Knowing Me Knowing You with Alan Partridge (TV series)

Knowing Me Knowing You with Alan Partridge

Knowing Me Knowing You titlescreen
Genre Comedy
(spoof chat show)
Created by Steve Coogan
Armando Iannucci
Patrick Marber
Starring Steve Coogan
Steve Brown
Rebecca Front
Patrick Marber
David Schneider
Doon Mackichan
Theme music composer ABBA
Opening theme "Knowing Me, Knowing You" by the Steve Brown Band
Country of origin United Kingdom
Original language(s) English
No. of episodes 7 including one Christmas special (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) Peter Fincham
Producer(s) Armando Iannucci
Running time 28-32 min
46 min (Christmas Special)
Release
Original network BBC2
Picture format PAL (576i) 4:3
Audio format Stereo
Original release 16 September – 21 October 1994
(Christmas Special shown on 29 December 1995)
Chronology
Preceded by Knowing Me Knowing You with Alan Partridge (Radio series)
Followed by I'm Alan Partridge
External links
Website

Knowing Me Knowing You with Alan Partridge (also known as Knowing Me Knowing You) is a BBC Television series of six episodes (beginning 16 September 1994), and a Christmas special Knowing Me Knowing Yule on 29 December 1995. It is named after the song "Knowing Me, Knowing You" by ABBA (the main character's favourite band), which was used as the show's title music. Steve Coogan plays the incompetent but self-satisfied Norwich-based talk show host Alan Partridge. Alan was a spin-off character from the spoof radio show On the Hour (which later transferred to TV as The Day Today). Knowing Me Knowing You was written by Coogan, Armando Iannucci (who produced the radio version) and Patrick Marber (who also starred), with contributions from the regular supporting cast of Doon Mackichan, Rebecca Front and David Schneider, who played Alan's weekly guests. Steve Brown provided the show's music and arrangements, and also appeared as Glenn Ponder, the man in charge of the house band (the name of which changed, without explanation, every episode).

Alan went on to appear in two series of the sitcom I'm Alan Partridge, following his life after both his marriage and TV career come to an end. It was generally well received by fans and critics, and was nominated for a BAFTA and a British Comedy Award.

Format

Knowing Me Knowing You is a parody of a chat show. It featured a live audience whose laughter meant that viewers could not mistake the show for a real chat show. Some of the guests parodied real life appearances on chat shows. For example, the medical fashion parade by Yvonne Boyd is a reference to Vivienne Westwood's appearance on Wogan.

Script and broadcast versions

In total there have been three 'official' versions of the television series prepared by producer Armando Iannucci - the originally transmitted half-hour version (also used in most repeats and abroad), a version extended by roughly five minutes per episode for the VHS and subsequent DVD release, and a version prepared for BBC2's 2002 Partridge repeat season, again in a thirty-minute slot but now featuring reinstated material from the video version (such as Partridge's promotion of the Sprünt drink brand) and a generally tighter edit to compensate for the running time, in addition to the Partridge web address being added to the end credits. In 2013, the latter version was made available for streaming on Netflix.

Reception

The Austin Chronicle called it "one of the most hilarious satirical comedies in recent memory".[1]

Episodes

House band Rebecca Front Patrick Marber David Schneider Doon Mackichan Other guests Another Alan
1Glenn Ponder and ChaletSue Lewis, a quiet showjumperKeith Hunt, new host of This Is Your Life Big Red Book on This Is Your Life (untransmitted sequence)Shona McGough, an abrasive punk singerKeith's son, Shona's band, Roger Moore (voice; performed by Steve Coogan)-
2Glenn Ponder and DebonairTania Beaumont, actressGary Barker, washed-up actor and Tania's husbandTony LeMesmer, magician-Daniella Forrest, transsexual Playboy columnist (Minnie Driver)A sailor with a facial tic (John Thomson)
3Glenn Ponder and FerrariGina Langland, singerLawrence Knowles, sleazy promoterClive Sealy, Lawrence's dermatologist-The Olympic Golden Girls of 1936; Hot Pants, an all-male strip troupe-
4Glenn Ponder and Savoir FaireYvonne Boyd, fashion designer with odd ideasPhilippe Lambert, famous chefHead of Cirque des Clowns-Nina Vanier, Alan's French co-host (Melanie Hudson)Alain Perdrix, who couldn't speak English
5Glenn Ponder and LazarusCharlotte Fraser (Lab)Martin Dwyer, alias Lt. Col. Kojak Slaphead III (Bald Brummies Against The Big-Footed Conspiracy Party)Adrian Finch (Con)-Terry Norton, dodgy boxing promoter (Alan Ford); Five Miss Norwich contestants (Barbara Durkin, plus four uncredited); Ronald Biggs (Lib Dem) (Felix Dexter)Dead, but appeared in a coffin with his family
6Glenn Ponder and BangkokBridie McMahon, lesbian host of the show to take Alan's placeForbes McAllister, cynical restaurant critic for The SpectatorUnnamed Police SergeantWanda Harvey, Bridie's lesbian co-hostThe Alan Partridge Playmates; the Maclean brothers, irritating child film-makers; Joe Beazley and Cheeky Monkey, awful ventriloquist act (John Thomson)-
7Glenn Ponder and his "friend" AndyMary, a bellringer and devout ChristianGordon Heron, a paralysed former golferTony Hayers, Chief Commissioning Editor of BBC TelevisionLiz Heron, Gordon's wife and also a golferFanny Thomas, innuendo-using transvestite (Kevin Eldon), Mick Hucknall-

References

  1. ↑ Sauer, Jess (December 2, 2005). "Review: Knowing Me Knowing You – Screens – The Austin Chronicle". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved May 15, 2016.
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