What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Thick of It
Armando Iannucci · Series · 2005
If you loved The Thick of It, start with In the Loop (2009) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 1 film and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Thick of It across media.
What hooked you in The Thick of It was the way it exposes the absurd, cynical mechanics underlying our institutions.
Books on the same thread
The Pickwick Papers
Charles Dickens · Book · 2003
Explores: Social Commentary, Innocence vs. Experience, Friendship.
Much like the chaotic corridors of The Thick of It, this work uses razor-sharp satire to highlight the ridiculous nature of social hierarchies and the incompetence of those in power.
Discworld
Terry Pratchett · Book · 1983
Shares a thread with The Thick of It: Bureaucracy.
Fans of The Thick of It will appreciate how this series dissects the suffocating influence of bureaucracy, using biting satire to reveal the absurdity found within complex, failing administrative systems.
The Suicide
Nikolaĭ Ėrdman · Book · 1979
Shares 2 threads with The Thick of It: Bureaucracy, Political Satire.
This dark comedy mirrors the cynical world of The Thick of It, where individuals are ruthlessly exploited by opportunists, perfectly capturing the same suffocating pressure of a dysfunctional bureaucratic machine.
Accidental Death of an Anarchist
Dario Fo, Gavin Richards · Book · 1987
Shares a thread with The Thick of It: Political Satire.
If the political maneuvering in The Thick of It resonated with you, this play provides a similarly frantic, biting exploration of systemic corruption and the sheer farce of official narratives.
Films on the same thread
In the Loop
Film · 2009
Shares 2 threads with The Thick of It: Political satire, Mockumentary.
As a direct expansion of the world found in The Thick of It, this film masterfully translates the same high-stakes bureaucratic incompetence and frantic, profane political maneuvering to the international stage.
Podcasts on the same thread
Strong Message Here
Podcast
Explores: political language, doublespeak, political discourse.
Since you enjoyed the masterful manipulation of media in The Thick of It, this podcast offers a fascinating look at the actual doublespeak and language games used by modern political actors.
Here Comes The Guillotine
Podcast
Shares a thread with The Thick of It: political satire.
This podcast captures the same spirit of subversive dissent found in The Thick of It, delivering a sharp, darkly funny critique of the current political landscape and its inherent chaos.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the premise of The Thick of It?
The Thick of It is set within the corridors of power and political spin. It follows the Minister for Social Affairs as he is harassed by Number 10's policy enforcer while relying on a team of civil servants who are not particularly reliable.
Who created The Thick of It?
The Thick of It was created by Armando Iannucci. The television series first premiered in 2005 and focuses on the chaotic internal dynamics of a government department struggling to maintain control under the pressure of political spin and policy enforcement.
Is The Thick of It a show about government workers?
Yes, The Thick of It centers on the Minister for Social Affairs and his staff. The narrative explores the daily pressures faced by civil servants as they navigate the demands of Number 10 and attempt to manage the government's public image.
How does the plot of The Thick of It function?
The plot of The Thick of It revolves around the constant tension between the Minister for Social Affairs and the policy enforcer from Number 10. The story relies on the Minister's interactions with his unreliable team to depict the complexities of political administration.