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.

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Plot Keywords:

imperative in title | animal in title | television news

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Genres:

Comedy

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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.

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Quotes

Gus Hedges: Quality stress dissipation opportunities here.

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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.

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Connections

Referenced in Just a Minute: Episode #2.3 (1994)

User Reviews

Dated Newsroom sitcom but still very funny

It is only dated because each episode tried very hard to include topical and amusing news items. All of the main characters are distinctive. George, the editor, is conscientious but seems totally out of place in the newsroom environment as he is a bit of a fragile eccentric. His boss Gus, a bit of a sad bachelor, is the king of Politically correct sound bites. Dave, who's job is a bit obscure, is the office 'stud' as well as being a chronic gambler. Henry, the aged newsreader, has clearly seen better days but is still convinced he is up to competing with Dave. The other newsreader, Sally, has a sex life which is mainly in Lorry parks and service stations. Joy,the officer gofer, is not a girl to be messed with and takes no prisoners. Damian, the young fearless reporter is totally obsessed with fame and has no regards for the feelings of others, particularly his on location staff. Helen, a lesbian, replaced Alex early on as Gerorges No 2. There is a bit of slapstick but the humour, which comes thick and fast, is mainly verbal.