Drop the Dead Donkey (1990)
Drop the Dead Donkey is a situation comedy that first aired on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom between 1990 and 1998. It is set in the offices of “GlobeLink News”, a fictional TV news company. Recorded close to transmission, it made use of contemporary news events to give the programme a greater sense of realism. It was created by Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin. The series had an ensemble cast, making stars of Haydn Gwynne, Stephen Tompkinson and Neil Pearson. The series began with the acquisition of GlobeLink by media mogul Sir Roysten Merchant, an allusion to either Robert Maxwell or Rupert Murdoch. Indeed, Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin note on their DVDs that it was fortunate for their libel lawyers that the two men shared the same initials. The series is mostly based on the on-going battle between the staff of GlobeLink, led by editor George Dent, as they try to maintain the company as a serious news organisation, and Sir Roysten’s right-hand man Gus Hedges, trying to make the show more sensationalist and suppress stories that might harm Sir Roysten’s business empire. The show was awarded the Best Comedy Award at the 1994 BAFTA Awards. At the British Comedy Awards the show won Best New TV Comedy in 1990, Best Channel 4 Comedy in 1991, and Best Channel 4 Sitcom in 1994.
-
Episode 1 - The Gulf Report
Release Date: 1991-09-26The book on Globelink News' coverage of the Gulf War is about to be published and George is to be interviewed on TV about it. Sally goes on childrens TV and gets dunked in the gunge tank. Sir Roysten's daughter comes to work at the office and starts dating Dave.
-
Episode 2 - The Trevorman Cometh
Release Date: 1991-10-03Gus brings in an office efficiency expert to help with the job cuts he has in mind. Henry's legs are paralysed due to stress brought about by his experiences in the Korean war. To stop the job cuts, the staff agree to pay cuts as long as Gus is included.
-
Episode 3 - Henry and Dido
Release Date: 1991-10-10Sally brings her dog Dido into the office. Henry dates a young actress. Dave, trying to find out how she feels about Henry, ends up sleeping with her, but when Henry finds out, he knocks his computer on to the floor and kills Dido.
-
Episode 4 - Baseball
Release Date: 1991-10-17The staff are drafted into Gus's baseball team, just because he wants to get revenge on his older brother Julian. Meanwhile, the staff also use a photocopier repairman to see which stories are the best.
-
Episode 5 - The Drunken Cabinet Minister
Release Date: 1991-10-24Sally complains to George that she is getting all the depressing stories. A Government Minister shows up for Henry's interview dead drunk. Damien tries to do his report from the streets and keeps getting interrupted. Gay rights protesters break into the studio just before they go on air.
-
Episode 6 - Alex and the Intrepreter
Release Date: 1991-10-31While George is on holiday Alex runs the office and gets involved with a Russian and his interpreter, who are here to see how the station is run. The Russian proposes, Alex turns him down, but the interpreter accepts. Dave gets her off the hook, by posing as her fiance. Damien is under pressure from Lynn Yates, a reporter from another TV station, to get the best stories..
-
Episode 7 - Hoax
Release Date: 1991-11-07Henry spends the whole episode trying to solve the last clue in the times crossword, when the answer comes from a surprising source. Sally's mother dies and after the cremation she brings the urn into the office. Damien meets the source who has hoaxed him on several stories.
-
Episode 8 - Don't Mention the Arabs
Release Date: 1991-11-14Sally has found religion. Henry is writing an obituary of a fellow journalist, who is seriously ill. George is under pressure to shelve Henry's documentary on human rights.
-
Episode 9 - Damien Down and Out
Release Date: 1991-11-21While Damien lives on the streets to get to the bottom of a big story, Dave uses his credit cards. George's marriage is on the rocks.
-
Episode 10 - The Evangelist
Release Date: 1991-11-28The Reverend Earl Johnson wants Globelink to cover his shows, but Alex says no. Sally comes to her senses when Earl makes a pass at her. Damien reads the tarot cards, George becomes very upset over his marriage breakup.
-
Episode 11 - George's Daughter
Release Date: 1991-12-05On the day George has to bring his delinquent daughter to work a television company makes a documentary about the newsroom for 'Hidden Eye'. Damien's good relations with the police force are threatened when the editors want to air a tape Damien made of a botched raid.
-
Episode 12 - Dave's Day
Release Date: 1991-12-12Dave goes to a counsellor to cure his gambling. Gus gives Dave a very important video tape to take to Sir Roysten, but during the trip the taxi is involved in a accident, and the tape is stolen.
-
Episode 13 - The Christmas Party
Release Date: 1991-12-19During the Christmas party things start to get out of hand, and Dave finally sleeps with Alex, who regrets it in the morning. George gets drunk falls asleep and wakes up at Oxford Station.