This Time with Alan Partridge

[RDJ]

Unfortunately I’m not sure if Steve has lost the way of how Alan Partridge humour actually works, or whether this format just doesn’t work for him. I suspect it’s the latter, although I do think he’s forgotten how to do Alan’s voice which seems to have changed considerably.

This first episode of Series 2 was just as poor as the first series. The only moment I laughed at was the rushed reunion at the very end. I think The One Show format it uses means it’s quite unrealistic to see Alan as much as we do in it. So throughout you get a bit confused as to what this is actually supposed to be. And Alan’s awkward moments seem to be shoehorned in in the most part.

I’m as big a Partridge fan as the rest of them. Even quite liked his more recent series Mid Morning Matters. But This Time just doesn’t really work. I was more surprised that there actually was a series 2 of this given how quickly the excitement surrounding the first series fizzled out.

[johnnyboy]

I love Alan and Steve Coogan so I was looking forward to this a lot.

I echo what others have said - first half, great and second half, meh!

I feel that they overplay the rivalry between Alan and pretty much everyone else in This Time. It's good (with the roving reporter especially) but too much.

All that said, we've got some Alan which is much better than none.

[Whataday]

On some of the comedy forums I visit it's generally acknowledged there are two types of Partridge fan: those that think I'm Alan Partridge was his peak, and those that think he really started coming into his own with Mid Morning Matters. I think that's understandable as they are two separate styles and writers. (I do find it odd however when some pertain to be really massive fans and then look blankly at you when you mention things like Scissored Isle and I, Partridge)

With This Time I think they missed an opportunity to merge the two fanbases by not having more backstage action with Lyn, perhaps in more of a sitcom format, while still showing clips of the 'live' show.

[Ash101]

https://twitter.com/OldRoberts953/status...6879100930

I enjoyed it. It was a good half an hour of comedy & there's not enough of those on TV at the moment. I do think the slot hasn't helped the ratings.. how does HIGNFY do regular? Would something like this be better suited to BBC Two...

[XIII]

That’s on par with series 1, maybe a bit lower.

[all new Phil]

I just don’t find it funny. You get the odd moment of genuine Partridge (“fanny”) but it’s just not in the same league as Alpha Papa or Mid Morning Matters. It feels like too much of an implausible scenario whereas local radio is the natural home of his brand of cringe.

[mod]This post has been edited... do not use posts to make subtle digs at other members.[/mod]

[Andrew]

https://twitter.com/OldRoberts953/status...6879100930

I enjoyed it. It was a good half an hour of comedy & there's not enough of those on TV at the moment. I do think the slot hasn't helped the ratings.. how does HIGNFY do regular? Would something like this be better suited to BBC Two...

I can’t understand why it’s on BBC One, it should have stayed on BBC Two like the 1990s series’s were.

HIGNFY generally gets between 3 and 4m

[XIII]

I don’t agree with this idea that everything that looks remotely niche should be on BBC Two as if the channel is a dumping ground for anything BBC One doesn’t want

[Andrew]

I don’t agree with this idea that everything that looks remotely niche should be on BBC Two as if the channel is a dumping ground for anything BBC One doesn’t want

That's the complete opposite of what has happened here though

[DavidWhitfield]

Each to their own, but I thought last night's episode was pretty good on the whole.

There are some shows that you can just half-watch while using your phone or making a cup of tea, or, dare I say, posting comments on a television presentation forum, but I think you need to put all that aside and really be on the ball when watching Alan; half of the comedy (for me) is seeing his facial expressions and subtle movements (see, for example, his clear unease during the proposal - you know that internally he's hating every second and loathing the fact that his limelight is being taken but knowing he has to try to look professional, despite the fact that Alan says very little throughout the proposal itself).

Some people will love this sort of thing, but it's bound to garner a "this isn't even funny, I didn't laugh once" reaction from others. Both opinions are valid; comedy is very subjective.

I, for one, am thrilled it's back, having really enjoyed series one and the first instalment of series two. Looking forward to the five remaining episodes.

[Jon]

I just don’t find it funny. You get the odd moment of genuine Partridge (“fanny”) but it’s just not in the same league as Alpha Papa or Mid Morning Matters. It feels like too much of an implausible scenario whereas local radio is the natural home of his brand of cringe (eh JM?).

I’m inclined to largely agree, although I do think This Time has its moments and is still something I’d make sure I’d watch.

I just think Partridge is probably at his best when he’s generally unhappy with his lot in life and the world around him and this Partridge seems far too content.

I don’t find the This Time scenario is too far fetched though, because you can see a situation where somebody who’s been off telly for years is drafted in to something like The One Show or GMB to cover and then they get the role kind of by circumstance. That considered there has to be some suspension of reality with all comedy programmes.

Nice to see a guest from KMKY returning next week, I do like the continuity with all the Partridge stuff.

[Brekkie]

https://twitter.com/OldRoberts953/status...6879100930

I enjoyed it. It was a good half an hour of comedy & there's not enough of those on TV at the moment. I do think the slot hasn't helped the ratings.. how does HIGNFY do regular? Would something like this be better suited to BBC Two...

Ouch. That's level with what ITV got for an unbilled episode of Alright on the Night.

[Jon]

Aren’t they similar to last seasons ratings? Although they’d have probably have been expecting more being on a Friday Night following HIGNFY.

Just imagine what they would have got if ITV had actually aired Viewpoint.

[Inspector Sands]

Episode two trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC-bt0nWBs4

Interesting return for Joe Beazley and Cheeky Monkey

[James Martin]

(Deleted, issue - very promptly may I add - dealt with by mods. *doffs cap*)