MovieChat Forums > Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge (1998) Discussion > Who is Alan Partridge?

Who is Alan Partridge?

posted 11 years ago by nephihaha
3 replies | jump to latest

Not to be confused with the What is He? thread below.

So who is Alan Partridge? While no one's going to stand up and say "I'm Alan Partridge", the character does appear to take elements from real people - I note the following:

* TERRY WOGAN - Eighties Wogan seems to have been a major influence on Knowing Me, Knowing You. Alan's hair is also sometimes similar to Wogan's wig. (Although kudos to Terry, he's a national treasure, Alan isn't)

* ALAN TITCHMARSH - Shares a first name, and notable for doing cheesy presenting for the middle market/elderly. Wears horrible clothes. Flirts badly with women.

* JONATHAN KING - a nasty piece of work, and convicted sex offender, King used to be a radio DJ, and frequently made racist and prejudiced digs at people.

* DAVID ICKE - before he became messianic, Icke was a sports presenter on TV. Early Partridge of the Day Today variety was also a sports presenter, and looked a bit the same.

* JEREMY CLARKSON - has awful dress sense, car obsessed, and "outspoken".

* RICHARD MADELEY - Enough said.

* MICHAEL PARKINSON - who Alan wishes to be, rather than who he is.

* TONY BLACKBURN - vain, seedy and creepy radio presenter with bad taste in music. I think Dave Clifton is a bit more like him.

* ALASTAIR STEWART - his Police Camera Action is obviously Crash Bang Wallop.

* JAMES WHALE - Another DJ of the Twilight hours with awkward views.

* MICHAEL ASPEL? (Aspel isn't a creep like Partridge)
http://www.express.co.uk/news/showbiz/343509/Aha-So-that-s-who-Alan-Partridge-is-based-on

* MICHAEL BARRYMORE - Notable for exploiting and upstaging elderly and juvenile guests, and for smart quips.

* EAMONN HOLMES - The Irish version of Alan Titchmarsh on British TV, as seen on This Morning etc.

* STEVE WRIGHT - Continually features untrue "factoids" on his radio programme, and looks permanently washed up. Incredibly seedy.

And a few more left field suggestions -
* TREVOR MACDONALD - Not that much like Alan, but very full of himself and slightly ridiculous.

* WALLY WEBB - A Radio Norfolk DJ.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23442234

Of course, Partridge is a composite, but Coogan & Co are hardly going to fess up who it really is.

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It's not "sci-fi", it's SF!

[–] reblack68 10 years ago

When Partridge first appeared I couldn't quite pin down who he reminded me of. I was watching KMKY on Youtube this morning and it occurred to me- John Stapleton. To see if I was remembering right I looked up The Time The Place, which was Stapleton's daytime show and the first result had Chris Morris in the audience!

I reckon 90% of Partridge is right there. The slightly odd hairstyle, the clothes "in that sweet spot between smart and casual", the rapid switch to indignation (which is the bit I couldn't place all those years ago), introducing the item with a statement- even having a guest (Morris) who isn't what he thought he was. Watch the clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ecxW3KPUD4 and see what you think.

[–] nephihaha 10 years ago

This is an interesting one... Just been looking him up...

Yes, I remember at school, they used to go on about "smart casual". Trouble is that it is an oxymoron!

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It's not "sci-fi", it's SF!

[–] wannakiss 7 years ago

I think you'll find Alan Partridge IS a national treasure.