Martin Brennan (character)
Fictional character created by Steve Coogan / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Martin Brennan is a fictional character created by the British/Irish comedian Steve Coogan for the critically acclaimed 2019 television sitcom This Time with Alan Partridge, a parody of day-time British shows such as Good Morning Britain and The One Show.[1] The show is hosted by Coogan's long-term fictional character Alan Partridge who is a parody of a tactless and inept television host.[2] In the segment, Brennan is invited as Partridge's doppelganger, but becomes unruly by insulting his host, gifting a tortoise (a protected species) and singing Irish Rebel Songs.
The sketch gained controversy in Britain when Coogan was perceived as mocking an Irish stereotype, as well as singing two rebel songs on mainstream British television. However, the performance was very well received in Ireland, with one critic writing that because Coogan is half Irish, Brennan could have become an "offensive caricature" but instead become an overnight "social-media icon".[3] In an interview, Coogan said that played the character "in such a way that it would empower Martin and disempower Alan."[4]
Brennan was revived in 2022 for Coogan's touring live show, where he appeared on an overhead screen to interact and sign with Partridge.[5][4]