Bernard & The Genie

Writer Richard Curtis sat down one Christmas determined to write something cheerful. 

"My Family and I had just watched an Agatha Christie, 

during which two people were stabbed 

and one was forcibly injected with 

heroin," says the Blackadder creator. 

"By the end of it we were totally miserable." 

Determined to provide something happier for Christmas 1991 

he came up with the story 

for Bernard and the Genie.

Bernard & The Genie - BBC1 - 

Monday 23 December 1991

Bernard Bottle: 

So all I have to do is wish?

Josephus, The Genie: 

As far as I know; the training for this 

stupid job is practically nonexistent.

Bernard Bottle: 

Originally, it was supposed to celebrate The Birth of this chap called Jesus Christ, who was born, 

well, about 2000 years ago.

Genie: 

Jesus, you say?

Bernard Bottle: 

Yeah.

Genie: 

But I knew this guy.

Bernard Bottle: 

You did not!

Genie: 

I did, I mean, what did 

he do to get so famous?

Bernard Bottle: 

Well, he turned out to 

be The Son of God.

Genie: 

No! I thought he was kidding!

Genie: 

One day I was in The Temple 

when they tried to turn it 

into a supermarket; 

Jesus went in there 

and kicked ass!

Bernard Bottle: 

Like Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Genie: 

Yes, but with smaller pectorals.