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Drop the Dead Donkey

1990 Ended 24m episodes

7.0/10 30 votes

Comedy

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.

Created by:: Andy Hamilton, Guy Jenkin
Cast:: Neil Pearson, Victoria Wicks, Susannah Doyle, David Swift
Language:: English
Network:: Channel 4

Episode guide

Seasons

7 available

Season 1

Episodes

Episode 1 selected

E01

Episode 1

A New Dawn

1990-08-09

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.

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E02

Episode 2

Sally's Arrival

1990-08-16 · 25m

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.

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E03

Episode 3

★ 8.0

A Clash of Interests

1990-08-23 · 25m

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.

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E04

Episode 4

★ 8.0

A Blast from the Past

1990-08-30 · 25m

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.

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E05

Episode 5

Old Father Time

1990-09-06 · 25m

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

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E06

Episode 6

Sex, Lies and Audiotape

1990-09-13

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.

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E07

Episode 7

★ 8.0

The New Approach

1990-09-20

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.

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E08

Episode 8

★ 9.0

The Root of All Evil

1990-09-27

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.

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E09

Episode 9

Death, Disaster 'n' Damien

1990-10-04

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.

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E10

Episode 10

The Big Day

1990-10-11

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.

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