User:Ceoil/sandbox

Martin Brennan is a factional character created and played by the comedian Steve Coogan for the critically acclaimed 2019 comedy programme "This Time with Alan Partridge". The programme was a parody of day-time British shows such as "Good Morning Britain" and "The One Show", hosted by Coogan's long-term character Alan Partridge, who in turn is a parody of a tactless and inept television host.

Sketch

In the skit, Partridge and his co-host Jennie (played by Susannah Fielding) interview Martin Brennan, also acted by Coogan, who was invited as a Partridge doppelganger. Introduced as a farmer from County Sligo, the interview quickly becomes unruly as Brennan claims to have never heard of Partridge until a few weeks ago—he had been told that Partridge was a "famous fella, used to be on the TV way back". Brennan then controversially sings the Irish Rebel Songs "Come Out, Ye Black and Tans" and "The Men Behind the Wire", much to Partridge's and the other hosts and guests discomfort.

Reception

The segment has been described as the highlight of "This Time" and quickly became viral. The nuance behind the caricature of a West of Ireland bachelor farmer was widely praised by Irish critics and fans.

Coogan, who was born and raised in Manchester to Irish parents, defended the controversial aspects of the sketch by saying "the decisions I make on comedy aren’t made on a whim. That whole history between the British and the Irish runs through me. My mother grew up in Mayo and I spent all my summers there. So, I feel an affinity with the Irish."