"The Thick of It" - Political Comedy BBC

[LEE]

I can't find a thread on this which seems odd considering how long this top comedy has been running (or maybe I missed it)

Brilliant or utterly brilliant?  I can't decide.

The ruination (by Malcolm Tucker) of the new minister, Nicola, from idealist to battered realist is just superb.

It takes off perfectly from where "Yes Minister" and "Yes Prime Minister" left off.

I'm sure I miss hundreds of background "throw away"one-liners each week such is the pace of the script for the main characters.

Favourite bit this week:

Malcom (Spin Doctor) receives birthday cake with iced message "Happy Birthday C**t".

Malcolm - "This could be from anybody"

(attached message reveals it's from the Prime Minister)

[Really Ancien]

It's settled down a bit from the earlier series, the first ever three episodes were shot in a very claustophobic 'mockumentary' style, after which the camera kept a bit more still, Chris Langham was the minister in that series and Peter Capaldi was not quite so dominant. I think Rebecca Front is good and her opposite number played by Roger Allam does a great 'Shagger Norris' Tory of the old school. Last night's episode was nicely balanced with all of the two the political teams facing off against each other, best episode of the series so far. The character of 'Julius' from series two could do with coming back. And I do miss 'Jamie' as Malcolm Tucker's even more foul-mouthed deputy, as in this very strongly worded speech. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/h_7pyktzpY8&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/h_7pyktzpY8&rel=1</a>

Damon.

[Really Ancien]

The Thick of It, is an excellent illustration of the links between comedy and management training films. This Video Arts film was written and directed by Armando Iannucci who does 'The Thick of It',
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/7ogLKBj5oeU&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/7ogLKBj5oeU&rel=1</a>
If you look down the linked videos on the right there is a mix of management films and 'The Thick of It.' Spooky!

Damon.

[border-rider]

I downloaded all the current series from the iPlayer last night.  Watching them now.  I'm particularly taken with the idea of Indignitas - they come round and throw you out of a window dressed as a clown.

[Tom M]

Didn't watch any of the first series of this, but have caught the current one. It really is very very funny. As said, there are some fantastic lines in there, and some absolute first class swearing.

[her_welshness]

It's settled down a bit from the earlier series, the first ever three episodes were shot in a very claustophobic 'mockumentary' style, after which the camera kept a bit more still, Chris Langham was the minister in that series and Peter Capaldi was not quite so dominant. I think Rebecca Front is good and her opposite number played by Roger Allam does a great 'Shagger Norris' Tory of the old school. Last night's episode was nicely balanced with all of the two the political teams facing off against each other, best episode of the series so far. The character of 'Julius' from series two could do with coming back. And I do miss 'Jamie' as Malcolm Tucker's even more foul-mouthed deputy, as in this very strongly worded speech. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/h_7pyktzpY8&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/h_7pyktzpY8&rel=1</a>

Damon.

I miss Jamie too. 'Ahh..Jamie, the crossest man in Scotland' (In the Loop).

'The Thick of It' is utterly brilliant. The character of Nicola and her '4th sector' posturing is very well done. But nothing tops Malcolm Tucker.

[andyoxon]

It's good, you almost finish up feeling you've been verbally abused, but it's quick and clever.


"they'll be all over you, like a pigeon on a chip"...MT

[her_welshness]

It's good, you almost finish up feeling you've been verbally abused, but it's quick and clever.


"they'll be all over you, like a pigeon on a chip"...MT

.

Oh yes its on NOW! And the lines are already coming thick and fast. 

[Bledlow]

I'm particularly taken with the idea of Indignitas - they come round and throw you out of a window dressed as a clown.

Do you think the writers would complain if we nicked the idea?

[LEE]

I loved the throw-away chat about the, apparently, undersized Curly-Wurly given to Malcolm.

"Your hands have got bigger Malcolm"


(Maybe it's because I have the same conversation every time I see a "Wagon Wheel")

[Andrew Br]

I've just watched the Saturday episode on i-Player.
The (presumably) Mandelsson character is very cruel and very, very funny.
Probably the funniest thing I've seen on TV this year.
I snorted tea down my nose 
Even if it's parody, in my head, that's how Mandy behaves.
Did I say that it was funny ?

Roll on next week to see how it plays out.

[border-rider]

He was brilliant, wasn't he ? The architect who did our extension a decade ago was the spitting image, mannerisms and all.

The scene where he "has a quiet" word with Malcolm was inspired.  Hardly a word was said at first about what was going on, but the situation was clear. I felt quite sad for Malcolm though. 

[Fi]

My favourite line from Saturday:

"Chris Boardman?  He's a fucking cyclist.  Everyone hates fucking cyclists.  Even fucking cyclists hate fucking cyclists." 

[LEE]

I've just watched the Saturday episode on i-Player.
The (presumably) Mandelsson character is very cruel and very, very funny.
Probably the funniest thing I've seen on TV this year.
I snorted tea down my nose 
Even if it's parody, in my head, that's how Mandy behaves.
Did I say that it was funny ?

Roll on next week to see how it plays out.

Malcolm Tucker is widely accepted as being based on Alistair Campbell (albeit a toned down, more sympathetic, version of Campbell)

[border-rider]

 Steve Fleming=Mandelsson, "the man who brought us back to power"

I think that's what Chocolatebike was saying.

The last scenes during which Fleming sneered his final lines of triumph, Malcolm's BlackBerry stopped working, and his career crashed to a halt on a TV screen behind him were fantastically brutal, although I was taken aback by all the cheering, hugging and drinking wine among the staff

         The Thick of It: series three, episode seven |
            Television & radio |
            guardian.co.uk
   

[Really Ancien]

I've just watched the Saturday episode on i-Player.
The (presumably) Mandelsson character is very cruel and very, very funny.
Probably the funniest thing I've seen on TV this year.
I snorted tea down my nose 
Even if it's parody, in my head, that's how Mandy behaves.
Did I say that it was funny ?

Roll on next week to see how it plays out.

Malcolm Tucker is widely accepted as being based on Alistair Campbell (albeit a toned down, more sympathetic, version of Campbell)

Peter Capaldi said this about the Malcolm Tucker character.

Tony Blair's director of communications-cum-Darth Vader of Whitehall, Alastair Campbell, is often mentioned as the inspiration for Tucker but Capaldi claims that's not totally the case.

"He was mentioned initially," he says, "but there was no ream of research or anything. I just tried to play a character who was antagonistic and powerful. It evolved; if you look at the first couple of episodes there's more of a Mandelson quality to him."

His other comments narrow it down to Campbell though.

Does he think Tucker would consider staying on in government if the Tories won the election?

"No. Malcolm's got a higher purpose to pursue."

And what's that?

"To maintain a Labour government in power and if that's in danger he'll fight to the end. He'd do everything in his power to destroy them, to eliminate them."

Unsurprisingly, Capaldi doesn't see his creation as a bully but as an efficient hard worker.

"I think he's very good at what he does. There are some people he really hates, but most people he just hates. That's quite democratic. I've come to really like him; he's a force of nature and you just unleash him."

         Peter Capaldi: Malcolm Tucker is Alastair Campbell. But Mandelson is in there, too |
            Television & radio |
            The Guardian
   

Damon.

[Andrew Br]

Steve Fleming=Mandelsson, "the man who brought us back to power"

I think that's what Chocolatebike was saying.

Yup !

Too many good lines to remember them all.
I'm going to watch it again because I'm sure some more gems will pop out.

[LEE]

Genius

Was it just me feeling glad about Malcolm Tucker's return?

Have I ever felt sympathy for such a wanker before I wonder? (Did you notice the child's paintings on his office wall and his defense of his secretary? A few hints at his "other side"?)

Every episode requires a re-watching to pick up those missed throw-away lines.  It's fairly exhausting viewing but worth every second.

"Yes Minister" on speed.

[Really Ancien]

A lot depends on how much you like Alastair Campbell. if you liked 'The Thick of It' a DVD of 'In the Loop' will be the ideal Christmas Gift.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/LugJd6uGJqI&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/LugJd6uGJqI&rel=1</a>
 contains strong language.

Damon.

[Bledlow]

Apparently Indignitas has a few incarnations -

NewsBiscuit :: New Swiss clinic Indignitas offers humiliating deaths :: Submissions

New Swiss clinic Indignitas offers humiliating deaths

Suicides for people who don’t want to slip away quietly are being offered by Indignitas, a commercial offshoot of the Swiss clinic, Dignitas.

The new clinic in the heart of high-rise Geneva specialises in dramatic role-play ‘life exits’ that range from famous celebrity deaths to summary executions after staged miscarriages of justice.

Most in demand by men since Indignitas opened a week ago is the ‘Stranglewank’, the auto-erotic practice made famous by former INXS singer Michael Hutchence and film star David Carradine.

Abused women are currently queueing up for the ‘Sylvia Plath’, which involves a dingy room, a gas oven and the post-death demonisation of anyone they nominate, guaranteed for life.

Karl-Heinz Struther, director of Indignitas, said: “Many people don’t want to go without a fuss and, in fact, are keen to make a point or have a genuine once-in-a-lifetime experience. We’re here to help.”

Indignitas says it has a life exit package for every taste, ambition and demographic sector. A favourite among middle aged men seeking to take their mid-life crisis to its ultimate conclusion is the ‘Jim Morrison’, a Paris-based weekend break that includes drugs, alcohol and sex followed by drowning in a bath.

Car enthusiasts can choose the ‘James Dean’, in which they get to drive a classic Porsche head-on into a truck in a reconstruction of Hollywood's notoriously dangerous Mulholland Drive, while the ‘Let Him Have It’ Miscarriage of Justice package, based on the UK’s notorious 1950s Derek Bentley police murder trial, is proving particularly popular with people who feel that life has always dealt them a bad hand.

Failed bankers can take the ‘Wall Street Plunge’, a full gravity descent down the outside of the Swiss Re tower in Geneva’s financial district, with a champagne reception at the bottom.

For its UK launch, Indignitas is offering Daily Mail readers a way out as a suicide bomber in a room full of terminally ill Indignitas clients on the no-frills economy package who are dressed as asylum seekers, social security claimants and call centre operators. “It’s a win-win deal,” said Dr Struther.

Editor Paul Dacre said: “The Indignitas package is ideal for the thousands of our readers who see blowing themselves up and taking some of their hate-objects with them as the perfect way of expressing their speechless indignation.”

Or - Blagley's Dictionary, Encyclopedia & Journal: Indignitas

Indignitas
A charitable organisation, founded and supported by the catholic church, which provides a safe environment for people suffering from terminal illnesses, assists them in prolonging their lives, and ensures that these are spent in increasing discomfort, personal humiliation and agonising pain. For as long as possible.

Indignitas also campaigns against euthanasia and any attempts to alleviate pain, calling for a worldwide ban on assisted suicide and indigestion tablets.

[Cyclops]

I knew Malcolm Tucker wouldn't be gone long. Brilliant episode!

Interesting to see Tom Hollander who played a completely different character in 'In The Loop' appear as "The Fucker".

[border-rider]

It was a very nice turn-around.  With the other monsters in play - Steve Fleming and The Fucker - Malcolm came across as far-and-away the more likeable character, played up by his apparent new niceness and his propensity for woolly jumpers.

He still managed to get his revenge on Fleming though - and on Nicola, though she didn't cotton on.