Playlist: In the Loop

If you like the British "The Office," you'll...well, you know the rest. And you will. This is classic Brit satire, this time in the world of politics. Specifically, in the State Departments of both Great Britain and your United States of America. Even more specifically, a fictionalized take on the build-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. It's funny in that scary Strangelove way in that, yeah, this is probably how it all really did go down.

Actually, if you like ranting, cursing Brits in general--and who the hell doesn't--then you'll love this. Specifically, the f-carpet bombing Peter Capaldi as pro-war Director of Communications Malcolm Tucker. Capaldi (who I loved as Sid's dad on the BBC's "Skins") is worth watching this for by himself. Not that you have to because the whole cast is good, including a very un-Tony Soprano James Gandolfini as a skeptical U.S. general. But my favorite bit of casting is this: Anna Chlumsky. Yes, the return of My Girl herself. And it's about damn time. Thomas J. would have wanted her to keep acting.