Every Rowan Atkinson Film & TV Project Ranked From Worst To Best
26. Canned Laughter
1979's Canned Laughter is Atkinson's debut television appearance, airing as a pilot episode on ITV, but would never be adapted into a full series. Largely a one-man show, he plays Robert Box, a clumsy, if well-meaning, and rather non-descript office worker, as well as his scummy boss, and a struggling stand-up comedian.
Most of the best humour comes from interaction between his characters, such as madly cackling in a silent restaurant at his own cringe-worthy stand-up routine.
The parallels between Box and one of Atkinson's more famous characters are clear and often cited, indeed the opening scenes of him shaving awkwardly and preparing in the mirror are incredibly Mr. Bean, even more that a decade before the character would hit screens.
The first on-screen steps from the subject of our list, it is in an interesting watch in terms of his development, with other scenes serving as rough drafts for more polished moments from the likes of Dead On Time or the first Mr. Bean theatrical release.
However, as their higher positions on this list suggest, there is a reason Atkinson felt they had not been done justice in this show.