The Thick Of It
- TV sitcom
- BBC Two / BBC Four
- 2005 - 2012
- 23 episodes (4 series)
Satirical political sitcom. Number 10's foul-mouthed policy enforcer Malcolm Tucker rules the Government's PR team with an iron fist. Stars Peter Capaldi, Chris Addison, James Smith, Joanna Scanlan, Rebecca Front and more.
Streaming rank this week: 221
Press clippings Page 4
10 satire shows we need back on our TV screens
It's fair to say that we don't have much satire on TV at the moment. So, are we really beyond satire now? Have things become too surreal? Well, I'm not so sure. In no particular order, here are ten shows that I think need a revival in these turbulent times.
Rhianna Evans, Super Ink, 7th August 2019Fawlty Towers tops Radio Times greatest British sitcom list
Fawlty Towers has come out top of a list of the greatest British sitcoms, as compiled by Radio Times magazine.
British Comedy Guide, 9th April 201912 Disastrous US remakes of British Sitcoms
Some things are just uniquely suited to a time and a place. The idea of remaking anything to fit another culture is thankfully becoming more of an outdated concept. Unfortunately, in the past, American TV producers have repeatedly tried and failed to remake many of our beloved British sitcoms.
Super Ink, 8th April 2019Definitive guide to British comedy since Fawlty Towers
The British are coming, and they want to invade your television. With ... laughter.
Devon Ivie, Vulture, 21st November 2018The Thick Of It and why I'm not sick of it
Ultimately, in a time when the population is distressed with political chaos, The Thick Of It provides us a chance to laugh at the worst of it, while understanding that this is all far from new.
Luke Gardiner, The Boar, 24th October 2018Armando Iannucci's superbly acerbic BBC political satire may have been primarily concerned with the "doomed middle-aged men" of Whitehall and their hapless aides but it also had plenty to say about the capital's media machine.
Special adviser Ollie Reeder (Chris Addison), having previously had a relationship with Evening Standard reporter Angela Heaney (Lucinda Raikes), creates all manner of awkwardness, particularly when Satanic director of communications Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi) pressures him into attempting to exploit their past to win favourable coverage.
The "Spinners and Losers" special concerning Labour Party in-fighting took the viewer inside the offices of The Daily Mail, as the paper is repeatedly forced to redesign its front page due to the chaotic nature of the night's events.
Joe Sommerlad, The Independent, 6th September 2018The Best Politically-Powered Comedies
What is it about the violently egotistical, easily corrupted, self-doubt-riddled nature of your typical politician that makes them such a perfect target for comedy?
BBC, 1st September 201820 of Malcolm Tucker's most cutting insults
Enraged fictional spin-doctor Malcolm Tucker has been back in the news of late.
Alex Nelson, i Newspaper, 27th October 2017Armando Iannucci talks Alan Partridge & Malcolm Tucker
The state of UK politics means there is no need for The Thick of It, and the US political scene is so absurd currently that it would be "beyond sitcom territory" to produce Veep, said the satirist who founded both programmes.
Ellie Price, BBC, 20th October 2017Only Fools and Horses USA - and other failed TV remakes
Ricky Gervais managed it with The Office, but - from The IT Crowd to Luther - which other Brit TV exports weren't so lucky?
Jack Seale, The Guardian, 4th April 2017