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Alan Partridge finds himself in a predicament! Yet, who isn’t struggling nowadays? When we last saw him on screen, Alan had an on-air breakdown while fronting the entertainment series This Time, wrapping up with him excluded of the BBC. In the opening of his independent production, the informative film How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge), the presenter shares he’s experienced another setback by passing out in front of a guest at a business function for a Norfolk feed company. Challenging periods, yet figures like Partridge recover: link personal issues to broader trends and try to develop a program from it.

Exploring the Epidemic of Anxiety

How Are You? showcases the beloved persona in roving factual mode, looking into an epidemic of anxiety, stress and loneliness that he perceives as escalating: “If I can use an outdated term, it’s just got mental!” His path includes dabbling in faith, reconnect with friends from school, and embark on calming rural strolls, while dealing with his past. Initial episodes culminate in a fraught but healing gathering with “Sidekick” Simon Denton (Tim Key), Alan’s former colleague on This Time and North Norfolk Digital radio, and throughout the series, previously unreleased footage is displayed.

For Coogan and his long-term writing/directing collaborators, How Are You? represents a shift in direction. While the previous show explored new ground, How Are You? frequently revisits old themes: in addition to resurrecting classic structures, the whole piece resembles the mockumentaries in recent years. As his life intertwines with the subject matter, viewers will think of his podcast work.

Contrasting Alans

That presents a small problem. There are two Alans: Winning Alan (currently has a big paid presenting gig) 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? brings us into his space and features Kelly as Katrina, Alan’s wildly unsuitable paramour from the podcast. However, this sad story – Alan is in denial about Katrina cheating on him with an acquaintance and entrepreneur – might have worked best in audio form, allowing audience creativity to enhance humor. Off-screen, the character feels more expansive: modern TV excels at pressuring the successful Alan and seeing his downfall, as in past series.

Comedy Through Flaws

Still, these are minor points compared to a major truth: in any format, he is the top humorous character in Britain, and temporary versions still offer huge comedy than other TV programs. How Are You? has Alan in multiple creative roles, which showcases his knack for blunders and misjudgments. If explosive fruit edits symbolize struggles, viewers will see it, and he remains unchecked on misspeaking or the phrase “mental bealth henefits” in his voiceover. The subtle wince he shows off-camera knowing on some level that that piece to camera was another balls-up always delights, and nor do the idents he’s made to fit between segments, highlighted by his awkward, caring expressions while drinking tea clumsily.

Striking Moments and Feelings

Is there anything more joyous than Alan grunting as he squats down next to a skip? Definitely not. He is also a visual treat, with a poorly chosen hair shade, and his 2025 wardrobe featuring mustard chinos, black-and-white pundit pumps, multiple gilets and over-the-top joy about style revivals.

Additionally, the theme offers peeks into his inner world that emerged with the current writers. More than once the series pulls off flashes of pathos, where his blindness exposes pain that briefly evokes strong feelings, then the comedy returns and laughter resumes. That can happen because we’ve loved him for so long: any version of Alan Partridge is always welcome back.