Coogan/Partridge or Gervais/Brent - which is more limited by their defining character?

[...]

Normally like AP and think Mid-morning Matters was pretty good, but watching Scissored Isle last night, couldn't help but feel the character's comic potential and appeal are beginning to wear a bit threadbare because of over-exposure (in addition to MMM, there's been two x TV specials and a movie in the last couple of years alone).

Like SC, RG seems incapable of doing more than play the same character pretty much over and over again (maybe it's just the flat, unvarying fashion in which the pair of them deliver their lines regardless of what character they're playing or film/show they're in - just watch SC in Philomena or that Paul Raymod biopic or Gervais in Ghost Town or Invention of Lying to see what I mean). The David Brent movie would seem to indicate RG has begun to accept his limitations and give the public what they want.

Anyone agree or disagree?

[clive gash]

"This Scissored Isle" was wonderful. I can't think of another comic creation as finely detailed as Partridge. The autobiography (and the Gibbons brothers input) has deepened and detailed Alan's psychology beautifully, he's a different character now. We've had, what, 30 hours of material over 30 years. Hardly overkill.

[Belle Lettre]

Yes, his turn at the checkout was excellent.

[Phil T]

I loved his post-come down interview with the mayor.

[naughty boy]

Just watched it. It was genuinely odd in so many ways. There was no consistency of tone or character at all. They tried to cram so much in.

[jl]

Gervais is Brent, that's his limit anyway.

[naughty boy]

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/a ... e-pop-band

[Johnny Fartpants]

The difference is that Alan Partridge is funny and David Brent isn't. I'd never tire of twatting Ricky Gervais in the face with a wok.

[Graham Murakami]

The difference is that when Partridge is a bit unfunny, you can like the hints of amenable Steve Coogan underneath, whereas when Brent is unfunny, you are just left despising Richie Gervais and hoping he does get wokked in the face.

[borofan]

The difference is that when Partridge is a bit unfunny, you can like the hints of amenable Steve Coogan underneath, whereas when Brent is unfunny, you are just left despising Richie Gervais and hoping he does get wokked in the face.

Exactly what I would have posted if I'd got here first. Gervais is genuinely loathsome.

[Dr Markus]

I hated both of them, cringe comedy is just boring to me.

[naughty boy]

I hated both of them, cringe comedy is just boring to me.

I'm not much of a fan either. I liked The Office when it first came out but I didn't find it particularly funny. The whole Partridge thing leaves me completely cold. I really don't get it. The character is a grotesque and for that kind of thing to work, it should be believable.

[Hugh]

The difference is that Alan Partridge is funny and David Brent isn't. I'd never tire of twatting Ricky Gervais in the face with a wok.

See also Miranda Hart. Although I would have to ask a woman to do the wokking for the sake of political correctness.