From the Oasthouse: The Alan Partridge Podcast

Alan Partridge Chronology

by Alan Partridge

Alan returns to the bloated whale that is the modern podcasting industry (come on though, it clearly is) for series three of From The Oasthouse, offering a glimpse into his personal life so intimate it is unlikely he would ever have done so were it not a contractual obligation. Join him as he toasts the arrival of a new grandchild, navigates relationship issues with his girlfriend neighbour, and attempts to track down a former soldier from Newcastle, a man he once knew, a man by the name of Michael.

Genres: Audiobook, Comedy, Fiction, Humor

Audible Audio

Published August 31, 2023

About the author

Journalist, presenter, broadcaster, husband, father, vigorous all-rounder – Alan Partridge – a man with a fascinating past and an amazing future. Gregarious and popular, yet Alan’s never happier than when relaxing in his own five-bedroom, south-built house with three acres of land and access to a private stream. But who is this mysterious enigma?

Alan Gordon Partridge is the best – and best-loved – radio presenter in the region. Born into a changing world of rationing, Teddy Boys, apes in space and the launch of ITV, Alan’s broadcasting career began as chief DJ of Radio Smile at St. Luke’s Hospital in Norwich. After replacing Peter Flint as the presenter of Scout About, he entered the top 8 of BBC sports presenters.

But Alan’s big break came with his primetime BBC chat show Knowing Me, Knowing You. Sadly, the show battled against poor scheduling, having been put up against News at Ten, then in its heyday. Due to declining ratings, a single catastrophic hitch (the killing of a guest on air) and the dumbing down of network TV, Alan’s show was cancelled. Not to be dissuaded, he embraced this opportunity to wind up his production company, leave London and fulfil a lifelong ambition to return to his roots in local radio.

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Alan Gordon Partridge is a fictional radio and television presenter portrayed by English comedian Steve Coogan and invented by Coogan, Armando Iannucci, Stewart Lee and Richard Herring for the BBC Radio 4 programme 'On The Hour.' A parody of both sports commentators and chat show presenters, among others, the character has appeared in two radio series, three television series and numerous TV and radio specials, including appearances on BBC's Comic Relief, which have followed the rise and fall of his career. He returned to television in 'Alan Partridge - Welcome to the Places of My Life,' which aired on Sky Atlantic in June 2012.

Reviews

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the Oasthouse continues to be hilarious in its third season, but I think it's probably fair to say that the general format has gradually become more laboured over time. Not to worry, however, because it still, for the most part, skips along as amusingly as ever; I just found fewer highs compared to previous years, and my favourite episodes (Novel, Potholing and Wild Swimming) all still reside in season 2.

I'll inevitably re-listen to this again soon and my opinion will undoubtedly change when I do.

And she said, "We've never been exclusive", and that rocked me; I said: "Of course we're bloody exclusive, I TOOK YOU TO DUBAI FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!" — Alan Partridge, 2023

[Chris Skirving · Rating 5 out of 5]

AHA!!!!!! I always wish these audiobooks were longer.

[Tina D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great one in the series. Coogan has found a perfect vehicle for challenging right wing bollocks. Enjoyed the storyline of him dealing with the plagiarism case. Partidge’s personal growth is a joy to behold, in particular his growing respect for stalwart Lynn. Feel quite relieved for him. Only hope us mere mortals get to experience the same growth curve.

[Sorrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/5 STARS!!!

Proper belly laughs in this one.
I love how Coogan tackles awful right wing shite via his character. Properly meta. I’m gonna go now and listen to it again.

[Chris Greensmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

"People will try to destroy you...."I saw Alan in ASDA..I saw him in the local swimming pool, he was doing widths.."

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always, always entertaining. Does count as a book in my mind simply because it's behind a paywall ;)

[Luke Costin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth it for Alan’s alternative coronation commentary alone.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is surely one of the best Oasthouse tranches we’ve had so far, perhaps purely for the Partridge lore which goes as far back as Alpha Papa. Tune in to see how Alan masterfully combats a plagiarism suit, how he goes ‘Searching for Ciderman’, how he hands out burgers to striking nurses, and how Cockapoos are like the Lib Dems. Gold.

[Book busy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's comedy comfort food and there's not really much more to be said. I laughed out loud several times and that is no mean feat.

[Rob Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is an attempt to integrate some relevant Alan Partridge quotes into the rewrite:

The high priest of nasality and enemy of perished pants, Alan Partridge, triumphantly returns exclaiming “A-ha!” for the third season of his hit podcast, From the Oasthouse. While the general format may have become slightly more labored over time, this season still bounces along with all the pace and athleticism of a world class gazelle, just as amusingly as the previous ones.

Join Alan as he welcomes a new grandchild into the Partridge dynasty, attempting to patch things up with his girlfriend neighbor by sending her top quality garlic bread and hoping she’ll “smell his cheese”, and tries tracking down his old army buddy Michael, who he hasn’t seen since his Newcastle days where they used to “share a sleeping bag” to keep warm.

Though the whale-sized podcast industry continues to bloat “like a big fat man, with gravy running down his chin”, Alan manages to breathe new life into the medium with his signature wit and banter, imparting nuggets of wisdom like “smell my cheese” along the way. As always with Alan, no topic is off limits - even when his opinions on the youth of today with their pierced navels and talentless actors land him squarely in the midst of the culture wars.

So pop open a cold one and have a nice big plate of hot food ready, because the king of plates and nasally vocal tones is back and better than ever! Alan sees you...and you’re going to need a backpack to carry around this season because there’s so much good stuff packed into it. Lynn, his PA, has made sure of it!

[Mattie]

The bitch is back!!

I think I liked this better than series 2 (tranche 1), but it'll probably take me another couple of listens through to be sure. There's lots of continuity in this one, which I always appreciate: Katrina, Nathan, Rodney, and even Lynn's nephew who's only gone and gotten himself heavily into chemsex all get mentions, along with Alan's family, of course; we also learn the fate of Alan's second, unnamed dog. Kind of. This is a satisfyingly Lynn-heavy series, if a bit light on Rosa.

Though there was something of a through line in the previous tranche, I found the hook here much more compelling: is Michael the Geordie really dead? This sees Alan coming all the way up to my neck of the woods, which was fun as hell (might even make a pilgrimage to All Saints Cemetery in Jesmond).

If I found series 2 (tranche 1) a bit of a letdown after series one, it did have some major highlights, like Alan's foray into writing novels; I'm not sure there's anything quite that good here, though it's probably a more consistent series/tranche overall. That said, I did love Alan's list of Katrina's musical preferences (she's got some silly bees in her bonnet). Again, another listen or two might be in order before I can really be sure of my ranking. Regardless, I'm always happy to have Alan in my ears for a few hours.

Oh, also, should we infer from Alan's comments that This Time is done for good? I hope not!

[Stephen Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back on form, for another stupendous podcast. Some real moments of emotion from Alan this time too, when remembering his dearly lost Sheldon and of course, what this series will be most remembered for is the investigation into Michaels disappearance. Teeming with yet more insights into the social and political mind of Alan.

Highlights:
His investigative drama series on Michael, playing with the style, music and information release of the genre.
The high action acted out previews of his idea for a crime series / sound effects.
The coronation narration.
Section of single living and the affordability of tinned meats.
The legal threats of his plagiarised theme tune / resolution.

I’m sure there are many more that have slipped my mind, but it was all pure gold, with the quality of writing, performance, sound design & sfx, songs and the adverts surpassing the previous.

[William Beck · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the last series a little mixed but altogether positive, and this one is similarly mixed but perhaps a little more frustrating for it. Whilst series 2 lacked much story & largely felt like a string of gags & Partridgeisms, series 3 offers an occasionally compelling narrative that seems bizarrely hamstrung by the format. The story on offer in the latter half of this series would perhaps have been better served as an audible drama style send-up rather than this podcast, as the format here really kills so much of the pay off.

[Luke Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

HE’S BACK!

While the quality FTOTAPP (an initialism) Series 3 doesn't hit the heights of the first and second seasons, it's a lovely welcome back to Alan's sad little life.

Hearing Ms Benfield (calling her that in support of the women's lib movement) and the continuation of her storyline on the podcast was wonderful and I had tears in my eyes hearing Michael's voice. HE'S BACK!

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great instalment of Alan canon. Good for a walk or a Sunday.

Personal note, I'm delighted you can include podcasts as 'books' for the reading challenge on here, theres now a slim chance I'll hit my target. One has such high hopes in January.

[Victoria Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

OF COURSE it’s 5 stars. Properly laughing listening in the car…

[Kerry Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gutted that it’s over already. Might relisten immediately.

[Emily Carter-Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still not as good as the first, but I think better than the second. They seem to be getting shorter and shorter, though!

[Steve Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious as per usual

[Enda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tone perfect. Hard to think of a more believable fictitious persona. Alan Partridge may have grown as a "person", but is still ridiculous.

[Matthew Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautiful, the twist ending will definitely be something I bring up open meeting Alan next month

[Shell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this might be my favourite series yet.

[Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic audiobook from Alan Partridge, it's painfully hilarious, captivating, and so much fun. My only problem is that I wish it was longer!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

The return of the *****.

[iamjacsmusings · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know, Alan really should try stand up...

[Marley Rollins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t make cry laughing as much as usual unfortunately but still had some funny moments.

[Ryan Handley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alan back on form. Finding Ciderman is a highlight

[Palorossi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good entertainment

[Zac · Rating 4 out of 5]

its good

[Brandon Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the first two, but still very good