Alan Partridge's Scissored Isle

Having conquered radio, TV, movies, literature, and podcasts, Alan Partridge turns his hand to current affairs/human interest-style documentaries.

Like most things in the Partridge Universe, this special is connected to his vast catalogue of work: "Scissored Isle" is inspired by an incident on "Mid-Morning Matters" where Partridge was goaded by a group of teenagers and called one of them a 'chav'.

Looking to redeem himself, Partridge goes to northern England (joined by his beautiful dog Seldom) to connect with the ordinary people - this includes working in a Tesco's, befriending a group of Manchester youths, and being locked in a warehouse after being abandoned by a 'Fregan' (who only eats discarded food) while dumpster diving.

While the warehouse scenes are the highlights (and show Partridge at his most vulnerable and surprisingly resourceful), the massive comedown after 'testing' some drugs at a party results in a windy hungover Partridge trying to interview a mayor (to the point his questions and reactions have to be dubbed over). And a 'doorstop chaser'-style ambush of a payday lender owner (Kevin) takes a turn when Alan finds out that Kevin's a fan of his radio show and he goes easier on him - his vanity and desperation to be liked outweighing his journalistic integrity.

Like most of the Gibbons brothers' era of Partridge, Alan's ineptitude and ego is front and centre, with moments of sympathy to balance it out: a quiet moment in the warehouse sees him somberly reflect on the happier moments of his marriage to Carol.

Some of the gags in this episodes are reminiscent of classic Partridge, unlikely the new series (just my opinion) but I love everything Stoogan does. He's brilliant and sometimes it's difficult to remember that he's playing a character! Not a lot of people are doing that or can do that in this day and age.

Steve Coogan's greatest creation continues to mature like a fine wine a full 25 years after his inception. Scissored Isle- one of the most polished pieces of comedy that Coogan has produced- sees the more elderly pompous Partridge stumble his way around the UK, attempting to explain the country's socioeconomic problem through his own warped lens.

The way Partridge flits between kowtowing to the upper-class estate owner and attempting to build 'street cred' with the disaffected teenagers is perfectly excruciating, especially with his wonderfully observed allusion to Ross Kemp. His meeting with the Mayor as he experiences his first ecstasy comedown is downright hilarious but is bettered by the outstanding scene where he gets locked in the warehouse and goes temporarily insane.

Some of Coogan's very best work, highly recommended.

I am really tired of all these fans from the 90s era Alan Partridge, saying that this short film, or shows like the amazing "This Time with Alan Partridge" are, somehow, "not as classic or as great" as the 90s era Partridge shows.

That is insane to me.

Ever since the 2 Gibbons brothers started writing with Coogan for this character, the character has entered another realm of comedy.

No one else is operating on this level, that I have ever seen. This short film only gets better with repeated viewings. I enjoyed it so much more on my 3rd watch than on my 1st.

Every line is good, but there is so much going on with this mans fragile psyche, that it can take repeated viewings to even get the joke or jokes, going on at any given time.

the character is so much more complex. in terms of the writing and acting, than it ever was is the 90s.

90s Alan Partridge was merely a rough blueprint for the sublime brilliance and mega cringe of the character as he is today.

Basically, ever since "Mid Morning Matters", the character is the funniest thing I can find.

Some of it requires us to be honest with ourselves, in terms of character flaws we may share with Alan.

but don't be too hard on yourself. when you do find yourself relating to one of his petty flaws, you will probably find that Alan takes it to far greater extremes than you ever did. Or, maybe not.

This one-off special follows on from the recent series with Sky; not only in terms of contract but narratively. Alan's outbursts on his radio show, combined with a 'viral' video of him insulting chavs, have put him on the backfoot and under pressure. To ingratiate himself to the public again, he does this show to explore the class divide in a country more divided than ever.

Much like the show it followed, this special is not classic Partridge, but it is good enough to serve as a reminder of the character and what makes him work. This special gives him exposure to those he sees as beneath him, those he knows as his betters, and puts him in a role as a great entertainer and observer. In all of these things we see his character come through, as he is a patronizing, cowardly, self- serving, groveling small person who has an ego much bigger than the reality supports, and far more fragile too. In some moments and interactions we see all this, and mostly it is funny. It is not as well constructed or observed as some of the best Partridge moments, but the base is the same and the character still works.

Unlikely to convince new viewers that this is a character worth following, but for fans it serves well.