone come and tell me about the genius of Tarantino!). This is the real genius and this will be a classic for years to come and something really difficult to beat for the young kids thinking of making comedy themselves (I'm 22, don't think I'm a bitter old man). Thank you Rowan Atkinson for making me laugh for so many years (I'm talking as if he were dead!).

I agree with all the comments here; the tape, which now seems to be out of print, is great. However, I have a version that was released in 1997 by PolyGram, and it is missing three of the sketches listed here: Thomas, Richard and Harold; Elementary Dating; and Guys After the Game. It does have one sketch, A Final Bash, that the earlier version did not have. In this, Atkinson mimes playing an elaborate drum set. Still, I would give anything to see the 1991 version. I have no clue why these changes were made.

What can I say about Rowan Atkinson that hasn't already been said? He is brilliantly asinine, wonderfully silly and a greater comedian I have yet to see... if he made you laugh in the "Black Adder" and "Bean" series, you'll love his blend of naughty humor in this live show. There are ten sketches in the show, and each one is a gem. My personal favorites are "The Good Loser", in which he is a bitter actor who has lost an award to a loathed castmate; "With Friends Like These", in which three of his 'near and dear ones' each give a toast at his wedding; and "Pink Tights and Plenty of Props", in which our man Rowan gives one of his most hilarious performances ever as an acting instructor (watch for when the evil brother is 'fatally' wounded and 'dies in character'. I screamed with laughter and tears ran down my face! I also had to run to the loo, 'cause I laughed so hard!) All in all, I just want to say: "DO NOT BUY THIS TAPE IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED TO LAUGH!"...and you might want to put a plastic cover over the couch cushions just in case! (smile!) ENJOY!