Quote: Martin H @ December 12 2009, 11:48 PM GMTI'd say so, it seemed set up for an election special, which would be fantastic.
Why not just go into a fourth full series, rather than a special?
The Thick Of It - Series 3 Page 29
Yep, another great episode.
Quote: Aaron @ December 13 2009, 1:22 AM GMTWhy not just go into a fourth full series, rather than a special?
I'd rather there be a special to deal with the election and its result, and then a series with the new government in place - just seems neater . . .
Excellent final episode. And what a great series this has been. Liked Tom Hollander's character being introduced, hope to see more of him - great voice particularly. Loved having some more Julius in this one. In an ideal world I would have liked to have seen a whole episode without Malcolm before a final episode returning him to power. It would have made his return more dramatic, and would have given us a proper look of how government might have failed without him to crack the whip. As it was there wasn't really any sense that he had actually left for any measurable period of time. But you can't have everything, can you?
An election night special would be a lovely (and logical) next step. Can't wait to see more. 
Forget the name of an OK occasional semi-biographical sit-com from last year with Liz McGovern which was noted for a brilliant turn from Tom Hollander as this hilariously obnoxious agent. It looks likes he reprised it for the Thick of It and is fantastic choice to replace Capaldi if need be.
It was a great finale and when the generation election does come I will now be filled with the vision of Malcolm picking up anything he can find to 'f**king twat' Cameron's army of robots coming over the hill.
If Tucker does leave I will look forward to his children's book; the Angry Spider.
Also Rebecca Front was gave her best performance and I would dance with her.
The sitcom you're thinking of is Freezing, and it was bloody flipping brilliant. I don't see many similarities between the agent and Hollander in this thought. He was nice, needy, but badly adjusted to the outside world and rude in business - the character here was just a cold bastard.
Re the idea of a special, I think it'd be the best part of a year before such was broadcast, as they'd want to find out what happens in the real GE and go from there. In any case, due to the BBC's impartiality guidelines, they couldn't broadcast one before the GE anyway.
Quote: Aaron @ December 14 2009, 4:07 PM GMTIn any case, due to the BBC's impartiality guidelines, they couldn't broadcast one before the GE anyway.
No reason they couldn't air it after the polling stations close on election night. The time-scale to get such a programme written and produced would be difficult, however, and near impossible if an early election in March is announced. Such a special would be best served by following the run-up to election day from both the Government and Opposition's POVs, but stopping short of any result.
Quote: Tim Walker @ December 14 2009, 4:28 PM GMTNo reason they couldn't air it after the polling stations close on election night.
True - although I would expect that they'd decide that, well, not necessarily a majority, but certainly a significant minority, of the show's audience would be getting ready to watch Bumblebee on BBC One.
(And indeed, as you say, if the March rumours turn out to be correct then there's no way they'd have time to do it.)
Quote: Tim Walker @ December 14 2009, 4:28 PM GMT...stopping short of any result.
Filming two endings and broadcasting the correct one the next night would be quite cool. Needn't be any more than 10-15 minutes long.
If there's a hung parliament they may have to cast a Lib Dem spin doctor. Patrick Barlow springs to mind for some reason.
Just had a re-watch. Favourite exchange was between Julius & Malcolm...
JULIUS: As my nephew would say, "This shit just got real".
MALCOLM: Your nephew?
JULIUS: He's at Charterhouse. Only a day boy, not a boarder...
Also loved Malcolm answering his phone: "Hello, Philip Schofield, I f**k lobsters for money."
That was a great ending. Loved it. Agree totally with Tim about having an episode entirely without Malcolm so that his sudden return was unexpected; it did feel like he hadn't gone that long (though I assume it was for a few months at least -- did I miss a 'x months later' caption?)
I'd like to see a special for the election, and the 'two filmed endings' is a great idea!
Unfortunately, Armando's off in America at the mo', so nothing for the forseeable. He did say on his Twitter account that there *would* be 'more Thick' though, which is great news. (EDIT: In fact, just seven minutes ago: Hello. Early in at the Beeb, clearing my office out. Leaving today for the big bad world. Thanks for all the nice Thick of It tweets.)
This show is in serious contention for my favourite sitcom ever. Already. So I dread to think how good I think it will be with the 'nostalgic look back through rose-tinted spectacles' in five or ten years' time!
Encore!
Dan
Quote: Tim Walker @ December 14 2009, 7:47 PM GMTJust had a re-watch. Favourite exchange was between Julius & Malcolm...
JULIUS: As my nephew would say, "This shit just got real".
MALCOLM: Your nephew?
JULIUS: He's at Charterhouse. Only a day boy, not a boarder..."
The curry eating scene was reminiscent of the Yes PM episode where Humphrey is revealing arts spending over lunch with the aid of bread sticks.
Quote: swerytd @ December 15 2009, 9:21 AM GMTThat was a great ending. Loved it. Agree totally with Tim about having an episode entirely without Malcolm so that his sudden return was unexpected; it did feel like he hadn't gone that long (though I assume it was for a few months at least -- did I miss a 'x months later' caption?)
I would've liked an epiosde all about Malcolm and his jobless exploits - the opening 10 minutes were my favourite part - nowhere near enough time passed before he reverted back to the old Malcolm . . .
Quote: Slippery Jack @ December 15 2009, 9:47 AM GMTI would've liked an epiosde all about Malcolm and his jobless exploits - the opening 10 minutes were my favourite part - nowhere near enough time passed before he reverted back to the old Malcolm . . .
But, that way, you're expecting him back and what I (and Tim I suspect) meant was that they try to do something without him. Like 'no character is too big to be killed off' a la The Sopranos or The Wire and then -- BANG! -- back from the dead!
<scary Boo! smiley>
Dan
Quote: Slippery Jack @ December 15 2009, 9:47 AM GMTI would've liked an epiosde all about Malcolm and his jobless exploits - the opening 10 minutes were my favourite part - nowhere near enough time passed before he reverted back to the old Malcolm . . .
The meeting scene where the crap BBC Three programme is pitched to him was pretty darned good! Must remember that prentending to take a call and just walking out thing...