TV at the Alamo: The Thick of It

Without even trying to read about the upcoming film In the Loop, we’ve run across what feels like dozens of mentions of it in the press. Not just mentions, in fact, but gushing compliments. Unabashed praise. The critics are in la-la-love. After taking in this widespread display of flattery, we’ve gathered that In the Loop (which opens in Austin on August 14) is a sharp, smart and hilarious political satire concerning Britain and the United States’ involvement in the Iraq war. We’ve also learned that In the Loop is based on a BBC series called The Thick of It (which has been publicly lauded as well), and we’ll all have the chance to see the original show at the Alamo Village (for free!) before the movie opens next Friday.

It doesn’t surprise us that a critically acclaimed film has sprung forth from a few episodes of a BBC series. To this day we prefer to watch the British version of The Office over the American offshoot (although the Season 5 addition of Idris Elba to the Scranton office was pretty sweet); our neighbors across the sea have a brilliantly mean way of conveying supreme awkwardness and human weakness with scathing, irreverent humor.

It isn’t necessary to watch The Thick of It before seeing In the Loop, but it isn’t necessary to stay home and watch Dating In The Dark, either. Expand your TV horizons in a British sort of way, y’all. You’ll be well prepared for the arrival of a supposedly great movie, and you don’t have to drop a dime for admission. Episodes of The Thick of It will play tonight, next Monday and next Thursday at 10 p.m. at the Alamo Village.