The Thick of it

There is a long-standing tradition in comedy to make light of the political system in programmes such as Yes minister, a programme I was asked to watch alongside my studies of British politics for my history A level. (don’t tell but I’m only just getting around to it now).

Thankfully for me I was doing my A levels at the same time Armando Ianucci’s the Thick of it was enjoying plenty of popularity. A comedy showsurrounding the idea of Spin. A dark comedy not afraid to shock BBC audiences with its excessive use of expletives, the likes of which that would make Frankie Boyle proud.

The Thick of it in its documentary filming style shows the less pristine side of politics that they had been so used to seeing during the Blair era providing insight into the cut throat nature of it all. Of course, The Thick of it is fictional… but how fictional?

Guardian hailed it as the program of 2012 highlighting the increasing difficulty to distinguish between the story lines and reality particularly in its 4th and final series. ‘TV viewers looked from The Thick of It to British politics, and from British politics to The Thick of It; but already it was impossible to say which was which.’

The very first episode opens with a forced resignation delivered by Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi) who is caving to the ‘endless headlines’ and press pressure surrounding the Minister of Social Affairs Cliff Lawton. Tucker the PM’s ‘enforcer’ tells Cliff;

‘I’ve drafted you a letter of resignation that gives you a chance to say you’re jumping before you’re pushed. Although, obviously we are going to be briefing that you were pushed. Sorry.’

This opening exchange resonates almost immediately as it underlines the deception and doublespeak used by politicians to avoid appearing weak or under press pressure. It sets the precedent for subsequent exchanges with Malcolm Tucker emphasizing his ruthless manipulation of his subordinates.

The controversially acid tongued Malcolm Tucker admitted by Ianucci to be based on Alistair Campbell. Tony Blair’s director of communications and strategy aka spin doctor.

BBC’s The Culture Show interviewed Campbell following a viewing of Ianucci’s In the Loop to see what he thought of it after having expressed his grievances in the comparisons between him and the character of Malcolm Tucker. here it is in all its painfully awkward glory:

The programme relies heavily on the shock value of the continuous use of grotesque language throughout. Brilliant in its ability to be ‘offensive on a number of levels in a very concise way’ to use Terry the hard done by civil servant's own words.

Both the television series and Feature Length 'In the Loop' are a scathing indictment of the insidious relationship between the political establishment and the Press as well as the deep rooted culture of strategic deception in British Politics.

Aside from the terrible language and morally reprehensible characters the series also employs a farcical nature to proceedings which acts as both satirical commentary and an injection of light-heartedness to an otherwise dark comedy. For me, The Thick of it is a stroke of genius from all involved as Capaldi is brilliant as Malcolm Tucker, so good in fact I found it difficult to separate Character and actor upon Capaldi's appointment as Doctor Who. and it seems I was not the only one. The format was adapted for those across the pond in Veep with Julia Louis Dreyfus at the helm.

In Trump era fans of the show pleaded with Ianucci to write a new series. However, he responded to the call saying that there was no point as they could not write anything as unbelievable as the current reality and this may be true… and terrifying.