Drop the Dead Donkey

Bafta-winning 90s comedy set in the chaos of a busy newsroom

Bafta-winning 90s comedy set in the chaos of a busy newsroom. It's all change as bigwig Sir Roysten Merchant takes over, forcing the feeble editor & his wayward staff to adapt.

drop-the-dead-donkey

A brave new world beckons for the staff at Globelink News.

A New Dawn

A brave new world beckons for the staff at Globelink News when the station is taken over by media mogul Sir Roysten Merchant.

In an effort to boost ratings, Gus presents Henry with a new partner...

Sally's Arrival

In an effort to boost ratings, Gus presents Henry with a new partner: Sally Smedley, who arrives in a blaze of self-publicity. Henry nurtures plans for their partnership to extend into his bedroom...

George has to decide whether to run a negative story about Sir Roysten.

A Clash of Interests

George has to decide whether to run a negative story about Sir Roysten. Sally is unhappy about the effects of doom and gloom stories on her personal popularity. Henry's life flashes before his eyes.

Henry and Sally aren't happy about receiving extra coaching.

A Blast from the Past

Alex has to decide where her loyalties lie when her ex-husband is implicated in a scandal. And Henry and Sally aren't happy about receiving extra coaching as part of Gus's quest for higher standards.

Henry's well-rehearsed interview technique fails to work its magic.

Old father Time

Henry's well-rehearsed interview technique fails to work its magic on a particular government minister. To make matters worse, his nephew, a media studies student, upstages him in more ways than one.

Sex, Lies and Audiotape

Sally Smedley's ice-cool screen persona belies a passionate heart, and soon two groins are beating as one. And when Special Branch raid the station, being wired for sound takes on a whole new meaning.

George asks important questions like 'Can news broadcasting be truly unbiased?'

The New Approach

George asks important questions like 'Can news broadcasting be truly unbiased?', 'Is it right to ignore Government pressure?', and 'Where the hell are my ulcer pills?'

Gus attempts to introduce an austerity drive at the station.

The Root of All Evil

Gus attempts to introduce an austerity drive at the station, which could have a disastrous effect on Damien's bribing techniques, while Dave is obsessed with his own lack of solvency

An execution proves less telegenic than Damien had hoped.

Death, Disaster & Damien

An execution proves less telegenic than Damien had hoped. Closer to home, his coverage of an animal liberation raid lacks glamour until he takes charge and turns it into a dog's dinner – literally!

Gus is delighted when the station lands a key interview with the Prime Minister.

The Big Day

Gus is delighted when the station lands a key interview with the Prime Minister but who will carry out the interrogation?

The Gulf Report

The team review their Gulf War coverage. Gus launches some scuds and George experiences some collateral damage.

Globelink is in severe financial difficulties and only one thing unites the staff...

The Trevorman Cometh

Globelink is in severe financial difficulties and only one thing unites the staff: the desire to stab someone else in the back.

Making the news means daily confrontation with war and violence.

Henry & Dido

Making the news means daily confrontation with war and violence, but at Globelink News the bloodiest war and violence is taking place between the newsreaders.

Chief executive Gus Hedges reveals his deeper feelings for his brother.

Baseball

Chief executive Gus Hedges reveals his deeper feelings for his brother - by making him grovel.

A government minister turns out to be incapable.

Drunk Minister

A government minister turns out to be incapable. George, on the other hand, is totally inept.

Alex gets involved with a visiting Russian and his interpreter.

Alex and the Interpreter

Alex gets involved with a visiting Russian and his interpreter, who are here to see how the station is run.

Newshound Damien Day deplores fabrication by TV reporters.

Hoax

Newshound Damien Day deplores fabrication by TV reporters, especially when someone else does it better than him.

There's bad news for Christianity when the unspeakable Sally Smedley finds God.

Don't Mention the Arabs

There's bad news for George about his daughter...

Damien Down and Out

There's bad news for George about his daughter, bad news for Damien about a bet he's made and bad news for God about Sally - she's still a Christian...

Sally finds God and a dubious spiritual guide.

The Evangelist

Sally finds God and a dubious spiritual guide; divorce is on the cards for George; and there's something even nastier on the cards for Dave.

Damien kicks some doors down and a visiting documentary crew causes problems...

George's Daughter

Damien kicks some doors down and a visiting documentary crew causes problems for George, but not as many problems as his daughter causes.

Dave seeks psychiatric help and encounters problems with a trick cyclist.

Dave's Day

Henry can't cope with what's happening...

The Christmas Party

Henry can't cope with what's happening, George doesn't remember what happened and Alex and Dave try very hard to forget what has happened.

Gus and George interview possible replacements for Alex.

In Place of Alex

Gus and George interview possible replacements for Alex, who has been poached by another newsroom, and the office sweepstake goes into overdrive to nobble the front-runners.

When prominent MPs are invited to discuss the recession, Henry has a meltdown.

Sally’s Accountant

When prominent MPs are invited to discuss the recession, Henry hits meltdown as personal angst overcomes professional etiquette and the subject hits more than a chord.

Henry's ex-wife tells him she's re-marrying.

Henry’s Lost Love

Henry's ex-wife tells him she's re-marrying - why not to him, he wants to know. Meanwhile, Damien reckons he's on his way to a gambling fortune.

In the face of Government threats, Helen refuses to name her sources.

Helen’ll Fix It

In the face of Government threats, Helen refuses to name her sources. Meanwhile, Gus refuses to OK Damien's titillating report on prostitution.

Newspaper reports suggest Sally isn't the most able.

Sally’s Libel

Newspaper reports suggest Sally isn't the most able, attractive, popular and least boring member of the Globelink team. She decides to sue.

Sexual harassment raises its ugly head in the newsroom.

Lady Merchant

Sexual harassment raises its ugly head in the newsroom - but for once its not Henry's. Meanwhile, Damien is busy invading every bit of privacy he can to track down a Nazi war criminal.

Gus introduces Jill, a newly qualified newsreader.

The New Newsreader

Gus introduces Jill, a newly qualified newsreader, as the youthful face of Globelink's image. But Henry and Sally discover she may become its only face.

Reeling from Helen's rejection, George finds a kindred spirit in Joy.

Reeling from Helen's rejection, George finds a kindred spirit in Joy. But when he tells her to take things in hand, why does that include a knife?

Gus decides that Globelink is suffering from 'team-unbonding'.

Paintball

Gus decides that Globelink is suffering from 'team-unbonding'. His answer? A weekend of 'adventure-harmonising', better known as paintball in the woods.

George is having family problems and Gus is having morality problems.

George and His Daughter

George is having family problems, Gus is having morality problems, and all around them Chippendale-mania is sweeping the country.

Awards

It's party time for GlobeLink: the razz at the British News Awards ceremony begins. Damian dreams of victory, Dave dreams of Helen, and for once Henry is less than happy to be centre-stage.

After a sudden death at GlobeLink, Gus goes into exercise overdrive.

The Undiscovered Country

After a sudden death at GlobeLink, Gus goes into exercise overdrive to try to defer his own demise. Meanwhile, George tries his hand at acting; and Damien has trouble with his Porsche.

Quality Time

Gus recovers from his heart tremor and tries to survive the visits from his fellow workers. Meanwhile Helen has a crisis about being a single parent and Dave's compulsive betting gets him into deep water.

George is invited to his ex-wife Margaret's wedding.

The Day of the Mum

George is invited to his ex-wife Margaret's wedding; Damien unhappily expects a special visitor; and Gus pursues his new hobby: relaxing.

Damien receives death threats from other than Joy.

Births and Deaths

Damien receives death threats from other than Joy; Henry and Sally face dark secrets from their pasts, recent for one and distant for the other.

Helen's Parents

When Helen's parents decide to stay, she has to decide whether to stay in or come out of the closet. Meanwhile, Sally's becoming more human and George is wearing his best cardie!

Sally suffers a tragedy and Joy offers to pose nude for a photographer.

Sally in TV Times

Sally suffers a tragedy; Joy offers to pose nude for a photographer; Gus reveals the new GlobeLink logo; and the staffers show their skills at investigative journalism - into George's love life.

Wedding bells ring for George, while warning bells ring for everyone else.

Crime Time

Wedding bells ring for George, while warning bells ring for everyone else. Will he make it to the altar, especially now that he's chosen Dave as best man?

Unlucky in love, George turns tyrant overnight.

No More Mr Nice Guy

Unlucky in love, George turns tyrant overnight and surprises the news team with his decisiveness and strange choice of suits. Sally is dispatched to Acapulco and Henry plots her downfall live via satellite.

Henry is about to spill the beans in his 'tell-it-like-it-was-and-is' life story.

Henry's Autobiography

Henry is about to spill the beans in his 'tell-it-like-it-was-and-is' life story - and become rich overnight. While he finds a new female admirer among the news team, Sally plots to prevent publication.

Gus stands to make a million from GlobeLink's record profits.

The Strike

Gus stands to make a million from GlobeLink's record profits, but some of the staff face the sack, so the news team vote to strike = except for Sally and Damien.

Everyone throws themselves into preparations for an upcoming GlobeLink wedding.

The Wedding

Everyone throws themselves into preparations for an upcoming GlobeLink wedding - including Gus, who's determined to become one of the lads.

Gus takes the moral high ground in a drive to promote family values.

Damien and the Weather Girl

Gus takes the moral high ground in a drive to promote family values, both on-screen and off. Meanwhile, Henry takes fright at his loss of libido and is caught short on live TV.

Helen is unnerved by a traumatic start to her working day.

Inside The Asylum

Helen is unnerved by a traumatic start to her working day. Henry is happy to be courted by a rival broadcaster - will he make a marriage made in TV heaven?

Gus is eager to impress a Japanese delegation of potential financiers.

The Godless Society

Gus is eager to impress a Japanese delegation of potential financiers; the news staffers are introduced to the novel concept of religious belief, except for George, who's lost all faith in public transport.

The technology revolution reaches Globelink.

The Bird of Doom

The technology revolution reaches Globelink. Joy prepares to shin up the career ladder and Sally has a close encounter with an enemy on the wing.

Gus has a date with destiny and Helen is in a spin over spin doctors!

What Are Friends For?

Gus has a date with destiny, Helen is in a spin over spin doctors and Globelink News braces itself for a visit by the nation's leader - no, not Sir Royston, John Major!

The Path of True Love

Helen has a new woman in her life and Gus is about to get a woman in his life as Cupid starts firing poison-tipped arrows.

George’s Car

Sally decides her face doesn't fit. Meanwhile, George's newly-bought car turns out to be a dud; and Dave tries to grasp the concept of fidelity.

Charnely in Love

Gus is worried about an old face, Dave is worried about his wedding, and Damian is just worried.

Gus holds a celebrity dinner in honour of Sir Royston.

Henry’s Diary

Gus holds a celebrity dinner in honour of Sir Royston; George prepares for a very public debut; and Henry's newspaper column suffers from a ghost in the machine.

Rumours are sweeping the Globelink newsroom.

Dave and Diana

Rumours are sweeping the Globelink newsroom about the incident of the mysterious, handsome man-about-town seen with Di... And as if that's not enough, a psychologist arrives to appraise the team's mental health.

Henry has a mid-life crisis and Sally makes an exhibition of herself.

Luck

Henry has a mid-life crisis, Sally makes an exhibition of herself, and Damien discovers he's not Mister Indestructible after all.

Helen is not alone when she works the nightshift.

The Graveyard Shift

Helen is not alone when she works the nightshift. George is suspected of having some form of mind-altering experience, while Joy admits to being involved in an unusual relationship.

Sex ‘n Death

George grapples with illness, Henry grapples with some dreadful news and Gus wrestles with dreams involving a rather nice set of manacles.

The staff of GlobeLink News are to be the stars of a docusoap.

The Newsmakers Untitled

The staff of GlobeLink News are to be the stars of a docusoap, whether they like it or not. As they fend off hand-held cameras, they discover their futures are in doubt.

GlobeLink is seized by rumours after the announcement of job cuts.

Beasts, Badgers and Bombshells

GlobeLink is seized by rumours after the announcement of job cuts. In a frantic bid to up the ratings, Gus launches a dumbed-down news.

Gus is in denial about the imminent demise of GlobeLink.

The Diaries

Gus is in denial about the imminent demise of GlobeLink. Helen wrestles with single motherhood and her sexuality, while Sally tries to discover the secret of eternal youth and Joy finds a dope for some

Gus is still in denial and George meets Henry's niece.

But Is It Art?

Gus is still in denial, George meets Henry's niece, and overcomes his fear of flying. Sally goes in search of an alternative income and Helen discovers she has no secrets.

Sally is very taken with her wealthy fiancé, and so is Gus.

George Finds Love

Sally is very taken with her wealthy fiancé, and so is Gus. George plays hard to get and Helen is in mourning.

Henry finds new fame as an icon of youth TV.

A Bit of an Atmosphere

Henry finds new fame as an icon of youth TV, while Dave dabbles in the underworld and gambles with his future.

The Final Chapter

Time is running out for GlobeLink. During the station's dying days, Sally prepares for her final bulletin and married bliss, whilst Dave and Henry are at daggers drawn.

Drop the Dead Donkey

Drop the Dead Donkey

Series 1

1. A New Dawn

2. Sally's Arrival

3. A Clash of Interests

4. A Blast from the Past

5. Old father Time

6. Sex, Lies and Audiotape

7. The New Approach

8. The Root of All Evil

9. Death, Disaster & Damien

10. The Big Day