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Starting on Radio in On the Hour (Day Today on TV) and later in his own Radio Show Knowing Me Knowing You (also later made into a TV show), the Alan Partridge character is Steve Coogan's call sign. While his TV show was eclipsed slightly by the radio version, I'm Alan Partridge is easily the best format to showcase both the character and Coogan's talents. Haven't seen him? He's basically a wannabe TV star loser who basically puts his foot in his mouth, be inadvertently insulting and relates everything in terms of advertising. "It's not Five star but it's certainly competitive.' The series is five star. The Video versions have extra footage at the end of each tape- hopefully the DVD versions (if ever) will find a way of restoring the extra gags.

If you've ever marveled at Big Train's unique form of sketch comedy you'll love this, the main cast are all female, Doon from Knowing Me Knowing You and Day Today and the chambermaid Sophie from I'm Alan Partridge amongst others. Like early French and Saunders but very in your face and really funny. Since I'm Alan Partridge in 1997, the most innovative and funny Brit comedies have all been sketch-based like Big Train, Goodness Gracious me and now Smack the Pony