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 - Inside the Asylum
Release Date: 1996-10-01Sally returns from a mental hospital. Helen is carjacked. Henry is offered a job at the BBC.
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Episode 2 - The Godless Society
Release Date: 1996-10-08Gus is eager to impress a Japanese delegation of potential financiers while the newsroom are introduced to a novel concept - religious belief - except for George, who's lost all faith in public transport.
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Episode 3 - The Bird of Doom
Release Date: 1996-10-15Gus hires a new security firm. Joy applies for a job at the BBC.
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Episode 4 - What are Friends For
Release Date: 1996-10-22Joy's friend comes to work at the office but unwittingly lets slip some of their secrets from while they were growing up. Damien interviews John Major and has trouble staying awake. Gus chats to a girl over the internet but before asking her out he wants to practice on Sally but she gets the wrong idea.
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Episode 5 - The Path of True Love
Release Date: 1996-10-29Helen holds a dinner party to introduce her lesbian friend to the rest of the office but Damien tries to break them up. Gus finally dates the woman he has been chatting to on the internet but he wants to use Dave's chat up lines. Sally does a radio advert.
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Episode 6 - George's Car
Release Date: 1996-11-05George buys Henry's old Jaguar and immediately has to spend 2000 pounds on a new gearbox. Sally is thinking about cosmetic surgery and Dave might break the habit of a lifetime and propose marriage to his girlfriend.
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Episode 7 - Charnley in Love
Release Date: 1996-11-12Sally does an old age pensioners advert, but it backfires on her. Dave is beginning to have second thoughts about getting engaged, then he finds out that his fiance is dumping him. One of Gus's old girl friends, who now works for Sir Roysten, comes to give Globelink the once over. Damien is the first subject on a new reality TV show. Damien interviews M.P.s Anne Coates and Tony Banks.
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Episode 8 - Henry's Diary
Release Date: 1996-11-19Henry's newspaper column is causing problems among the office staff. Gus is trying to sell tickets to Sir Roysten's benefit and he gets Joy to become a waitress for the evening.
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Episode 9 - Dave and Diana
Release Date: 1996-11-26Gus brings in a psychologist to interview the staff. Henry and Damien think that Dave is dating Princess Diana but have a surprise in store. George brings in his home made wine.
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Episode 10 - Luck
Release Date: 1996-12-03Damien ends up in hospital with a broken leg after being pushed down stairs by Liam Gallagher. Sally acts in a pantomime with Rosemarie Ford. Dave clears his debts with a bet on the football.
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Episode 11 - The Graveyard Shift
Release Date: 1996-12-10Most of the staff end up back at the office on the graveyard shift. Dave and Helen see the report on the drug tests that Gus has taken showing George with traces of ecstasy. Joy brings her brother who has been sleeping rough back to the office and he beats Gus's record score on a video game.
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Episode 12 - Sex 'n Death
Release Date: 1996-12-17Henry finds out that he is dying so goes on a bender to end all benders but there is a surprise in store. Gus is having sex nightmares about Joy so he asks Dave for advice but the nightmares continue with someone else.