IT CROWD

I read the script from the episode called ‘Yesterdays Jam’ from the IT Crowd.

How are the characters constructed?

Jen: Jen is a friendly young woman who describes herself as a ‘people’s person’ and is capable of making many friends easily. She is constructed a woman who is completely illiterate in the area of computers and technology.  Jen does not come across completely as a stereo-typical ‘blonde’ woman even though she lacks skill in the job she has been hired in. She is rather intelligent however she does behold some characteristics seen as stereotypical of a woman.

Roy: Roy is pictured as the character who fails at all romantic gestures in life. He sits at his desk answering the phone in the same tone of voice that suggests he does not want to be here. He fails in aspects of love due to his inability to be able to hold on to a girlfriend. Although he is rude to customers over the phone he comes across as a nice man.

Moss: Moss is a stereotypical geek. He often confuses his customers by addressing them in articulate manners and with complex uses of I.T terms. He overly helps customers which can come across as comedic. He is romantically awkward which the audience find pleasurable. Viewers enjoy watching him suffer in comedic romantic scenes.

In what way are Roy and Moss 'standard nerds'?

Roy and Moss are standard nerds due to their stereotypical articulate language that they use to address people. They confuse customers with the I.T terms they use. They’re standard nerds due to their inability to realise why customers cannot understand the terms they use. This makes the scenes rather comical. Roy and Moss also both fail in aspects of love, Moss awkwardness and inability to understand romantic gestures tied in with Roy’s inability to hold on to a long term relationship make the pair amusing to watch. These aspects are common in a standard nerd.

What is comic about Jen's appointment as IT Manager?

The comical factor to Jens appointment as IT manager is that she had no knowledge on the subject and does not understand the superior words that Roy and Moss use to address matters. This is comical because she has been appointed the highest state of the division even though she has no experience and is completely illiterate in this area.