Alan Partridge - is it just me

Well, I saw the first show and enjoyed it. He's a very cleverly crafted character, portraying and exaggerating the cringeworthy things that some people say (or in most cases, think but don't say), and their questionable attitudes. His edginess, his insensitivity to others, his lack of "filter", combined with his pretentiousness and vanity, are skilfully put across and very believable. Of course we don't "like" him as a person - it would be very dull if he was just a normal, nice guy - but that's the whole point. He's not supposed to charm us, he's meant to make us squirm, and often does it in a very funny way.

If you don't agree, nothing I say will make you find it funny. We're all different - I can't bear Mrs Brown's Boys, but some people seem to find it hilarious. I'm just trying to explain to those who don't "get" AP what it is that appeals to some of us.

AP? Fleabag? it takes all sorts.

Apparently the series has already lost around 50% of those who viewed the first programme

I find the trailers advertising his latest programme really off putting. They are certainly not encouraging me to tune into the series. Quite the opposite, in fact.

I didn't watch last night, I've watched some of the old Alan Partridge and I found him funny, he, like Ricky Gervais in "The Office" are supposed to have the squirm factor that's the whole point of their characters, they are ghastly and unaware of that themselves. He definitely parodies "The One Show" and maybe the Richard Madley type of broadcaster and there's also a whiff of Simon Dee about him, if anyone can remember that far back. Not that RM was that bad, but did come out with gaffes occasionally.

Steve Coogan is good as a straight actor he brought plenty of pathos to "Stan and Ollie". He's also very good in "The Trip" with Rob Brydon, both great impersonators.

Yes going back to Alan Partridge it is of course quite feasible that his character has Aspergers. I remember when, in a previous series, his career was consigned to the doldrums and he was living in some motel. Someone who worked at the motel who had a very strong north east accent said something to him, his response "no sorry didn't understand any of that it was just a noise"

Well you won't get what Alan Partridge is about! Don't worry about it. Just don't watch it. It's not for you.

Never watched it.

Trisher !

There are a lot of people who enjoy watching people behaving like prats
I believe The One Show is very popular.

Of course it is satirising the industry, but W1A did that and without setting anyone up as a patsy for everyone to laugh at.

There are a lot of people who enjoy watching people behaving like prats. It makes them feel so superior.

I agree with M0nica - he might be satirising other reporters but he does it in a very cruel way.
Makes me think what a nasty person HE is.

Cant stand the man skin is crawling just thinking about him

I do fails to see how a programme can be so like one person. Did they mean she is like Alan Partridge? What sort of job does she do? The whole point about AP is the industry he works in.

That was nothing to do with the programme and everything to do with the people your friend is working with. If she has Aspergers and her colleagues know she has she should report them for discrimination.

A friend of mine was told by her work colleagues she should watch this programme because "it is so like you". She rang me in tears and asked me if everyone was laughing at her - she has Aspergers, so yes it does make it seem acceptable to laugh at people who are different.

It isn't the people as individuals you are laughing at, it is the whole industry that promotes them to these positions and tries to sell us this image of people which is so at odds with reality. That's the whole point of AP. It's not just a parody of one person it's a parody of the whole concept of the inane and mindless programmes we are fed daily. Nothing to do with people who are "different".

Another one who doesn't find this funny - I agree with MOnica - this encourages laughing at people who are different.

Excruciatingly unfunny and uncomfortable to watch?

merlot I get the point. As I said in a previous post. I dislike any 'humorous' programme that is based on laughing AT people.

I think it is a form of bullying, and if you can laugh at people on television because they are socially inept and mainstream channels can run 'prestigious' programmes based at laughing at people like that, how can you justify not bullying and laughing at people like that in real life?

Steve Coogan is a good actor, Alan Partridge is just another acting role he plays.

I don't want to 'cringe with embarrassment' merlotgran. I want to enjoy the programmes I watch and be entertained.

I have to say that he was very good, as himself, in "Philamena" with Judy Dench.

Finger down throat icon required here.

Just don't get it, not funny at all

He was great in Stan and Ollie can't stand him as Alan partridge.

I think a lot of people are missing the point. He's supposed to make you cringe with embarrassment because it's a parody of that kind of presenter.

If you try and look at it from a traditional comedy point of view then you won't find it funny.

That's just it MiniMoon it's a matter of taste!