The Thick of It: Glenn's Meltdown

From the Christmas special Spinners & Losers, Glenn Cullen's simultaneously hilarious and heartbreaking meltdown. James Smith gives an extraordinary performance here, as he does throughout the series. The most underrated element of Armando Iannucci's satirical masterpiece.

This scene is also notable for Malcolm's sudden display of humanity towards the end.

Category:

Comedy

Tags:

• the
• thick
• of
• it
• spinners
• and
• losers
• armando
• iannucci
• glenn
• cullen
• malcolm
• tucker
• ollie
• reeder
• james
• smith
• peter
• capaldi
• chris
• addison

[morrisoniice]

you know, if this performance were made in America, it would have been one of the memorable moments on tv and it would have given james smith a form of recognition for his acting. maybe i'm overreacting, but there really are a lot of brilliant actors in the uk--one could at least award them with an ensemble award. But that's also the great thing about them: they do not need some award to make you realize that they are doing a great job. they just do. :)

[TulseLuper]

@morrisoniice I totally agree. James Smith is often overlooked because of Peter Capaldi's undeniably brilliant pyrotechniques. But he's one of those rock solid actors, without whom the work of Capaldi or Rebecca Front would mean absolutely nothing.

[Gavin756]

Im not sure whether the breakdown is intended to be humorous. Rather, it illustrates Glen's character and position in politics. He represents the 'old', being slowly replaced by the new. Luckily for him he has Huw, and Ollie has Ben......

[TulseLuper]

@Gavin756 I think it's both sad and humorous; that's exactly why it's a great scene.

[oooooooooorly]

Oh fuck off with the "you don't like this humor because you're not British."

I'm American, and I could hardly breathe I was laughing so hard during segments of this show. A more accurate explanation for why people may not find this funny is that they simply lack a sense of humor.

[TheMunchfan]

@TheMunchfan *humor

[TheMunchfan]

Someone said Americans don't understand the show? Well then, I must not be American, because I love this show. There are Brits I know who hate TTOI. I guess it depends on your sense of humer and comprehension. Fuck Tinky Winky.

[VerrKojo]

Fuck tinky winky

[TomEatsBob]

I AM A MAN YOU KNOW?

[TheLeardMan]

@ch1mpanzeethat Ollie and Glenn's fight from this episode is brilliant as well.

[TheLeardMan]

I love it how he randomly has a cracker at the end and looks like he's holding it as a weapon again Terri.

[DJCartmell]

Malcolm maybe the most vile person on Earth but in this scene it shows there is a good side in him as to how he treats Glenn decently for a change.

[Deppherillion]

his breakdown was so realistic... an old man losing it completely. i dont think it was meant to make people laugh, and i actuallly felt really bad for the guy. He is a man, you know!!! ^^

[MrKeepitunderyourhat]

I always used to wonder if I was the only person who found this just as heartbreaking as it is funny. But apparently I'm not.

[Jacko032k]

@achjetzt yeah I loved the Ben's Glenn line, subtly hilarious