This Time with Alan Partridge
This Time with Alan Partridge is a British sitcom television series that aired on BBC One from 2019 to 2021, starring comedian Steve Coogan as the fictional broadcaster Alan Partridge in the role of temporary co-host on a weekday current affairs magazine programme of the same name.[1][2] The show satirises daytime television formats, portraying Partridge's inept handling of segments on consumer affairs, interviews, and topical issues alongside co-host Jenny Gresham and producer Simon.[2][3] Comprising two series with six episodes each, the first premiered on 25 February 2019 and the second in 2021, it marked a successful revival of the Partridge character after a seven-year hiatus from television.[4][5] Critically acclaimed for its cringe-inducing comedy and sharp media parody, the series received an 8/10 rating on IMDb from nearly 5,000 users and 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, highlighting Partridge's oblivious pomposity and disastrous on-air mishaps as defining elements.[2][3]Concept and Premise
Programme Overview
This Time with Alan Partridge is a BBC One sitcom that satirises the structure and content of British evening magazine programmes, akin to The One Show. The series centres on the inept broadcaster Alan Partridge assuming a temporary co-hosting role on the fictional weekday show This Time following the abrupt departure of its regular male host amid scandal. Co-hosted with a female presenter, the programme blends segments on consumer advice, current events, and light entertainment, often devolving into cringeworthy on-air mishaps, strained interviews, and interpersonal conflicts behind the scenes.[1][6][2] Produced by Baby Cow Productions, the sitcom comprises two series of six 30-minute episodes each. The first series aired from 25 February to 1 April 2019, while the second ran from 27 May to 1 July 2021. Filmed to simulate live broadcasts from a studio setting, it highlights Partridge's desperate bid for career rehabilitation through his handling—or mishandling—of the show's eclectic mix of topics and guests.[2][6][7]Alan Partridge Character Background
Alan Partridge debuted as a sports presenter on the BBC Radio 4 satirical news programme On the Hour in 1991, marking the character's initial portrayal as a bumbling, overly enthusiastic broadcaster with a pronounced Norfolk accent. This radio origin evolved into television appearances on The Day Today in 1994, where Partridge served as a hapless sports correspondent prone to malapropisms and awkward tangents, and subsequently as the host of the mock chat show Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge later that year, emphasizing his provincial sensibilities and social ineptitude in clashing with contemporary media expectations.[8] The character's foundational traits—self-importance masking deep insecurities, minor social prejudices arising from limited worldview, and a tendency for defensive bluster—stem from observations of real-life regional broadcasters whose personal limitations amplify professional shortcomings.[9] In subsequent iterations, Partridge's arc reflects a cycle of fleeting successes undermined by incompetence and personal failings, culminating in career nadirs depicted in I'm Alan Partridge (1997–2002), where he resides in a roadside motel after a chat show cancellation, highlighting causal links between unchecked ego and relational disasters.[10] By the time of This Time with Alan Partridge in 2019, the character embodies renewed desperation for mainstream validation, temporarily co-hosting a weekday magazine programme as a precarious lifeline amid prior demotions to local radio and podcasting.[2] This evolution underscores Partridge's persistent delusion of competence, where attempts at cultural relevance expose outdated attitudes and operational blunders, grounded in empirical patterns of media personalities whose insecurities precipitate public gaffes rather than contrived ideological excess.[11] The satire inherent in Partridge's persona draws from verifiable broadcaster mishaps, such as improvised errors during live segments or strained guest interactions, illustrating how individual character flaws—rather than abstract stereotypes—drive systemic media absurdities.[12] In This Time, these elements manifest in Partridge's strained rapport with co-hosts and segments veering into discomfort, portraying a figure whose provincial everyman authenticity ironically sabotages aspirations for national prominence.[13]Production
Development and Writing
The BBC announced This Time with Alan Partridge on 12 February 2018, positioning the series as Steve Coogan's return to the role of the inept broadcaster Alan Partridge, who secures a co-hosting spot on a fictional daytime magazine programme akin to The One Show.[14] The concept originated from Coogan's desire to revive Partridge in a television format that satirized the contrived optimism and superficiality of British daytime broadcasting, drawing on the character's established history of professional setbacks and delusions of competence from prior incarnations like I'm Alan Partridge.[14] Coogan co-wrote the scripts with brothers Rob and Neil Gibbons, who had previously collaborated on Partridge projects including Mid-Morning Matters and Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, emphasizing a collaborative approach that integrated the character's canon with observations of real broadcaster gaffes to cultivate cringe-inducing authenticity over exaggerated slapstick.[15] Armando Iannucci, co-creator of the original Partridge persona from On the Hour, endorsed the writing team's chemistry, noting their ability to sustain the character's nuanced incompetence without diluting its edge.[15] The scripting process extended through rehearsals, with iterative rewrites to heighten awkward interpersonal tensions and Partridge's misjudged conservatism amid media platitudes, ensuring the satire targeted institutional media dynamics rather than veering into caricature.[16] This approach prioritized empirical emulation of daytime TV mishaps—such as forced rapport and topic pivots—for causal realism in Partridge's on-air blunders, while navigating challenges in portraying his relatable provincial worldview against elite broadcasting norms without softening cultural frictions for broader appeal. The result shaped a structure of segmented, live-studio segments that amplified organic discomfort, distinguishing it from prior Partridge outings by embedding satire in procedural realism derived from studied broadcaster behaviors.[17]Filming and Technical Aspects
The first series was filmed predominantly at Maidstone Studios in Kent, England, where production utilized the site's soundstages and facilities to simulate the controlled, multi-camera environment of BBC daytime programming.[18] This setup enabled precise replication of studio-bound elements, such as desk segments and audience interactions, fostering a hyper-realistic parody that amplified the character's ineptitude against the backdrop of professional broadcast norms.[19] The second series retained Maidstone Studios for core studio work but incorporated Kent exteriors, including Blue Bell Hill Country Park for outdoor reports and Aylesford Priory for additional location shoots.[20] These choices integrated field segments akin to those in real magazine shows, using natural settings to heighten satirical contrasts between polished production intent and on-site disruptions, thereby underscoring the genre's logistical vulnerabilities.[21] Technical execution emphasized parody through techniques mimicking live TV constraints, including visible production cues and rapid-cut edits that evoked unscripted chaos within a structured format.[22] The multi-camera approach and post-production styling avoided overt fictional markers, enhancing realism to critique daytime television's blend of formulaic reliability and inherent unpredictability.[23] No third series has materialized as of October 2025, with principal creators redirecting efforts to alternative Partridge formats, such as the 2025 BBC travelogue How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge).[24] This shift prioritizes narrative evolution over format repetition, aligning with production decisions favoring sustainable character development amid industry demands for novelty.[25]Cast and Characters
Main Cast
Steve Coogan as Alan PartridgeSteve Coogan portrays Alan Partridge, the egotistical and socially maladroit broadcaster co-hosting the fictional daytime magazine programme This Time.[26] Partridge's role anchors the series' mockumentary style, with Coogan embodying the character's persistent career struggles through improvised verbal stumbles and physical awkwardness that mirror real broadcasting mishaps.[6] This performance sustains the Partridge archetype's continuity from prior appearances, emphasizing his obliviousness to professional norms amid attempts to reclaim relevance on BBC daytime television.[2] Susannah Fielding as Jennie Gresham
Susannah Fielding plays Jennie Gresham, the ambitious and polished co-presenter who serves as a foil to Partridge's incompetence.[26] Gresham's character navigates the show's segments with calculated poise, her interactions with Partridge exposing frictions in co-host dynamics, such as competing for airtime and differing approaches to audience engagement.[27] Fielding's depiction grounds the satire by portraying Gresham as a credible modern broadcaster, whose professionalism amplifies Partridge's outdated tactics without descending into caricature.[28] Felicity Montagu as Lynn Benfield
Felicity Montagu reprises Lynn Benfield, Partridge's devoted yet exasperated personal assistant, a role originating in earlier Partridge projects like I'm Alan Partridge.[6] Benfield handles logistical crises and Partridge's whims off-camera, her steadfast endurance providing a stabilizing element amid the on-air disorder.[26] Montagu's portrayal underscores loyalty in dysfunctional professional relationships, with Benfield's subtle reactions to Partridge's errors lending authenticity to the backstage realism of television production.[2]
Recurring and Guest Roles
Tim Key reprises his role as Simon Denton, the programme's producer and occasional on-screen sidekick, appearing across both series to depict the pragmatic yet exasperated backstage dynamics of live broadcasting. Denton's interactions with Partridge often reveal the logistical absurdities and interpersonal frictions of media production, serving as a counterpoint to the host's bombast.[27][29] Episodes incorporate guest appearances by actors portraying experts, public figures, and celebrities, enabling parody of interview formats that critique superficial media engagements with topical issues. In Series 1, these included fictional academics, entertainers, and commentators whose segments highlighted Partridge's unprepared tangents on subjects like history and culture.[30] Series 2 expanded to more pointed cameos, such as Matt Smith as a acerbic investigative journalist, amplifying satire on adversarial journalism and performative outrage.[31] These roles underscore the series' approach to exposing inconsistencies in contemporary discourse, with Partridge's literal-minded responses laying bare guests' evasions or posturing without narrative contrivance.[32] Recurring minor figures, like military consultant Tommy Gaskell (Nigel Lindsay), recur to lampoon expertise in security and crisis response, reinforcing themes of unqualified authority in public-facing media.[33]Broadcast History
Series 1 (2019)
The first series of This Time with Alan Partridge premiered on BBC One on 25 February 2019 at 9:30 pm, consisting of six episodes broadcast weekly on Monday evenings.[34][35] The programme format parodies evening magazine shows, with Alan Partridge serving as a temporary co-host alongside Kathryn LaLaura, attempting to prove his suitability for a permanent role amid the production's professional environment.[35] Throughout the series, Partridge's integration into the team is complicated by recurring personal and professional scandals, including strained relationships with colleagues and external controversies that spill onto the programme.[36] These elements build escalating tensions, culminating in significant on-air disruptions that threaten his tenure, highlighting the character's persistent incompetence and social misjudgments.[36] The series achieved solid viewership in its peak-time slot, contributing to BBC One's comedy output and demonstrating sustained audience engagement sufficient to warrant a second series.[37] This reception underscores empirical interest in Partridge's brand of humor, which frequently eschews prevailing media orthodoxies on propriety and discourse.[37]Series 2 (2021)
The second series premiered on BBC One on 30 April 2021, consisting of six half-hour episodes broadcast weekly on Friday evenings at 9:30 pm, concluding on 4 June 2021.[38][39] Episodes were also available on BBC iPlayer from transmission.[35] This schedule followed the first series' 2019 run, maintaining the mockumentary format centered on Partridge's co-hosting duties for the fictional magazine programme This Time. Narratively, the series advanced from the initial setup of Partridge's probationary role by intensifying interpersonal conflicts, particularly escalating frictions with co-host Angela Trimble amid recurring on-air mishaps and off-camera negotiations. Producer interventions became more prominent, portraying Partridge's authority as progressively undermined by hierarchical pressures and institutional protocols, yielding a realistic erosion of his professional standing compared to the relative novelty of his integration in series one. These dynamics incorporated reflections of early 2020s media adaptations, including allusions to remote production challenges and mandatory sensitivity protocols, aligning the satire with causal shifts in broadcasting environments post-COVID-19 lockdowns. Overnight viewership averaged around 1.7 million per episode, representing a decline from the first series' debut peak of 3.8 million, with the dip attributable to pandemic-induced changes in linear TV consumption—such as increased streaming and fragmented audiences—rather than inherent production shortcomings.[40][41] This sustained core appeal amid broader industry disruptions underscored the series' resilience in capturing empirical trends in viewer habits.Episodes
Series 1 Episodes
Series 1 of This Time with Alan Partridge comprises six episodes, each approximately 30 minutes in duration and directed by Neil Gibbons and Rob Gibbons.[2][42] The episodes aired weekly on BBC Two, blending parody of magazine-format television with studio-based discussions, pre-recorded features, and on-location segments.[5]- Episode 1 (25 February 2019): The illness of the regular host prompts This Time to bring in Alan Partridge as guest presenter, initiating his involvement in the show's mix of interviews and topical features.[35][5]
- Episode 2 (4 March 2019): Alan Partridge and the team address the mourning of a nationally treasured figure through dedicated segments and contributions from production staff.[35][5]
- Episode 3 (11 March 2019): The episode incorporates viewer correspondence alongside Partridge's handling of studio dynamics and external reporting elements.[5][4]
- Episode 4 (18 March 2019): Focus shifts to investigative-style pieces and live interactions that test Partridge's rapport with co-host Jennie.[5][4]
- Episode 5 (25 March 2019): Segments explore public service themes, with Partridge navigating tensions arising from production decisions and guest appearances.[5][4]
- Episode 6 (1 April 2019): Escalating interpersonal strains culminate in challenges to Partridge's position, framed within the show's routine of debates and demonstrations.[5][43]
Series 2 Episodes
The second series of This Time with Alan Partridge comprises six episodes broadcast weekly on BBC One from 30 April to 4 June 2021. Building on the first series, it features greater narrative continuity, with recurring plot threads involving interpersonal conflicts among the production team and Alan's precarious position as co-host, reflecting real-time observations of television industry pressures during the post-lockdown period. Production relocated from London-based BBC Studios to Kent sites, including Maidstone Studios for studio segments, Aylesford Priory for exterior shots, and Blue Bell Hill Country Park for outdoor sequences, allowing for expanded location filming.[20][21] The series heightens its parody of workplace dynamics, such as ego-driven rivalries, favoritism in staffing, and responses to internal criticism, through Alan's mishandled interactions with colleagues and guests.[44][45]| Episode | Air date | Key events |
|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | 30 April 2021 | Alan navigates studio tensions amid his established co-host role, setting up ongoing arcs of professional insecurity.[46] |
| 2.2 | 7 May 2021 | A segment on criminal justice unfolds alongside personal drama, including a new make-up artist's influence and a past associate seeking reconciliation; Alan's resentment toward co-presenter Jennie Gresham's engagement highlights competitive dynamics.[46][44] |
| 2.3 | 14 May 2021 | Alan participates in an SAS training exercise and confronts a journalist who critiques the programme, amplifying themes of external scrutiny and defensiveness.[46] |
| 2.4 | 21 May 2021 | Continued exploration of studio hierarchies and Alan's attempts to assert dominance amid escalating rivalries.[46] |
| 2.5 | 28 May 2021 | Interpersonal conflicts intensify, with Alan's decisions impacting team morale and programme content.[46] |
| 2.6 | 4 June 2021 | A themed edition featuring a royal family member guest tests Alan's composure during a significant career reversal, culminating serialized tensions.[47][46] |