Drop the Dead Donkey (1990)
Drop the Dead Donkey is a situation comedy that first aired on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom between 1990 and 1998. It is set in the offices of “GlobeLink News”, a fictional TV news company. Recorded close to transmission, it made use of contemporary news events to give the programme a greater sense of realism. It was created by Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin. The series had an ensemble cast, making stars of Haydn Gwynne, Stephen Tompkinson and Neil Pearson. The series began with the acquisition of GlobeLink by media mogul Sir Roysten Merchant, an allusion to either Robert Maxwell or Rupert Murdoch. Indeed, Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin note on their DVDs that it was fortunate for their libel lawyers that the two men shared the same initials. The series is mostly based on the on-going battle between the staff of GlobeLink, led by editor George Dent, as they try to maintain the company as a serious news organisation, and Sir Roysten’s right-hand man Gus Hedges, trying to make the show more sensationalist and suppress stories that might harm Sir Roysten’s business empire. The show was awarded the Best Comedy Award at the 1994 BAFTA Awards. At the British Comedy Awards the show won Best New TV Comedy in 1990, Best Channel 4 Comedy in 1991, and Best Channel 4 Sitcom in 1994.
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Episode 1 - The Undiscovered Country
Release Date: 1994-09-29After going to the funeral of a colleague, Gus becomes very upset at the thought of death. Dave and Henry go on a bender. Damien is banned from driving. Sally goes to the opera.
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Episode 2 - Quality Time
Release Date: 1994-10-06Helen meets her daughter's new teacher. Damien and Henry bet Dave that he can't date Joy so he trains with her in preparation for her appearance on Gladiators. Gus is still in hospital after his heart scare. Dave has to read the new book on Princess Diana.
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Episode 3 - The Day of The Mum
Release Date: 1994-10-13Gus is back from hospital and delegates more responsibility to Helen. Damien's mother shows up and is still criticising him. Helen sorts out a problem of expenses between Henry and Sally. George goes to his ex wife's wedding.
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Episode 4 - Births and Deaths
Release Date: 1994-09-20Damien gets a death threat from the drug barons he featured in one of his reports so Gus gets him a bodyguard. Is Sally pregnant? Someone claiming to be Henry's son shows up.
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Episode 5 - Helen's Parents
Release Date: 1994-09-27Helen asks Dave to be her boyfriend at a dinner party she is holding for her parents so she doesn't have to tell them that she is gay. Sally turns out to be pregnant. George thinks he is love with Anna. Henry beats Damien at chess but he is getting all his moves from Joy.
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Episode 6 - Sally in T.V. Times
Release Date: 1994-11-03Anna is marrying George but she has an alternative motive. Sally is being interviewed by the TV Times. Joy propositions the photographer. Sally loses her baby.
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Episode 7 - Crime Time
Release Date: 1994-11-10Gus proposes a new crime programme fronted by Sally and Damien but is unhappy with the director so he shoots the program himself. George still wants to marry Anna so Dave finds a way to stop them. When George finds out he goes berserk. Anna turns down Gus's offer of marriage.
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Episode 8 - No More Mr Nice Guy
Release Date: 1994-11-17George sends Sally and Henry out to Acapulco for an international conference after shedding his wimpish image.
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Episode 9 - Henry's Autobiography
Release Date: 1994-11-24George is scared stiff that he will be interviewed by Jeremy Paxman on BBC TV. Henry tries to date the new girl reporter who has just joined the team but she turns him down. Damien tries to break into several high profile places to test their security.
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Episode 10 - The Strike
Release Date: 1994-12-01Most of the staff are out on strike because of job cuts but Gus, Sally, George and Damien are still working so Gus brings in Russian back room staff to cover. Dave plays poker with the police who are on picket duty. George's wife has published an account about their life together.
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Episode 11 - The Wedding
Release Date: 1994-12-08Dave organises a stag night for a member of the staff but it is Gus who is stripped naked at the end of the evening. Henry's house is occupied by the builders so he has to stay with Gus who turns out to be very boring. Joy is put in charge of the stationery cupboard.
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Episode 12 - Damien and the Weather Girl
Release Date: 1994-12-15A new weather girl joins the show and Dave ends up dating her, but he discovers that it is too dangerous to keep on seeing her so Damien tries his luck. Henry is to be featured on 'Living Legends' but he refuses to take part because he has confided in Dave that he may be impotent.