‘The IT Crowd’: a geeky cult sitcom

The Reynholm Industries in London wouldn’t be the same without its IT (Information Technology) support team Maurice Moss (Richard Ayoade), Roy Trenneman (Chris O’Dowd), and Jen Barber (Katherine Parkinson). These dysfunctional geek characters and Jen, their relationship manager, are the most adorably crazy IT members that the audiovisual maniacs have seen on the screen. The IT Crowd is one of the funniest nerd series produced so far. It is still captivating audiences and fans worldwide – even though the series ended 7 years ago.

The British sitcom was broadcast by Channel 4, written and created by Graham Linehan and starring Chris O’Dowd, Richard Ayoade, Katherine Parkinson, and Matt Berry. The plot follows the three staff members of the Reynholm Industries IT department: the nerds Maurice Moss (Richard Ayoade) and Roy Trenneman (Chris O’Dowd), and the new department manager Jen Barber (Katherine Parkinson). They have the eccentric bosses Denholm Reynholm (Chris Morris) and later, his womaniser son Douglas (Matt Berry).

Moss is a genius computer programmer with a wide knowledge that reflects in his accurate, but indecipherable suggestions. In contrast, he cannot deal with practical problems like extinguishing fires. He also has trouble speaking to others. Roy is Moss’ colleague and his best friend. He is a lazy and exasperated Irish technician completely bored with his tasks. He gets mad with his colleagues’ technology doubts. Roy’s support service includes certain techniques such as ignoring the phone, hoping it will stop ringing; and using reel-to-reel tape recordings of stock IT suggestions like: “Have you tried turning it off and on again? ” and “Is it definitely plugged in?”. Jen Barber is an ambition professional who is proud of being the new relationship manager for the IT team, but she knows nothing about IT, despite claiming on her resume that she has “a lot of experience with computers”. She convinces Denholm, the company boss, who is equally technologically illiterate, to hire her, even though she was bluffing through the entire interview.

During the season, Jean’s attempts at bridging the gap between her team and the business generally have the opposite effect, such as when she invites the employees from the main office to party in the basement with her IT team, however Moss and Roy messed up any social approach, landing Jen in situations as ludicrous as Roy and Moss. They live memorable and funny situations throughout the seasons, which made The IT Crowd one of the funniest and renowned sitcoms from the 2000s.

The comedy premiered on Channel 4 on 3 February 2006 and ran for four series of six episodes each. The programme was concluded with a special, one-off episode, that aired on 27 September 2013. The programme was critically acclaimed and has become a cult television series. It won the BAFTA and Emmy International awards for best comedy series.

Catch up it on Netflix or Channel 4 website.

Check out the best moments of this IT team: