The Thick of It

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For the unproduced American adaptation, see The Thick of It (US TV series).
The Thick of It
Format Comedy (political satire)
Created by Armando Iannucci
Starring Chris Langham
Peter Capaldi
Chris Addison
Country of origin United Kingdom
No. of episodes 8
Production
Running time 30 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel BBC Four (Series 1 and Specials)
BBC Two (Series 2)
Original run 19 May 2005 – present
Chronology
Related shows In the Loop

The Thick of It is a British comedy television series, which satirises the inner workings of modern British government. It was first broadcast on BBC Four in 2005, and has so far completed six half-hour episodes and two special hour-long episodes to coincide with Christmas and Gordon Brown's appointment as Prime Minister. To date, the series has earned Best New Comedy and Best Comedy Performer for Chris Langham at the 2005 British Comedy Awards,[1] and won Best Situation Comedy and Best Comedy Performance, also for Langham (although Peter Capaldi was also nominated), at the 2006 BAFTAs.[2]

The series can be described as the 21st century's answer to Yes Minister, highlighting the struggles of the media and spin doctors against civil servants. Iannucci himself describes it as "Yes Minister meets Larry Sanders".[3] The former civil servant Martin Sixsmith is an advisor to the writing team, giving some of the storylines an element of realism to them.[3] In particular, the character of Malcolm Tucker bears a distinct resemblance to former Director of Communications and Strategy Alastair Campbell, a comparison Campbell himself has acknowledged.[4]

A feature film spin-off, In The Loop, was released in the UK on 17 April 2009. At the 2008 Edinburgh International Television Festival, series creator Armando Iannucci gave an interview stating that he would be filming a new series of The Thick of It in 2009.[5] The scripts for the second series, which will be eight episodes long, are currently being written.[6] The new series is to be broadcast on BBC Two.[7]

Contents

[edit] Production

The series is written by a team of writers led by Armando Iannucci, who also directs the series, with Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell and Tony Roche.[8] Some of the dialogue is improvised rather than scripted, and includes some very strong language. Peter Capaldi has stated that "Fundamentally 80% of the final cut is the script that we started with. The improvisation just makes it feel more real and not written."[3] Prior to rehearsals, the scripts are sent to a "swearing consultant" in Lancaster called Ian Martin, who adds some of the series' more colourful language.[9][10] The programme's producer is Adam Tandy, who has produced all of Iannucci's television projects since 2000. The programme is shot with hand-held cameras to give it a sense of vérité or fly on the wall documentary. The documentary style is furthered by the absence of any incidental music or laughter track.

On 2 April 2007, a DVD of the first six episodes was released as "The Complete First Series". It also included audio commentary, deleted scenes, and photo galleries, with the two specials released on a second DVD in April 2009.

[edit] Plot

The action centres on the fictitious Department of Social Affairs and Citizenship ("DoSAC" – previously the Department of Social Affairs, or "DSA", prior to the reshuffle of episode five), which supposedly came out of the Prime Minister's passing enthusiasm for "joined-up government". Thus, it acts as a "Super Department" overseeing many others, which enables different political themes to be dealt with in the programme, similar to the Department for Administrative Affairs in Yes Minister.[11] Hugh Abbot, played by Chris Langham, is a blundering minister heading the department, who is continually trying to do his job under the watchful eye of Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi), Number 10's highly aggressive and domineering "enforcer". The programme also features James Smith as Senior Special Adviser Glenn Cullen, who is not an MP, Chris Addison as Junior Policy Advisor Olly Reeder, and Joanna Scanlan as Civil Service Press Secretary Terri Coverley.

In the first batch of three episodes, Hugh Abbot is installed as a new minister following the forced resignation of his predecessor Cliff Lawton. These episodes follow his attempts to make a mark on the department by introducing new policies while following the party line enforced by Malcolm Tucker. Due to a series of complications and mistakes, this leads to the minister coming close to resignation on a number of occasions.

In the second batch of episodes, a reshuffle is in the offing, and the series follows the minister's attempts to keep his job. Olly is seconded to Number 10 "to phone his girlfriend" Emma Messenger, who happens to be a member of the shadow defence policy team, where he is under the close eye of enforcer Jamie MacDonald. Meanwhile, Terri Coverley is on compassionate leave following the death of her father, leaving her role to Robyn Murdoch, a Senior Press Officer. The department also has to contend with the interference of the Prime Minister's "Blue Skies" advisor Julius Nicholson. The minister and the department survive the reshuffle, with the department being rebranded as the "Department of Social Affairs and Citizenship" and moved to a new building. However, the mistakes and compromises continue.

In the two specials, following the Christmas break, Hugh Abbot is in Australia and the department has to "babysit" Junior Minister for Immigration Ben Swain, who is described as a "nutter" (a supporter of prime-minister-in-waiting Tom Davis). The first special revolves around a computer problem at Immigration, which is exacerbated by the junior minister appearing in a disastrous Newsnight interview. The opposition policy advisor Emma Messenger capitalises on the error by stealing an idea from Olly Reader, her boyfriend, to send the shadow minister Peter Mannion on a factfinding mission at an immigration centre. Meanwhile, Malcolm Tucker is concerned about his position in the government after speculating that the Prime Minister's handover to Tom Davies is expected in less than six months. Tucker conspires with Olly to leak the Prime Minister's "legacy programme" in the hope of stalling his departure, inadvertently leading the PM to resign early. The next episode follows a single night of "spin", as advisors, junior politicians and enforcers all try to better their position during the transition.

[edit] Cast

Character Actor Role(s) Duration

[edit] The Government
Malcolm Tucker Peter Capaldi Director of Communications, Number 10 Episode One —
James "Jamie" MacDonald Paul Higgins Press Officer, Number 10 Episode Four; Special One; Special Two
Julius Nicholson MP Alex MacQueen 'Blue Skies' Special Advisor to the Prime Minister, Number 10 Episode Five; Special One; Special Two
Nick Hanway Martin Savage Enforcer for Tom Davies Episode Five; Special Two —
Hugh Abbot MP Chris Langham Secretary of State for Social Affairs (later Social Affairs and Citizenship) Episodes One – Six
Clare Ballentine MP Eve Matheson Chair, Select Committee for Social Affairs and Citizenship Episode Six; Special Two
Ben Swain MP Justin Edwards Junior Minister for Immigration, DoSAC Special One —
Dan Miller MP Tony Gardner Former Junior Minister, DSA Episode Three; Special Two
Glenn Cullen James Smith Senior Special Advisor to the Secretary of State, DoSAC Episode One —
Oliver "Olly" Reeder Chris Addison Special Advisor to the Secretary of State, DoSAC
(formerly Junior Policy Advisor to the Secretary of State, DSA)		 Episode One —
Cliff Lawton MP Tim Bentinck Former Secretary of State for Social Affairs Episode One; Special Two

[edit] Her Majesty's Civil Service
Terri Coverley Joanna Scanlan Director of Communications, DoSAC Episode One —
Robyn Murdoch Polly Kemp Senior Press Officer, DoSAC Episode Four —

[edit] The Opposition
Stewart Pearson Vincent Franklin Opposition Public Relations Officer Special One —
Peter Mannion MP Roger Allam Shadow Secretary of State for Social Affairs and Citizenship Special One —
Emma Messinger Olivia Poulet Policy Advisor to the Shadow Secretary of State Special One —
Phil Smith Will Smith Researcher for the Shadow Secretary of State Special One —

[edit] The Media
Adam Kenyon Ben Willbond Night Editor, Daily Mail Special Two —
Angela Heaney Lucinda Raikes Junior Political Correspondent, Daily Mail
formerly Evening Standard		 Episode One —

[edit] Episodes

The first run of three episodes screened on BBC Four from 19 May 2005. A further three episodes were transmitted 20 October – 3 November 2005. The six episodes were repeated on BBC Two in early 2006, and later on BBC America. Originally, the two runs were presented as two series of three, but this changed with their DVD release, as The Complete First Series.

An hour-long Christmas special, "The Rise of the Nutters", aired in January 2007 with a further ten episodes planned for later on in the year. However, Chris Langham did not reprise his role as Hugh Abbot, due to legal allegations against him,[12] and his subsequent conviction has ruled him out of any further roles. To fill this void, Iannucci introduced new characters into the series forming the opposition.

Another one-off hour-long episode "Spinners and Losers" aired on 3 July 2007.[13] It was followed by a 30 minute[citation needed] extra episode, a 15 minute cut of which was made available through BBC Red Button. The special followed the same story from the opposition's point of view.

Episode Original airdate
Episode One 19 May 2005
After his 'Snooper Squad' idea is killed, the Minister has 40 minutes to come up with a new policy...
Episode Two 26 May 2005
Hugh gets a very focused focus group in to tell him which one of two contradictory policies to go for.
Episode Three 2 June 2005
Tucker thinks an empty flat in London could pose a problem for the Minister's Housing Bill...
Episode Four 20 October 2005
Something goes terribly wrong at a ministerial visit to a factory – only Malcolm can help, but will he?
Episode Five 27 October 2005
There's a reshuffle in the offing and the PM's new 'blue skies' advisor is making trouble...
Episode Six 3 November 2005
Someone sends an email they shouldn't have, while Hugh lies to a Select Committee...
Special, Part I: "Rise of the Nutters" 2 January 2007
While Hugh Abbot's away, new enemies rear their heads inside and outside the government.
Special, Part II: "Spinners and Losers" 3 July 2007
When the PM resigns six months early, will Malcolm finally spin out of control?
Opposition Extra 3 July 2007, BBCi
Peter Mannion's attempts at a peaceful evening are thwarted by public relations.

[edit] American adaptation

Main article: The Thick of It (US TV series)

On 27 October 2006, it was announced that The Thick of It would be adapted for American television, with Arrested Development creator Mitch Hurwitz executive producing, along with Armando Iannucci and Richard Day. The pilot was directed by Christopher Guest.[14]

ABC did not pick up the show for its 2007 Autumn schedule,[15]. Iannucci has distanced himself from the pilot stating "It was terrible...they took the idea and chucked out all the style. It was all conventionally shot and there was no improvisation or swearing. It didn't get picked up, thank god."[16] Since 2007, other networks including HBO, Showtime and NBC have expressed interest in the show[17] and in April 2009, Iannucci re-entered talks with HBO over the possibility of an American adaptation.[16]

[edit] In the Loop

Main article: In the Loop (film)

In May 2008, the BBC issued a press release stating that filming had commenced on a feature length adaption named In the Loop starring Tom Hollander, James Gandolfini, Chris Addison, Peter Capaldi, Gina McKee and Steve Coogan.[18]

In the Loop premiered in the US at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and in the UK at the 2009 Glasgow Film Festival. It is scheduled for general release in April 2009. Although many of the cast return, the only actual returning characters are Malcolm Tucker, Jamie MacDonald and very brief cameos from Angela Heaney and Malcolm's secretary Sam, with the other actors playing new characters altogether.[19][20]

[edit] Second Series

Appearing on the chat show Friday Night with Jonathan Ross in July 2008, Chris Addison confirmed that a second series is expected to be broadcast in late 2009. In April 2009, Iannucci announced that he was in the middle of writing the scripts for series two, which will be eight episodes long.[6] He said writing was at a "very early" stage but should be completed later in 2009. The writer also confirmed that former star Chris Langham would not be returning to the cast, and that the new episodes will again centre around the Department of Social Affairs.[21] The new minister will be called Nicola Murray MP and she will be played by Rebecca Front, who has previously worked with Iannucci on programmes such as The Day Today.[22] Roger Allam will also return as Peter Mannion MP. The new series is to be broadcast on BBC Two.[7]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ British Comedy Awards 2005, URL accessed 4th January, 2007
  2. ^ Awards at the Internet Movie Database, URL accessed 4th January, 2007
  3. ^ a b c Interview with Armando Iannucci, at bbc.co.uk, URL accessed January 18th, 2007
  4. ^ Alastair Campbell, "Was I offended by this brutal spinmeister? No. I was bored" in The Guardian, 24-03-2009
  5. ^ http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/2008/08/video_armando_iannucci.html Interview with Armando Ianucci
  6. ^ a b Parker, Robin (2009-04-06). "The Thick of It to return". Broadcast. http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/2009/04/the_thick_of_it_to_return.html. Retrieved on 2009-04-06. 
  7. ^ a b "The Thick Of It – back for a new series on BBC Two". BBC Press Office. 2009-04-27. http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2009/04_april/27/thick.shtml. Retrieved on 2009-04-27. 
  8. ^ Cast list at the Internet Movie Database, URL accessed 18th January, 2007
  9. ^ Interview with Armando Iannucci atUncut.co.uk, URL accessed June 29th, 2007
  10. ^ Above and Beyond, interview with Chris Addison by David Whitehouse in The London Paper, Wednesday, December 20 2006
  11. ^ BBC Press Release, URL accessed 18th January, 2007
  12. ^ Paramount Comedy.com URL accessed 4 January 2007
  13. ^ BBC Press Release, URL accessed 21 June 2007
  14. ^ Hollywood Reporter.com, URL accessed 4 January 2007
  15. ^ "Sometimes buzz about TV pilots is just a lot of hot air". San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/05/21/DDG0MPU2QM1.DTL. Retrieved on 2007-05-27. 
  16. ^ a b Rosser, Michael (2009-04-24). "Iannacci in talks with HBO over US Thick of It". Broadcast. http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/2009/04/iannacci_in_talks_with_hbo_over_us_thick_of_it.html. Retrieved on 2009-04-24. 
  17. ^ "Rejected by ABC, political satire sparks interest". Reuters. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070604/tv_nm/thick_dc. Retrieved on 2007-06-04. 
  18. ^ BBC Press Office - Principal photography commences on Armando Iannucci's In the Loop [1], URL accessed 19 May 2008
  19. ^ http://www.glasgowfilmfestival.org.uk/programme/show/250
  20. ^ http://www.filmdetail.com/archives/2009/01/30/uk-release-date-for-in-the-loop/
  21. ^ Thick of It 'to return this year', BBC News, 08-04-09
  22. ^ Ian Burrell, "Strictly no dancing on a channel that’s serious about scientists" in The Independent, 27-04-09

[edit] External links

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