172 • Bank Holiday Bonanza!

171 • Ten Years of Monkey Tennis: Ask Us Anything!

Apr 28, 20261h 17mSummary

In this special anniversary episode, the hosts of Monkey Tennis celebrate ten years of dedicated podcasting, marking a full decade since they first began dissecting the world of Alan Partridge. To commemorate the milestone, the team hosts an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session, answering listener questions regarding the character’s evolution, the show’s production history, and the future of the Partridge universe. The discussion delves into the long-standing debate between the earlier Iannucci-era work and the more recent Gibbons-era content, with the hosts weighing the importance of nostalgia against the consistency of the modern canon. They also provide insight into their experiences interviewing various show alumni and explain why, while they hold great respect for the creative team, they intentionally maintain a degree of separation from Steve Coogan. Looking forward, the group shares imaginative pitches for potential future projects—ranging from high-concept mockumentaries to family-tree explorations—while also confirming that they will be returning to cover the next series of Oast House. The episode concludes with reflections on their journey as a fan podcast and the announcement of a special, one-off live recording to mark their tenth birthday.

170 • How Are You? Wrap Up + Your Feedback

Feb 10, 20261h 3mSummary

In this episode of Monkey Tennis: The Alan Partridge Fan Podcast, hosts Adam Brooks, Tom Dark, and Tom Stab conclude their comprehensive review of the series How Are You. The discussion serves as both a retrospective on the show’s quality and a deep dive into the evolution of its production. The hosts analyze the series' structure, noting that while it contains brilliant moments, it often struggles with narrative flow. They suggest that the show occupies an uneasy space between a sketch show and a sitcom, with the documentary format occasionally feeling stretched thin across six episodes. The panel praises the chemistry between Alan and Lynn as the series' standout element, while expressing reservations about the consistency of the supporting characters and the overall narrative arc. Beyond the critique, the hosts engage in a fascinating discussion about the production’s history, speculating on how the series morphed from its original concepts—such as a project about British history—into the final product. Drawing on listener feedback, they discuss the challenges of filming, the evolution of the show’s title, and the curious meta-commentary present within the series itself.