The Thick of It: 20 Years On, with Armando Iannucci, Peter Capaldi, Chris Addison and Rebecca Front (Part One)

Intelligence Squared

Arts, News, Society & Culture, News Commentary

4.2 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 3 October 2025

⏱️ 39 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Malcolm Tucker. Pet ASBOs. A law requiring everyone in Britain to carry around a plastic bag. It’s been twenty years since Armando Iannucci‘s The Thick of It first brought the chaos and drama of the fictitious ‘Department of Social Affairs and Citizenship’ into our lives. First aired on the BBC in 2005, the show satirised the Blair government’s spin-heavy politics, with Peter Capaldi’s foul-mouthed character Malcolm Tucker quickly becoming one of Britain’s most unforgettable TV villains. In September 2025 Iannucci came to Alexandra Palace Theatre alongside actors from the show Peter Capaldi, Chris Addison and Rebecca Front to relive some of the funniest moments from the show, reveal behind-the-scenes stories and answer questions on whether a show like The Thick of It could ever work in today’s polarised political climate and social media news cycle. --- This is the first instalment of a two-part episode. If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events ... Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey Sainsbury's. Any way you can save me a few quid on my weekly shop?
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0:22.6	18 plus nectar app required.
0:24.6	Unlock up to 10 your nectar prices weekly,
0:26.6	available in supermarkets online and in locals with smart shop.
0:28.6	TNCs apply.
0:29.6	Before we begin, this episode includes explicit language
0:32.6	that may not be suitable for all audiences.
0:35.6	Welcome to Intelligence Squared, where great minds meet.
0:40.5	I'm producer Mia Serenti.
0:43.0	Malcolm Tucker, Pet Asbos, a law requiring everyone in Britain to carry around a plastic bag.
0:50.2	It's been 20 years since Armando Anucci's The Thick of It,
0:53.4	first bought the chaos and drama of the fictitious Department of Social Affairs and Citizenship into our lives.
1:00.0	First aired on the BBC in 2005, the show satirised the Blair government's spin-heavy politics,
1:07.0	with Peter Capaldi's foul-mouth character, Malcolm Tucker, quickly becoming one of Britain's most unforgettable TV villains.
1:13.6	In September, Inucci joined us at Alexandra Palace Theatre, alongside actors from the show Peter Capaldi, Chris Addison and Rebecca Front.
1:22.6	Hosted by actor and comedian Miles Jupp, the panel relived some of the funniest moments from the show,
1:28.5	revealing behind-the-scenes stories and also reflecting on politics and satire today.
1:34.2	If you'd like to listen to this episode in full and add free,
	...

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