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I'm Alan Partridge : Complete BBC Series 2 [2003] [DVD] [1997]

RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £2.99 (subject to change)

Editorial
Product Description

Steve Coogan, Peter Baynham, Amelia Bullmore, Simon Greenall, Melanie HudsonDirectors: Adam Tandy

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

The second series of I'm Alan Partridge finds the Norwich-based former celebrity "bouncing back" from being "clinically fed up" after gorging on medium-sized Toblerone bars and driving to Dundee in his bare feet. He's finally moved out of the soul-destroying Linton Travel Tavern and into a well-appointed static caravan while his luxurious suburban mansion is being constructed. Sales of his new autobiography might charitably be described as slow, but Alan has the third best slot on Radio Norwich, a cable-TV military-based quiz show and a Ukrainian girlfriend called Sonja with whom he has sex at least twice a day. Life is good. And with old pal Michael comfortably installed behind the counter at the local BP garage, Alan can drop in for a chat while buying petrol for his new Lexus, putting the odd Flavia frothy cappuccino, a Ginsters pasty or a bottle of Lucozade on the tab at the same time.

Initially seeming less focussed than the distilled genius of the original I'm Alan Partridge--perhaps because the Travel Tavern location of that series was such an inspired setting--this second instalment of Partridge life is nonetheless a simmering cauldron of repressed and not-so-repressed emotions as the dangerously unstable Alan teeters on the precipice of his own soul: will he regain the B-list celebrity fame for which he yearns so desperately, or fall back into chocolate-fuelled depression? Memorable situations for Alan this year include: trying to present a seminar whilst vomiting from the pain of an impaled foot; being offered a cup of beans on Michael's doorstep (the deluxe version, with a sausage, is "like a savoury 99"); being unnerved by a nymphomaniac's wandering hand coming within 30 mm of his "gland"; having disquieting homoerotic encounters with John, the buff builder from "oop north"; acting out the entire opening sequence of The Spy Who Loved Me; and watching the unsold print run of his autobiography being pulped like "word porridge". Needless to say, Alan has the last laugh.

On the DVD: I'm Alan Partridge, Series 2 two-disc set features commentaries on all the episodes with various members of the writing team and cast (Coogan included intermittently). The second disc's main extra is "Anglian Alan", a 30-minute Anglian Lives interview with the celebrated Norfolk Renaissance man. There are also deleted scenes and outtakes, plus more of Alan's botched Comic Relief segments, as well as a stills gallery and cast biographies. --Mark Walker

Classic Comedy
Review date: 2010-02-03 Rating: 10 out of 10

I have to say, this came quickly from Amazon store even though it was the christmas/new year rush.
This is 1 of the best comedys to come from the bbc. Alan Partridge is a must for all fans. At this price it was a total bargain too. Higly reccomended folks....

Reviews

Better than series 1
Review date: 2010-01-20 Rating: 8 out of 10

I don't know what people are on about; series 2 isn't only not worse than series 1, it's actually better. The Linton travel tavern is gone, but on the plus side it takes with it those two receptionists, who were not great characters, and Alan's tete-a-tetes at the receptionists' counter is replaced by the counter at the BP garage! I like this cosy little caravan and his zany Ukrainian girlfriend anyway. Series 2 IS ruder than 1, but then this is advertised by the 15 certificate, and you won't get any complaints from me in any case! Buy it. PS: Why has this DVD got a 1997 label when clearly it was made in 2003?

Comedy Genius
Review date: 2009-10-19 Rating: 8 out of 10

When I first heard this series was being made, I was excited that Alan was coming back on television, but I was also sceptical. Series 1 was that good, I just couldn't see how this series could better it. It couldn't in my opinion but nevertheless, it is still funny and consistently good. There are some memorable scenes, not to mention, some new catchphrases! Michael, Lynne and Dave Clifton from the first series are still features in Alan's life but now he also has a girlfriend, Sonja.

If you enjoyed series 1 (who couldn't?!), you will definitely like this series. (I've never really rated Knowing me, Knowing you, although the Christmas Special was good.)

Brilliant but...
Review date: 2009-02-09 Rating: 8 out of 10

Series 2 is a masterpiece following Alan's Travel Tavern experiences in Series 1 without the remotest drop off in pace or writing quality. The episodes are so richly layered with set pieces, memorable dialogue and Alan's idiosyncracies that you really need to watch it a number of times to fully appreciate this. Never has a comic character been so well thought out to the smallest degree as Alan Partridge. The writing quality in Series 2 is phenomenal but credit should also go to Steve Coogan who is a wonderful and underrated acting talent. What a team.

The loss of a single star is for one reason only. Why the hell is there a canned laughter track on the DVD? Series 2 is tragic as much as funny in so many ways. The canned laughter distracts the viewer from some moments of true pathos and teeth gritting embarressment. This is one man's second nervous breakdown for God's sake. I do not need to be told when to laugh.

Did Alan Bounce Back?
Review date: 2008-07-28 Rating: 10 out of 10

The answer is....YES! I think this series is actually better than the first one, which is high praise indeed. The dialogue is more hilarious than ever, there are some great supporting characters and Coogan has reached genius level with his portrayal of Partridge. In my humble opinion, episode 3 ("Bravealan")is the best 30 minutes of tv comedy anywhere EVER. There are a couple of scenes that don't quite come off, notably a muddled scene in episode 6 where Alan guests on a christian radio show. But it's churlish to criticise because overall it's a masterpiece.

Product Details/Specifications

Actor(s):
Melanie Hudson
Amelia Bullmore
Steve Coogan
Peter Baynham
Simon Greenall

Creators:
Steve Coogan (Primary Contributor)
Steve Coogan (Writer)
Peter Baynham (Primary Contributor)
Peter Baynham (Producer)
Peter Baynham (Writer)
Adam Tandy (Producer)
Billy Sneddon (Editor)
Peter Fincham (Producer)
Armando Iannucci (Writer)

Director(s):

Recording label: 2 Entertain Video
Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video
EAN: 5014503130220
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2003-11-10
Number of discs: 2
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 171 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1997-11-03
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired)
Language: English (Unknown)
Brand: DVD Boxsets

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I'm Alan Partridge : Complete BBC Series 2 [2003] [DVD] [1997]

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