Redwarmin This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

AniInterview Sorry, this movie sucks

Mischa Redfern I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

Keeley Coleman The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

moviebuff74 As an Irish observer, this comedy has to be one of the high points of 1990's comedy.While the main talking point of the series initially was it's topicality (being written and filmed in the week before filming so as to include observations and jokes about breaking news stories), later series were far less dependent on the topicality angle and more on funny honest and sharp character development.It was immeasurably superior both to other office based comedy (viz the overrated IMHO "office") and to the likes of other newsroom comedies viz Murphy Brown. DTDD's humour was sharp acidic and right on the money. No-one was spared it's barbs.On reruns and DVD releases a brief voice-over identifies the week each particular episode was shown and what the major stories breaking that week were.More interestingly a lot of what was clearly the target of DTDD's humour (the dumbing down and tabloidisation of news reporting promoted by TV newstations) are even more in evidence today 10-15 years later as witnessed by the likes of FOX News and Sky News I wonder who Sir Royten Merchant was really based on....

TheNorthernMonkee SPOILERS Every day, newsrooms from across the world write and screen stories of the events of our planet. Every person in that room, from the Editor who checks stories and decides on running order, right down to the intern who makes the tea, all are important and crucial for a successful edition. In 1990, this journalistic world of contemporaneous humour and alcoholic drinking binges was brought to life in a comedy by Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkins. Telling the story of the fictional Globelink News, "Drop the Dead Donkey" became a long running sitcom of astronomical standards. With a large cast of faces who have since mostly become incredibly famous, the series never lost it's cutting edge and was loved and hated by politicians and celebrities alike. It was a beautifully written comedy diamond, and the fact it's DVD release has only occurred eight years after the final episode is a disgrace.When Globelink News is taken over by the overwhelming force of Sir Royston Merchant, editor and chief George Dent (Jeff Rawle) and his staff find their lives changing. Now being observed by the irritating Gus Hedges (Robert Duncan) they find themselves constantly at odds with their owner who's news morality is flexible and often easily bought. Life for the staff of Globelink News has taken a change for the worse.Led from the front by magnificent performances by Stephen Tompkinson, Neil Pearson, Jeff Rawle, Susannah Doyle (2nd season through to conclusion) and others, "Drop the Dead Donkey" was a pleasure to watch throughout. Constantly witty and sharp tongued, it never lost it's edge and would help to bury many a politicians career. MPs throughout the country either loved it or hated it. The more they hated it, the more writers Hamilton and Jenkins were happy.Perhaps the biggest irony about "Drop the Dead Donkey" is the claim that it is dated. Whilst it is true in regards to key issues it has not aged that well, the world today is not really that different to the year the series was debuted. Debuting in 1990, the series was shown at a time when America and Britain were fighting in Iraq, when a Bush was in the White House, a fool ran the British Cabinet and the English football team dreamt of glory (ok, that's a piece of news that is always true). Not the shows fault as much as a coincidental part of life, this striking similarities between times is as much frighting as it is amusing.Brilliantly written, with an excellent cast, "Drop the Dead Donkey" gave us some magical moments and some equally magical characters. The series might have aged over the years, but it is still as funny today as it was back then. It is a joy to watch, and the delay on it's DVD release is a travesty. A must watch.

hgallon "Drop the Dead Donkey" ran in six series from 1990 to 1996. The bulk of the humour deals with then-topical British news, so the program doesn't really travel well, or last more than a week (a long time in politics). Best of all the episodes released on video was the award-winning "The Christmas Party", which had hardly any up-to-date content.The central characters are all exaggerated caricatures of office and media stereotypes. Robert Duncan was good as jargon-spouting executive Gus Hedges, and Jeff Rawle as ineffectual editor George Dent. Haydn Gwynne played the cool, competent editor with a messy private life almost too well, so that the lighter Ingrid Lacey didn't have the same impact when she later filled the same role.Stephen Tompkinson's acting was probably the best although he was mainly used for the slapstick scenes. (Listen for the inimitable voice of Andy Hamilton playing luckless cameraman Jerry, screaming "Damien!!!" as Tompkinson's suicidally reckless reporter leads them into imminent danger, in almost every episode.)Susannah Doyle was a good "PA from Hell", but Sara Stewart's portrayal of a vapid blonde in the same slot in series 1 was also a delight.David Swift's portrayal of a vain newsreader must have been uncomfortably close to some real life newsreaders, with his booming delivery, ruined liver, and his obvious "syrup of figs".The series may have been killed off, but some of its highlights deserve to be remembered for a long time. Well done everybody, Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin in particular.

Pammit During my 2 year stay in the UK, I grew addicted to this show. To a newcomer, the satirical bite to this show gave me the "real" feel of how the dry news of the day was perceived by the public. The writing was great and was brought to life by a brilliant cast! I was elated when I found this show was to be shown on Comedy Central in the US, but it took one viewing to realize that without the daily access to the british news, this show was lost here. Too bad! It was extremely funny! BTW, can someone please tell me what happened to that poor chap, Jerry the camera man?