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Once again, Alan Partridge faces turmoil! Yet, who isn’t struggling nowadays? In his last TV appearance, Alan was melting down live on air while hosting the light magazine show This Time, wrapping up with him excluded of the BBC. As his latest self-made endeavor begins, the non-fiction piece How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge), the presenter shares he’s since hit another low by fainting into the lap of a female interviewee at a corporate event for Norfolk agribusiness stalwarts. Hard moments, but such characters rebound: connect struggles with societal themes and see if you can get a series out of it.

Delving into Stress and Loneliness

How Are You? showcases the beloved persona in documentary style, examining a wave of mental health issues that he feels is worsening: “To put it simply, it’s become insane!” He tries out spiritual practices, reconnect with friends from school, and embark on calming rural strolls, as well as confronting his recent past. Initial episodes culminate in a fraught but healing gathering with “Sidekick” Simon Denton (Tim Key), his old partner from past shows, and as this new series goes on, we’re shown unseen clips from Alan’s stints.

Alongside his co-writers and directors, How Are You? is a sideways move. While the previous show explored new ground, How Are You? often retreads it: as well as directly reviving old formats, it mirrors earlier faux-documentaries of the last decade. And, as Alan’s private life bleeds into his investigations, viewers will think of his podcast work.

Contrasting Alans

This leads to a minor issue. The character has two facets: Successful Alan (with high-profile jobs) and Outcast Alan (on the sidelines), and even though the underdog Alan shone in the classic series I’m Alan Partridge back in 1997, a more wistful Wilderness Alan has recently taken flight in books and audio projects. How Are You? situates us in his world and features Kelly as Katrina, his highly inappropriate love interest from the podcast. Yet this heartbreaking narrative – Alan is in denial about Katrina cheating on him with an acquaintance and entrepreneur – feels like one that would have benefited from the slower pace of audio-only Alan, allowing audience creativity to enhance humor. When we can’t see him, Wilderness Alan has room to breathe: television nowadays feels more suited to putting Winning Alan under pressure and watching him implode, as happened on previous shows.

Comedy Through Flaws

Still, these are minor points compared to a major truth: whatever medium he inhabits, Partridge remains the funniest comic creation in Britain, and brief appearances yield constant humor than other TV programs. How Are You? is produced and directed by Alan, as well as starring him, which highlights his talent for mistakes and bad choices. If explosive fruit edits symbolize struggles, it will be included, and there’s nobody to tell him that he’s accidentally used the word “tastistics” or other mistakes in commentary. The subtle wince he shows off-camera aware that the segment was a failure always delights, and the same goes for his transitional clips, highlighted by his awkward, caring expressions while gulping down a brew.

Striking Moments and Feelings

Is there anything more joyous than Alan grunting as he squats down next to a skip? Definitely not. His appearance is equally entertaining, with a poorly chosen hair shade, and his clothing showcasing loud pants, statement footwear, assorted vests and an enthusiastic overreaction to the news that rugby shirts are back in fashion.

Additionally, the theme offers peeks into his inner world that have been there ever since the Gibbons brothers took over co-writing duties. Several times, it delivers poignant moments, where his blindness exposes pain that almost has us crying tears of emotion, until humor takes over and giggles follow. That can happen because we’ve loved him for so long: every appearance is appreciated.