Product Description

Drop the Dead Donkey was a situation, satirical comedy, set in the offices of "Globelink News", a fictional TV news company in the style of CNN, ITN, Sky News, etc. Globelink has been acquired by a multi-millionaire tycoon who prefers a more sensationalist stance to the news. The characters were created to exaggerate the perceived ideas of office/media stereotypes and each programme was recorded close to transmission, allowing script changes to incorporate maximum topicality in particularly of a political nature. The last scene, or voiceover for the ending credits was filmed either the day before or even on the day of broadcast to coincide with relative news stories. First aired in 1990, Drop the Dead Donkey was an innovative comedy that launched the careers of several successful comic actors.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16690 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-06-27
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 240 minutes

Synopsis
Drop the Dead Donkey was a landmark satirical sitcom, set in the offices of "Globelink News", a fictional TV news company in the style of CNN or ITN. Set in the era of media deregulation, the series took an over-the-top look at the conflict between old-school news journalists and media owners more concerned with ratings and profits than the truth. Each episode was recorded close to transmission, allowing script changes to incorporate breaking news and up-to-the-minute political satire. The last scene - a voiceover for the end credits - was filmed either the day before or even on the day of broadcast to catch the issues of the day. First aired in 1990, Drop the Dead Donkey was an innovative comedy that launched the careers of several successful comic actors.

Special Features
The Unaired Pilot with introduction from the writers and producers Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkins Introduction to Season 1 by Andy and Guy Cast Interviews Out takes

Synopsis
Features the complete episodes from the first season of the topical comedy show, based in the offices of 'Globelink News'.

Customer Reviews

One of the best DVDs and the worst delivery!
Well, I watched this on telly and wanted to buy this for my collection.

I have been a customer of Amazon for 7 years and I had never made any complaint and I have never returned any goods. I have also shopped online from several other companies.

The delivery company Citylink is simply a disgrace for such a reputable company like Amazon to use. I was home for the past one week and stayed in the lounge all day to wait for the products. However, I tracked these items online and found out Citylink claims that they had attempted to deliver these items and 'carded'. Funny enough, no one rang the doorbell and no postcards were left. I called Citylink early yesterday morning and told them I'd leave the door wide open and lights on and I would be at home all day. At 2pm, I tracked it from citylink's website, it said they had attempted to deliver at 1PM. This is a complete joke and lie.

You can type in Citylink and review in google and find out other customers' experiences with citylink. Enough said.

If you want your items fast, select first class, not express.

Brilliant topical series from the top drawer of British Comedy
I loved this series, it was the best of its kind and I was seriously disappointed when it came to an end. However, after six years it was probably best that it did end before it lost focus. The satire about the world of politics was merely one facet of this series, there was so much more to it. The mixed up lives of the various slightly desparate people at Globelink News, which was clearly a bottom drawer cable tv station struggling to find a place in the ratings; the sleazy owner of the station; their debatable news stories; the insecurities. I loved it.

Sit-com mixed with satire
Globelink News, a small TV news organisation, has just been taken over by a media magnate whose empire has downmarket tastes. There are two swift changes: the addition of Gus (Sir Royston's stooge), who talks in management speak and his protestations that is just an observer are less than accurate, and a snobbish ex-child TV presenter gets hired as an anchor woman.

The other characters: George, the indecisive editor, Alex, his talented assistant editor, Damian the amoral reporter who fakes stories, Henry the ageing womanising anchor and Dave the gambler.

The series follows the ups and downs of the company as it charts its new course. Will George grow a spine? Will he be able to operate independently of Gus? Will he be able to stop Damian's excesses? Will the team hold together?

The series is noted for being topical as well as there being character/situational humour. The script allowed for adjustments to be made in light of the latest news so the news room feels reel.

One of the good things about the DVD is that there's mini orientation piece at the start of the DVD to explain what was happening at that time, 1990, in Britain and the world. Each episode starts with a brief summary of what the press was reporting the week that episode was first broadcast.

The special features on the 2nd DVD go into the creative process behind the series and includes a trial episode that wasn't broadcast.

It's a reasonable sitcom whose gags don't feel that old. As the series progresses, and we get to know the characters, there're more character based jokes. Because of the events at that time (the first Gulf war brewing, problems in the NHS, etc) it doesn't feel that far away from us.

In short if you like satire and/or sitcoms then give this a try.