Charlie Brooker’s Twisted Sitcom ‘Nathan Barley’ Precedes ‘Black Mirror’ Madness

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In America, where many may not recognize the name, Charlie Brooker is primarily known as the creator of the popular dystopian anthology series “Black Mirror.” However, in the UK, this prolific media figure has been a well-established presence for years, contributing to newspapers like The Guardian and various comedic commentary shows. His work spans across panel shows, sitcoms, documentaries, and even the creation of the beloved satirist Philomena Cunk, a character he introduced through his numerous “Wipe” series (Screenwipe, Newswipe, Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe).

Apart from several projects that didn’t last long, one of the most chaotic was “Nathan Barley” from 2005. This show delved into the lives of certain individuals who worked at a multimedia company, lives that were often difficult to stomach. Despite its straightforward premise, true to Charlie Brooker’s style, the sitcom took a dark turn.

How ‘Nathan Barley’ Mocks Online Culture with a Wicked Wit

Nathan Barley adopts a multi-dimensional perspective to scrutinize the superficial realm of popular culture, primarily focusing on unusual characters. Notably, the main character, Nathan Barley, dwells within the sphere of trivial online material masquerading as ‘innovative and provocative.’ Imagine the Paul brothers in their early days but even more grating. He manages a website named trashbat.cock, which is renowned for its aggressive content, such as mean-spirited pranks.

Dan Ashcroft expresses his views through articles criticizing various subcultures for a magazine that promotes unconventional thinking. Yet, Dan, often gloomy, feels intellectually challenged beyond merely appeasing those he perceives as ‘foolish’ individuals. On the other hand, Dan’s sister, Claire Ashcroft, aspires to be a filmmaker but tends to overstep boundaries by immersing too deeply in her subject matters, ultimately jeopardizing her projects.

The three characters portray distinct aspects of the media world, but they all have their flaws and aren’t as different as they might think. For instance, the magazine Dan Ashcroft worked for, Sugar Ape, is similar to Vice in real life – it presents edgy content with backing from big money. These characters are exaggerated versions of stereotypes from the 2000s, but they still seem surprisingly relatable even today. You might say that Dan Ashcroft resembles a moderator on r/atheist, and Nathan Barley could be like Sneako, making videos online.

As a devotee of British sitcoms, I can’t help but appreciate that Nathan Barley features several actors who later achieved notable fame or cult status in their careers. The legendary Julian Barratt, renowned for his work on Mighty Boosh, takes on the role of Dan Ashcroft. His comedy partner, Noel Fielding, known from The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin, graces us with a supporting performance. Richard Ayoade, star of IT Crowd and Travel Man, makes an appearance as an idiotic Sugar Ape contributor. Notably, the celebrated Benedict Cumberbatch, now a massive Hollywood figure, appears in two episodes. While you don’t need to be a fan of British comedy to enjoy this cast, their extensive comedic backgrounds certainly enrich the project.

‘Nathan Barley’ is a Deceptively Messed Up Sitcom

In a humorous yet critical manner, the television series “Nathan Barley” serves as an exaggerated satire of several media figures and corporations. However, what makes it confusing is the extreme measures taken by the characters to achieve their objectives. It could be argued that Nathan Barley’s actions, such as playing pranks on his intern like attaching an electric cable, causing him to wet himself, are driven by foolishness. He then uses this footage to gain admiration, mirroring popular YouTube pranks such as ‘my girlfriend is dead’ and ‘attempted murder prank.’ This portrays both the misplaced joy and disregard for others in pursuit of ‘content,’ a common theme in such videos.

Barley’s relentless pursuit of harassment and negative influence, leaving a destructive cultural footprint, is an appalling behavior that unfortunately has become too common. However, he’s not alone in this, as Dan Ashcroft also fits the bill. This man seems to derive pleasure from others’ failures, while failing to address his own flaws, which creates a highly toxic character. Despite his lack of significant achievements beyond being admired by those he envies,

As the series unfolds, Dan’s jealousy towards Nathan’s success grows, making him more vindictive and petty with each passing episode. Even Claire Ashcroft, who appears to be the only one with genuine artistic ambitions, gets ensnared in this mess.

The six episodes culminate in Barley hitting rock bottom in a deeply disturbing manner.

The three characters have a dynamic that is reminiscent of objects colliding, and the background characters create a somber backdrop. In this world depicted in Nathan Barley, creativity and success appear to be judged not on skill or originality, but rather on shock value and lack of intelligence.

Should You Watch ‘Nathan Barley’?

As a devoted movie buff with a soft spot for Charlie Brooker’s work, it’s a challenge to wholeheartedly endorse “Nathan Barley.” On one side, the show brilliantly satirizes pop culture with a sharp, sarcastic edge that still resonates today, tackling themes like obsession with fame and the depths of online foolishness. Furthermore, for fellow fans of British comedy, it’s a treasure trove featuring some of the most innovative and groundbreaking minds in the genre during their early days.

Although Nathan Barley may not be immediately accessible due to some outdated themes and heavily British humor that can lean on making light of troubled characters, similar to shows like Peep Show or Such Brave Girls, it offers a great deal of enjoyment. You might find yourself appreciating the absurdity or delving deeper into its content, but ultimately, you’ll need to decide for yourself whether it appeals to you. Keep in mind that while streaming options may be limited, you can still watch full episodes of Nathan Barley on YouTube.

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2025-04-16 05:33