Brass Eye (1997–2001)

Controversal spoof of current-affairs TV and the role of celebrity in the UK.

Stars:

Christopher Morris, Mark Heap, Kevin Eldon

3 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Christopher Morris	...	Christopher Morris (7 episodes, 1997-2001)
Mark Heap	...	'Would You?' Man (7 episodes, 1997-2001)
Kevin Eldon	...	Alan, Role Play Husband (5 episodes, 1997-2001)
Doon Mackichan	...	Accelorata Jengold (5 episodes, 1997-2001)
David Cann	...	Vicar (4 episodes, 1997)
Barbara Durkin	...	French Woman (4 episodes, 1997)
Amelia Bullmore	...	Beauty Pageant Mother (3 episodes, 1997-2001)
Albert Welling	...	Clerk of the Court (3 episodes, 1997)
Gina McKee	...	Libby Shuss (3 episodes, 1997)
Claire Skinner	...	Board Member (3 episodes, 1997)

Storyline

Controversal spoof of current-affairs TV and the role of celebrity in the UK.

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Plot Keywords:

celebrity | spoof | current affairs | fake news report | censored | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 January 1997 (UK)

Also Known As:

Torque TV

Company Credits

Production Co:

TalkBack Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

25 min 25 min (6 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

An untransmitted pilot episode of Brass Eye called "Torque TV" exists, though for some reason it was never included on the Brass Eye DVD. It was made in 1995 by Christopher Morris and the rest of the crew. Most of the material in "Torque..." was re-used for the Animals episode of this series, but there are several scenes that are either unique to "Torque...", or were edited down for inclusion in the series. Of note is an entirely excised interview between David Jatt (Morris) and Sir Peregrine Worsthorne, ex-editor of The Sunday Telegraph talking about domestic hippos; an extended WOFDCAP sequence in which the animal rights activists have a telephone conversation with Martin Amis about the plight of Karla the elephant; a thrilling look at how animals are gaining respect, including the heartwarming tale of a mouse that saved a drowning tramp; an extended sequence in which Dr. Jonathan Kwattes (Ian Gelder) explains why all animals are vegetarian - even the carnivores - to a press conference; a heartfelt plea from murderous scamp Reggie Kray, and an extended interview with Carla Lane.

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Quotes

Christopher Morris: You haven't got a clue have you, But you will do.

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Connections

Featured in Channel 4's 30 Greatest Comedy Shows (2012)

User Reviews

Silence the man with the truth!

I've just become a fan of Brass Eye after seeing the DVD at a friends house, I have to say it is brilliant and there is no doubt in my mind as to why so many people were against the show. Brass eye shows how the media manipulates and exploits situations to tell you the viewer just what to think about everything. It is a satire on Panarama type shows where all the facts are laid out straight for everyone to see, that way everyone can agree that something is wrong, let's say "drugs" for example. The most controversial, maybe the funniest episode is the episode on Paedophelia. If only people realised that not only do the media promote and fuel paedophelia (just look through the papers, counting down the days that Mary Kate and Ashley became legal, Britney Spears first video, definite exploitation of Paedophelia). The media also speaks out against it, in around 2001 they used the subject spread hatred and fear, everyone was a suspected Paedophile. This is where I believe the humour lies in the show, it is not making fun of the serious issues but it is making fun of the way the Media uses these issues and will exploit them to their own advantage. A very clever and a very funny satire.