Alan Partridge seeks funding on Crowdfunder for upcoming BBC series
Alan Partridge has made a grand return, but this time he’s seeking your financial support. The BBC recently unveiled a new promotional video for How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge), set to debut on October 3. In this video, Steve Coogan’s famed alter ego is seen fully engaged in a fundraising effort, aiming to cover the escalating “cost of television.”
Declaring that the production of a documentary has never been more costly due to inflation and union standards, Partridge humorously presents fans with a variety of increasingly ludicrous incentives. For a £20 contribution, he offers “an autographed photo, unframed.” A £50 donation will get you a voicemail greeting for a 49th birthday. Meanwhile, for £150, you can own “an original self-portrait in oils featuring me and your pet.”
Perhaps the most entertaining offer is the dinner date proposal: “For £400, a dinner date with me at a restaurant of your choosing. For £200, you can join me for dinner at a restaurant of my choice.” The humor continues with a corporate tier option of £10,000, where you’ll be able to dub yourself an executive producer on the final series.
Partridge notably clarifies that this is not simply charity but rather a quid pro quo arrangement. He jestingly states, “You give me the quid, I’ll give you the quote. And we will rock. We will rock.” The quirky crowdfunding whimsy also touches on circumventing BBC regulations against cash-for-name mentions. Through the expertise of a “freelance wordsmith,” Partridge offers to subtly integrate names into scripts via “visual metaphor” or awkward phrasing for a fee of £1,000.
Beneath the frivolity of the spoof, the core of the matter lies in the actual series. How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge) comprises six episodes following the broadcaster’s return to Norwich after a stint in Saudi Arabia. Initially conceived as a documentary on homecoming, the narrative delves deeper into Alan’s personal struggles, addressing themes ranging from work and relationships to nature, hobbies, and the challenges of middle-aged ennui.
The BBC has indicated that the show will delve into whether Britain is experiencing a range of mental health issues or is simply collectively fed up. Partridge himself quips, “The kingdom of Saudi Arabia enjoys extensive oil and natural gas reserves…I somehow felt incomplete.”
All six episodes of the series will be available as a box set on BBC iPlayer from October 3, with the first episode airing on BBC One that same night at 9:30 pm. Alan is back and apparently in financial distress.