'The Thick of It' to return this Autumn

minotour

Ben - "He called me minge mop coz i didnt hold the door open for him"

Rascasse

Back with the coalition now. Hoping for a good one.

A taster:

take everything

"Stuart's think sphincter".

Rascasse

"Not the trousers!"

Rascasse

"Any second now he's going to do the imaginary tits"

Sheela

Thought this was brilliant!
Last week didn't live up to Episode One which I thought was great - and this was a return to form.

Seren_

Thought it was a fabulous episode!!

Stewart: "When is a party, not a party?"
Peter: "When it's at your house?"

Yes, and HOOOOO!

pixelburp

About the only time I might feel sympathy for a Conservative, even if he's an fictional one, as I watched him suffer amid the new-age nonsense. That said, I simply don't like Stuart as a character. I understand the type of PR spin-doctor he's riffing on, but the character is such a daft caricature it's like he doesn't belong.

Skid

Really enjoyed it tonight. Going to have to watch it again, it moves so quickly.

"I'm in f**king charge, and I'm going Nordic drama "

Seren_

Skid wrote: »

Really enjoyed it tonight. Going to have to watch it again, it moves so quickly.

"I'm in f**king charge, and I'm going Nordic drama "

Me and my housemate are doing just that right now

mike65

Its like being happy slapped by a gang of wise cracking hoares!

Impossible to keep up at times and yes I thought I heard someone say Nordic Drama!

Skid

pixelburp wrote: »

About the only time I might feel sympathy for a Conservative, even if he's an fictional one, as I watched him suffer amid the new-age nonsense. That said, I simply don't like Stuart as a character. I understand the type of PR spin-doctor he's riffing on, but the character is such a daft caricature it's like he doesn't belong.

I think that is a fair point. I gave up on 'Twenty Twelve' because the absurdity of the PR and Spin-speak used by most of it's characters was just too over the top, and distracting from the plot.
Stuart is dangerously close to that level, although I reckon he is tolerable in small doses.

pixelburp

Skid wrote: »

I think that is a fair point. I gave up on 'Twenty Twelve' because the absurdity of the PR and Spin-speak used by most of it's characters was just too over the top, and distracting from the plot.
Stuart is dangerously close to that level, although I reckon he is tolerable in small doses.

Sometimes it feels like he stepped in from another sitcom; whilst everyone else on the show is verbally jousting & acting in a manner that I could well believe occurs in such a stressful & incestuous environment, Stuart behaves like a cartoon, checking off a succession of character ticks you'd expect a new-age w*nker might possess. I dunno, maybe Ianucci would insist people like him really do exist, but he jars against the likes of Glenn, Terry et al.

That said, he's almost worth it for the exasperated expressions he causes on Peter Mannions face

Rascasse

The thing with Stewart Pearson is he is a caricature of Steve Hilton who was, until recently, the Tory director of strategy. Just as Malcolm Tucker is Alistair Campbell. Steve Hilton is famous as being a bit of a hippy and he even spawned his own parody twitter account. Don't be surprised if he asks for a wheatgrass shot like his alter-ego.

I hope Terri gets more involved in episodes 5/6/7. Her, Peter, Nicola, Glen and Malcolm make the the show for me. And for christs sakes bring back Julius!

take everything

Rascasse wrote: »

And for christs sakes bring back Julius!

^This.
And his beloved biscuits.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gaj6ZAxLMDo

AnonoBoy

Obese Olympics - best suggestion from the think-in.

RayM

take everything wrote: »

^This.
And his beloved biscuits.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gaj6ZAxLMDo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhsONGGv41I

Rascasse

RayM wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhsONGGv41I

You are a naughty bastard.

I am the man that makes the bhaji go away.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foyZJJoIQEM

Sheela

Wish that the angriest man in Scotland, Jamie would make an appearance too!

wp_rathead

If anyone saw 2nd half of The Frontline tonight it would be hard to distinguish it from "The Thick of It"
was surreal

EDIT: sorry my brain is fried and for some reason I thought this was The Frontline thread- prob makes no sense having this post in here sorry. need get some sleep night

mangledbadgers

Haha, he looks a bit like a quentin blake illustration... brilliant

bnt

After watching tonight's episode, I am so glad that I'm not in Politics. I'm also genuinely curious to see what happens to Ollie next, after his role in the day's events. We know Malcolm's going to be OK, cockroaches always survive ... :eek:

pixelburp

Malcolm's no cockroach; he's the man making all the actual cockroaches do his bidding

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

that was fantastic

the first two episodes had me a little worried about this season but the last two were golden

this episode in particular had me in stitches several times. not entirely sure how it's going to work with dan miller in a more central role but I guess we'll find out soon. sorry enough to see the back of nichola.. never really liked her but i'd kind of gotten used to her.

RayM

Another great episode. It was nice to see Glen and Ollie back together again. Also, some great lines from Malcolm...

"What have you got for me, Professor Brian Cock?"

"You can't look a gift corpse in the mouth"

johnny_ultimate

Last night's episode was great (as was the week before). I thought something really absurd was going to happen to keep Nicola in power, but must say I'm fascinated to find out where they're going to go with the storyline in the next few weeks.

Nicola the butt of several of this week's best jokes: Malcolm's greeting card and, brilliantly, Ollie's balloon were two highlights in a very funny episode.

Reekwind

And we're back. Great pace, direction, lines and character development. The best episode in a long time

"You bought me flowers?"
"Not really. It's one of the benefits of living near an accident blackspot."

Skid

That was some episode. Malcolm was so ruthless and cunning in the execution of his coup. And how he played Ben Swain like a pawn. It was a dark classic.

There is no Thick of It episode next week, BBC2 are showing some Beatles films instead. Back the following week.

Sheela

Skid wrote: »

There is no Thick of It episode next week, BBC2 are showing some Beatles films instead. Back the following week.

And next week looks at both Peter Mannion and the Opposition

Great to see John Duggan back

Skid

Back on BBC2 on Saturday at 9.30 pm after a two week absence ...

There is a slightly spoilery trailer on youtube, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-49mHw2c6c

Can't wait, The Thick of It has got better as the series has gone on.

johnny_ultimate

Terrific episode this week. Just when you think the show can't get any more manic, intense and hilarious, they throw out that The whole second half, with pretty much every character falling victim to the leak scandal, never let up. It's the one show where 30 minutes really isn't enough. If they can keep this up for another two weeks - and I have no doubt they will - this show will go out in style.

Highight: Malcolm's vitriolic, insanely bitter rant at Nicola (who, despite her continued incompetence, I can't help feeling sorry for). Reminded me of his classic verbal attack on the journalist back in the pilot.

artvanderlay

I actually thought that tonight's episode was the worst episode I've ever seen of the thick of it. I laughed at one line ("it's like a paedophile's funeral in here") for the whole thing, and everybody seemed to be over-acting and shouting unnecessarily. Also far too many quick cuts that nearly gave me a headache. Obviously I'm used to quick cuts watching this show but you don't need them if it's just two people talking in a room (Malcolm and Ollie). Also Malcolm now is just coming across as nasty without any of the charm of past years. Even Peter, usually my favourite especially when he's with Phil, was annoying tonight, with repeated "vital work" comments to the carers. Just really lazy writing throughout. This whole season has been pretty poor...maybe they're spreading themselves too thin what with Veep taking up time stateside.

Mr.Saturn

Roger Allam as Peter Mannion is an ever-revealing gem, I cannot praise the part enough.

I've liked this series thus far, and its de-emphasis of Malcolm Tucker, not to say I have any grievance with the part, very much the opposite, but they've done a better job this season of milking the comedy from all quarters, instead of the usual 'inept MP buggers-up, Malcolm ****storm and scene' shtick of series previous. I just feel it preserves the show's freshness, as opposed to any slight on previous series, as I loved them wholly, but I don't see the harm in opening the stage a bit more. I know it's a case of circumstance as much as design, but I'm chuffed with the result either ways.

Iannucci's gone on record to say that this'll likely be the last full series of the show, but is open to more specials, so we've only got two more weeks of this as full-time highlight-of-the-week telly. It was one thing the cast saying it back around the broadcast of series one, as tToI hadn't really
found the wide audience it's got, but considering it's now one of BBC2's flagship shows, I'd be more likely to attach weight to such claims. I'll live in hope regardless, I suppose.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/sep/01/armando-iannucci-social-media

He tells Andrew Rawnsley, the Observer's chief political commentator, in the New Review that he is unlikely to write another series of The Thick of It and plans to focus his attention on the new centre of power in California's Silicon Valley.

Skid

I wasn't crazy about last night's show. There was so much going on with all the cast at once, it was too much for a thirty minute episode. I am pleased to see it is on for an hour next Saturday (BBC2, 9.45pm). Things are set up nicely for the enquiry now. Even when this show is weak, it is still the best programme on television.

johnny_ultimate

Glad next week's is an hour - as much as I enjoyed this week's, it could have definitely used a bit of breathing space, and it felt very short when it cut to credits. The previous hour long episodes (plus In the Loop) have proven the show can handle more long-form storytelling, so looking forward to the last two weeks.

bnt

If I have one prediction to make, it will be that we haven't seen the last of Nicola Murray ...

pixelburp

Yes, I suspect she may make good on her admittedly watery threat; with the inquiry on the horizon, she could a few cats amongst the pigeons. Thought Malcoms rant at her was a bit much, but then he has always shown nothing but frustration at being stuck in Opposition.

Ideally I'd like to see this series wrap up with those deserving of political banishment, receiving it. Of course this being the show that it is, we're unlikely to see it happening.

bnt

So, the Enquiry is on, starting with Stewart Pearson's description of government as a "Political Pompidou Centre" - as if anyone knows what that means ...

johnny_ultimate

A peculiar episode. At first I didn't like the change in form - Stewart's persona particularly seemed to get lost in translation and seemed even more ridiculous than usual. Also the swipe cuts and odd fades (I'm guessing emulating the way enquiries are televised?) were jarring. Sudden cuts were oddly judged too, right til the end.

Eventually, the episode did hit its pace with some very funny testimonies with characters rightly being called up on several series worth of dodgy dealings and general ignorance. Terri was great, but the double bill of Ollie and Glenn attacking each other was fantastic.

An uneven episode, but plenty to like and a fun break from formula. Despite the fact it ended so suddenly and awkwardly, it does look like we're heading towards a true ending.

pixelburp

Wasn't sure what to make of last nights episode to be honest; first and foremost there wasn't really any comedy as such - I guess it would have been hard to force it into what was ostensibly a sober environment. If anything, the setting made some of the characters appear even more cartoonish than they were within their own environment; specifically, I'm thinking of Robin, Terri or Stuart. They all just came across as buffoons.

I had actually thought the inquiry was going to be abandoned; the Baroness' sudden disappearance over the leaks about her personal life (obviously by Malcolm) made me wonder if slowly each member of the committee would have to leave. As it is, seems like Tucker is going to be the fall guy in all this & will be railroaded out of politics.

DeepBlue

Just out of curiosity did every single one of them lie before the enquiry?

Mannion lied when he denied having leaked about the real issue being the leaking of Tickel's medical records.
Terri and Glenn both lied about being the source of the PFI email leak.
Malcolm obviously lied about being involved in the medical record leaks.
I'd have to rewatch to see where the others were obviously lying.

Robin was hilarious though. The enquiry would probably have go to the bottom of everything if they just questioned her on her own.

Was that the last episode?

DeepBlue

The finale is next week. Back to 30 mins afaik.

Agent Smith

Easily the Least amount of swearing :pac:

steve_r

I've just caught up on this series over the past week, so wanted to chime in on this thread.

The back-and-forth format was a bit strange to begin with but it looks to me like the eventual goal was to get to the inquiry stage.

I enjoyed this episode, though the tone did vary hugely, from Stewart's inaneness and Robyn's stupidity to the opposite end of the spectrum, where Malcolm is cornered, and the eventual closing monologue.

I dunno where they'll go with the final episode, I'll be sad to see this series go.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

i liked it, started off a bit slow.. plenty of laughs though. robyn and terry, glenn and olli.. glad to see the two of them finally come to blows (sort of)

i dont know how it will stand up to rewatching though. every other ep of the show im sure I could rewatch easily, I've already watched seasons 1-3 4-5 times but that episode.. as interesting as it was, unless it all ties in massively to the events of the final episode I can see myself skipping it every now and again when I'm rewatching TTOI and just not in the mood.

blatantrereg

I liked it. The series as been relying very much on the streams of put-downs for comedy, and I've started to find that a bit tiresome, even if the odd one is very funny. This episode was a bit different and that was refreshing.

Reekwind

This episode has been bothering me since the weekend and I think the problem was Malcolm. Or maybe everyone else

What disconcerted me was just how frank Malcolm was, how he casually owned up (boasted, almost) of shafting Nicola. Granted, this was all set up so that we could end on a Big Malcolm Rant but it jarred with everyone else's behaviour and a lot of what we know about Malcolm 'I'm not the story' Tucker. Doesn't sit right; particularly not with everyone else, save Robyn, in stonewalling mode

Mind you, when he did get his comeuppance (admittedly, in a slightly contrived manner) it was absolutely priceless to see him lost for words

steve_r

Reekwind wrote: »

This episode has been bothering me since the weekend and I think the problem was Malcolm. Or maybe everyone else

What disconcerted me was just how frank Malcolm was, how he casually owned up (boasted, almost) of shafting Nicola. Granted, this was all set up so that we could end on a Big Malcolm Rant but it jarred with everyone else's behaviour and a lot of what we know about Malcolm 'I'm not the story' Tucker. Doesn't sit right; particularly not with everyone else, save Robyn, in stonewalling mode

Mind you, when he did get his comeuppance (admittedly, in a slightly contrived manner) it was absolutely priceless to see him lost for words

Yeah, that's fair enough now that you mention it. Not like Malcolm to like leaving his figerprints visible, especially in an inquiry of all places!

Maybe this is the seeds of his downfall? He's so caught up in the double standards of the inquiry that he implicates himself? Maybe.

Wish this wasn't on Saturday, I'm going to miss it so I'll be anxious to catch up on Sunday

brian_t

As has been mentioned earlier - this is probably the last series.

The Thick Of It writer Ian Martin suggests via Twitter that the current series of the BBC political satire is indeed to be its last...

This isn't a scoop, more confirmation of a well-rehearsed rumour. The Thick Of It's creator, Armando Iannucci, announced in September that the current series of the show would likely be its final outing, feeling that all possible avenues had been explored by the satire. Those who've followed the tightly plotted fourth season can attest that things seem to be moving towards an end-of-days finale on Saturday October the 27th, after this weekend's sixty-minute inquiry special.

Following yesterday's party for those involved in making the programme, writer and 'swearing consultant' Ian Martin delivered the following tweet:
"Feeling quite f_ _king emotional about last night's Thick cast and crew do. Last time we'll be together, last time any of us will be in TVC."

Comedian Chris Addison, who plays political advisor Ollie Reeder and who made his The Thick Of It directing debut in the previous episode, responded with:
"It was quite a thing, wasn't it? Sad, joyous, and what a way to leave TVC."

Both of which comments seem fairly conclusive, though we hope we're not mad in clinging to the hope that a special or two in future years may still be a possibility. If that isn't the case though, then a standing ovation goes to everyone involved for bringing us seven years of simply outstanding television. Bravo.

http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-thick-of-it/23116/the-thick-of-it-series-4-to-be-its-last