‘Just sprinkle your swearing s*** all over it': How The Thick of It redefined expletives on TV
Armando Iannucci wanted to make something 'rough and ready' about what politics was really like in the 2000s. With a team of talented writers, he created a classic comedy that still resonates today. Katie Rosseinsky dissects the anatomy of its foul-mouthed invective
It takes about one minute for a verbal grenade to be lobbed in The Thick of It's first episode. Spin doctor Malcolm Tucker, played by Peter Capaldi, is on the phone, mouthing off about an MP, who, in Tucker's estimation at least, is not just totally rubbish at his job, he's 'as useless as a marzipan dildo'. As insults go, it's lewd but also ludicrous, utterly damning yet surreally silly. And, as the show's creator Armando Iannucci says, it 'sets the tone for everything' to come.
Over the course of four series and one Oscar-nominated spin-off film, The Thick of It raised the bar with some of the most creative invective ever heard on television. The political sitcom, which debuted in an appropriately post-watershed late slot on BBC Four on 19 May 2005, ushered viewers behind the scenes in the fictional – but all too realistic – Department for Social Affairs (it would add Citizenship to its cumbersome remit in later seasons).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Hugh Jackman reportedly insists Sutton Foster attends upcoming family events… after she broke cover following brutal jab from the actor's ex-wife Deborra-Lee Furness
Tensions have reportedly risen between Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster as the Aussie actor attempts to integrate his new partner into the family. The 56-year-old Wolverine star is eager for the Broadway actress, 50, to develop a relationship with his adopted children — Oscar, 25, and Ava, 19 — who he shares with ex-wife Deborra-Lee Furness, according to Woman's Day. However, Sutton, who also shares adopted daughter Emily, seven, with ex-husband Ted Griffin, is said to have 'begged Hugh to stop forcing the situation ' while in the midst of his divorce with Deborra-Lee, 69, the magazine reported. 'It was Oscar's birthday recently and Ava's is coming up in July and Hugh couldn't see an issue with wanting to include "his other half",' the insider told the outlet. They went on to say Sutton is more anxious about the meeting and believes it should wait until the divorce has been finalised and everything has settled down. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'Although she's open to it eventually, she knows they all need a little more time,' the source added. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Hugh and Sutton's representatives for comment. It comes after Hugh was spotted in public for the first time since Deborra-Lee opened up about her feelings of 'betrayal' in a blistering statement to the Daily Mail. Hugh and Deborra-Lee's split appeared to turn bitter when she spoke about her 'traumatic journey of betrayal' in the wake of her divorce filing last month. 'My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal,' she said. 'It's a profound wound that cuts deep, however I believe in a higher power and that God/the universe, whatever you relate to as your guidance, is always working FOR us.' She continued: 'This belief has helped me navigate the breakdown of an almost three-decade marriage. 'I have gained much knowledge and wisdom through this experience. Even when we are presented with apparent adversity, it is leading us to our greatest good, our true purpose. 'It can hurt, but in the long run, returning to yourself and living within your own integrity, values and boundaries is liberation and freedom.' She concluded her statement with the 'one thing' she has learned, which is 'that none of this is personal.' Hugh has yet to release his own statement on the split, but a source told the Daily Mail he had been left 'extremely disappointed' by Deborra-Lee's words as he believed they had an 'understanding' they would not publicly trash one another. 'There was no stipulation that she could not address this but there was an unwritten understanding that she would not trash him to the press,' an insider said. 'She got around this by not naming him—instead focusing on how she felt.'
Belfast Telegraph
9 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Ralph Fiennes felt ‘flattered' when he learned Pope Leo XIV had watched Conclave
Conclave actor Ralph Fiennes said he felt 'flattered' when he learned the new Pope had watched the Oscar-winning film that sees his character arrange a papal gathering to elect the next head of the Catholic Church.
North Wales Chronicle
10 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Finneas announces new band called The Favors with US singer Ashe
The 27-year-old, full name Finneas O'Connell, is best known for his collaborative efforts with sister Billie Eilish. On Monday, Finneas and US singer Ashe, whose full name is Ashlyn Rae Willson, revealed they have already recorded an album as a band and said it will be released in September. A post shared by The Favors (@wearethefavors) A shared social media post from an Instagram account called wearethefavors, said: 'We made a band. It's called The Favors. Announcing our new album, The Dream, out September 19. 'Debut single, The Little Mess You Made, Friday, June 6. 'We deeply loved making this music together in secret and can't wait for it to finally make its way to you.' In a post to his Instagram story, Finneas wrote: 'Over the past 18 months, Ashe and I have been toiling away on this album and I really mean it when I say I could not be more proud of it – David Marinelli on drums, Ricky Gourmet on guitar – I love being in a band.' Finneas has won 10 Grammys including producer of the year, non-classical, for Eilish's number one album, When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?. In 2024, he and Eilish won their second Oscar in the best original song category for their track What Was I Made For?, which featured in Greta Gerwig's Barbie movie. Their first Oscar was for the song No Time To Die, which was featured in the James Bond film of the same name. Ashe is known for songs including Me Without You and Moral Of The Story, the latter of which was co-produced by Finneas.
