We are big fans of the IT Crowd.
Graham Linehan is a bit of a master when it comes to writing sitcoms, but how do you follow Father Ted?
Well, you come along and write something even better.
There. I said it. Now let’s move on…
1) What’s it about?
The show revolves around three staff members in the titular IT department: a geeky genius named Maurice Moss (Richard Ayoade), the work-shy Roy Trenneman (Chris O’Dowd), and Jen Barber (Katherine Parkinson), the department head/relationship manager, who knows nothing about IT.
Throw in brilliant characters such as Denholm Reynholm played by Chris Morris and Douglas Reynholm played by the utterly brilliant Matt Berry and you have yourself a fantastic sitcom.
They are ignored as a department by the company and treated with disdain, but it’s when Berry takes over from his father as the head of the company we see some fantastically funny scenes.
Berry is an old-school misogynist and the only thing on his mind is filth. He hasn’t a clue how to run the company and he is attracted to Jen, who hasn’t a clue how to run the IT department.
2) It’s almost like…
Father Ted, but without the priesthood. Black Books, but without the books. It’s very difficult to compare it to anything and this is where the charm of the show lies.
Moss and Roy get their kicks from putting Jen in awkward situations, hoping her blatant lack of IT knowledge will come to the fore. It doesn’t always work out that way though.
3) It’s worth your time because…
The calibre of comedy acting talent in this sitcom is incredible. It’s indicative that almost all the cast has gone on to achieve success in other comedies (Berry, Fielding) and on the big screen too (O’Dowd, Ayoade).
4) Did you know…?
The Americans wanted a US version and even filmed a pilot featuring Richard Ayoade reprising his role as Moss. However, even though a full series was ordered, it never made it past the pilot stage.
There is also a German version of the show called Das iTeam – Die Jungs an der Maus (The iTeam – The Boys at the Mouse). It didn’t succeed and was canned after just two episodes due to poor viewing figures.
5) One episode and you’re hooked…
There is a brilliant episode which features Moss being a contestant on Countdown. Moss, of course, is superb at it and becomes an unbeatable champion.
This allows him to become a member of the exclusive 8+ club, reserved for those who have won eight shows or more in a row. The club itself is full of geekish, socially inept brains, which allows Moss to flourish.
The episode culminates in a brilliant ‘street countdown’ showdown between Moss and his nemesis and it’s as ridiculous as it sounds.
https://youtu.be/enAmIqWKsKE
6) If the show was a person…
It would have to be someone successful, geeky and have the ability to not take themselves very seriously, so we’ll give it to Mark Zuckerburg.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
