The Armando Iannucci Shows
The Armando Iannucci Shows is a series of eight programmes directed by Armando Iannucci and written by Iannucci with Andy Riley and Kevin Cecil. It was shown on UK's Channel 4 from August to October 2001. Each episode focused on specific themes relating to human nature and existentialism, around which Iannucci would weave a series of surreal sketches and monologues. Format. Recurring themes in the episodes are the superficiality of modern culture, our problems communicating with each other, the mundane nature of working life and feelings of personal inadequacy and social awkwardness. Several characters also  make repeat appearances in the shows, including the East End thug, who solves every problem with threats of violence; Hugh, an old man who delivers surreal monologues about what things were like in the old days; and Iannucci's barber, who is full of nonsensical anecdotes. Recurring characters. Most of the sketches and characters in "The Armando Iannucci Shows" were one-offs, but a few characters did recur: Episodes. Each episode is themed around a certain subject. The following episode order is according to the DVD which had its contents significantly reshuffled from the original broadcast timeline. Music. The original  broadcast version featured a number of modern classical pieces including: Other classical pieces included: Some of these pieces had to be removed from the DVD due to rights issues, and were replaced with stock library music. There is also a snippet of an imaginary modern opera, "Ibiza Uncovered", that is very close to the style of the opera of John Adams. Reception. Iannucci has been quoted as saying it is the comedy series he is most proud of making. He told "The Metro" in April 2007 ""The Armando Iannucci Show" on Channel 4 came out around 9/11, so it was  overlooked for good reasons. People had other things on their minds. But that was the closest to me expressing my comic outlook on life." The show is also notable for its use of music, the quality of its direction and the often extensive use of CGI effects. A DVD of the series was released on 4 September 2006 after years of wrangles due to music rights issues. Empire called the show "a lesser effort, even if this does display flashes of the wit behind "The Day Today" and "The Thick of It"."