Sjhm The only reason that some people might perceive this as dated, is that it used topical news as part of the programme. It shows up today's politicians as the same old slippery critters they were in the early 90s. Part of the joy of this series, was the incidental personal comedy. Gus sitting in his burnt out office, refusing to accept that Sir Royston Merchant had had the place torched as an insurance job, George's depressive monologues about his family problems and health issues, Alex trying to point out to her mother that due to the fuel crisis, filling the garden pond with petrol might be a bad idea, Sally's Norse Warrior, Dave and Damien, essentially little boys who won't grow up, Joy's wrathful young amazon (Girl Power, long before the silly pop group espoused the idea), Helen trying to maintain calm and function in an increasingly difficult atmosphere as the station crumbles around her. This programme stands up today, because despite the politics being fifteen years old, it is still fresh and resonates with office workers in the stressed out Noughties.

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.

joelbav Never having traveled abroad, I have no idea what the references to British media were about. Nonetheless, the episodes that ran on Comedy Central were still terrific! Perhaps it was a matter of which episodes out of the six year run were aired over here, but what I saw was an excellent ensemble cast with pithy writing that any "homegrown" sitcom would rightfully give an arm and leg to have.I wish episodes were available in NTSC DVD form, 'cuz I'd like to see more...! :)

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?