The feast of Steven: 12 great moments from Steve Coogan

Let us here give thanks and praise to Steve Coogan, upon this, the eve of the release of his new motion picture film.

Largely improvised, The Trip follows Coogan and comedian Rob Bryden as they drive around Britain’s Lake District, getting on each other’s tits while they sample food for an article Coogan’s supposed to be writing for the Observer. What it really means is that the two of them try to out-funny each other for almost two hours. As Ken Eisner notes in his review of the film, their dueling Michael Caines has already passed into legend. Eventually, so will the rest of it.

Take, for instance, this marvelous bit. “Gentlemen, to bed. For we leave at 9:30. On the dot.”

The irony is that Coogan, playing himself, spends considerable time in The Trip anguishing over the state of his career outside of Britain. But if any movie is likely to cement his reputation, especially since it’s essentially about two dozen viral videos waiting to happen, it’s this one.

In tribute to the genius of Steve Coogan, here are 12 of his greatest moments. The battle of the Caines is at the end. But let’s start with 2002’s 24 Hour Party People, since Coogan’s portrayal of Factory Records boss Tony Wilson is what got him noticed on this side of the pond in the first place. Here he meets God after taking a hit off Shaun Ryder’s Barbadian ganja. “It’s a pity you didn’t sign the Smiths, but you were right about Mick Hucknall,” God tells him. “His music’s rubbish, and he’s a ginger.”

Here’s Coogan’s beyond fatuous and deeply pathetic TV personality Alan Partridge previewing World Cup ”˜94. “Twat! That was liquid football!”

And here’s Partridge holding forth on Wings, “the band the Beatles could have been.”

“Dan!!!”

Gary Numan’s “Music for Chameleons” and the sad, middle-aged men who love it.

Coogan’s Stephen Hawking impression, from The Trip.

From the TV series Saxondale, Coogan’s aging roadie turned exterminator Tommy Saxondale declares that “wasps are just bastards.”

Here’s Coogan’s “pasty-ass motherfucker” taking the hit for Larry in Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Alan Partridge’s “Crash, Bang, Wallop” sell-through video (bear in mind he’d “let himself go, a little.”)

The Trip is full of killer impressions. Here’s Ray Winstone making you “drink a goblet of my sputum.”

And finally, the Caines!