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Classic Steve Coogan characters

Check out these classic Steve Coogan TV characters.

Alan Partridge: What can you say that hasn’t already been said about Alan Partridge? One of the most popular British comedy characters of the last twenty years, he is a mixture of smug self confidence and endless catchphrases. Partridge first came to prominence on Chris Morris’ brainchild, ‘The Day Today’ in 1994. As the resident sports correspondent, his constant inability to grasp the reality of situations meant he was instantly destined to be a classic character. Soon after, he landed his own chat show where he lurched from one disastrous interview to another. Coogan cemented the Partridge legacy with the spin off series, ‘I’m Alan Partridge’ which saw our anti-hero grapple with the issues of low grade celebrity life while residing in a hotel. Undoubtedly Coogan’s finest hour and a genius comic creation, Partridge will always be fondly remembered.

Paul Calf: The chain smoking, student hating loudmouth was quite a departure from Alan Partridge when Coogan first came up with the character in the mid 1990’s. With his nervous twitch and a can of lager permanently clenched in his right fist, he always gave off the impression that he could explode into full rant mode at any second....which he frequently did. Calf reserved particular fury for students of course. Any time he started a sentence with the words “You know students?”, you  knew exactly what was coming next. Constantly angry, usually without reason, Calf was another mid 90’s Coogan gem.

Pauline Calf: Coogan really tested the limits of his stand up ability when he introduced Pauline Calf, Paul’s quick witted sister to the world in 1994. Undoubtedly, Pauline’s finest hour was the one off 1994 production, Pauline Calf’s wedding video. Starring alongside luminaries such as John Thompson, Coogan is electric as we follow Pauline in the build up to her wedding day. Anyone who has an affinity with the North of England will identify immediately with the dark humour and frenetic dialogue. Despite not being an instant commercial success, the thirty minute film is so engaging and entertaining because of the realism Coogan injects into Calf and the rest of the cast. That points to Coogan’s biggest strength in this one off special, his ability to make you identify with the characters you are watching.