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Bob (Blackadder character)
Encyclopedia
Bob is a pseudonym used by two characters in the sitcom Blackadder
, both female and played by Gabrielle Glaister
.
. She is a somewhat naive young woman who insists on believing her mother is dead, despite her father's insistence that she ran off with his brother.
Her aging father informs her that due to his imminent dotage he must look to his daughter to sustain him, and suggests that the best way is for her to become a prostitute
, against her will.
Upon arrival in London, she disguises herself as a man and is hired by Lord Blackadder
while his manservant; he casually kicks Baldrick
out onto the streets. However, when Blackadder points out that "Kate" is a girl's name, she quickly claims it is short for "Bob". Blackadder becomes increasingly concerned about the attraction he feels for the boy. Eventually, after being prescribed a course of leeches by a doctor and an attempt to throw Bob out, he learns the truth (after Kate opens her doublet in front of him), and several minutes later they have sex
and become engaged.
The wedding is due to be officiated by Lord Melchett
, with Baldrick acting as bridesmaid (Kate doesn't have any girl-chums, as her family is too poor to afford friends). Blackadder pays Kate's father £10 to go away, much to her dismay. Blackadder's promise to have Baldrick beat him up and retrieve the money does little to comfort her. Unfortunately Blackadder asks Lord Flashheart
to be the best man (even though Lord Percy wanted to be the best man), and within seconds of meeting Kate, Flashheart gives her a searingly passionate kiss directly in front of Edmund, winning her heart. Flash and Kate decide to run off together (although, as Kate has discovered she prefers wearing boys' clothes, and Flash feels more comfy in a dress, they swap outfits first), leaving Blackadder jilted at the altar.
episode "Major Star" introduces General Melchett's driver, Bob Parkhurst. Captain Blackadder
recognises Bob's gender
immediately:
She begs Blackadder not to give her away, explaining that all her brothers have signed up, and she wants "to see how a war is fought, so badly".
While Blackadder is not fooled, Lieutenant George is, failing to spot the truth even when she emerges from the shower wearing only a towel. So is Melchett, who, while attracted to the singer Gorgeous Georgina (utterly failing to recognise Lieutenant George), is outraged when she is replaced by what he perceives as a drag act
involving Bob.
Driver Parkhurst also appears in the following episode, "Private Plane", once more involved with Lord Flashheart. In this episode, Bob appears as a female, wearing women's clothing and going by the unisex name "Bobbie". Thus, may be assumed that her disguise was uncovered or she eventually came clean.
At the end of the episode, Lord Flashheart, a squadron commander in the Royal Flying Corps
, tells Blackadder, "Remember, if you want something, take it." Flashheart then calls Bobbie into the room and announcing, "I want something." She gleefully responds, "Take it," while pulling open her top. Bobbie leads Flashheart out of the office, continuing the joke from the second series.
Blackadder
Blackadder is the name that encompassed four series of a BBC1 historical sitcom, along with several one-off instalments. All television programme episodes starred Rowan Atkinson as anti-hero Edmund Blackadder and Tony Robinson as Blackadder's dogsbody, Baldrick...
, both female and played by Gabrielle Glaister
Gabrielle Glaister
Gabrielle Glaister is an English actress.-Early life:She was a school friend of Ben Elton at Godalming Grammar School on Tuesley Lane in Godalming, Surrey; Glaister was in the year below Elton...
.
Blackadder II
Kate, who goes by the pseudonym "Bob", is one of the first characters to appear in Blackadder IIBlackadder II
Blackadder II is the second series of the BBC situation comedy Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton, which aired from 9 January 1986 to 20 February 1986...
. She is a somewhat naive young woman who insists on believing her mother is dead, despite her father's insistence that she ran off with his brother.
Her aging father informs her that due to his imminent dotage he must look to his daughter to sustain him, and suggests that the best way is for her to become a prostitute
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
, against her will.
Upon arrival in London, she disguises herself as a man and is hired by Lord Blackadder
Lord Blackadder
Edmund Blackadder, Lord Blackadder is the main character in the second series of the popular BBC sitcom Blackadder. He is played by Rowan Atkinson.The second series is set in Elizabethan England, and Edmund is a courtier to Queen Elizabeth I...
while his manservant; he casually kicks Baldrick
Baldrick
Baldrick is the name of several fictional characters featured in the long-running BBC historic comedy television series Blackadder. Each one serves as Edmund Blackadder's servant and sidekick and acts as a foil to the lead character...
out onto the streets. However, when Blackadder points out that "Kate" is a girl's name, she quickly claims it is short for "Bob". Blackadder becomes increasingly concerned about the attraction he feels for the boy. Eventually, after being prescribed a course of leeches by a doctor and an attempt to throw Bob out, he learns the truth (after Kate opens her doublet in front of him), and several minutes later they have sex
Sex
In biology, sex is a process of combining and mixing genetic traits, often resulting in the specialization of organisms into a male or female variety . Sexual reproduction involves combining specialized cells to form offspring that inherit traits from both parents...
and become engaged.
The wedding is due to be officiated by Lord Melchett
Melchett
Melchett is a family line of fictional characters appearing in the British television sitcom series Blackadder, played by Stephen Fry. There were two main Melchetts: Lord Melchett and General Melchett.- Blackadder II :...
, with Baldrick acting as bridesmaid (Kate doesn't have any girl-chums, as her family is too poor to afford friends). Blackadder pays Kate's father £10 to go away, much to her dismay. Blackadder's promise to have Baldrick beat him up and retrieve the money does little to comfort her. Unfortunately Blackadder asks Lord Flashheart
Lord Flashheart
Lord Flashheart is the name of two fictional characters who appeared in two episodes of the popular BBC sitcom Blackadder. They are both played by Rik Mayall....
to be the best man (even though Lord Percy wanted to be the best man), and within seconds of meeting Kate, Flashheart gives her a searingly passionate kiss directly in front of Edmund, winning her heart. Flash and Kate decide to run off together (although, as Kate has discovered she prefers wearing boys' clothes, and Flash feels more comfy in a dress, they swap outfits first), leaving Blackadder jilted at the altar.
Blackadder Goes Forth
The Blackadder Goes ForthBlackadder Goes Forth
Blackadder Goes Forth is the fourth and final series of the BBC situation comedy Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton, which aired from 28 September to 2 November 1989 on BBC One....
episode "Major Star" introduces General Melchett's driver, Bob Parkhurst. Captain Blackadder
Captain Blackadder
Captain Edmund Blackadder is the main fictional character in the fourth and final series of the popular BBC sitcom Blackadder, Blackadder Goes Forth...
recognises Bob's gender
Gender
Gender is a range of characteristics used to distinguish between males and females, particularly in the cases of men and women and the masculine and feminine attributes assigned to them. Depending on the context, the discriminating characteristics vary from sex to social role to gender identity...
immediately:
She begs Blackadder not to give her away, explaining that all her brothers have signed up, and she wants "to see how a war is fought, so badly".
While Blackadder is not fooled, Lieutenant George is, failing to spot the truth even when she emerges from the shower wearing only a towel. So is Melchett, who, while attracted to the singer Gorgeous Georgina (utterly failing to recognise Lieutenant George), is outraged when she is replaced by what he perceives as a drag act
Drag (clothing)
Drag is used for any clothing carrying symbolic significance but usually referring to the clothing associated with one gender role when worn by a person of another gender. The origin of the term "drag" is unknown, but it may have originated in Polari, a gay street argot in England in the early...
involving Bob.
Driver Parkhurst also appears in the following episode, "Private Plane", once more involved with Lord Flashheart. In this episode, Bob appears as a female, wearing women's clothing and going by the unisex name "Bobbie". Thus, may be assumed that her disguise was uncovered or she eventually came clean.
At the end of the episode, Lord Flashheart, a squadron commander in the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
, tells Blackadder, "Remember, if you want something, take it." Flashheart then calls Bobbie into the room and announcing, "I want something." She gleefully responds, "Take it," while pulling open her top. Bobbie leads Flashheart out of the office, continuing the joke from the second series.