• Air date: 07 Jan '93 11 episodes
      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...
  • List of Episodes (11)
    • 1. In Place of Alex

      07 Jan '93
      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.
    • 2. Sally's Accountant

      14 Jan '93
      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.
    • 3. Henry's Lost Love

      21 Jan '93
      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.
    • 4. Helen'll Fix It

      28 Jan '93
      '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.
    • 5. Sally's Libel

      04 Feb '93
      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.
    • 6. Lady Merchant

      11 Feb '93
      Damien tries to interview a war criminal but realises that he has got the wrong man. Gus is seduced by Sir Roysten's wife.
    • 7. The New Newsreader

      18 Feb '93
      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.
    • 8. Joy

      25 Feb '93
      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.
    • 9. Paintball

      04 Mar '93
      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.
    • 10. George and His Daughter

      11 Mar '93
      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.
    • 11. Awards

      18 Mar '93
      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.