Twenty Twelve

Twenty Twelve is a satirical comedy series that first aired on BBC Two in 2011 and ran until 2012. The show is set against the backdrop of the lead-up to and preparation for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games held in London. The series focuses on the challenges faced by the Olympic Deliverance Commission (ODC), a fictional organization in charge of organizing the historic international event. At the helm of this fictitious organization is Ian Fletcher, portrayed by esteemed actor Hugh Bonneville, best known for his role in Downton Abbey. Ian, a businessman and bureaucrat, is tasked with the enormous responsibility of ensuring that the Olympics are delivered on time and within budget. Believing in his leadership skills and the potential of his team, he dives headfirst into the mammoth task, often with comedic results. With his calm demeanour and quintessentially British politeness, Bonneville perfectly embodies a man struggling to keep his head above water in an increasingly chaotic environment. The show gleefully skewers the sort of bureaucratic red tape, nonsensical jargon, and inefficient planning committees that anyone who's worked in an office environment will be all too familiar with, reflecting it through the lens of an incredibly high-stakes setting. The result is a generally light-hearted and surprisingly human commentary on the world of planning and management. One of the show's defining hallmarks is its use of the "mockumentary" format, mirroring acclaimed shows like The Office. This gives the series an authenticity and intimacy that allow the characters—and their frequent gaffes—to shine. The format also provides the opportunity for to-camera interviews, where the characters reveal their inner thoughts and feelings, often contributing to the comedy. The ensemble cast around Bonneville is as equally engaging. Jessica Hynes stars as the passionate yet sometimes misguided Head of Sustainability, Siobhan Sharpe. Olivia Colman portrays the long-suffering personal assistant to Ian, Sally Owen, and Karl Theobald is the endearing, if slightly inept, Head of Infrastructure, Graham Hitchins. These characters add depth and diversity to the narrative, each bringing their unique quirks to the table, contributing to the overall comedic chaos that embodies the series. Meanwhile, David Tennant, famous for his role as Doctor Who, provides the narration for the series. His dry and acerbic commentary punctuates the unfolding comedic drama, often adding an additional layer of satire and wit to the situations unraveling on screen. What sets Twenty Twelve apart from other satirical comedies is its deceptively simple premise. Being set in the run-up to an immensely significant, real-world event, and focusing on the professionals struggling to make it happen, the series is inherently filled with tension and high stakes. It's this perpetual sense of barely-contained panic that underpin much of the show's humor. Each episode of the series follows the team as they face new challenges and obstacles, whether it be navigating potential PR disasters, striving to keep within budget, relocating problematic residents, or just dealing with the many, often hilarious, logistical nightmares that come with organizing such a massive event. As the countdown to the Olympics ticks down, the comedy ramps up. Despite its farcical nature, Twenty Twelve remains plausible throughout, largely thanks to its sharply-written script and the believable performances of its ensemble cast. Behind the mirth and mayhem, the series also highlights the dedication, resilience, and creativity of those who work behind the scenes of such significant events. In conclusion, Twenty Twelve is a witty, sharply observed comedy, offering a unique and humorously exaggerated glimpse into the world of event planning on a grand scale. Turning the table on the bureaucracy and inefficiencies often found in such an environment, the show embraces absurd situations without abandoning its roots in reality, making it a standout series in the realm of satirical comedies.

Twenty Twelve is a series categorized as a canceled. Spanning 2 seasons with a total of 13 episodes, the show debuted on 2011. The series has earned a moderate reviews from both critics and viewers. The IMDb score stands at 7.7.