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Alan Partridge is in crisis! However, many are in similar straits today? During his previous television outing, Alan had an on-air breakdown while hosting the light magazine show This Time, ending the series quite literally locked out of the BBC. In the opening of his independent production, the non-fiction piece How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge), the presenter shares he’s since hit another low by passing out in front of a guest at an industry gathering for an agricultural firm. Tough times, but personalities of Partridge’s calibre know how to bounce back: connect struggles with societal themes and try to develop a program from it.

Delving into Stress and Loneliness

How Are You? showcases the beloved persona in investigative guise, looking into an epidemic of anxiety, stress and loneliness that he believes is intensifying: “In old-fashioned language, it’s gone crazy!” He tries out spiritual practices, revive old school ties, and embark on calming rural strolls, as well as confronting his recent past. The first installment leads to a tense yet relieving meeting with “Sidekick” Simon Denton (Tim Key), an ex-co-worker from broadcasting days, and as the episodes progress, previously unreleased footage is displayed.

For Coogan and his long-term writing/directing collaborators, How Are You? marks a change of pace. While the previous show explored new ground, How Are You? sometimes rehashes past ideas: in addition to resurrecting classic structures, it mirrors earlier faux-documentaries in recent years. And, as Alan’s private life bleeds into his investigations, we’re most strongly reminded of the podcast series.

The Two Sides of Alan Partridge

That presents a small problem. There are two Alans: Winning Alan (currently has a big paid presenting gig) and Struggling Alan (without work), and even though the underdog Alan shone in the classic series I’m Alan Partridge back in 1997, a more wistful Wilderness Alan has recently taken flight in books and audio projects. How Are You? places us inside the oasthouse and casts Katherine Kelly as Katrina, Alan’s wildly unsuitable paramour from the podcast. However, this sad story – he ignores her infidelity with his friend and local tanning-centre mogul – 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. Off-screen, the character feels more expansive: television nowadays feels more suited to putting Winning Alan under pressure and seeing his downfall, as in past series.

Comedy Through Flaws

Yet, these issues pale beside a key reality: across all platforms, he delivers the most laughs in Britain, and temporary versions still offer huge comedy than competing shows. How Are You? has Alan in multiple creative roles, which showcases his knack for blunders and misjudgments. If explosive fruit edits symbolize struggles, viewers will see it, and there’s nobody to tell him that he’s accidentally used the word “tastistics” or similar gaffes in narration. The subtle wince he shows off-camera aware that the segment was a failure consistently amuses, and nor do the idents he’s made to fit between segments, highlighted by his awkward, caring expressions while gulping down a brew.

Striking Moments and Feelings

Can anything top his skip-side groans? Absolutely not. He is also a visual treat, with a poorly chosen hair shade, and his attire including bright trousers, black-and-white pundit pumps, assorted vests and over-the-top joy about style revivals.

Moreover, the content reveals his deeper side that have been there ever since the Gibbons brothers took over co-writing duties. Several times, it delivers poignant moments, where Alan’s lack of self-awareness reveals a sadness that briefly evokes strong feelings, then the comedy returns and laughter resumes. This works due to long-term affection: all iterations are gladly received.