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Alan Partridge is in crisis! But then, who isn’t these days? During his previous television outing, Alan had an on-air breakdown while presenting the magazine program This Time, wrapping up with him excluded of the BBC. At the start of his new, self-produced project, the light documentary How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge), Alan discloses he’s experienced another setback by passing out in front of a guest at a corporate event for Norfolk agribusiness stalwarts. Tough times, but personalities of Partridge’s calibre know how to bounce back: connect struggles with societal themes and attempt to turn it into a show.

Delving into Stress and Loneliness

How Are You? showcases the beloved persona in documentary style, examining a wave of mental health issues that he perceives as escalating: “In old-fashioned language, it’s gone crazy!” The journey will see him experiment with religion, meet up with former classmates, and take a lot of restorative country walks, while dealing with his past. The first installment leads to a tense yet relieving meeting with “Sidekick” Simon Denton (Tim Key), his old partner from past shows, and as this new series goes on, hidden moments from his career emerge.

With Coogan and his creative partners, How Are You? marks a change of pace. While the previous show explored new ground, How Are You? sometimes rehashes past ideas: as well as directly reviving old formats, it mirrors earlier faux-documentaries in recent years. As his life intertwines with the subject matter, we’re most strongly reminded of the podcast series.

Contrasting Alans

It creates a slight challenge. There are two Alans: Triumphant Alan (in prime roles) and Struggling Alan (without work), and although Wilderness Alan was the star of the faultless TV sitcom I’m Alan Partridge back in 1997, a nostalgic take has developed in books and audio projects. How Are You? places us inside the oasthouse and casts Katherine Kelly as Katrina, a mismatched romantic partner from the podcast. But that tragic tale – he ignores her infidelity with his friend and local tanning-centre mogul – seems better suited to podcast pacing, enabling mental imagery to amplify laughs. When we can’t see him, Wilderness Alan has room to breathe: modern TV excels at pressuring the successful Alan and observing his collapse, as seen before.

Comedy Through Flaws

Yet, these issues pale beside a key reality: across all platforms, he delivers the most laughs in Britain, and temporary versions still offer huge comedy than anything else on telly. How Are You? is produced and directed by Alan, as well as starring him, which opens up his genius for sloppy errors and poor editorial decisions. Should he believe exploding fruit represents mental health, that’s what we’re getting, and he remains unchecked on misspeaking or the phrase “mental bealth henefits” in his voiceover. The slight grimace we regularly catch as he strides out of shot knowing on some level that that piece to camera was another balls-up always delights, and likewise for his interlude creations, highlighted by his awkward, caring expressions while gulping down a brew.

Visual and Emotional Highlights

Can anything top his skip-side groans? Surely not. Visually he’s a feast too, with an implausibly light hair color, and his attire including bright trousers, statement footwear, an arsenal of body warmers and over-the-top joy about style revivals.

Moreover, the content reveals his deeper side that appeared under new creative guidance. Repeatedly, the show achieves emotional depth, where Alan’s lack of self-awareness reveals a sadness that briefly evokes strong feelings, then the comedy returns and laughter resumes. This works due to long-term affection: any version of Alan Partridge is always welcome back.