The Waldo Moment 

A failed comedian who voices a popular cartoon bear named Waldo finds himself mixing in politics when TV executives want Waldo to run for office.

Director:

Bryn Higgins

Writers:

Charlie Brooker, Christopher Morris (based on an original idea for Nathan Barley by) (as Chris Morris)

Stars:

Daniel Rigby, Chloe Pirrie, Jason Flemyng

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Daniel Rigby	...	Jamie Salter
Chloe Pirrie	...	Gwendolyn Harris
Jason Flemyng	...	Jack Napier
Tobias Menzies	...	Liam Monroe
Christina Chong	...	Tamsin
James Lance	...	Conor Simpson
Ed Gaughan	...	Shaun
Kenneth Collard	...	Jim
Michael Shaeffer	...	Roy
Pip Torrens	...	Philip Crane
David Ajala	...	Jeff Carter
James Richard Marshall	...	Monroe's Campaign Agent
Jack Monaghan	...	Hustings Host
Louis Waymouth	...	Simon Finch
Daniel Tatarsky	...	Returning Officer

Storyline

Comedian Jamie Slater provides the voice for Waldo, a blue cartoon bear who interviews politicians for a late night topical satire show where Waldo generally humiliates them. Jamie's producer Jack Napier suggests Waldo stands as the local MP in the upcoming election, against pompous Tory boy Liam Monroe - one of Waldo's interview victims. A reluctant Jamie agrees and meets the Labour candidate Gwendolyn, with whom he has a one night stand but is later told to keep away from by her campaign manager. On a televised discussion show Jamie sounds off against all the opposition, claiming they are insincere, and he becomes hugely popular as a result. However he suffers from guilt and urges people not to vote for Waldo. After Napier orchestrates an attack on him Jamie wakes in hospital to see the election results. Has Waldo won and if so will his success take Jamie with it?

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Plot Keywords:

job interview | cartoon character | politician | parlimentary election | bad guys win | 

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Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 February 2013 (UK)

Filming Locations:

High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Zeppotron, Channel 4 Television Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

43 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Trivia

The users visible in Jack's Twitter feed are, in descending order, Jon Snow (with the tweet: "Tories confirm Liam Monroe for Stent & Hersham"), Greg Shaw, Erica McEwan and Foundation Agency.

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Connections

References Happy Days (1974)

User Reviews

Sadly....I don't think we're very far from this at all.

"Black Mirror" is a British series that consisted of two episodes...until Netflix got involved and commissioned more episodes. This episode is one of the original ones.

Waldo is an animated television character who is done LIVE using modern motion-capture technology. He is voiced by an out of work comedian, so you know the character is quick-witted. But he's also crude, offensive and annoying...yet the public seems to love Waldo and his offensive antics...so much that they decide to unleash him on a local election for Parliament. He pretty much makes a mockery of the election and despite how offensive and awful Waldo is the public love him. At this point...Waldo's voice starts to worry where all this is headed.

This is a very prescient episode of "Black Mirror". I think it gauges the public and their sheep mentality quite accurately...especially in light of some of our recent elections. I don't want to make this a political rant...just see this clever and very insightful show.