Alan Partridge finds himself in a predicament! Yet, who isn’t struggling nowadays? During his previous television outing, Alan had an on-air breakdown while fronting the entertainment series This Time, ending the series quite literally locked out of the BBC. At the start of his new, self-produced project, the light documentary How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge), the presenter shares he’s experienced another setback by fainting into the lap of a female interviewee at a corporate event for Norfolk agribusiness stalwarts. Challenging periods, yet figures like Partridge recover: link personal issues to broader trends and try to develop a program from it.
Investigating Mental Health Trends
How Are You? then, sees Steve Coogan’s immortal alter ego in roving factual mode, looking into an epidemic of anxiety, stress and loneliness that he perceives as escalating: “To put it simply, it’s become insane!” He tries out spiritual practices, reconnect with friends from school, and enjoy therapeutic hikes, while dealing with his past. Episode one builds towards a hostile but cathartic reunion with “Sidekick” Simon Denton (Tim Key), his old partner from past shows, and as this new series goes on, we’re shown unseen clips from Alan’s stints.
Alongside his co-writers and directors, How Are You? represents a shift in direction. In contrast to earlier innovations, How Are You? often retreads it: along with bringing back former styles, it mirrors earlier faux-documentaries from the 2010s. And, as Alan’s private life bleeds into his investigations, we’re most strongly reminded of the podcast series.The Two Sides of Alan Partridge
That presents a small problem. The character has two facets: Triumphant Alan (in prime roles) and Outcast Alan (on the sidelines), and even though the underdog Alan shone in the classic series I’m Alan Partridge back in 1997, a reflective version has emerged lately in books and audio projects. How Are You? situates us in his world and includes Kelly in the role of Katrina, a mismatched romantic partner from the podcast. Yet this heartbreaking narrative – he ignores her infidelity with an acquaintance and entrepreneur – seems better suited to podcast pacing, enabling mental imagery to amplify laughs. Without visuals, he seems more free: modern TV excels at pressuring the successful Alan and seeing his downfall, as in past series.
Comedy Through Flaws
These, however, are quibbles in the face of one large, undeniable fact: whatever medium he inhabits, Partridge remains the funniest comic creation in Britain, and even placeholder Partridge has more laughs-out-loud per half-hour than competing shows. How Are You? has Alan in multiple creative roles, which opens up his genius for sloppy errors and poor editorial decisions. If he thinks Britain’s mental health problems are best illustrated by an aggressively edited montage of exploding fruit, that’s what we’re getting, and no one corrects his verbal errors or similar gaffes in narration. The subtle wince he shows off-camera knowing on some level that that piece to camera was another balls-up always delights, and the same goes for his transitional clips, highlighted by his awkward, caring expressions while simultaneously swallowing a mouthful of humble British tea.
Memorable Scenes and Sentiments
What could be funnier than his dumpster antics? Definitely not. Visually he’s a feast too, with his new dye job several shades too light to be plausible, and his attire including bright trousers, contrasting shoes, assorted vests and over-the-top joy about style revivals.
Moreover, the content reveals his deeper side that appeared under new creative guidance. More than once the series pulls off flashes of pathos, where Alan’s lack of self-awareness reveals a sadness that almost has us crying tears of emotion, until humor takes over and giggles follow. This works due to long-term affection: all iterations are gladly received.
