This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/today/hi/today/newsid_7997000/7997994.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
You could make it up You could make it up
(3 days later)
By Georgina Pattinson Today programmeBy Georgina Pattinson Today programme
As a plot, it sounds far-fetched.As a plot, it sounds far-fetched.
A spin doctor on the ropes - reality or fiction?A spin doctor on the ropes - reality or fiction?
A spat between political bloggers. A Downing Street adviser writes scurrilous e-mails about smearing the opposition. The story comes out and he resigns. All played out over a bank holiday weekend.A spat between political bloggers. A Downing Street adviser writes scurrilous e-mails about smearing the opposition. The story comes out and he resigns. All played out over a bank holiday weekend.
Except that you could make it up - and it's likely that writer Armando Iannucci already has.Except that you could make it up - and it's likely that writer Armando Iannucci already has.
His political comedy, The Thick of It, specialises in particularly lurid political plots - one of which features a row and a resignation over an e-mail.His political comedy, The Thick of It, specialises in particularly lurid political plots - one of which features a row and a resignation over an e-mail.
Of course, the intense, gossipy atmosphere of an office fosters such events - but when the office is, in fact, an office of state there are huge ramifications to such actions, he says.Of course, the intense, gossipy atmosphere of an office fosters such events - but when the office is, in fact, an office of state there are huge ramifications to such actions, he says.
"The serious point is there has grown a culture over the last 10 or 15 years of the end justifies the means," he says."The serious point is there has grown a culture over the last 10 or 15 years of the end justifies the means," he says.
"Over the years, that sense of, 'Well, is this all right that we're doing this?' has gradually diminished because it's seen as being quite valid to attempt anything, as long as it's for a higher good.""Over the years, that sense of, 'Well, is this all right that we're doing this?' has gradually diminished because it's seen as being quite valid to attempt anything, as long as it's for a higher good."
Only last week we were discussing a plot line centred at party conference where there was a war between two rival bloggers Armando IannucciOnly last week we were discussing a plot line centred at party conference where there was a war between two rival bloggers Armando Iannucci
It is the strange, little aspects of the story which are insightful, he says. One item that has caught his eyes is that a lot of gossip and tittle-tattle carried on in karaoke bars. "I don't know what that says about how the country is run," he laughs.It is the strange, little aspects of the story which are insightful, he says. One item that has caught his eyes is that a lot of gossip and tittle-tattle carried on in karaoke bars. "I don't know what that says about how the country is run," he laughs.
So are there any new plot lines he can plunder from the latest story? The more ludicrous it gets in reality, the more difficult it is to extract the comedy, Iannucci admits.So are there any new plot lines he can plunder from the latest story? The more ludicrous it gets in reality, the more difficult it is to extract the comedy, Iannucci admits.
"Only last week we were discussing a plot line centred at a party conference where there was a war between two rival bloggers. Part of me just thought, 'Well, is that interesting?'"Only last week we were discussing a plot line centred at a party conference where there was a war between two rival bloggers. Part of me just thought, 'Well, is that interesting?'
"So I just don't know really.""So I just don't know really."
Spin machineSpin machine
Life has always imitated art when it comes to politics.Life has always imitated art when it comes to politics.
The comedy Yes Minister was always described as a favourite in Mrs Thatcher's Downing Street. In it, the oleaginous civil servant Sir Humphrey runs rings round ineffective minister Jim Hacker.The comedy Yes Minister was always described as a favourite in Mrs Thatcher's Downing Street. In it, the oleaginous civil servant Sir Humphrey runs rings round ineffective minister Jim Hacker.
While The Thick of It suggests a political era dominated by spin, the early 1990s had its television equivalent.While The Thick of It suggests a political era dominated by spin, the early 1990s had its television equivalent.
The drama House of Cards, created by Michael Dobbs, was playing right through the regicide of Margaret Thatcher.The drama House of Cards, created by Michael Dobbs, was playing right through the regicide of Margaret Thatcher.
The drama peeled apart the Tory administration even as real events were unfolding at Westminster. ''Nothing lasts forever," was the first line in the drama about Francis Urquhart, the arch-manipulator who will stop at nothing to become prime minister. ''Even the longest and most glittering reign must end. But who will replace her?''The drama peeled apart the Tory administration even as real events were unfolding at Westminster. ''Nothing lasts forever," was the first line in the drama about Francis Urquhart, the arch-manipulator who will stop at nothing to become prime minister. ''Even the longest and most glittering reign must end. But who will replace her?''
The reason the programme writers reflect the political world so brilliantly is because of their immersion in it, explains Daniel Finkelstein, chief leader writer for The Times and a former political adviser himself.The reason the programme writers reflect the political world so brilliantly is because of their immersion in it, explains Daniel Finkelstein, chief leader writer for The Times and a former political adviser himself.
Reforming the civil service - funny or serious?Reforming the civil service - funny or serious?
He points out that Sir Anthony Jay was reading pamphlets from the IEA (Institute of Economic Affairs) as he researched a plot line for Yes Minister, and that Iannucci's research is all-encompassing.He points out that Sir Anthony Jay was reading pamphlets from the IEA (Institute of Economic Affairs) as he researched a plot line for Yes Minister, and that Iannucci's research is all-encompassing.
"Those were politically sophisticated people at work," he says. "Armando Iannucci understands the spirit of the way in which spin works."Those were politically sophisticated people at work," he says. "Armando Iannucci understands the spirit of the way in which spin works.
"I remember watching the very first episode [of The Thick of It] and they have to pretend a press conference took place and then it didn't. He got extremely close to events I had got involved with myself.""I remember watching the very first episode [of The Thick of It] and they have to pretend a press conference took place and then it didn't. He got extremely close to events I had got involved with myself."
Yes Minister appeared when the Crossman diaries and the Castle diaries were still creating a stir - and a political debate centred around the role of the civil service.Yes Minister appeared when the Crossman diaries and the Castle diaries were still creating a stir - and a political debate centred around the role of the civil service.
These sophisticated fictions may be immersed in their eras - but there's also room for a lucky coincidence.These sophisticated fictions may be immersed in their eras - but there's also room for a lucky coincidence.
Iannucci's new film, In The Loop, features a politician visiting Washington, who is left without an event to attend one evening. He rejects the idea of watching an adult film because it would show up on the register of members' interests.Iannucci's new film, In The Loop, features a politician visiting Washington, who is left without an event to attend one evening. He rejects the idea of watching an adult film because it would show up on the register of members' interests.
Life and art? Sometimes, they are just too close to call.Life and art? Sometimes, they are just too close to call.