The BBC’s meta-satire W1A is returning for a second series of relentless self-parody on BBC Two. A spin-off from hit mockumentary show Twenty Twelve, which spoofed the organisation (or lack thereof) of the London 2012 Olympics, the first series of W1A followed Hugh Bonneville’s bumbling character Ian Fletcher as he became Head of Values at the BBC.
Also reprising her role was Jessica Hynes as the ironically-named, dim-but-enthusiastic Siobhan Sharpe, as well as David Tennant as the series’ narrator.
Fletcher and Sharpe are back for a new four-episode series of W1A, opening with an hour-long special. Get ready for the show’s return with a look back at the gang’s funniest moments so far from W1A and Twenty Twelve.
1. Re-branding the BBC as an app
As the BBC’s Brand Consultant, it’s Siobhan Sharpe’s mission to keep the BBC’s image fresh. Her solution: get rid of those pesky letters ‘B’, ‘B’, and ‘C’, and make it all “more like an app”.
2. The ‘Digital Handshake Session’
Is there anything more grating than pointless buzz-phrase business jargon? This speech from ‘Senior Technical Services Choreographer’ Adam Brady brilliantly nails the nonsensical round-in-circles rambling techno-babble that is almost impossible to escape in companies nowadays, topped off with the inevitability that no tech works when you most need it to.
3. Finding Olympic Torch-bearers
A Twenty Twelve classic, with Ian, Siobhan and the team pulling together a list of potential Olympic torch-bearers who adequately represent contemporary Britain. Cue a list of Gok Wan, Trinny and Susannah.
4. Thinking big thoughts for Sport Relief
A special interview for Sport Relief 2014 saw Ian trying to decipher the values of the BBC’s charity fundraising night: “Things like running, for instance, are always going to be a good idea as one of your five things a day, whether it’s Steve Redgrave, or swimming.”
5. The Olympic audio logo
Siobhan’s search for a catchy 3-second jingle to accompany the BBC’s Olympics coverage resulted in an ‘audio logo’ that was simply one note played over and over again. Her priceless reaction: “Oh my god, I love it, can I hear it again?”
W1A, BBC Two, 9pm
