The IT Crowd, Channel 4, review

The last-ever episode of Channel 4's successful sitcom was a brilliant blend of humour and poignancy, says Michael Hogan.

Fans positive about finale but saddened by end of era

Fans of Channel 4 sitcom The IT Crowd were left heartbroken as the show wrapped up for good with one final episode.

A fitting finale - but left us wanting more

As to whether we may see Moss, Roy and Jen again in the future? Well it doesn't look likely any time soon. But if nothing else the finale reminded us what glorious characters we stand to lose in the event of the show being retired for good - and besides the ending would certainly leave it open to consideration. So how about it then Graham Linehan?

The IT Crowd special review: The Internet Is Coming

The IT Crowd leaves us with a superb final outing.

Review: The IT Crowd - 'The Internet is Coming'

I had enough fun with The IT Crowd special to say it wasn't a wasted opportunity, and a part of me wishes a full six-part series could have been filmed (O'Dowd would rather make the considerably duller Family Tree?).

Ever considered the erotic potential of a barista's frothy coffee machine? Since the hopelessly inept IT department first flickered into life in this peerless comedy, the world has moved on. Back in 2006, the careers of Chris O'Dowd, Richard Ayoade and Katherine Parkinson were just booting up. And the all-pervading influence of the internet was still cranking up. But now, as the trio log in for this last-ever one-off special - featuring a spooky guest turn from Noel Fielding - the faces of Roy, Moss and Jen are famous, and there's a glint of the Black Mirror about the tangles they get into as viral videos, micro-bloggers and hactivists up the levels of paranoia.

Those familiar with Graham Linehan's hyperactive Twitter presence will be unsurprised by some of the subjects tackled in this the hour-long finale of his geeky, live audience sitcom: embarrassing viral videos, anonymous hacktivists, the NSA. It's a testament to his fine plotting skills and mastery of tone that such dark fare is seamlessly woven into the shows usual cartoonish set pieces and Seinfeldian verbal tics ('small-person racist', 'emotionally artistic').

Along the way, our hapless trio of Moss (Richard Ayoade, whose new film The Double features original Reynholm Industries head honcho Chris Morris, fact fans), Roy (Chris O'Dowd, fresh from BBC2's Family Tree) and Jen (Katherine Parkinson, thankfully less shrill than in previous series) do battle with tiny baristas, pepper spray, women's slacks and, er, a van with breasts.

Naturally there are plenty of laughs to be had, especially from Matt Berry, on gloriously silly form as lunatic boss Douglas Reynholm.

But it drags in places and the same old problem remains: the main characters elicit no warmth. As a result, when the IT Crowd depart their basement lair for the last time this viewer was left feeling strangely unmoved. Adios then, nerdlingers: gone neither with a big bang nor a whimper.

Radio Times review

The synthy title music buzzes us in for a last, joyous visit to the basement of Reynholm Industries. Since the last series in 2010, Chris O'Dowd has gone A-list in Hollywood and Richard Ayoade's film-directing debut (Submarine) won him a Bafta nomination. But for some of us they'll always be Roy and Moss, socially inept IT engineers saddled with a vague, desperate manager (Katherine Parkinson) whose talent for making things spiral into wrongness rivals their own.

For this extended, goodbye special, it's business as usual. Playboy company boss Douglas (Matt Berry) is thinking of appearing on The Secret Millionaire, Roy is struggling to keep a new girlfriend ("She said that emotionally I'm on the artistic spectrum..."), and he and Jen are caught on a viral video that upsets the internet. "We p****d off the internet, Jen!" wails Roy. The internet is coming to get us!"

IT Crowd finale is a fitting tribute to a great comedy

The Channel 4 sitcom bows out with a one-off special. And it's a triumphant masterclass in how to go out on a high.

10 reasons why we love The IT Crowd

From the elders of the internet to THAT Amsterdam story, via a disabled toilet and a courtroom appearance - here are ten giggle-worthy moments that made us love Roy, Jen and Moss.