Britainology 87: The Thick of It
We've heard that any political issue in the United Kingdom is 'just like The Thick of It' and as such we've sought to verify. By watching the 2000s BBC sitcom, or at least one episode of the show, and addressing what it says about British politics? To be honest, it definitely says a lot about Armando Iannucci and the liberal conception of the world. But also: swearing.
Comments (33)
Surely the sexual orientation of the Thai Navy can be determined by their having the world's smallest aircraft carrier, which is actually used as a royal party yacht?
YES AND HO
supposedly veep was based on the thick of it after the original american version failed
I feel that the reason people get to be really annoying fans of this show is that it offered JUST ENOUGH insight into politics without giving the full picture
They made an American thick of it and Armando said it was utter dogshit.
Midwestern man orders healthcare in perfect English, stuns British doctor
Martha Coakley was MA’s Hilary before Hilary, twice! So assured of her layup victory-to-come she lost to Generic Republican numbers 1 and 2.
Milo Edwards will never take away my constitutional right to be an annoying American Tottenham Hotspur fan.
Someone who attended matches in his dad's box has nothing on someone who gets up at 5:00 A.M. to watch Spurs lose another derby.
as soon as milo asked who the sufis of the NFL are i said "the dolphins" out loud, and as soon as Nate gave his answer I shouted "yeaaah" like a jojo character and did a jump-fist pump. I am not an NFL watcher but i was so gratified to have my osmotic knowledge confirmed so hard lmao.
I love TF but the amount of "ugh, POPULAR thing? I HATE that" is getting a bit much the last few weeks. Like getting on the fedora level of late.
This episode probably supplants the UK garage one as the most, "but how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln?" episode of Britainology.
Oops! All Digressions!
Re: american EPL fans, when I lived in downtown Raleigh, NC man U fans would get sloshed at the soccer pub every weekend starting at about 7:30 am
The Japanese navy? 🤔
Have you changed your recording speed? Everyone sounds slowed down. (Or maybe everyone is drunk, I dunno)
i didn't watch doctor who with peter capaldi but it would have fun if it had been him in full Tuck mode going like RORY YOU FUCK FUCKING TWAT YOU FUCKED THE TARDIS INTO A STRING THEORY OF FUCKED and get so mad that the daleks fumble a by-election smear campaign or something
GDI Milo “hip hop ist mega goated” is gonna bounce around my brain now
Great episode! The Raiders are the Ismailis (once hegemonic, now shadow of their former selves, small devoted fan base waiting for their “occluded imam” qb, Rich Gannon.) The Texans/Oilers are the Kharijites/Ibadi (once cutting edge, widely hated, a lot of pull with a small fan base, more money and success than you’d expect, still disappointing.) The Patriots are the Salafis (hugely popular, a ton of cultural pull, hated and feared by other fan bases, austere, brutally unrewarding to fans, facing serious issues around controversial management, ownership, and peak oil-esc QB talent.)
MoOD levels of staying on topic, i love it
Highly recommend the Mark kermode review of sex and the city 2 where he sings the Internationale
That's an amazing rant all facts no filler
Would be very interesting to hear a britainology on yes minister. Not sure which government that is meant to be satire of, makes out civil servants to actually be the ones in charge. It’s old but worth a listen
Government generally, apparently. One of the writers was a big public choice theory devotee.
I would listen to a bike phrenology podcast.
and don't get me started on MAMILs!
Ianucci paid his dues in R4 comedy. The Mr and Mrs Man and their son formula is a staple of one game in "I'm sorry I haven't a clue" where panellists announce guests to the profession/role X Ball. As in please welcome to the Vampire's Ball, Mr. and Mrs. tezuckyerblud, and their son Ivan.
I just want to say there's one cool guy on a Brompton and that is the one and only Adam Buxton.
That Mark Kermode clip made me so mad.
Thank you for your discussion of the anti-democratic nature of New Labour. There’s not enough people talking about that.
VEEP is basically a documentary. My partner and I worked in national politics in DC for ~10 years and they nailed everything about the people, the culture, and the circus of it all.
for VEEP they interviewed a lot of former staffers for stories and the most amount of usable material and the most amount that made it into the show ….where from Amy Klobochar’s office cause she went through them like potato chips
Great to see you all do one of my favourite shows that I just rewatched all of recently