Drop the Dead Donkey

1990 - 1998

A New Dawn

9th August 1990

Episode 1

Sir Roysten takes over at Globelink News, and puts Gus in charge. The Editor George tries to sack Damien for seeding crash sites,while he is filming , but Gus intercedes and Damien is only reprimanded.

Sally's Arrival

16th August 1990

Episode 2

As Britain is threatened by Saddam Hussein with the Gulf war about to break out the staff have a bigger problem to contend with. The arrival of a new news reader, Sally Smedley.

A Clash of Interests

23rd August 1990

Episode 3

Gus tries to get Alex on his side in order to pressurise George to censor a story about a chemical spillage from a company owned by Sir Roysten. Dave updates the obituaries but Henry accidentally sees his and gets upset.

A Blast from the Past

30th August 1990

Episode 4

Damien is doing a story on slum landlords but when they view the footage, Alex is staggered to learn that her ex husband is involved in the story. Sally and Henry have elocution lessons, and Sally appears on a TV telethon for charity.

Old Father Time

6th September 1990

Episode 5

Henry's nephew comes to the office to gain work experience but everybody gets worked up as to just how young he is.

Sex, Lies and Audiotape

13th September 1990

Episode 6

Alex has obtained a top secret audio tape, that the Government wants banned. Sally is taped making love to the sound man, but when Dave makes Henry a copy of Sally's tape, he accidentally uses the secret tape, thus erasing it.

The New Approach

20th September 1990

Episode 7

Gus brings in a stress therapist to interview the staff and after a group session, a fight breaks out between Dave and Henry, so Gus fires the therapist. Dave persuades Henry to put money into a racehorse which turns out to be rubbish.

The Root of All Evil

27th September 1990

Episode 8

Sally gets flowers from a secret admirer and when she loses her purse, Dave comes under suspicion, because he has been trying to borrow money. Gus goes on an economy drive.

Death, Disaster 'n' Damien

4th October 1990

Episode 9

On location, Damien fakes a firing squad. He also gets injured organising an animal rights protest, but before he can film it, Alex steps in and the raid is cancelled. To make up for the cancellation and while he is in hospital he tries to film a heart operation.

The Big Day

11th October 1990

Episode 10

Gus wants Sally to interview the Prime Minister when she comes to the studio, but Alex and George want Henry to do the interview. When an electrician fuses the lights the interview is called off. After Damien fakes another report, George threatens to sack him.

Top Cast

Neil Pearson•Victoria Wicks•Susannah Doyle

Writer

Guy Jenkin

A sitcom set in the offices of "GlobeLink News" after its acquisition by media mogul Sir Roysten Merchant. Led by editor George Dent, the staff of GlobeLink battle to maintain the company as a serious news organization against Sir Roysten's right-hand man, Gus Hedges, who wants to make the show more sensationalist and suppress stories that might harm Roysten's business empire.

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Full Cast

Neil Pearson Image

Neil Pearson

Dave Charnley

Victoria Wicks Image

Victoria Wicks

Sally Smedley

Susannah Doyle Image

Susannah Doyle

Joy Merryweather

David Swift

Henry Davenport

Stephen Tompkinson Image

Stephen Tompkinson

Damien Day

Jeff Rawle Image

Jeff Rawle

George Dent

Robert Duncan

Gus Hedges

Ingrid Lacey Image

Ingrid Lacey

Helen Cooper

Full Crew

Guy Jenkin Image

Guy Jenkin

Writer

Andy Hamilton Image

Andy Hamilton

Producer

Guy Jenkin Image

Guy Jenkin

Producer

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