Knowing Me Knowing You with Alan Partridge (1994)

7.8 (67 votes)

1 Season

September 16, 1994

English

Comedy Talk

Synopsis

Knowing Me Knowing You with Alan Partridge is a BBC Television series of six episodes, and a Christmas special in 1995. It is named after the song "Knowing Me, Knowing You" by ABBA, which was used as the show's title music. Steve Coogan played the incompetent but self-satisfied Norwich-based host, Alan Partridge. Alan was a spin-off character from the spoof radio show On the Hour. Knowing Me Knowing You was written by Coogan, Armando Iannucci and Patrick Marber, with contributions from the regular supporting cast of Doon Mackichan, Rebecca Front and David Schneider, who played Alan's weekly guests. Steve Brown provided the show's music and arrangements, and also appeared as Glen Ponder, the man in charge of the house band. The show was a parody of a chat show. It featured a live audience whose laughter meant that viewers could not mistake the show for a real chat show. Alan went on to appear in two series of the sitcom I'm Alan Partridge, following his life after both his marriage and TV career come to an end.

Network

BBC Two

Episodes

Episode One

Sep 16, 1994

33 min

5.0

Boorish Alan Partridge deals with three uncooperative guests while waiting for his star attraction. Included: a show jumper refuses to ride a horse on the set; a rival TV personality forgets his son's birthday; a punk star wreaks havoc on the set.

Episode Two

Sep 23, 1994

35 min

Alan rebuffs a critic who calls his chat show "moribund." Guests include a transsexual Playboy columnist and a magician-hypnotist. Also: Alan talks to another Alan Partridge.

Episode Three

Sep 30, 1994

35 min

Alan sings Abba songs with American singer Gina Langland after setting her straight about his name, and confronts a slimy celebrity agent about his back hair. Also: members of Britain's 1936 Women's Hurdles Relay; the dance troupe Hot Pants.

Episode Four

Oct 7, 1994

35 min

Alan places his pied in his bouche when French TV personality Nina Varnier co-hosts a Paris edition of his show. Also: Alan tries to discuss philosophy with a chef, shows off his sportswear and gives one of his employees the sack.

Episode Five

Oct 14, 1994

32 min

Boxing promoter--and acquitted murder suspect--Terry Norton is displeased when Alan reconstructs the crime for the audience; a member of "Club Alan Partridge" arrives in a coffin with his widow and son.

Episode Six

Oct 21, 1994

33 min

Alan is picked on by two American children who direct Hollywood films, and interviews the hosts of a talk show for lesbians. Also included: a disastrous ventriloquist act.