for those who don't know already, the acclaimed IN THE LOOP was a watered down, less inspired version of this show. every episode is a miniature epic of convoluted machavellian scheming, majestic turns of phrase and unbearable, breathless, vital political cynicism. (re: lisa, they are, and it's not.)

One of my top 3 favorite TV shows of all time. The writing of the mindblowingly high number of acidic jokes per minute (delivered by a hilarious ensemble in the breakneck fashion of old screwball comedies) is simply unparalleled.

"I don't know which is worse...Watching him slowly rumble toward you like prostate cancer, or having him suddenly appear like a severe stroke."

Peter Frickin' Capaldi!!!

An achievement in television. Iannucci is a genius. The writing and performances are amazing. The third series in particular is as close to perfection as it's possible to get. Scathing satire on an epic level.

For those in the know, this is a masterful political satire. For people like me, it's "angry scotsman yelling a stream of extremely graphic abuse at incompetent politicians for half an hour." Highly recommended.

The Thick of It is very well written and immensely funny. From a certain point of view, it is the British response to Sorkin's The West Wing. A lot of walking-and-talking, the optimism has turned to cynicism, and the idealism has been replaced by a mildly exaggerated level of incompetence.

Iannucci is one of the very few living writers in TV who I wouldn't hesitate to call a genius, and this series is his zenith.

Malcolm Tucker is a character that won't be forgotten quickly & Capaldi wore him like a glove. Kudos to a series that can write around one of its first season male leads being convicted in the off-season downtime.

Funny as hell with really sharp and malicious dialogue.

Very funny, very nasty and very good.

And the Honorary Award for Best Swearing Of All Time goes to… Malcolm Tucker!

This was tough to rate, because I think Peter Capaldi is brilliant in this, and there were indeed many laughs had, but not everything worked for me. The rest of the cast just paled in comparison to Capaldi, and the stories were usually not all that interesting, nor is it particularly memorable months later. As much as Capaldi was great in this, I don't think the show itself lived up to its potential.

Politics schmolitics that's what I say

Great comedy series that I've revisited several times. Glad I got it more as I reached my twenties and understood it's (unfortunately) accurate depection of what British politics must be like behind closed doors, and sometime in front of them. One of the few shows where having not so likable characters actually works in it's favour.

I'm sorry I am the adolescent that finds cussing edgy (British cussing anyway)

if only the british govt were this incompetent, the world would be a much better place.

I think my rating for this goes up one point every time I watch an episode.

Season 1: 85

The Holy Grail of unbridled political-incorrectness and jokes so flamboyantly tasteless they leave your jaw agape. ("I'll be back in two shakes of crying baby!" "You're about as secure as a hymen in a south London comprehensive.") Fucking brilliant.

"When I need your advice, I'll give you the special signal, which is me being sectioned under the fucking Mental Health Act."