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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
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Back in 1990 this series was a real breath of fresh air. With a sharp script from the pens of Guy Jenkin and Andy Hamiton, it mixed great character comedy with sharp satire. The formula was a winner and comedy gold was struck.
Several things came together to make this a success from the off. A set of well formed characters were introduced in the first episode, each with their own neurosis and problems. There was just enough depth to the characters to stop them being mere caricatures, and due to the quality of the actors (most of whom are still well known faces on TV 20 years later) we really manage to believe in and become attached to the characters. The choice of setting, a TV newsroom, provided rich territory for the topical satire, and the gimmick of having topical jokes recorded and inserted just before transmission gave it a real edge.
Seeing this again so many years later, I am amazed and disturbed at how much of the topical humour is still relevant today. It has not dated at all, and there are plenty of cracks about the price of petrol the Middle East and faceless politicians. And the great characterisation never dates.
All 34 episodes from the first three series are presented here, along with the unaired pilot, interviews with cast and writers and introductions to each series from Hamilton and Jenkins. There is an introduction to each episode from Geoffrey McGivern, giving a quick topical background for each episode. There is a standard size DVD case for each series, collected into a card slipcase. It's an excellent package, and a very welcome release for this comedy great.
Several things came together to make this a success from the off. A set of well formed characters were introduced in the first episode, each with their own neurosis and problems. There was just enough depth to the characters to stop them being mere caricatures, and due to the quality of the actors (most of whom are still well known faces on TV 20 years later) we really manage to believe in and become attached to the characters. The choice of setting, a TV newsroom, provided rich territory for the topical satire, and the gimmick of having topical jokes recorded and inserted just before transmission gave it a real edge.
Seeing this again so many years later, I am amazed and disturbed at how much of the topical humour is still relevant today. It has not dated at all, and there are plenty of cracks about the price of petrol the Middle East and faceless politicians. And the great characterisation never dates.
All 34 episodes from the first three series are presented here, along with the unaired pilot, interviews with cast and writers and introductions to each series from Hamilton and Jenkins. There is an introduction to each episode from Geoffrey McGivern, giving a quick topical background for each episode. There is a standard size DVD case for each series, collected into a card slipcase. It's an excellent package, and a very welcome release for this comedy great.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
This series was one of the best comedys of the early 1990's and is still just as funny some ten years on. It centres around GlobeLink news which is one of the then new digital broadcasters of 24 hr news. The writing and acting from the brilliant cast is first rate and no politician was safe. From the last days of the Thatcher government to the dreary John Major all are sent up in this great comedy. There is Dave played by Neil Pearson who is the office ladies man and will bed and bet anything that moves. There's Damian Day who's the fearless reporter , but he will do anything to get the story including setting the whole situation up !. Not forgetting Globelink Boss Guss Hedges who sucks up to the Globelink owner Sir Royston Merchant. Sir Royston is modelled after Rupert Murdoch to great effect, but is never seen on the series. All in all this is a great series and the Dvd has extras included such as interviews with the writers and stars of the show.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
This series began in 1990 and is a winner from start to finish. They are 1/2 hour episodes of one the best comedies ever, about Globelink News. The casting is brilliant and the humour sharp as it gets. Think the satirical side of TW3 set in a news office and the news of the day gets a somewhat different outlook. When it was on our screens originally, the storyline concerned news items from only a few days or less beforehand, proving how quickly the whole episode was rehearsed and prepared for broadcast. No event, political party or politician was safe. This package has the first 3 series as well as interviews and extras. Great stuff!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Donkey
Classic British Humour, certainly not repeated quality wise since. So many TV stars with very varied talents first achieved fame on this series
Published 13 days ago by Richard P. Turner
Review 1
This product arrived here on time, was as described and has been good to watch the antics of the people in drop the dead donkey
Published 1 month ago by DaveyRavey
Sublime.
Dazzling script, wonderful characters, cast obviously having a blast, well-observed satire of our society and the daftness of the workplaces we have created for ourselves. Read more
Published 3 months ago by passingfancy
Won't work
The DVDs won't play in australia and that was not made clear at time of purchase. It wasn't until I did a lot of searching on your site that I found the relevant information.
Published 6 months ago by margiew41
DROP THE DEAD DONKEY
DROP THE DEAD DONKEY WAS SO FUNNY TO WATCH THAT I JUST HAD BUY THE COMPLETE SERIES SO THAT I COULD WATCH IT AGAIN WHENEVER I WANT TO
Published 11 months ago by terry
Very funny
I had forgotten how funny this series was. It is rather irreverent at times but the characters are all fascinating and very well portrayed.
Published 11 months ago by Friedrich Gauss
Memories
If you watched this series first time around it will just bring back so many memories of a time gone by. Very very funny in parts.
Published 14 months ago by klunked
Compulsive topical sitcom from the 90's
Starting from 1990, when the west was preparing to go to war against Saddam for the first time, this was a clever combination of topical satire show and sitcom, set in the offices... Read more
Published 14 months ago by C. JONES
Brilliant comedy
A brilliant show with a fantastic cast playing a great bunch of characters.
I watched this show without fail back in the nineties and could relate each character to somebody I... Read more
I watched this show without fail back in the nineties and could relate each character to somebody I... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Mr. G. Snowball
Drop the Dead Donkey
Extremely witty series. Have purchased the first three series and so much enjoyed them, that I am now placing an order for the next three.
Published 18 months ago by Mrs. J. W. Pavier
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