Alan Partridge: Big Beacon

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In Big Beacon, Norwich's favourite son and best broadcaster, Alan Partridge, triumphs against the odds. TWICE. Alan Partridge is undoubtedly one of the greatest characters in the annals of British comedy. Over the last 32 years, Steve Coogan and his collaborators have created a richly textured inner and exterior life for the oft-thwarted Norfolk-based broadcaster, hence why fictional self-authored books such as Big Beacon – his third volume of memoirs – work so beautifully.

The book is, at this point as good as it could be, pretty much an anthology of shorter stories (I'd explain what a vignette is, but the listener may be hot, tired or Greek) combined into what's likely to be the last of the Partridge books. There are occasional moments of brilliance here, but not enough to justify another listen. There's also a lot of repetition (quite literally) as well as a few missed opportunities to really take the character somewhere interesting. Armando Ianucci's influence is sorely missed: there's just not enough of the ludicrous confrontation that used to define the character, nor the sheer joy that banality brought to Partridge (fainting at the prospect of a Burtons gold card, or spending the evening praising the action of a CD player lid). Using an innovative ‘dual narrative’ structure you sometimes see in films, Big Beacon tells the story of how Partridge heroically rebuilt his TV career, rising like a phoenix from the desolate wasteland of local radio to climb to the summit of Mount Primetime and regain the nationwide prominence his talent merits. This article is taken from The Big Issue magazine, which exists to give homeless, long-term unemployed and marginalised people the opportunity to earn an income. To support our work buy a copy! In Big Beacon, Norwich's favourite son and best broadcaster, Alan Partridge, triumphs against the odds. TWICE. Using an innovative 'dual narrative' structure you sometimes see in films, Big Beacon tells the story of how Partridge heroically rebuilt his TV career, rising like a phoenix from the desolate wasteland of local radio to climb to the summit of Mount Primetime and regain the nationwide prominence his talent merits.Last month, Audible announced it had commissioned a third series of From The Oasthouse: The Alan Partridge Podcast.

QuotePublished by Seven Dials on 12th October, the book reveals how "Norwich's favourite son and best broadcaster" triumphed "against the odds. TWICE." Get the latest news and insight into how the Big Issue magazine is made by signing up for the Inside Big Issue newsletter Big Beacon is Partridge's third autobiography, following 2011's I, Partridge: We Need to Talk About Alan and 2016's Nomad. Alan Partridge is publishing a third volume of memoirs, British Comedy Guide can exclusively reveal. Not only has Alan Partridge created an entirely new storytelling structure, it’s very funny indeed.” Jon RonsonIn Big Beacon , Norwich's favourite son and best broadcaster, Alan Partridge, triumphs against the odds. TWICE.

I've watched and listened to the entire Alan Partridge catalogue and the earlier shows/books literally had me crying with laughter all the way through. Unfortunately, this book, and the most recent podcast barely triggered an occasional smile. The two strands will run in tandem, their narrative arcs mirroring each other to make the parallels betwe Big Beacon employs a straightforward dual narrative technique, which Partridge naturally regards as an innovation (he spends most of the prologue needlessly explaining how it works). 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?Published by Seven Dials on 12th October, the book reveals how "Norwich's favourite son and best broadcaster" triumphed "against the odds. TWICE." But then something quite unexpected and moving, because Big Beacon also tells the story of a selfless man, driven to restore an old lighthouse to its former glory, motivated by nothing more than respect for a quietly heroic old building that many take for granted, which some people think is a metaphor for Alan himself even though it's not really for them to say.* But then something quite unexpected and moving, because Big Beacon also tells the story of a selfless man, driven to restore an old lighthouse to its former glory, motivated by nothing more than respect for a quietly heroic old building that many take for granted, which some people think is a metaphor for Alan himself even though it’s not really for them to say.*