Steve Coogan interview

In Britain, Steve Coogan's Alan Partridge is as celebrated as John Cleese's Basil Fawlty or Rowan Atkinson's Mr. Bean. And in America, Coogan's cult status has been spreading, thanks to The Trip, the recent movie drawn from one of his wildly popular BBC shows. David Kamp explores Coogan's comic genius, his stormy history with the U.K. tabloids (once a target thanks to his romantic and chemical exploits, he's now a plaintiff in the Murdoch phone-hacking case), and his even more complex relationship with his most famous creation.

Although he wasn't a household name, John Howard Davies was a king to sitcom fans. The master producer and director, who died in August at the age of 72, had his hands on the tiller of countless classics. A short tribute featuring John Cleese and Rowan Atkinson is followed by three jewels of the genre: probably the best Good Life, the escaped convicts episode of Steptoe and Son, and the sublime Gourmet Night outing of Fawlty Towers ("If you don't like duck, you're rather stuck").

There's a reason his shows bear repetition: they are immaculately crafted. Take that Good Life: you'll rarely see better performances in a sitcom half-hour.

Rowan Atkinson - America is a 'tough bean' to crack

Credit where credit is due here. That brilliant headline comes from Susan King at the Los Angeles Times. With Rowan Atkinson's new film, Johnny English Reborn set to open in U.S. theaters nationwide today, the British comedian has found, historically, that the American market is, indeed, a tough 'bean' to crack when it comes to big screen popularity.

Blackadder the Fifth - Any thoughts?

When Rowan Atkinson put Teddy to bed for the last time recently, he did offer up, in exchange, that he'd be up for the possibility more Blackadder brilliance someday in the not-too-distant future. That's the good news.

Blackadder the Fifth? What should the theme be?

After Rowan Atkinson hinted that he'd like to make more Blackadder, we suggest some new scenarios...

Pictures: Johnny English Reborn premiere

He might have been the one everyone was waiting to see at the Johnny English Reborn premiere this afternoon. But when Rowan Atkinson arrived with his family in Leicester Square for the red carpet event today, all eyes were on his stunning daughter Lily.

Johnny English Reborn review

Rowan Atkinson returns as Johnny English, in a sequel that, bluntly, not many people were asking for. So: is it any good?

Rowan Atkinson hints at a fifth series of Blackadder

Veteran comedian Rowan Atkinson wants to do a fifth series of his classic sitcom Blackadder.

Rowan Atkinson plans stage return

Rowan Atkinson is returning to the stage after the success of his role as Fagin in the West End musical Oliver!.

Video: Rowan Atkinson's learnt limitations following crash

Actor Rowan Atkinson has talked about crashing his McLaren F1 supercar into a tree in August this year.

The Blackadder and Mr Bean star said that while he had recovered from the incident, the car would take some time to mend.

The Johnny English Reborn star was talking to [i]Newsbeat[/i['s entertainment reporter Nesta McGregor ahead of the release of the film.