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Q&A with Armando Iannucci and Kevin Loader Olivia Garrett, Screen Editor, sits down for a talk about politics in film with award-winning writer and producer
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N Wednesday afternoon, Olivia Garrett was lucky enough to attend a screenwriting talk given by Armando Ianucci, writer of The Thick of It and The Personal History of David Copperfield, and his long-term producer Kevin Loader. After listening to their anecdotes and advice, she was able to briefly gain their insighs into the current state of the TV and film industry. So Armando, having made The Thick of It, Veep, and Death of Stalin, you have clearly made a base in political satire over the years. But what about today? Do you think that same kind of political satire still has a place in current politics?
acting weirdly because we know he’s acting weirdly, and he tells us he’s acting weirdly. How do you think satire itself has changed? AI: Well satirists like John Oliver have changed the rules and become sort of journalists in that they have an investigative gene; they have researchers. And they use their resources to become more factually based because politicians have become more fictional. And whether that resets itself in this new age of Biden I don’t know, but it will definitely take a few years.
Once there’s a whiff of liberal piety about what you’re doing you’re dead. You should be going for easy targets and all targets. What about COVID-19, do you think there’s an opportunity for satire there seeing as it’s been so impactful? KL: Who knows. I think aspects of it have been reflected in Avenue 5 just because we were working through it, but also because it’s got a lot of people effectively in lockdown on a spaceship. So in a way you don’t want to be too explicit about it, but you do know that you’re tapping into something people recognise.
What about you Kevin? Armando Ianucci: In terms of political satire, I think it’s taking stock at the moment. Specifically because of the last four years with someone like Trump. Satire works only by you outlining a series of established rules by which politics functions, and then you highlight people who might bend or break these rules. But then Trump came along and basically said that there are no rules. And you can’t write and make fun of the fact that he’s
Kevin Loader: I think the satire thing is tricky as Arm says. There were definitely moments and times in the last few years where I think we were very glad not to be in the political arena. I think that some of the recent successful satires are ones like W1A. And I guess the only rules there are for satirising are that you have to come at it pretty irreverently and from the angle that everything is fair game.
And after being renewed for a second season how is Avenue 5 progressing? AI: Unfortunately with season two we got as far as filming two weeks of it before Christmas and then we shut down because we hit that Kent variant. We were doing lots of testing, distancing, and safety precautions but unless you’re in a complete bubble you can’t escape. So after two weeks of it we noticed
Goodbye Nine-Nine
that we had quite a few cases and shut down. We’re not resuming again until September of next year. With this halt in production in mind, how do you think film and TV will be affected by COVID-19 in the years to come? AI: I think film and television will come roaring back, but cinemagoing will be interesting. I made films because I love going to the cinema, the communal experience of it. But all the big studios now have seized on the idea of putting stuff straight onto streaming platforms, and whether they can be persuaded to go back to the cinema mode I don’t know.
Image: IMDB
Exeposé Screen Writers say goodbye to beloved comedy by writing about their favourite characters
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HEN commemorating Brooklyn-99, it would be sacrilegious not to mention the great Captain Raymond Holt. Does anyone else have as many unforgettable one-liners? From “You’re not Cheddar. You’re just some common bitch” to “VINDICATION!”, no-one comes close. His storylines are also standout, from his epic rivalry with Madeleine Wuntch and his father-son bond with Jake, he’s got it all. Andre Braugher makes every line hilarious with his deadpan delivery. Who could forget “I’m in a total state of euphoria” and “yas queen”? To present an openly gay character with such a serious personality is a direct satire of gay stereotypes presented in many comedy TV shows as it subverts the clichés to the extreme. Brooklyn-99 presents Holt as a fully developed, nuanced character that isn’t defined by his sexuality or race, and yet it remains very much a part of him. The show acknowledges and presents it with both humour and sincerity.
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Alice Knightbridge
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F you’re someone who sees themselves as the “Paris of people”, if you’ve ever imagined yourself in a movie while stalking the aisles of Morrison’s blasting Bey in your headphones, or if you’ve ever uttered the phrase “mic drop”, Gina Linetti is your gal. The 99’s spirited assistant (and so much more) is so full of life while also being dramatically lazy and sardonic. This, I find very relatable. Her story arc is also one of the most emotional parts of the show, as she grapples with motherhood and leaving the 99. I was so gutted to see her go at the end of season five, and thrilled when she returned (albeit temporarily) in ‘The Return of the King’. To be brief, I think she’s one of the best characters in TV history. Gina Linetti for life.
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All images: John P. Fleenor, IMDB
Caitlin Barr
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S we prepare ourselves to say goodbye to Brooklyn-99, the hardest farewell will be to the biggest Peraltiago shipper in history, Charles Boyle. His awkward mannerisms and unique wisdom on the important matters in life remain unrivalled on TV, such as his advice on waiting for the universe to make decisions. Above all else though, and despite his horrifying taste in food, (‘Le Petit Colon’ anyone?) Boyle has always been a great friend to Jake. Amongst his more wacky words of wisdom, when the show has needed a serious point to be made to it’s main character, Boyle has been one to provide it. In Tactical Village when Jake wonders why Amy would go on a date with Teddy, Boyle calmly reminds him that “he actually asked her out,” teaching Jake and the audience a valuable lesson in following your heart. With the show now coming to an end, in the immortal words of Boyle himself, “the sexy train is leaving the station.”
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Harry Scott Munro, Online Sports Editor
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PERFECT example of a woman who isn’t afraid to be herself and finds success doing so, Amy is the role model we all need. Her love of binders and crosswords gives her a Hermione-like charm, and I know I’m not the only one that will miss her lovable nerdiness once the show finishes. After becoming the love interest of the main character, it would have been unsurprising if she had morphed into the same tired stereotype of a woman whose storylines are only used to enhance those of her male counterpart. However, this is not the case as she continues to get the personal development that she deserves. Yet that isn’t to say sufficient attention isn’t given to her relationship with Jake. Watching both characters gradually improve each other over time leads to some of the best parts of the show. Who could forget moments like her chasing down a perp while trying on a wedding dress.
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Louisa Williams