For nearly 20 years now, viewers have enjoyed following the turbulent and relentlessly funny life of Alan Partridge, Britain’s most cringeworthy TV/Radio personality. Most recently, his BBC show, I’m Alan Partridge charted his continuing decline as a successful TV host, and saw him suffering a nervous breakdown that preceeded a tragic mid life crisis.
Now Partridge returns to his debut format, in a new radio show with a twist. And these ongoing webisodes prove that there are yet more laughs to be found in this legendary comedy character.
The Return of Alan Partridge
In association with FostersFunny.co.uk, each episode runs at just over 10 minutes long. Mid Morning Matters is a fly on the wall view of Alan as he hosts a local Norfolk radio show, accompanied largely by the stumbling Sidekick Simon, and a host of hapless guests.
During his self indulgent and fool hardy hosting, Alan fills his radio slot with pointless questionnaires, aimless quizzes, and over the top sound bytes that come thick and fast. This wealthy combination ensures that the gags, both verbal and physical, run swiftly and in the great tradition of Steve Coogan’s comedy acting.
Guest inclusions from interviewees, less than sane phone callers, and prankster delivery people add an adequately large amount of character to the mix, widening the scope of this essentially simple set up. And the awkward banter with his under qualified colleague quickly renders this new series as Partridge at his finest.
Steve Coogan’s Seamless Performance
What’s particularly clever about this new show is the subtle melding of Partridge’s old school radio hosting- which marked the birth of the character backing on BBC Radio in 1992- with his subsequent visual role on TV. As posted cameras film Partridge in the studio, Steve Coogan is able to give his most well crafted performance yet. He plays Partridge with a subtle clumsiness as he attempts to concentrate on hosting, while he is candidly seen bumbling around in the studio, and displaying honest mannerisms in contrast to what fictional listeners might be hearing.
Even though it has been a while, Mid Morning Matters reminds audiences that Alan is still undoubtedly one of Britain’s greatest comedy inventions, and doubtlessly the best of Steve Coogan's many comical faces. This clever new format seems perfectly suited for Partridges ongoing escapades, and a wealth of laughs are guaranteed with each new episode.
Ashley Jacob - I'm 28 and currently residing in Bath, England with my son Caleb and my girlfriend Julie. Since my days of childhood, music and elaborate ...
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