Travis P. Brown

If you know me very well, and chances are if you are reading this, you do, then you know that when I come across a new movie, show, or video game that I fancy, I often tell everyone I know about it. While this makes me look like a git, I figured I would at least do a short write-up about a new British TV show that I’ve been watching lately. It’s called The IT Crowd, and given it’s title, you probably already know what it’s about. Roy, Moss, and newcomer Jen make up the IT team for a large corporation. Rather than work in the glamorous top of the building, they are instead relegated to dole out their duties in the basement. While this concept is grounded in the reality of a workplace comedy, it has a completely different approach, and has some zany moments that are more akin to later season Seinfelds than the original Office.

While the series is British, it’s definitely not as dry as you might expect. I love dry British humor, but this isn’t what makes IT Crowd enjoyable. In fact, it feels a lot more American in tone, but the writing is a lot more refined than your average Yankee sit-com. Obviously, the concepts of social awkwardness and geeky obsessions are there, which is something I can relate to. But the writing isn’t the IT Crowd’s only strength. The three main cast members are all quite funny, have good chemistry, and exhibit excellent comedic timing.

If you don’t feel like fishing around on BitTorrent, trying to find past episodes, you can always (discretely) ask me to burn you a copy. Another option is to wait until the American version of IT Crowd airs later this year. While I can’t guarantee it will be as funny as the original, the American transition of the Office has taught me that while rare, these adaptations can sometimes work. Granted it took the US Office a whole season to really catch it’s stride.

The IT Crowd is currently in its second season, and airs Friday nights on Channel 4. I believe you can also watch season 1 on the official website.