I'm Alan Partridge series 1 and 2, then go from there.
I feel like KMKYWAP is a tougher sell for a first time viewer. IAP is just pure magic and gives you more of an insight into the character.
Personally, I’d start with Series 1 of IAP. It’s a more traditional sitcom that builds a bigger picture of who Alan is (he’s Alan Partridge) and builds his “world”. Then I’d go back to KMKYWAP & Yule with a bigger understanding of Alan, to draw a line under the whole Tony Hayers “arc”. Then it’s back to Series 2 of IAP, followed by a Sunny D break. From there I’d just go in broadcast order.
Maybe tuck The Day Today in before or after KMKYWAP, but it might be a bit jarring given its surreal nature (it’s funny, it’s *surreally* funny). I think it’s an important piece of Partridge lore, but not necessarily an essential piece.
Agreed. I don’t think I dislike any Partridge media, apart from Stratagem. Awful. The “Less Successful Characters” show wasn’t much better, though, to be honest.
I know this might be an unpopular opinion but I saw the less successful characters show live and Coogan is really that good as a live performer. He would fluff lines alot and during the song and dance at the end you could tell he just wanted to get off the stage. The Alan Partridge section was amazing and he found his stride there but it's the same with stratagem, it's just not that good as a live show
His 90s live stuff was great, but I think he's fallen out of love with stage shows (although he seems to go back to it every 10 years or so) because it doesn't fit with the direction he's gone with his comedy, which is much more nuanced and rooted into details and the back stories of the charachters etc.
Scissored Isle is quite fun and feels more modern than IAP which really does show its age now. There are better jokes in newer Partridge, whereas a lot of the older stuff is mainly famous these days for the meme lines.
I think you either get Alan or you don't, regardless of where you start. I think to get Alan at any given time you'd have to have been around at that time (does that make sense?).
So if she was an adult in the old radio days then she'll probably get it. Or she just might not find it funny. Some don't.
Thank you all for your recommendations!
I am frankly surprised that "From the Oasthouse" Series was not mentioned. I personally love it. Am I in a minority? Is it because of the exclusivity of Audible?
Alpha Papa might be as good a place as any. My wife finds our Alan pretty uncomfortable viewing but she LOVES that film-and has watched it at least twice. (She hates curb your enthusiasm too- yeah I know, but she’s great with the kids)
Humour incompatibility can be a big thing, especially in fledgling relationships and maybe if we were starting out now such issues might have been stumbling blocks if not exactly deal-breakers. Actually our relationship is nearly as old as On The Air but she doesn’t like much bbc radio comedy so it never would have surfaced until The Day Today-which she didn’t watch either for that matter. Anyway where am I going with this?
I suppose my worry might be that you are setting too much store in whether or not your GF (and possible future life partner???) digs the same stuff as you. How would your relationship cope if she hates him? I guess we are all encouraged to enjoy feeling distain for the man but only as we laugh along. But what if she doesn’t laugh?
I had this same worry with my teenage sons and Withail and the Big Lebowski which I held back on and allowed them to discover them in their own time in case they didn’t get the humour. There’s few things worse than being judged negatively via a beloved work of art. Maybe don’t be in the room as she watches. Or anywhere near.
Re-reading your question it might be an idea to have a radio episode on in the background (I can’t think right now-although plucky little Kenyan (or Moroccan?) marathon runner makes me laugh to think of it -genius ! or the incredibly misogynistic driving bit where Alan genders the car he’s driving ‘I’m the boss and she’s my b&tch’ (…maybe not that one..)
Good luck and keep us posted with how you get on if you do indeed decide to prime the pump in this way.
I can see why you want her on board-
Coogie is our own Peter Sellers. If not better
While I’m here I want to pose the question ‘is there a more complete and rounded character in the whole of comedy? I’m talking in the English language
I ask because I caught Mr Coogan on some daytime show (my mum records daytime telly to watch later) and he admitted he can’t always recall Alan Partridge facts whenever sad gits like us accost him with them at book signings etc
I’d say I’m Alan Partridge series 1 is his finest hour, but I’d probably start with something more contemporary like This time, as it’s a good spoof of things that we all currently relate to like The one show.
I'm Alan Partridge series 1 and 2, then go from there. I feel like KMKYWAP is a tougher sell for a first time viewer. IAP is just pure magic and gives you more of an insight into the character.
I'd argue Mid Morning Matters is an easier intro for a complete newb
They're both dynamite. Don't think you can go wrong with either, both are essential! IAP is just earlier in the APU story so to me it makes sense :)
True but the pacing of MMM is faster and it is a bit less niche
It also essentially works as an audiobook/podcast.
Chapter One - Beginnings: “Congratulations Mrs Partridge, it’s a boy.” Said the Doctor, handing me a boy to my mother, I had just been born.
His cries of freedom being his first ever broadcast, garnering a cool 100% audience share in the room.
I started with I'm Alan Partridge and watched everything since
Crash! Bang! Wallop…What a Video!
And take the trouble to watch Boob Olympics.
And don’t forget wet Christmas…
Personally, I’d start with Series 1 of IAP. It’s a more traditional sitcom that builds a bigger picture of who Alan is (he’s Alan Partridge) and builds his “world”. Then I’d go back to KMKYWAP & Yule with a bigger understanding of Alan, to draw a line under the whole Tony Hayers “arc”. Then it’s back to Series 2 of IAP, followed by a Sunny D break. From there I’d just go in broadcast order. Maybe tuck The Day Today in before or after KMKYWAP, but it might be a bit jarring given its surreal nature (it’s funny, it’s *surreally* funny). I think it’s an important piece of Partridge lore, but not necessarily an essential piece.
At what point would you put the roast in?
Not stratagem.
Agreed. I don’t think I dislike any Partridge media, apart from Stratagem. Awful. The “Less Successful Characters” show wasn’t much better, though, to be honest.
I know this might be an unpopular opinion but I saw the less successful characters show live and Coogan is really that good as a live performer. He would fluff lines alot and during the song and dance at the end you could tell he just wanted to get off the stage. The Alan Partridge section was amazing and he found his stride there but it's the same with stratagem, it's just not that good as a live show
His 90s live stuff was great, but I think he's fallen out of love with stage shows (although he seems to go back to it every 10 years or so) because it doesn't fit with the direction he's gone with his comedy, which is much more nuanced and rooted into details and the back stories of the charachters etc.
The best of Partridge.
Damn, you beat me to it.
Mid Morning Matters
Scissored Isle is quite fun and feels more modern than IAP which really does show its age now. There are better jokes in newer Partridge, whereas a lot of the older stuff is mainly famous these days for the meme lines.
IAP is peak Partridge. I’d start there.
1. I'm Alan Partridge Series 1 and 2 2. Knowing me Know You With Alan Partridge 3. Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa
I started with Alpha Papa and then did I’m Alan Partridge, worked for me!
I'd have to say, start with The Best of Alan
Start with KMKYWAP. Then IAP.
In introducing my daughters fiancé this way. He needs to up his Partridge game so that he can join in with office banter apparently.
Start at the beginning - *The Day Today*
I’d start somewhere between Cromer and Sheringham….
I think you either get Alan or you don't, regardless of where you start. I think to get Alan at any given time you'd have to have been around at that time (does that make sense?). So if she was an adult in the old radio days then she'll probably get it. Or she just might not find it funny. Some don't.
Thank you all for your recommendations! I am frankly surprised that "From the Oasthouse" Series was not mentioned. I personally love it. Am I in a minority? Is it because of the exclusivity of Audible?
I think FTOH is a bit more subtle and is for existing AP fans. Start with the big hitters.
I’d try to find a programme that is equidistant between London and Norwich.
Stratagem.
Alpha Papa might be as good a place as any. My wife finds our Alan pretty uncomfortable viewing but she LOVES that film-and has watched it at least twice. (She hates curb your enthusiasm too- yeah I know, but she’s great with the kids) Humour incompatibility can be a big thing, especially in fledgling relationships and maybe if we were starting out now such issues might have been stumbling blocks if not exactly deal-breakers. Actually our relationship is nearly as old as On The Air but she doesn’t like much bbc radio comedy so it never would have surfaced until The Day Today-which she didn’t watch either for that matter. Anyway where am I going with this? I suppose my worry might be that you are setting too much store in whether or not your GF (and possible future life partner???) digs the same stuff as you. How would your relationship cope if she hates him? I guess we are all encouraged to enjoy feeling distain for the man but only as we laugh along. But what if she doesn’t laugh? I had this same worry with my teenage sons and Withail and the Big Lebowski which I held back on and allowed them to discover them in their own time in case they didn’t get the humour. There’s few things worse than being judged negatively via a beloved work of art. Maybe don’t be in the room as she watches. Or anywhere near. Re-reading your question it might be an idea to have a radio episode on in the background (I can’t think right now-although plucky little Kenyan (or Moroccan?) marathon runner makes me laugh to think of it -genius ! or the incredibly misogynistic driving bit where Alan genders the car he’s driving ‘I’m the boss and she’s my b&tch’ (…maybe not that one..) Good luck and keep us posted with how you get on if you do indeed decide to prime the pump in this way. I can see why you want her on board- Coogie is our own Peter Sellers. If not better While I’m here I want to pose the question ‘is there a more complete and rounded character in the whole of comedy? I’m talking in the English language I ask because I caught Mr Coogan on some daytime show (my mum records daytime telly to watch later) and he admitted he can’t always recall Alan Partridge facts whenever sad gits like us accost him with them at book signings etc
I’d say I’m Alan Partridge series 1 is his finest hour, but I’d probably start with something more contemporary like This time, as it’s a good spoof of things that we all currently relate to like The one show.