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British hit comedy "THE IT CROWD" makes its US debut on I.F.C.

The U.K.’s popular, hysterically offbeat sitcom The IT Crowd, which focuses on the shenanigans of a trio technical support staff set in the underbelly of Reynholm Industries, a fictitious British corporation, will air for the first time in the U.S. on September 30 at 10:00 p.m. as part of IFC’s new Tuesday night AUTOMAT programming block. The BAFTA-nominated series, which is the brainchild of writer/director Graham Linehan (Father Ted, Black Books) and producer Ash Atalla (The Office), takes viewers into the dark, dingy, underground office space of the unappreciated, socially awkward IT department, far away from the shinny modern digs and spectacular views the rest of the company enjoys.

The IT Crowd centers on its principal technicians Roy (Chris O’Dowd) and Moss (Richard Ayoade), both sci-fi geeks who prefer to avoid working whenever possible. Their boss, Jen Barber (Katherine Parkinson), knows nothing about technology, but lands the position by embellishing her IT skills on her resume. The department’s inability to deal with minor problems, coupled with a complete disconnect with the real world, often lands this ultimate geek squad in hysterically absurd situations.

“This is a surreal sitcom about a group of workmates hanging out, getting into humiliating scrapes and then getting out of them,” said Graham Linehan, writer and creator of the show. “Seinfeld with laptops, I suppose. At least, that's the intention.”

In addition to the three main cast members, the series features several cameos from the comedy world including Adam Buxton (The Adam & Joe Show), Noel Fielding (The Mighty Boosh), as well as a supporting cast that includes Chris Morris (Brass Eye).

Having already evolved into a cult classic since its 2006 UK debut, IFC will air the first two seasons of The IT Crowd on a weekly basis this fall; the third season will premiere on IFC in early 2009, following its debut on the UK’s Channel 4 this year. Each season includes six 30-minute episodes.

The IFC AUTOMAT is a Tuesday night four-hour block packed with exclusive uncut, uncensored alternative programming including network premieres, originals, shorts, web shows, anime and more.

SYNOPSIS

The IT Crowd is set in the offices of Reynholm Industries, a fictitious British corporation in central London. It focuses on the shenanigans of the three-strong IT support team located in a dingy, untidy and unkept basement - a stark contrast to the shining modern architecture and stunning London views enjoyed by the rest of the organization. The obscurity surrounding what this company actually does serves as a running gag throughout the series. The team consists of – what the boss’ son Douglas Reynholm describes - as "a dynamic go-getter (Jen), a genius (Moss) and a man from Ireland (Roy)."

Moss and Roy, the two technicians, are socially inept geeks or "standard nerds." Despite the company's utter dependence on their services, they are despised, ignored, and considered losers by the rest of the staff. Roy's support techniques include, ignoring the phone in the hope it will stop ringing, and using reel-to-reel tape recordings of stock IT suggestions ("Have you tried turning it off and on again?" and "Are you sure it's plugged in?"). Moss's wide and intricate knowledge of all things technical is reflected in his extremely accurate yet utterly indecipherable suggestions, while demonstrating a complete inability to deal with practical problems like extinguishing fires and removing spiders.

Jen, the newest member of the team, is hopelessly non-technical, despite claiming on her resume that she has "a lot of experience with computers." Denholm, the company boss, is equally tech-illiterate, so is easily convinced by Jen's interview bluffing and appoints her head of the IT department. Although Jen’s official title is "relationship manager," her attempts at bridging the gulf between the technicians and the business generally have the opposite effect, landing Jen, like the rest of her teammates, in ludicrous situations.

THE IT CROWD: SEASON ONE EPISODES

Episode 1- YESTERDAY’S JAM

Premieres Tuesday, September 30 @ 10pm ET/ PT.

Denholm Reynholm, the technically challenged boss of a large corporation, interviews Jen Barber for a position. Fooled by her "techno-bluffing," he appoints her as manager of the IT support office, where she demonstrates a complete lack of knowledge in technical matters. Moss and Roy, being managed, at first attempt to get rid of Jen by exposing her lack of knowledge and experience to Denholm…but they soon realize that her people skills can be an asset for them.

Episode 2- CALAMITY JEN

Premieres Tuesday, October 7 @ 10pm ET/ PT.

Moss, Roy, and Jen are summoned to a company-wide meeting with Denholm, in which he "declares war" on stress and sets up a staff seminar on dealing with stress and its effects. Moss and Roy attend, but Jen is distracted and heads out to buy a pair of shoes that she saw on the way to work. At the seminar, Roy and Moss become infatuated with the "stress tester" used by the speaker, prompting Moss to build his own and start a fire in the basement. Unfortunately, recent television commercials advising of a changeover in the emergency phone number from "999" to "0118 999 881 999 119 725 3" cause problems in getting help.

Episode 3- FIFTY-FIFTY

Premieres Tuesday, October 14 @ 10pm ET/ PT.

Roy’s date with a woman goes foul when she mistakes smeared chocolate on his forehead for feces. Roy decides the date did not like him, not because the chocolate, but because women only like "bad boys." He sets out to prove his point by posting an over-the-top singles ad. Meanwhile, Jen impresses the temporary security guard with her (guessed) knowledge of obscure facts, causing him to put her on his "phone a friend" list for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

Episode 4-THE RED DOOR

Premieres Tuesday, October 21 @ 10pm ET/ PT.

Roy becomes stuck under an employee's desk and calls Moss to help him escape the situation. Alone in the basement, Jen investigates a strange red door. This leads to her discovery of Richmond (Noel Fielding), a lonely Goth and the fourth member of the IT department. A series of flashbacks reveals Richmond's fall from grace, leaving Jen determined to help him. Meanwhile, Roy tries not to become a "desk rabbit" (a term Moss coined for the situation). 

Episode 5- THE HAUNTING OF BILL CROUSE

Premieres Tuesday, October 28 @ 10pm ET/ PT.

Jen, who is trying to avoid Bill "The News" Crouse after a terrible dinner date, asks Moss to lie for her. Moss, a self-confessed terrible liar, says that Jen has died, and the story quickly gathers momentum. Bill starts telling everyone that he was the last person to sleep with Jen, after which it appears that Jen's spirit begins haunting him. Roy, while trying to gain the attention of Julie, the attractive girl from the fifth floor, inadvertently garners the attention of Judy, the unattractive office cleaner. The office holds a memorial service for Jen, to which Denholm invites his friend Elton John, and which Jen arrives at believing it to be her "employee of the month" ceremony.

Episode 6- AUNT IRMA VISITS

Premieres Tuesday, November 4 @ 10pm ET/ PT.

Jen's menstrual cycle (nicknamed Aunt Irma) has unexpected consequences for the office and causes her colleagues to suffer sympathetic effects. Moss sends an email about the phenomenon to everyone he knows, spreading the problem to worldwide IT personnel and inciting "Aunt Irma" riots and disturbances across the globe. Jen, Roy and Moss decide that the only cure is to have a big "girly night in," with scented candles and watching the movie Steel Magnolias, but instead they are obliged to go to the company "Thank-You" party, where they get incredibly drunk.

About IFC

IFC (The Independent Film Channel) is the first and only network dedicated to independent film and related programming, 24 hours a day, uncut and uncensored. Operating under the mantra 'always, uncut,' IFC presents feature-length films, "cult classics," thought-provoking original documentaries such as At the Death House Door and This Film Is Not Yet Rated, shorts, animated series, exclusive web series, and television's most comprehensive independent film library. The network also offers some of the most innovative and edgy original series on television, including the sketch comedy "The Whitest Kids U' Know." Providing a voice for independent thought not found anywhere else on television, IFC broadens the audience for independent film and supports the independent film community through its exclusive live coverage of notable film events like the Independent Spirit Awards. The network's On Demand offering, IFC Free, gives audiences the opportunity to watch premieres of all of IFC's original series in HD before they air on the linear network. IFC is a subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC.

Rainbow Media Holdings LLC

Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media is a leading producer of targeted, multi-platform content for global distribution, creating and managing some of the world's most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands, including AMC, IFC, WE tv, Sundance Channel, Lifeskool, sportskool, and VOOM HD Networks. Through IFC Entertainment, Rainbow Media also owns and manages the following: IFC Films, a leading distribution company for independent film; IFC Productions, a feature film production company that provides financing for select independent film projects; and IFC Center, a three screen, state-of-the-art cinema in the heart of New York's Greenwich Village. Rainbow Media also operates Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales company; Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company; and 11 Penn TV, a company that manages Rainbow Media's NYC studios and post-production facilities.

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Posted 15 September, 2008 - 08:38 by JoshB

Comments

7 comments posted
Why Posted this

CollectionDX is not in the habit of covering TV shows that aren't related somehow to robots / sci-fi / otaku culture, but we must make an exception for The IT Crowd.

I discovered this series a while back, and then got Nekrodave hooked.. Its hysterically funny. If you are at all a geek or techie, or just a fan of great British humor, this show is a must see. And for all you toy people, there are designer vinyls spread all about the set. It makes for an interesting game of "Spot the toy".

Anyway, this show gets the CDX seal of approval - so make sure you watch it when it comes out!

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CollectionDX Admin

JoshB's picture
Posted by JoshB on 15 September, 2008 - 08:41
IT Crowd

Yes! This is great news! Last I'd heard, I thought they were scrapping this show and just remaking it here in the States (with Richard Ayoade in the cast). So, I'm just excited to hear there will be a third season.

"This must be settled the way nature intended....with a vicious, bloody fight!"
Onyx Blackman
Principal, Flatpoint High

NekroDave's picture
Posted by NekroDave on 15 September, 2008 - 09:53
Best comedy on TV

This a great show and they're currently filming the 3rd season. Unfortunate a British TV season comprises of only 6 episodes. Being in IT I've used the 'Have you tried turning it on and off again?' line many times and it's by fair the biggest IT problem solver. :)

"The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds, and the pessimist fears this to be true." - James Branch Cabell 1926.

Wizartar's picture
Posted by Wizartar on 15 September, 2008 - 19:18
This is a great series.

This is a great series. Richard Ayoade is brilliant as Moss. Richard Ayoade also acted in Garth Marenghi's Dark Place, which is a very underrated excellent comedy series, you should check it out. It also stars Matt Berry (The Mighty Boosh). There was also a spin off called Man To Man With Dean Learner starring Richard Ayoade.

Mark M's picture
Posted by Mark M on 16 September, 2008 - 06:20
I like playing spot the

I like playing spot the toy.. Look out for the CAM-08 box lying around their office in season 1.

eitlobsaboo's picture
Posted by eitlobsaboo on 16 September, 2008 - 07:09
New IT Crowd Website

I just found this site where you can see every episode online.

http://itcrowdonline.com

Its also got lots of interviews and facts about the show that I found really interesting. Certainly worth a look.

I was very interested to see that the writer of The IT Crowd was also the writer of Father Ted and Black Books!! Theyre my other 2 favourite shows ever.

I hope we see more IT Crowds to come and hopefully the writer will invent another bombshell of a show.

http://itcrowdonline.com

http://itcrowdonline.com

monstermuncher's picture
Posted by monstermuncher on 14 January, 2009 - 03:22