The Prince and the Pauper BBC TV comedy series "Blackadder the Third" has an episode, "Duel and Duality," where the Prince Regent believes that the Duke of Wellington is after him. The prince swaps clothes with Blackadder (who is his butler) and says, "This reminds of that story 'The Prince and the Porpoise'." Blackadder corrects him: "Pauper. The Prince and the Pauper." Since "Blackadder the Third" is set during the early 1800s, this is an anachronism. In 1996, PBS aired a "Wishbone" adaptation titled "The Pooch and the Pauper" with Wishbone playing both Tom Canty and Edward VI. The BBC produced a six-part dramatization of
Blackadder family dynasty present at many significant periods and places in British history. It is implied in each series that the Blackadder character is a descendant of the previous one (the end theme lyrics of series 2, episode "Head", specify that he is the great-grandson of the previous), although it is never specified how or when any of the Blackadders (who are usually bachelors) managed to father children. As the generations progress, each Blackadder becomes increasingly clever and perceptive, while the family's social status steadily erodes. However, each Blackadder remains a cynical, cowardly opportunist, maintaining and increasing his own status and