As ‘How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge)’ kicks off on BBC One, revisit the TV show that made Steve Coogan’s comedy creation an unlikely star
Alan Partridge is back. Steve Coogan’s comedy character returns with How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge) today. The new BBC Series follows the mock broadcaster as he settles back into Norwich after spending in Saudi Arabia.
The bumbling broadcaster has been delighting us for more than 30 years now, from his early 90s origins on Radio 4’s On The Hour to his 2013 feature film Alpha Papa, all the way up to his recent Audible podcast From The Oasthouse.
But surely his greatest and most celebrated programme is I’m Alan Partridge, the BBC Series that aired from 1997 to 2002 across just two series and 12 episodes. Coogan stars alongside Felicity Montagu and Simon Greenall as Alan in uncertain times – he’s recently divorced and has recently been dropped by the BBC, living in a travel tavern in series 1 and a caravan in series 2.
So here are all his episodes, counted down from worst to best.
12) The Talented Mr Alan (Series 2, Episode 1)
Series one is, as a whole, the better of the two, but even this lowest-ranked episode has a lot of laughs.
The Talented Mr Alan sees him reestablish himself five years on from the first series, with his book Bouncing Back and Ukrainian girlfriend Sonja, having swapped his Linton Travel Tavern for a caravan.
11) I Know What Alan Did Last Summer (S2, E5)
After going through some tax trouble, Alan takes Sonja to Blickling Hall in Aylsham – a real National Trust property (not made up, like Alan Attraction’s Longstanton Spice Museum). Alan claims it’s the house of U2’s Bono, but Sonja isn’t fooled by a Bono impersonator.
At 8.1/10, it’s the lowest-ranked I’m Alan Partridge episode on IMDB, but that’s still a very strong rating, and this is still an enjoyable episode.
10) The Colour of Alan (S2, E2)
Alan presents a sales conference for a company called Dante’s Fires after meeting with Piet Morant, one of their representatives. I’ve ranked this lower for some more squeamish moments (Alan impaling his foot on a spike and subsequently vomiting during a speech).
But it’s certainly not short on great jokes – like Alan messing around with security at Choristers Country Club and using a gents toilet door as a table.
9) Towering Alan (S1, E6)
In the last episode of series 1, Alan hosts a village vegetable competition, attends Tony Hayers’ funeral and has a farewell do to commemorate leaving the Linton Travel Tavern.
With staff fed up with Alan, the party doesn’t go particularly smoothly. This is a good episode – if it were a Beatles album, it would rank as highly as Rubber Soul (or Alan’s favourite here, The Best Of The Beatles).
8) Basic Alan (S1, E4)
It’s not the most exciting start to a plot, with Alan killing time out of boredom.
But the best bits in this episode more than make up for it – Alan pranking hotel staff by dressing as a zombie, dismantling a trouser press and introducing a new radio show character. There’s also one of the best moments with Dave Clifton, Alan’s nemesis and presenter of the radio show after his.
7) Never Say Alan Again (S2, E4)
Alan is planning a Bond film marathon, which all goes very wrong. Released in 2002, the same year as Die Another Day, this was pre-Daniel Craig, and the idea of video cassettes and films being taped over date it somewhat.
But Alan’s enthusiasm and love for 007 definitely make this episode, and it’s nice to see him treat Lynn with a bit more respect (even if it did take him being threatened).
6) A Room With An Alan (S1, E1)
A great first episode, A Room With An Alan establishes the character as having fallen on hard times, hunting for a house before failing to secure a second BBC series. Having his car graffitied on by “subhuman scum” isn’t very nice for him either.
It also introduces viewers to his love of silly radio features like Alan’s Fact Of The Day, which becomes a theme that runs throughout the series. Introductory perhaps, but still funny from the get-go.
5) Alan Attraction (S1, E2)
After being forced to sack his staff, Alan goes on a Valentine’s Day date with receptionist Jill to an owl sanctuary.
There’s also dinner and karaoke, although things go a little less smoothly when they “let battle commence” in the bedroom.
4) Alan Wide Shut (S2, E6)
The series finishes strong here. With sales of his book not having gone well, the unsold copies are being taken to be pulped.
The highlight of this episode is a radio discussion of his book, where a guest walks out after becoming increasingly annoyed at Alan’s mention of her drug addiction, and comparing it to his love of Toblerones.
3) Brave Alan (S2, E3)
My favourite episode of series 2, Alan makes friends with a man called Dan (Stephen Mangan), who he finds is just like him.
He attends the Bravery Awards from Colman’s Mustard (a real-life celebrated Norwich export) and realises Dan and his wife aren’t who he thinks they are.
2) To Kill A Mocking Alan (S1, E5)
The highest-rated I’m Alan Partridge episode on IMDb, To Kill A Mocking Alan sees Alan host a matinee event attended by a super fan. Going to the fan’s house to pretend to some network executives he has his own house, Alan realises just how obsessive the stalkerish fan is.
The funniest moments include Alan’s mishap with intro music and thinking U2’s famed song is about annoyance at having to read the Sunday papers.
1) Watership Alan (S1, E3)
It’s Partridge at his disastrous best as he gets on the wrong side of farmers through his radio show. He gets some work presenting for a boating holiday firm, but his doubling down on comments about farmers puts it in jeopardy.
The best moment is his radio chat with Norfolk Farmers’ Union representative Peter Baxendale Thomas (Chris Morris) to clear the air.
The new series of ‘How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge)’ airs on BBC1 at 9.30pm on October 3, and all episodes are available to stream on BBC iPlayer now
