If Alpha Papa, Alan Partridge’s upcoming film isn’t enough ah ha for you then the good news is that Steve Coogan will also be getting back to his best loved character once again later this year with Mid Morning Matters Series 2. Coming exclusively to Sky Atlantic in 2013, Partridge will pick up where he left off in the first series taking the brunch DJ slot on North Norfolk Digital.
Though series 1 originally aired online as a part of the Alan Partridge Fosters comedy shorts series, it later went on to feature on Sky Atlantic, becoming a hit with viewers. Now it’s being followed up with the exclusive second series taking the channel further down a new original UK comedy direction having previously been better known for big budget US productions like Boardwalk Empire.
It’s another big year for Steve Coogan with the release of Alpha Papa scheduled for later this year, his part in Michael Winterbottom’s The Look of Love and a second tag team effort with Rob Brydon in The Trip Series 2 coming to BBC 2 in Autumn. There’s a lot to look forward to for AP fans and his return to the simple style of Mid Morning Matters for Sky Atlantic’s Monday night comedy will be a big part of it.
The second series sees Alan back in the hot seat for Norfolk’s northern most digital radio station as he takes more random calls from mental listeners, continues his own brand of DJ dialogue and gets into more trouble with celebrity guest appearances (the Anthea Turner “Ford Escort Cabriolet of middle aged women” sketch from series 1 is genius).
Though it’s not been 100% confirmed, Tim Key’s presence in the trailer for Alpha Papa is a good indication that Sidekick Simon will be back too, despite the fact that he was sacked mid way through the first series. Our expectation is that everything will be forgiven and there will be a whole lot more awkward comedy banter between the two.
The commission of the second series for Sky Atlantic continues the channel’s love affair with Alan Partridge. As well as airing the first series of Mid Morning Matters, it also commissioned Alan Partridge specials, Welcome to the Places and Alan Partridge on Open Books with Martin Bryce in 2012. The follow up, Welcome to the Places of My Life went on to be the relatively new channel’s highest rating original commission.
Alan Partridge’s Mid Morning Matters Series 2 will air on Sky Atlantic in Autumn 2013. Written by Coogan along with Rob Gibbons, Neil Gibbons and Armando Iannucci, the series will inevitably be another success for production company Baby Cow.
