"Drop the Dead Donkey" (1990) TV series 1990-1998

User Rating:

8.9/10   

Creators:

Andy Hamilton
Guy Jenkin

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Release Date:

9 August 1990 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Political satire about a TV news company.

Plot Keywords:

Imperative In Title | Animal In Title | Television News

Awards:

9 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

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)
Robert Duncan	...	Gus Hedges (65 episodes, 1990-1998)
Victoria Wicks	...	Sally Smedley (65 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)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Waterloo Station, Waterloo, London, England, UK

Company:

Hat Trick Productions

Trivia:

The series was originally to be called "Dead Belgians Don't Count", inspired by a deadly train accident in Belgium which received no attention in the British news. This title was deemed too offensive by Channel 4, and they renamed it "Drop the Dead Donkey". A fortuitous decision, as it turned out, since one of the first international stations to buy this series was the VRT, the Flemish public radio and television.

Quotes:

Gus Hedges: D'you know who I'm basing my tactics on? Isn't it obvious? John Major. The Iron Man, banishing those rebels to the wilderness.

Movie Connections:

Featured in 30 Greatest Political Comedies (2006) (TV)

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.