Remembered now for being recorded close to transmission, 'Drop The Dead Donkey' ( which was originally to be titled 'Dead Belgians Don't Count' until Channel 4 demanded that it be changed ) was the brainchild of Guy Jenkin and Andy Hamilton. I was seven years old when this show came to an end in 1998. Not understanding the humour at the time, I regrettably have to say that I shunned 'Drop The Dead Donkey' after my first viewing. It has only been in the past few years I have really come to appreciate the show.
All the action took place in the newsroom of Globelink ( which is owned by the almost never seen Sir Royston Merchant ). The Chief Executive of Globelink is Gus Hedges ( Robert Duncan ), someone whose command of the human language ranks alongside Del Boy Trotter's command of French. Working under this buffoon are editor George Dent ( Jeff Rawie from 'Billy Liar' ) who seems to be the unluckiest man alive, assistant editor and token normal person Alex Pates ( the stunningly beautiful Hadyn Gwynne ) who was later replaced by the less likeable Helen Cooper ( Ingrid Lacey ). The station's news anchors are ageing womanizer Henry Davenport ( the late David Swift, brother of the also sadly deceased Clive Swift ) and prim and proper airhead Sally Smedley ( the gorgeous Victoria Wicks ), both of which are almost always at each other's throats. Other characters included the surly, and inaccurately named personal assistant Joy Merryweather ( the gorgeous Susannah Doyle ), Deputy sub-editor Dave Charnley ( Neil Pearson ) whose inability to resist a flutter and the pleasures of the female persuasion cause him no end of problems and, my favourite character, unscrupulous star field reporter Damien Day who will stop at nothing to get that crucial story.
Poking fun at the press was not a new thing, Andrew Marshall and David Renwick done it a couple of years previous with LWT's 'Hot Metal', however 'Drop The Dead Donkey' was far superior in every way. It showed no restraint or remorse ( in fact, one some occasions some very strong language was snuck in ). My father-in-law ( who has worked in a newsroom ) hated the show, claiming that what goes on in 'Drop The Dead Donkey' is a dim glimour of what really goes on in a news room. I did have to remind him that you are limited to what you can get away with on television, even on Channel 4!
The show did lose a small part of its twinkle when Hadyn Gwynne left after series two. I never took to Ingrid Lacey who replaced her. Victoria Wicks and David Swift were often hilarious as the warring news anchors. One of my favourite moments had Dave and Henry staking bets on racing cockroaches which were named after politicians. ''My one kept running around in circles!'' moans Henry! ''Well that's what you get for betting all of your money on John Major!'' smirks Dave!
After six successful seasons, the show came to an end when Globelink closed for good. In spite of the fact that much of the humour would not stand the test of time now, 'Drop The Dead Donkey' is still classic comedy and is miles funnier than anything you will find on TV now.
All the action took place in the newsroom of Globelink ( which is owned by the almost never seen Sir Royston Merchant ). The Chief Executive of Globelink is Gus Hedges ( Robert Duncan ), someone whose command of the human language ranks alongside Del Boy Trotter's command of French. Working under this buffoon are editor George Dent ( Jeff Rawie from 'Billy Liar' ) who seems to be the unluckiest man alive, assistant editor and token normal person Alex Pates ( the stunningly beautiful Hadyn Gwynne ) who was later replaced by the less likeable Helen Cooper ( Ingrid Lacey ). The station's news anchors are ageing womanizer Henry Davenport ( the late David Swift, brother of the also sadly deceased Clive Swift ) and prim and proper airhead Sally Smedley ( the gorgeous Victoria Wicks ), both of which are almost always at each other's throats. Other characters included the surly, and inaccurately named personal assistant Joy Merryweather ( the gorgeous Susannah Doyle ), Deputy sub-editor Dave Charnley ( Neil Pearson ) whose inability to resist a flutter and the pleasures of the female persuasion cause him no end of problems and, my favourite character, unscrupulous star field reporter Damien Day who will stop at nothing to get that crucial story.
Poking fun at the press was not a new thing, Andrew Marshall and David Renwick done it a couple of years previous with LWT's 'Hot Metal', however 'Drop The Dead Donkey' was far superior in every way. It showed no restraint or remorse ( in fact, one some occasions some very strong language was snuck in ). My father-in-law ( who has worked in a newsroom ) hated the show, claiming that what goes on in 'Drop The Dead Donkey' is a dim glimour of what really goes on in a news room. I did have to remind him that you are limited to what you can get away with on television, even on Channel 4!
The show did lose a small part of its twinkle when Hadyn Gwynne left after series two. I never took to Ingrid Lacey who replaced her. Victoria Wicks and David Swift were often hilarious as the warring news anchors. One of my favourite moments had Dave and Henry staking bets on racing cockroaches which were named after politicians. ''My one kept running around in circles!'' moans Henry! ''Well that's what you get for betting all of your money on John Major!'' smirks Dave!
After six successful seasons, the show came to an end when Globelink closed for good. In spite of the fact that much of the humour would not stand the test of time now, 'Drop The Dead Donkey' is still classic comedy and is miles funnier than anything you will find on TV now.