"Dead Ringers" (2002) TV series 2002-????

Director:

John Birkin

Writer:

Rupert Russell (writer)

Seasons:

3 | 5 | 6 | 7 | unknown

Release Date:

15 March 2002 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Celebrities and politicians are lampooned by a talented team of impressionists in this comedy sketch show.

Plot Keywords:

Topical | Team | Based On Radio Show | Lampoon | Political

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Jess Robinson		(11 episodes, 2006-2007)
Kevin Connelly	...	Andrew Marr / ... (6 episodes, 2003-2006)
Phil Cornwell	...	Alan Rickman / ... (6 episodes, 2003-2006)
Jon Culshaw	...	Arnold Schwarzenegger / ... (6 episodes, 2003-2006)
Mark Perry	...	David Blunkett / ... (6 episodes, 2003-2006)
Jan Ravens	...	Claire Short / ... (5 episodes, 2003-2006)

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

Started in 2000 as a radio series on BBC Radio 4.

Quotes:

Delia Smith: I've now decided to concentrate on my other great passion. No, not that. It's football. I've outlined all the basic ingredients of how to spectate in my new book "Delia's How to Spectate". And it includes 130 new chants, including "Who's the bastard in the black?" Of course, the answer is Nigella Lawson.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "The Story of Light Entertainment: Radio Stars (#1.3)" (2006)

Better on radio

Listen to this on R4, and some of the impressions are aurally stunning. Jan Ravens' Anne Robinson is amazingly accurate, as is Jon Culshaw's Tom Baker/Dr Who (pity that it is out of date). Mark Perry must have cursed the day that Robin Cook resigned, as his unintelligible rants were a highlight. The biggest praise I can bestow on the show is that there have been several occasions (eg the Archers) where I am unable to tell whether it is Jon Culshaw, Mark Perry or Kevin Connolly doing the voice (Jan Ravens of course is fairly obvious, though). The show also built up its share of catchphrases, the favourite of which is "OH NO" as spoken by Ruth Archer (Americans probably haven't a clue who that is!). The spoof phone calls were a bit hit and miss, and usually funnier when the victim is a celebrity, like when Jon Culshaw as Brian Perkins called the real Brian Perkins.

All the above comments were about the radio show. The problem with transferring to TV is making the impressionists look like the people they're lampooning, and here the show falls down. The skill of the vocal mimicry can't disguise the fact that Jan Ravens cannot look like Sophie Raworth, Anne Robinson, Kirsty Wark or Nigella Lawson. Mark Perry is obviously quite a big man, considerably larger in stature than his voices (David Dickenson, Robin Cook), and Kevin Connolly always resembles himself. In fairness Jon Culshaw - "in character" - looks like a couple of his victims, but that's about it. The material - which seemed so sharp on the radio - is a bit tired in comparison. The "Candid Camera" stunts are as variable as the spoof phone calls, but you have to admire Jon Culshaw's improvisational skills in the various ridiculous situations in which he involves unsuspecting members of the public. My own favourite was "Michael Parkinson" interviewing people at a bus stop. Still a good if disappointing watch.

Keen eyed readers will notice that I have not referred to Phil Cornwell. I can only assume that he is in the show to give the idea that anyone can get on, however bad the impersonation. Yes, I do not see how he is able to share the stage with the four others, who do have talent for vocal mimicry. Phil Cornwell may have a sharp eye for comedy, but he is not an accurate impressionist. All the characters on Stella Street were OTT caricatures and were never meant to be seen as accurate, but that's not good enough on this show, where his Greg Dyke/Michael Caine is by far the biggest irritation.