Every Alan Partridge Project Ranked From Worst To Best

Alan Partridge’s first starring roles don’t quite hold up as well as some of his other early work. Knowing Me Knowing You introduced many viewers to the hapless Norfolk broadcaster, first on the radio then on the BBC, and while much of Partridge lore was forged in these episodes, the character wasn’t quite fully defined, making a rewatch slightly jarring now that the character is more established.

While many of the foundations are there - his self absorption, ultimate disinterest in his guests, inability to keep foot far from mouth - Partridge’s specific foibles haven’t yet been put in place. He’s more a general swipe at media big headedness, rather than the fully fledged human he’d later become.

That said, the formula is great, with Coogan and a tight cast of long time Iannucci collaborators (Rebecca Front, Doon Mackichan, Patrick Marber) bouncing off one another on the fake talk show.

The gags hold up well and Partridge does grow into himself as the show goes on, an evolution that is enjoyable to watch, but the best was very much yet to come.