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  • 1990-08-08T23:00:00Z on Channel 4
  • 24m
  • 4h (10 episodes)
  • United Kingdom
  • English
  • Comedy
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.

10 episodes

Series Premiere

1990-08-08T23:00:00Z

1x01 A New Dawn

Series Premiere

1x01 A New Dawn

  • 1990-08-08T23:00:00Z24m

Sir Roysten takes over at Globelink News, and puts Gus in charge. The Editor George tries to sack Damien for seeding crash sites,while he is filming , but Gus intercedes and Damien is only reprimanded.

1990-08-15T23:00:00Z

1x02 Sally's Arrival

1x02 Sally's Arrival

  • 1990-08-15T23:00:00Z24m

As Britain is threatened by Saddam Hussein with the Gulf war about to break out the staff have a bigger problem to contend with. The arrival of a new news reader, Sally Smedley.

1990-08-22T23:00:00Z

1x03 A Clash of Interests

1x03 A Clash of Interests

  • 1990-08-22T23:00:00Z24m

Gus tries to get Alex on his side in order to pressurise George to censor a story about a chemical spillage from a company owned by Sir Roysten. Dave updates the obituaries but Henry accidentally sees his and gets upset.

1990-08-29T23:00:00Z

1x04 A Blast from the Past

1x04 A Blast from the Past

  • 1990-08-29T23:00:00Z24m

Damien is doing a story on slum landlords but when they view the footage, Alex is staggered to learn that her ex husband is involved in the story. Sally and Henry have elocution lessons, and Sally appears on a TV telethon for charity.

1990-09-05T23:00:00Z

1x05 Old Father Time

1x05 Old Father Time

  • 1990-09-05T23:00:00Z24m

Henry's nephew comes to the office to gain work experience but everybody gets worked up as to just how young he is.

1990-09-12T23:00:00Z

1x06 Sex, Lies and Audiotape

1x06 Sex, Lies and Audiotape

  • 1990-09-12T23:00:00Z24m

Alex has obtained a top secret audio tape, that the Government wants banned. Sally is taped making love to the sound man, but when Dave makes Henry a copy of Sally's tape, he accidentally uses the secret tape, thus erasing it.

1990-09-19T23:00:00Z

1x07 The New Approach

1x07 The New Approach

  • 1990-09-19T23:00:00Z24m

Gus brings in a stress therapist to interview the staff and after a group session, a fight breaks out between Dave and Henry, so Gus fires the therapist. Dave persuades Henry to put money into a racehorse which turns out to be rubbish.

1990-09-26T23:00:00Z

1x08 The Root of All Evil

1x08 The Root of All Evil

  • 1990-09-26T23:00:00Z24m

Sally gets flowers from a secret admirer and when she loses her purse, Dave comes under suspicion, because he has been trying to borrow money. Gus goes on an economy drive.

1x09 Death, Disaster 'n' Damien

  • 1990-10-03T23:00:00Z24m

On location, Damien fakes a firing squad. He also gets injured organising an animal rights protest, but before he can film it, Alex steps in and the raid is cancelled. To make up for the cancellation and while he is in hospital he tries to film a heart operation.

Season Finale

1990-10-10T23:00:00Z

1x10 The Big Day

Season Finale

1x10 The Big Day

  • 1990-10-10T23:00:00Z24m

Gus wants Sally to interview the Prime Minister when she comes to the studio, but Alex and George want Henry to do the interview. When an electrician fuses the lights the interview is called off. After Damien fakes another report, George threatens to sack him.

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