Steve Coogan - The Complete Coogan Box Set [DVD]

Having ordered and now received this box set, I assume it has been taken off general release for the moment due to the content of the DVD's not always being that described on the front of each disk. However, everything that should be within the box set, is (somewhere). For those that can't be bothered to return the box set to Amazon and await the replacement, the disk order should read as follows, with a brief review of each;1. Knowing Me, Knowing YouThe series that really raised Coogan's profile into national prominence. Received complaints at the time of original broadcast as some viewers failed to recognise it was a spoof. Very funny and painfully close to reality in terms of Partridge's TV personality character traits.2. Knowing Me, Knowing YuleChristmas follow on from the original series. More of the same, but that's no bad thing. "Do you want some, I'm handy?!"3. I'm Alan Partridge Series 1. 4. Series extrasArguably Coogans finest hour(s). Solitary stays in travel taverns have never quite been the same since. The Partridge character is fleshed out, with all his flaws coming to the fore. Still, there's been worse television programmes commissioned than "Monkey Tennis".5. I'm Alan Partride Series 2. 6. Series extrasThe creators were alledgedly in retrospect not too pleased with this series, maybe due to some of the scenarios and acting becoming a little over the top. Alan has swapped his travel tavern for a caravan next to his new house. I personally loved it.7. Paul Calf's video diariesContains the original video diary, and the follow on. I brought the box set mainly for this, as I don't think the BBC ever sold them as a seperate DVD release. Very good. RIP Fat Bob.8. Paul and Pauline Calf's Cheese And Ham SandwichLive show contained the two characters mentioned in the title. I thought the character jokes were starting to get a bit stale by now.9 & 10 Saxondale Series 1Overlooked and underated. Coogan proved he had lost none of his comic timing and touch, with his portrayal of the ageing roadie who attends anger management classes and can't quite let go of the past. Some brilliant moments, and virtually on a par with Partridge.11. Saxondale Series 2Again, more of the same, but equally as good as Series 1.12. Doctor Terrible's House of HorribleI actually missed this first time around, so cannot comment.13. The Tony Ferrino PhenomenonThe Portuguese singer character received far more hype than Saxondale ever did, however never quite hit the spot. Had it's moments though, and well worth a viewing.14. Coogan's RunA combination of old and new characters in 6 one off specials. Ranges from average to good. Again, more for the novelty factor than many true comedy classic moments.I saw Coogan recently in his live show (having also seen his last one almost 10 years ago), and too be honest it was a bit disappointing, and I think some of the characters are reaching the end of their shelf life. However this box set is proof (if any was needed) of his comic genius.Overall, this is brilliant value for money, even if the BBC do seem to have had immense difficulty in counting to fourteen.

If you are a fan of Steve Coogan and own little of his work on DVD then this is a great purchase at a great price. If you - like me - own the majority of his work already and are buying it for the previously unavailable Paul Calf's Video Diary and Tony Ferrino content they you may ask whether it's worth it.The answer is - probably no. The Paul Calf stuff is very funny but a bit dated. Tony Ferrino is Coogan's weakest comedy creation and whilst somewhat amusing this will probably be the least watched DVD of the set.If you already have the majority of his stuff then I probably wouldn't bother purchasing this for Calf and Ferrino. However if your Partridge DVD's are worn out due to their weekly watching and you are able to sell the DVD's you already have to a friend like myself I'd go for it.The pick of the bunch is obviously our favourite Norwich based broadcaster followed by both series of 'Saxondale' who is a fantastic creation. 'Coogan's Run' varies in quality but is well worth watching.'Doctor Terrible' again varies in quality but has great range of actors and some very funny moments. The Victorian pulp pastiche with Mark Gatiss is the most enjoyable. The live show 'Paul and Pauline Calf's Cheese and Ham Sandwich' is relatively short but the extras more than make up for it.All the DVD's are the same as their original releases so you won't miss any content or extras and unlike the original pressing of this set they all have the correct names on the disc.As I've said - this is a great set of work by Britain's best comic actor but it may not be worth the cash depending on your current collection.

Disc 1 was really good, especially the first show, The Man Who Thinks He's It. Watching that thinking how talented and funny he is.But I started on disc 2 last night... The difference in quality is staggering. Not even close to laughing. Did he fill it with songs and dancing cos he'd run out of material? It was lame. I turned it off half way through. May never resume.Update:I did resume and it was worth it. Disc 2 improved and the remaining stuff was also very good.A nice mixture of content, overall, with some nice insights.Giving it 3 stars rather than 4 due to the price. Not worth £50, but there's a lot of enjoyment in it.

The complete Coogan collection is a ruddy treasure trove. Some argue that Alan Partridge is his finest moment (of course it is) and shadows his other shows, but even though there is truth in this, it doesn't matter as his other works are all hilarious anyway. Even if you're not keen on his other characters, this boxset is value for money and then some.You get Tony Ferrino, Saxondale, Doctor Terrible's house of horrible, Paul and Pauline Calf, Coogan's run, plus a shedload of extras on each DVD, and a whole Partridge in a pear tree (we're talking 'Knowing me, Knowing you' and both series of 'I'm Alan Partridge'). Yes, Mid morning matters and other Partridge specials are absent as they came later, but who cares? You're not going to bag a bigger bargain, and that's that.Individually the shows are all five star affairs anyway, created and starred in by a master of comedy. 'JURASSIC PARK!'

Remembering viewing Alan those years ago, never thought someone could be that way. But in these times it seems they made a premonition av D. Trump, an eerie similarity especially the first season. To see D.T.s behavior in front of journalists at their hearings - this is not hillarious anymore, it was with Alan. So far, very good sound and picture quality.