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Alan Partridge finds himself in a predicament! However, many are in similar straits today? During his previous television outing, Alan was melting down live on air while fronting the entertainment series This Time, wrapping up with him excluded of the BBC. At the start of his new, self-produced project, the non-fiction piece How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge), Alan discloses he’s encountered further difficulties by collapsing onto a woman during an interview at a corporate event for Norfolk agribusiness stalwarts. Challenging periods, yet figures like Partridge recover: connect struggles with societal themes and see if you can get a series out of it.

Exploring the Epidemic of Anxiety

How Are You? then, sees Steve Coogan’s immortal alter ego in documentary style, examining a wave of mental health issues that he perceives as escalating: “If I can use an outdated term, it’s just got mental!” His path includes dabbling in faith, revive old school ties, and embark on calming rural strolls, alongside facing his history. Episode one builds towards a hostile but cathartic reunion with “Sidekick” Simon Denton (Tim Key), Alan’s former colleague on This Time and North Norfolk Digital radio, and as this new series goes on, we’re shown unseen clips from Alan’s stints.

For Coogan and his long-term writing/directing collaborators, How Are You? is a sideways move. In contrast to earlier innovations, How Are You? often retreads it: as well as directly reviving old formats, the series echoes past satirical documentaries from the 2010s. And, as Alan’s private life bleeds into his investigations, we’re most strongly reminded of the podcast series.

Contrasting Alans

That presents a small problem. There are two Alans: Winning Alan (currently has a big paid presenting gig) and Outcast Alan (on the sidelines), and although Wilderness Alan was the star of the faultless TV sitcom I’m Alan Partridge back in 1997, a more wistful Wilderness Alan has recently taken flight in books and audio projects. How Are You? situates us in his world and features Kelly as Katrina, a mismatched romantic partner from the podcast. However, this sad story – he ignores her infidelity with an acquaintance and entrepreneur – feels like one that would have benefited from the slower pace of audio-only Alan, where the listener’s imagination can co-write the comedy. When we can’t see him, Wilderness Alan has room to breathe: modern TV excels at pressuring the successful Alan and observing his collapse, as seen before.

Comedy Through Flaws

These, however, are quibbles in the face of one large, undeniable fact: in any format, he is the top humorous character in Britain, and brief appearances yield constant humor than competing shows. How Are You? is produced and directed by Alan, as well as starring him, which highlights his talent for mistakes and bad choices. If explosive fruit edits symbolize struggles, viewers will see it, and he remains unchecked on misspeaking or other mistakes in commentary. The slight grimace we regularly catch as he strides out of shot aware that the segment was a failure always delights, and the same goes for his transitional clips, highlighted by his awkward, caring expressions while simultaneously swallowing a mouthful of humble British tea.

Visual and Emotional Highlights

Can anything top his skip-side groans? Absolutely not. His appearance is equally entertaining, with an implausibly light hair color, and his attire including bright trousers, contrasting shoes, an arsenal of body warmers and excited response to fashion trends.

Plus, the subject matter here allows for the glimpses into Alan’s soul that have been there ever since the Gibbons brothers took over co-writing duties. More than once the series pulls off flashes of pathos, where his blindness exposes pain that briefly evokes strong feelings, then the comedy returns and laughter resumes. It succeeds because of enduring fandom: any version of Alan Partridge is always welcome back.