Mid Morning Matters with Alan Partridge

For our transatlantic cousins, who only know Steve Coogan from small(ish) roles in Hollywood movies such as 'The Other Guys', 'Tropic Thunder' etc., the character he plays here is a British cult hero. Coogan's performance as Alan Partridge, a cringeworthy ex-TV presenter, now an equally cringeworthy radio DJ, is quite inspired. Mid Morning Matters is his latest venture, and though only short in length are incredibly high in quality.

It is rare that I would use the term 'comic genius', but Steve Coogan is one. The incredible observational skill of Coogan when it comes down to the finest detail that most of us would miss, is astonishing. Ricky Gervais is exceptional and has made a large impact on Hollywood for a number of reasons. But Gervais is more of an extrovert, and Coogan the man, is a lot more enigmatic.

I don't know if that is part of the reason as to why he is not a leading man in Hollywood to be honest. Maybe being more outspoken like Will Ferrell or Gervais off-camera gets more attention. Or maybe Coogan's comedy has too many nuances for mainstream audiences in the US. Maybe they need Sacha Boran Cohen's sledgehammer 'Borat' style comedy. But for me, as good as the previous three are, I think Coogan is better. I'd pick Steve Coogan for my screenplay's 'comic relief' any day of the week.

I was never a fan of Coogan's character, and when he was big in the late 90s, I never really understood the excitement my friends showed for him. But, having watched Mid-Morning Matters, I can honestly say that it is incredibly clever, superbly-written and genuinely hilarious stuff. Coogan has implied in the past that he has been hard-done by, not getting the recognition he deserves; given the fact that Gervais has done so well after The Office, this is actually justified. If you enjoy a bit of cringe humour that will have you laughing very hard while groaning and peeking through your fingers, you can't get any better than this.

This incarnation of Alan Partridge's (an always top notch Steve Coogan) career finds him at North Norwich Radio hosting a mid morning show that is not only on the radio but on the internet as well!

Along with his sidekick Simon (a bumbling but funny Tim Key), Alan interviews a variety of local notables, takes listener calls, and banters with Simon while revealing only a little of his own skewed psyche along the way.

I'll be honest, as big a fan as I am of Alan Partridge, I feel this entry is the weakest of all the others I've seen through the years. A lot of that has to do with the fact that it never leaves the tiny studio so we only see the insufferable Alan at work. It's his other life that tends to bring the most laughs, especially when he lived at a motor lodge in "I'm Alan Partridge." Hard to find, to be honest; I ordered a region 2 version via the eBay. But glad I can say that I've seen it.

Mid Morning Matters may well be one of the most underappreciated comedy shows ever made. Alan Partridge's transition from clumsy self-absorption to misplaced pomposity has been handled almost perfectly by Steve Coogan.

While I will probably always consider 'I'm Alan Partridge' to be his greatest work, this show is arguably a greater demonstration of Coogan's observational skills. The balance between uproarious slapstick comedy and the sardonic take on UK media is exquisitely executed, with expert assistance from some perfectly conceived co-characters.

This is a show that should be watched multiple times to allow the deeper subtleties to fully emerge. It may not have as many instant high payoff moments as earlier Partridge material, but the precise attention to detail makes it a real gem for lovers of satire.

I have watched this series a few times and it still makes me laugh out loud each time. Superb!