Funny how even the smallest, most trivial of things can get taken widely out of context years later. I read recently on an internet forum a heated debate about the 'dumbing down' of television, and a contributor made the following ( astonishing ) observation; "if television is so dumb now, how thick then were people back in the days when they could not tell the difference between 'Jackie Wilson' and 'Jocky Wilson'?". He/she was referring to a 1982 edition of 'Top Of The Pops', featuring Dexy's Midnight Runners performing ( or rather, miming to ) their latest hit 'Jackie Wilson Said'. Behind them was a huge picture of darts player Jocky Wilson. It was a joke. Not a very good one admittedly, but a joke all the same. The incident was virtually forgotten until 2000 when Paul 'I'm Only On Telly Because My Brother Is Famous' Ross brought it up on Channel 4's '100 Greatest T.V. Moments Of Hell', relating it with a quizzical look on his face as though he'd just sighted The Loch Ness Monster rising out of his toilet. He made it sound as if the T.O.T.P. set designer had been incredibly careless. I bet the guy never imagined in a million years that his bit of mischief would someday be quoted as an example of how thick everyone was back in 1982.
Onto 'Donkey'. This second episode picks up where the first left off. 'Globelink News' has been bought by the ruthless tycoon Sir Royston Merchant. Fears he will drive it down market are confirmed when he hires Sally Smedley ( Victoria Wicks ) as newsreader, working alongside veteran anchor man Henry Davenport ( David Swift ). Sally's background is in children's television ( including a stint on 'John Craven's Newsround' ). On her first day she manages to insult everyone in the building. Alex ( Haydn Gwynne ) tries to organise a petition to have her fired, but she has boosted ratings and so, wishing to keep their jobs, the staff keeps quiet.
The character of 'Sally' was to this show what 'Dr.Bingham' was to 'Doctor At Large/In Charge'. She is a right airhead, ignorant of world events, interested only in looking beautiful and promoting her daft books. Henry tries to seduce her over dinner, but fails. For the rest of the series, they would be at loggerheads. Wicks is great in the role.
Funniest moment - Sally and Henry, all smiles for the camera, then growling insults at each other as the end titles kick in. His nickname for her - 'Tight A###' - would catch on.
Onto 'Donkey'. This second episode picks up where the first left off. 'Globelink News' has been bought by the ruthless tycoon Sir Royston Merchant. Fears he will drive it down market are confirmed when he hires Sally Smedley ( Victoria Wicks ) as newsreader, working alongside veteran anchor man Henry Davenport ( David Swift ). Sally's background is in children's television ( including a stint on 'John Craven's Newsround' ). On her first day she manages to insult everyone in the building. Alex ( Haydn Gwynne ) tries to organise a petition to have her fired, but she has boosted ratings and so, wishing to keep their jobs, the staff keeps quiet.
The character of 'Sally' was to this show what 'Dr.Bingham' was to 'Doctor At Large/In Charge'. She is a right airhead, ignorant of world events, interested only in looking beautiful and promoting her daft books. Henry tries to seduce her over dinner, but fails. For the rest of the series, they would be at loggerheads. Wicks is great in the role.
Funniest moment - Sally and Henry, all smiles for the camera, then growling insults at each other as the end titles kick in. His nickname for her - 'Tight A###' - would catch on.
