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The Romesh Ranganathan Show

Ben Elton on Blackadder, Mr Bean & Writing TV Classics

The Romesh Ranganathan Show

Ranga Bee & Platform Media

Comedy, Society & Culture

4.6711 Ratings

🗓️ 17 May 2026

⏱️ 80 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

What does the man behind Blackadder actually think about modern comedy? Ben Elton, multi award-winning comedian writer, novelist, director and lyricist joins Romesh to discuss his new autobiography, 'What Have I Done?’' and share with us how he went from being a 10-year old auditioning for amateur theatre, to writing some of the most-loved British sitcoms including Blackadder, The Young Ones and more. From going to University with Rick Mayall, getting the call to work with Queen and how the We Will Rock You Musical really came about, to what happened when Blackadder got cancelled and why he loves Mr Bean so much. Plus: a classic question from Shanthi, a rant about mobile phones and an unexpected modelling pitch to M&S. Don't miss it. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Platform. 00:00 - Intro 02:50 - Ben’s autobiography 04:49 - On reviews and critics 09:09 - A gift for Ben 12:54 - Ben’s route into writing 15:34 - On stand up 21:32 - Challenging sexism and politics 24:10 - On Improvising 26:13 - The real story of Blackadder 37:55 - Ben’s favourite work 39:30 - On negative headlines 40:56 - Upstart Crow with David Mitchell 43:32 - Triumph and disaster 45:03 - Shanthi’s question to Ben 48:35 - On We Will Rock You 01:01-40 - Misquoted 01:16:55 - Saying what you want to say 01:18:28 - Modelling pitch 01:19:02 - Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Am I, these answers too long.

0:01.8

I've been on a lot of podcasts.

0:03.5

Well, I suppose it's open-ended, isn't it, really? And we can edit as well. Yeah. No, I don't. No, when it comes up. Casually thrown out. When it comes out, it'll just be you going, yeah. No, I don't. Love you. Love you, love you, love. And put that on at a thought of it thought of... Hello there, I'm Ben Elton,

0:21.6

and I am very, very excited indeed

0:23.6

because I am going to be on the Ramesh Ranga Nathan show.

0:27.2

And it doesn't get any better than that, Podwise.

0:40.4

Oh, It's the Romish, Red Guy, Nathan, show.

0:43.0

Oh, shut up, Ramesh.

0:49.5

This episode is brought to you by Virgin Red.

0:51.4

So, Virgin Red means go.

0:52.4

That's the whole idea.

1:12.0

And I'm telling that because I am, by nature, someone who does not go. I'm world class at talking myself out of things. Someone says let's go away for the weekend and within 30 seconds I've already taught myself out of it. So I stay home thinking about all the things I want to be doing, which is why Virgin Red is, honestly, brilliant for people like me. Virgin Red offers epic rewards from the brands you love and you earn virgin points from doing things you're already doing. You travel,

1:16.1

your shopping, your day-to-day spending and those points unlock trips away. Hotel stays,

1:21.0

live music and experiences that become the story you're telling for years. Moments that become

1:26.7

memories. All you have to do is go.

1:29.6

Go somewhere you've been meaning to. Go do something you never knew you could. And once you're

1:33.7

there, you remember exactly why you said yes. Even better, your virgin points don't expire, so you can

1:39.9

let them build up until something epic comes along. And it will. Ready to dive in, become a member, and start unlocking rewards that make life feel a little more epic.

1:52.5

Okay, you ready?

1:54.3

I'm going to do your intro now, Ben.

1:55.7

Okay.

1:56.5

This is quite difficult for somebody with a career like yours.

...

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