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Alan Partridge is in crisis! However, many are in similar straits today? During his previous television outing, Alan was melting down live on air while hosting the light magazine show This Time, ending the series quite literally locked out of the BBC. In the opening of his independent production, the light documentary How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge), the presenter shares he’s experienced another setback by fainting into the lap of a female interviewee at a corporate event for Norfolk agribusiness stalwarts. Hard moments, but such characters rebound: connect struggles with societal themes and attempt to turn it into a show.

Delving into Stress and Loneliness

How Are You? features Coogan’s timeless character in documentary style, examining a wave of mental health issues that he feels is worsening: “To put it simply, it’s become insane!” The journey will see him experiment with religion, reconnect with friends from school, and enjoy therapeutic hikes, as well as confronting his recent past. Episode one builds towards a hostile but cathartic reunion with “Sidekick” Simon Denton (Tim Key), an ex-co-worker from broadcasting days, and as the episodes progress, we’re shown unseen clips from Alan’s stints.

For Coogan and his long-term writing/directing collaborators, How Are You? is a sideways move. Whereas This Time pushed Partridge into new territory, How Are You? often retreads it: in addition to resurrecting classic structures, it mirrors earlier faux-documentaries in recent years. With his personal issues seeping into the content, viewers will think of his podcast work.

Contrasting Alans

This leads to a minor issue. There are two Alans: Successful Alan (with high-profile jobs) and Outcast Alan (on the sidelines), and despite Wilderness Alan leading the beloved show I’m Alan Partridge back in 1997, a more wistful Wilderness Alan has recently taken flight in books and audio projects. How Are You? brings us into his space and includes Kelly in the role of Katrina, his highly inappropriate love interest from the podcast. However, this sad story – Alan is in denial about Katrina cheating on him with an acquaintance and entrepreneur – seems better suited to podcast pacing, allowing audience creativity to enhance humor. When we can’t see him, Wilderness Alan has room to breathe: current formats thrive on challenging the triumphant version and watching him implode, as happened on previous shows.

The Genius of Sloppy Errors

Still, these are minor points compared to a major truth: in any format, he is the top humorous character in Britain, and temporary versions still offer huge comedy than anything else on telly. How Are You? features Alan as star, producer, and director, which opens up his genius for sloppy errors and poor editorial decisions. Should he believe exploding fruit represents mental health, it will be included, and there’s nobody to tell him that he’s accidentally used the word “tastistics” or other mistakes in commentary. The brief pained expression he makes exiting knowing on some level that that piece to camera was another balls-up always delights, and likewise for his interlude creations, the best of which sees him attempt to fix us with a sympathetic smile while drinking tea clumsily.

Visual and Emotional Highlights

Can anything top his skip-side groans? Absolutely not. He is also a visual treat, with his new dye job several shades too light to be plausible, and his clothing showcasing loud pants, statement footwear, multiple gilets and an enthusiastic overreaction to the news that rugby shirts are back in fashion.

Additionally, the theme offers peeks into his inner world that have been there ever since the Gibbons brothers took over co-writing duties. Repeatedly, the show achieves emotional depth, where Alan’s lack of self-awareness reveals a sadness that almost has us crying tears of emotion, then the comedy returns and laughter resumes. This works due to long-term affection: any version of Alan Partridge is always welcome back.