Drop the Dead Donkey (1990–1998)

Political satire about a TV news company.

Creators:

Andy Hamilton, Guy Jenkin

Stars:

Neil Pearson, Jeff Rawle, David Swift

9 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Neil Pearson	...	Dave Charnley (66 episodes, 1990-1998)
Jeff Rawle	...	George Dent (66 episodes, 1990-1998)
David Swift	...	Henry Davenport (66 episodes, 1990-1998)
Stephen Tompkinson	...	Damien Day (66 episodes, 1990-1998)
Victoria Wicks	...	Sally Smedley (65 episodes, 1990-1998)
Robert Duncan	...	Gus Hedges (64 episodes, 1990-1998)
Susannah Doyle	...	Joy Merryweather (55 episodes, 1991-1998)
Ingrid Lacey	...	Helen Cooper (42 episodes, 1993-1998)
Haydn Gwynne	...	Alex Pates (24 episodes, 1990-1991)

Storyline

Political satire about a TV news company.

---

Plot Keywords:

imperative in title | animal in title | television news

---

Genres:

Comedy

---

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 August 1990 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Waterloo Station, Waterloo, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hat Trick Productions

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the BBC documentary show "Comedy Connections" screened in March 2006, the cast members confessed that most of their lines were actually written on the pieces of paper and clipboards that they were forever looking at during each episode. This was because script was written so close to transmission in order to keep it topical that they often didn't have time to learn all their lines before shooting began.

---

Quotes

Gus Hedges: We've got to downsize our sloppiness overload.

---

Crazy Credits

For the first four series, the end credits invariably featured two characters discussing a recent news item in voiceover. This was changed to a more conventional final scene each week for the last two series due the pressure of filming so close to broadcast.

---

Connections

Referenced in Comedy Connections: Drop the Dead Donkey (2006)

User Reviews

neil pearson - veeeery nice

i have been watching the re-runs of drop the dead donkey on cable and had forgotten just how good it was. it is based in globelink newsroom and recent (usually political) events are incorporated into it each weeks episode. in short, all the characters are played very well and are extremely funny. i would like to add that neil pearson, who plays the devilishly handsome dave charnley, is a highlight each episode and is definately one to stare at. oh sorry i have digressed. anyway i have little else to say really apart from this was a very funny program and anyone who gets the chance should watch it. pure class.