Many individuals’s first introduction to Charlie Brooker in America, if they’re even accustomed to his title, is because the creator behind the hit dystopian anthology collection Black Mirror. Nonetheless, the British-born video-game reviewer has been a long-established presence in UK media, from his columns in The Guardian to comedic commentary reveals. Brooker has labored on panel reveals, sitcoms, and documentaries; he even helped invent the now-beloved satirist Philomena Cunk, who first appeared in his many Wipe collection (Screenwipe, Newswipe, Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe). .
Brooker was additionally concerned in a number of short-lived tasks. Amongst them, one of the crucial tousled is 2005’s Nathan Barley, following the unbearable lives of some people working for a multimedia firm. A easy premise, however in typical Charlie Brooker fashion, the sitcom will get fairly darkish.
How ‘Nathan Barley’ Mocks On-line Tradition with a Depraved Wit
Nathan Barley
- Launch Date
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2005 – 2004
- Community
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Channel 4
- Administrators
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Chris Morris
- Writers
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Charlie Brooker
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Julian Barratt
Dan Ashcroft
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Nathan Barley takes a multifaceted strategy to wanting on the generally vapid pop-culture world via numerous eccentrics. Notably, the titular Nathan Barley lives within the realm of lowest-common-denominator on-line content material disguised as ‘artistic and confrontational.’ Image the early Paul brothers but extra unbearable (troublesome, I do know). He runs a web site known as trashbat.cock, which focuses on ‘in-your-face content material’ together with merciless pranks.
Dan Ashcroft believes he’s on the other finish, writing articles complaining about different subcultures for a counterculture journal. Nonetheless, the ever-dour Ashcroft finds his intelligence examined exterior of pleasing others he sees as ‘idiots.’ Lastly, Claire Ashcroft, Dan’s sister, is an aspiring filmmaker who ruins her tasks by getting too concerned in her topics.
The three signify completely different sides of the media, however all are flawed and never as far faraway from each other as they want to consider. The depictions of media giants additionally introduced up comparisons for followers with real-life firms, with many seeing the journal that Dan Ashcroft labored for, Sugar Ape, as a direct stand-in for Vice journal — pseudo-counterculture content material backed by huge cash. Each character is a gross parody of real-life stereotypes of the period (2000s), however they’re, uncomfortably, not that far faraway from actuality and nonetheless really feel related ages later; Dan Ashcroft could possibly be a moderator of r/atheist, and Nathan Barley may have been making movies with Sneako.
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For followers of British sitcoms, Nathan Barley additionally boasts many actors who would later go on to higher prominence or cult success of their careers. You’ve Julian Barnett of Mighty Boosh fame as Dan Ashcroft, and his comedy associate Noel Fielding (The Utterly Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin) in a supporting function. Richard Ayoade (IT Crowd, Journey Man) additionally seems as an idiotic contributor at Sugar Ape. Large Hollywood star Benedict Cumberbatch additionally seems in two episodes. You do not have to be a fan of British comedy to benefit from the forged, however given the broader scope of comedy of these concerned within the mission, it does add some depth to the mission.
‘Nathan Barley’ is a Deceptively Messed Up Sitcom
Nathan Barley excels as a gross parody of assorted media personalities and firms. The place this all turns into tousled is within the diploma to which the characters go to perform their targets. Arguably powered by stupidity, Nathan Barley makes use of pranks like attaching an electrical cable to his intern till he wets himself. He makes use of this footage to impress others, feeling reflective of such ‘traditional’ YouTube pranks as ‘my girlfriend is useless’ and ‘tried homicide prank,’ capturing each the misdirected glee and utter indifference in the direction of others in favor of ‘content material.’
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Barley’s single-minded strategy to continued harassment and damaging cultural influence is a kind of messed-up that has develop into, sadly, all too acquainted, however he isn’t the one one. The unbearable Dan Ashcroft’s want to see others fail whereas not coming to phrases along with his personal shortcomings builds up a fairly poisonous persona, regardless of having completed nothing however the reward of these he despises. Because the collection progresses, Dan’s jealousy in the direction of Nathan’s success makes him more and more vindictive and petty. Claire Ashcroft, for her half, regardless of being the one one who appears to have honest inventive aspirations, additionally will get pulled down into the muck. The six episodes finish with Barley at all-time low in a critically twisted approach.
How the three characters bounce off one another and the supporting forged paints a grim panorama the place creativity and success are measured in shock and stupidity as an alternative of advantage or ingenuity. Nathan Barley’s ‘messed-up’ components are simpler to grasp when viewing the collection and experiencing the darkish and uncomfortable humor firsthand.
Ought to You Watch ‘Nathan Barley’?
As a longtime fan of all the things that Charlie Brooker has labored on, it’s troublesome to totally suggest Nathan Barley. On the one hand, the present captures Charlie Brooker’s brilliance at satirizing popular culture with a darkish and sardonic wit, and its themes of obsession with fame and lowest-common-denominator on-line stupidity stay related within the fashionable panorama. Moreover, for many who love British sitcoms, it brings collectively a few of the most ingenious and thrilling creators within the subject earlier of their careers.
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Nonetheless, the sitcom is just not simply approachable; a few of its themes are outdated (as social media developments change), and lots of the stereotypes and humor are ‘very British.’ This humor additionally depends on laughing at troubled and infrequently unbearable characters, much like reveals like Peep Present or Such Courageous Ladies. It’s potential to have loads of enjoyable with Nathan Barley, whether or not you embrace the stupidity on show or attempt to dig a bit deeper, however you will have to test it out for your self. Whereas not out there for streaming, you will discover full episodes of Nathan Barley on YouTube.