Sjhm Review of Drop the Dead Donkey

Drop the Dead Donkey (1990–1998)

Utterly priceless, from the top drawer of British Comedy

[10/10 · 17 December 2006]

The only reason that some people might perceive this as dated, is that it used topical news as part of the programme. It shows up today's politicians as the same old slippery critters they were in the early 90s. Part of the joy of this series, was the incidental personal comedy. Gus sitting in his burnt out office, refusing to accept that Sir Royston Merchant had had the place torched as an insurance job, George's depressive monologues about his family problems and health issues, Alex trying to point out to her mother that due to the fuel crisis, filling the garden pond with petrol might be a bad idea, Sally's Norse Warrior, Dave and Damien, essentially little boys who won't grow up, Joy's wrathful young amazon (Girl Power, long before the silly pop group espoused the idea), Helen trying to maintain calm and function in an increasingly difficult atmosphere as the station crumbles around her. This programme stands up today, because despite the politics being fifteen years old, it is still fresh and resonates with office workers in the stressed out Noughties.