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Alan Partridge is in crisis! However, many are in similar straits today? When we last saw him on screen, Alan suffered a public collapse while fronting the entertainment series This Time, ending the series quite literally locked out of the BBC. In the opening of his independent production, the non-fiction piece How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge), Alan discloses he’s since hit another low by fainting into the lap of a female interviewee at a business function for a Norfolk feed company. Challenging periods, yet figures like Partridge recover: tie your troubles to a national trend and see if you can get a series out of it.

Exploring the Epidemic of Anxiety

How Are You? showcases the beloved persona in documentary style, probing widespread emotional struggles that he feels is worsening: “If I can use an outdated term, it’s just got mental!” The journey will see him experiment with religion, reconnect with friends from school, and enjoy therapeutic hikes, alongside facing his history. Episode one builds towards a hostile but cathartic reunion with “Sidekick” Simon Denton (Tim Key), his old partner from past shows, and as the episodes progress, hidden moments from his career emerge.

Alongside his co-writers and directors, How Are You? marks a change of pace. In contrast to earlier innovations, How Are You? frequently revisits old themes: along with bringing back former styles, the series echoes past satirical documentaries from the 2010s. With his personal issues seeping into the content, we’re most strongly reminded of the podcast series.

Contrasting Alans

This leads to a minor issue. We see two versions of Alan: Winning Alan (currently has a big paid presenting gig) and Outcast Alan (on the sidelines), and even though the underdog Alan shone in the classic series I’m Alan Partridge back in 1997, a more wistful Wilderness Alan has recently taken flight in books and audio projects. How Are You? situates us in his world and features Kelly as Katrina, his highly inappropriate love interest from the podcast. But that tragic tale – Alan is in denial about Katrina cheating on him with a pal and business owner – seems better suited to podcast pacing, allowing audience creativity to enhance humor. Off-screen, the character feels more expansive: modern TV excels at pressuring the successful Alan and watching him implode, as happened on previous shows.

Comedy Through Flaws

These, however, are quibbles in the face of one large, undeniable fact: in any format, he is the top humorous character in Britain, and temporary versions still offer huge comedy than competing shows. How Are You? features Alan as star, producer, and director, which opens up his genius for sloppy errors and poor editorial decisions. If explosive fruit edits symbolize struggles, viewers will see it, and he remains unchecked on misspeaking or similar gaffes in narration. The slight grimace we regularly catch as he strides out of shot knowing on some level that that piece to camera was another balls-up always delights, and the same goes for his transitional clips, the best of which sees him attempt to fix us with a sympathetic smile while simultaneously swallowing a mouthful of humble British tea.

Visual and Emotional Highlights

Is there anything more joyous than Alan grunting as he squats down next to a skip? Definitely not. Visually he’s a feast too, with a poorly chosen hair shade, and his 2025 wardrobe featuring mustard chinos, black-and-white pundit pumps, an arsenal of body warmers and excited response to fashion trends.

Plus, the subject matter here allows for the glimpses into Alan’s soul that have been there ever since the Gibbons brothers took over co-writing duties. More than once the series pulls off flashes of pathos, where Alan’s lack of self-awareness reveals a sadness that nearly brings viewers to tears, until humor takes over and giggles follow. It succeeds because of enduring fandom: every appearance is appreciated.