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  • 1993-01-07T00:00:00Z on Channel 4
  • 24m
  • 4h 24m (11 episodes)
  • United Kingdom
  • English
  • Comedy
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.

11 episodes

Season Premiere

1993-01-07T00:00:00Z

3x01 In Place of Alex

Season Premiere

3x01 In Place of Alex

  • 1993-01-07T00:00:00Z24m

After Alex leaves, Gus and George start to look for a replacement. When just two people (Peregrine and Helen) are left in the hunt, Dave and Henry come up with a plan to get Gus to choose the person they want.

1993-01-14T00:00:00Z

3x02 Sally's Accountant

3x02 Sally's Accountant

  • 1993-01-14T00:00:00Z24m

Henry has money troubles so he gets Sally's accountant to help him out, but the accountant skips town with all his money. Henry interviews real life M.P.s Teddy Taylor and Ken Livingstone.

1993-01-21T00:00:00Z

3x03 Henry's Lost Love

3x03 Henry's Lost Love

  • 1993-01-21T00:00:00Z24m

Dave finally wins big on the horses, but Henry goes off on a bender with the betting slip, after hearing that his ex wife is getting married again.

1993-01-28T00:00:00Z

3x04 Helen'll Fix It

3x04 Helen'll Fix It

  • 1993-01-28T00:00:00Z24m

'Jim'll Fix It' gets Sally to agree to read the news with a little girl who has told the program that her mother has just died. Damien is following a story on prostitutes but Gus discovers that one of the girls is seeing Sir Roysten and wants the program cancelled.

1993-02-04T00:00:00Z

3x05 Sally's Libel

3x05 Sally's Libel

  • 1993-02-04T00:00:00Z24m

A new sports reporter joins the team. He is an ex-goalkeeper who conceded an easy goal during a cup tie and never lived it down. Sally sues a newspaper and wins her case but receives only 15 pence as her award.

1993-02-11T00:00:00Z

3x06 Lady Merchant

3x06 Lady Merchant

  • 1993-02-11T00:00:00Z24m

Damien tries to interview a war criminal but realises that he has got the wrong man. Gus is seduced by Sir Roysten's wife.

1993-02-18T00:00:00Z

3x07 The New Newsreader

3x07 The New Newsreader

  • 1993-02-18T00:00:00Z24m

A new news reader joins the staff but she is so good that Henry and Sally try to get her the sack. George tries to pluck up courage to ask Helen out but then he learns that she is a lesbian. Dave and Damien go pot holing and get trapped.

1993-02-25T00:00:00Z

3x08 Joy

3x08 Joy

  • 1993-02-25T00:00:00Z24m

Joy is seeing a married man. After some advice from George, Joy tells his wife, he gets stabbed and Joy is a suspect. Henry and Sally argue over desk space. Dave and Damien fall out.

1993-03-04T00:00:00Z

3x09 Paintball

3x09 Paintball

  • 1993-03-04T00:00:00Z24m

Gus takes the office on a war game weekend but Henry gets a black eye which forces him to drop out of a documentary that he was about to film. Damien discovers that Dave has slept with Helen.

1993-03-11T00:00:00Z

3x10 George and His Daughter

3x10 George and His Daughter

  • 1993-03-11T00:00:00Z24m

Damien gets caught in South Africa when a dictator wants information on dissidents in the UK. Joy and her friend go to see the Chippendales, so Henry and Dave try to show that they can go one better. George hunts for his daughter who is living rough with a bunch of squatters.

Season Finale

1993-03-18T00:00:00Z

3x11 Awards

Season Finale

3x11 Awards

  • 1993-03-18T00:00:00Z24m

The office go to an awards dinner but Joy and Sally turn up in the same dress. Gus hears a rumour that Sir Roysten is pulling out of Globelink. Henry wins a life achievement award.

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