The Thick of It (2005– )

Stars:

Chris Addison, Peter Capaldi, James Smith

20 wins & 20 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Chris Addison	...	Oliver Reeder (22 episodes, 2005-2012)
Peter Capaldi	...	Malcolm Tucker (21 episodes, 2005-2012)
James Smith	...	Glenn Cullen (21 episodes, 2005-2012)
Joanna Scanlan	...	Terri Coverley (20 episodes, 2005-2012)
Rebecca Front	...	Nicola Murray (13 episodes, 2009-2012)
Olivia Poulet	...	Emma Messinger (10 episodes, 2007-2012)
Vincent Franklin	...	Stewart Pearson (10 episodes, 2007-2012)
Will Smith	...	Phil Smith (10 episodes, 2007-2012)
Roger Allam	...	Peter Mannion (9 episodes, 2007-2012)

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

politics

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Official Sites:

BBC Four [uk]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 May 2005 (UK)

Also Known As:

Højt spin

Filming Locations:

St Margaret Street, Westminster, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

29 min 29 min (6 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the main characters is called Glen Cullen. Glencullen is the name of two places in Ireland (a village in County Dublin and a townland in County Mayo).

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Quotes

Other: I'm sorry, could you stop swearing, please?
Malcolm Tucker: I'm really sorry, you won't hear any more swearing from us, YOU MASSIVE GAY SHITE! Fuck off!

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Connections

Featured in Breakfast: Episode dated 7 June 2010 (2010)

User Reviews

Dry humor in maniacal proportions

It is difficult to find comedies that elicit genuine laughter these days and The Thick Of It distinguishes itself. A cold open format demands attention right away before the humor seeps in; by the time you realize what your gut is in for, the crays in Department of "Social Affairs" have crept their way into your system. Every preemptive political misstep creates so much hysteria and disaster it's impossible for bystanders not to find amusement in the absurdity and idiocy of it all.

I am rather cautious about over hyped programs. Especially after feeling disappointed with The Office (UK), Little Britain and The Peep Show. But the lyrical filth snaps and pops too delightfully in this one to look away. Par course for the comic timing seized with perfection by Malcolm and Hugh.

Although The Thick of It functions as satirical commentary on the British government, I find that anyone with a soft spot for political feuds and human nature will relate to it, and thus enjoy watching. Unless plot points and character device are specifically designed to allude to real life figures/events in each episode (in which case, I'm too uninformed to "catch"), you don't need sound knowledge of UK's current affairs to "get it". Much like how you don't need to be black or American to acknowledge the simple premise behind The Wire—classic institutional dysfunction and media consumption. Only difference between the two being the latter is a slow-burning novelistic tale layered with stoic horror, while the former flips like a sprightly comic book punctuated with wags and wit.

Issues such as uninspired leadership, reluctant lackeys, chasing ranks, falsifying stats and information are things that guide and obstruct real progress within any system. In this sense, I think the appeal of The Thick Of It is universal. That the self-involved, self-defeating, borderline-sociopathic qualities harassing its spin doctors promptly blow up in their own clueless faces is just icing on the cake. Dry humor in maniacal proportions with accurate insights into the bureaucratic condition are worth the viewer ship. One season in and I think The Thick Of It is absolutely winning and hilarious.