The Armando Iannucci Shows

infobox television
show_name = The Armando Iannucci Shows


caption = Title screen of episode 2. In the series, the castle-like building is Armando's house.
format = Sketch show
runtime = approx. 24m30s (per episode)
creator = Armando Iannucci
starring = Armando Iannucci
country = UK
network = Channel 4
first_aired = 30th August, 2001
last_aired = 18th October 2001
num_episodes = 8 |

"The Armando Iannucci Shows" is a series of eight programmes directed by Armando Iannucci and written by Iannucci with Andy Riley and Kevin Cecil. It was shown on UK's Channel 4 from September to October 2001. Each show had a rough theme, often somewhat existentialist in nature, around which Iannucci would weave a series of surreal sketches and monologues.

Recurring themes in the episodes are the superficiality of modern culture, our problems communicating with each other, the mundane nature of working life and feelings of personal inadequacy and social awkwardness. Several characters also make repeat appearances in the shows, including the East End thug, who solves every problem with threats of violence; Hugh, an old man who delivers surreal monologues about what things were like in the old days; and Iannucci's barber, who is full of nonsensical anecdotes.

Iannucci has been quoted as saying it is the comedy series he is most proud of making. He told "The Metro" in April 2007 "The Armando Iannucci Show"sic on Channel 4 came out around 9/11, so it was overlooked for good reasons. People had other things on their minds. But that was the closest to me expressing my comic outlook on life." [ [http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/interviews/article.html?in_article_id=43694&in_page_id=11 60 SEONDS: Armando Iannucci] sic at Metro.co.uk, Sunday, April 1, 2007]

The show is also notable for its use of music, the quality of its direction and the often extensive use of CGI effects. [ [" [http://web.archive.org/web/20050408073221/www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/a/armandoiannuccis_66600160.shtml The Armando Iannucci Shows] " at the former BBC Guide to Comedy, URL accessed October 5, 2008] A DVD of the series was released on September 4, 2006 after years of wrangling due to music rights issues. [ [http://www.beingarmando.co.uk/ beingarmando.co.uk] , URL accessed October 5, 2008]

Recurring characters

Most of the sketches and characters in "The Armando Iannucci Shows" were one-offs, but a few characters did recur:

* Armando's Barber (Steve Brody) - An Italian barber who would regale Armando with bizarre theories and anecdotes while cutting his hair.
* The East End Thug (Alan Ford) - A middle-aged Cockney Villain who can solve almost any problem through the medium of violent gangland threats.
* Hugh (Hugh Cecil) - an old man who visits Armando and recalls his past, his reminiscences containing a modern twist.
* The Television Executives (Tony Gardner, Darren Higham, Melanie Hudson and Stephen Mangan) - a group of TV executives unable to conceive of anything other than in terms of a TV pitch. Usually end up congratulating themselves with a conga ("We're so good at telly").

Episodes

Each episode is themed around a certain subject. The following episode order is according to the DVD which had its contents significantly reshuffled from the original broadcast timeline.

Episode 1 - Twats

Armando worries about looking like a in front of other people. He worries about what other people think about him, judging him by his appearance, what he thinks and his lack of football knowledge. He even worries about a man known for telling brilliant jokes, who is appearing at his next dinner party and in front of whom he may appear foolish.

Episode 2 - Work

Armando claims that almost everyone made a wrong decision around eight years ago, which explains why they end up with terrible jobs. From clowns becoming teachers, to sniffer dogs deciding to go to Bangkok on an impluse, it appears the only person Armando knows who truly likes their job is his barber.

Episode 3 - Communication

Armando realises that most people do not talk to each other, hence why people end up going to landfills after nailing themselves into DIY cupboards. More problems arise in the form of racist police horses, and even a bride using a racist accent during her marriage to her Indian husband.

Episode 4 - Imagination

Armando believes that the imagination is a wonderful thing, allowing up to come up with any image, such as the cast of "Cats" being shot at dawn. Everyone attempts to try to become more imaginative, such as profane gardening and improving suicide notes. However, the greatest worry is people starving to death due to there being too many golf sales.

This episode was originally aired last in the series, providing a surprisingly fitting conclusion in which Armando, by taunting animals with various human inventions, seems to have accidentally taught them how to take over the world.

Episode 5 - Time Passing

With time passing ever more quickly, Armando worries about growing older. He admires Hugh for keeping the past alive, but panics about turning into one of the old men with bushy eyebrows that gave him nightmares as a child. Only one man can save children in later life - "Armando - The Great Adult!"

Episode 6 - Neighbours

Armando wants to know what his neighbours are really like. He discovers what they think of each other, their prejudices, and one woman's experience with her stolen dresses, now being worn by people like Eddie Izzard. Even neighbours from outer space can be very rude.

Episode 7 - Morality

Armando is worried about people's morality. Whilst one priest inspires his congregation so much they will not leave him alone, to another showing pornographic masses, Armando starts to wonder if there is anything we do which is not evil, as he discovers when some protesters attack him for putting something in someone else's bin.

Episode 8 - Reality

Armando has trouble sleeping, from his fridge making a sound of a trumpet, being beaten up by an intruder, and his recurring nightmare involving his most dreaded expression, "Except for those viewers in Scotland, who have their own programming."

References

External links

* [http://www.beingarmando.co.uk/ Official site]
*" [http://web.archive.org/web/20050408073221/www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/a/armandoiannuccis_66600160.shtml The Armando Iannucci Shows] " at the former BBC Guide to Comedy
* [http://www.armandoiannucci.co.uk/ Unofficial episode guide]
*imdb title|id=0294004|title=The Armando Iannucci Shows