Drop the Dead Donkey
Overview
Set in the bustling offices of the fictional GlobeLink News, Drop the Dead Donkey blends sharp satire with real-world events, airing on Channel 4 from 1990 to 1998. Created by Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin, the sitcom follows editor George Dent and his team as they navigate the challenges posed by media mogul Sir Roysten Merchant and his ambitious aide, Gus Hedges, who favors sensationalism over journalistic integrity. The series, featuring standout performances from Haydn Gwynne, Stephen Tompkinson, and Neil Pearson, garnered critical acclaim, winning multiple BAFTA and British Comedy Awards throughout its run.
Episodes
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1
A New Dawn
Title: A New Beginning Plot: Sir Roysten assumes leadership at Globelink News, appointing Gus as his right-hand man. Editor George attempts to fire D...
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2
Sally's Arrival
Title: The Newscaster's Debut Plot: With the impending Gulf War looming over Britain due to Saddam Hussein's threats, the newsroom faces an unexpecte...
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3
A Clash of Interests
Gus works to win Alex's support to convince George to suppress a story concerning a chemical spill from a company linked to Sir Roysten. Meanwhile, Da...
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4
A Blast from the Past
Title: Echoes of History Plot: Damien investigates the issue of slum landlords, but during the review of the recorded material, Alex is shocked to di...
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5
Old Father Time
Title: The Young Intern Plot: Henry's young nephew arrives at the office seeking an internship, but his age sparks a flurry of concern among the staf...
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6
Sex, Lies and Audiotape
Alex has gotten his hands on a highly classified audio tape that the Government is determined to suppress. The tape features Sally in an intimate mome...
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7
The New Approach
Gus hires a stress therapist to conduct interviews with the team, but after a group session, tensions boil over into a confrontation between Dave and ...
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8
The Root of All Evil
Sally receives a bouquet from an anonymous admirer, but when her purse goes missing, Dave becomes a suspect due to his recent attempts to borrow cash....
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9
Death, Disaster 'n' Damien
Title: Death, Disaster 'n' Damien Plot: While on set, Damien pretends to be part of a firing squad. He sustains an injury while coordinating an anima...
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10
The Big Day
Gus is eager for Sally to conduct the interview with the Prime Minister during her visit to the studio, but Alex and George are pushing for Henry to t...
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1
The Gulf Report
The publication of the book detailing Globelink News' coverage of the Gulf War is imminent, and George is set to be interviewed on television about it...
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2
The Trevorman Cometh
Title: The Trevorman Cometh Plot: Gus hires a productivity consultant to assist with impending layoffs. Meanwhile, Henry struggles with paralysis in ...
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3
Henry and Dido
Title: Henry and Dido Plot: Sally brings her dog, Dido, to the workplace, brightening everyone's day. Meanwhile, Henry is involved with a budding act...
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4
Baseball
The team is roped into joining Gus's baseball squad, driven by his desire to get back at his older brother, Julian. At the same time, the staff enlist...
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5
The Drunken Cabinet Minister
Title: The Intoxicated Cabinet Official Plot: Sally vents to George about being inundated with grim news stories. During Henry's scheduled interview,...
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6
Alex and the Intrepreter
Title: Alex and the Interpreter Plot: With George away on vacation, Alex takes charge of the office and finds herself entangled with a Russian visito...
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7
Hoax
Throughout the episode, Henry is fixated on cracking the final clue in the Times crossword, only to receive an unexpected answer from an unlikely sour...
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8
Don't Mention the Arabs
Title: Avoid the Topic of the Arabs Plot: Sally has embraced a new faith. Meanwhile, Henry is crafting an obituary for a critically ill colleague in ...
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9
Damien Down and Out
Title: Damien in the Trenches Plot: As Damien navigates life on the streets to uncover a major scoop, Dave takes advantage of his credit card privile...
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10
The Evangelist
Title: The Evangelist Plot: Reverend Earl Johnson seeks media coverage for his events from Globelink, but Alex declines his request. Meanwhile, Sally...
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11
George's Daughter
On the day George is tasked with taking his troubled daughter to work, a television crew is in the newsroom filming a documentary for 'Hidden Eye'. Me...
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12
Dave's Day
Title: Dave's Dilemma Plot: Dave seeks help from a therapist to overcome his gambling addiction. Meanwhile, Gus entrusts Dave with a crucial videotap...
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13
The Christmas Party
At the Christmas party, chaos ensues as Dave and Alex end up spending the night together, but in the morning, Alex feels a wave of regret. Meanwhile, ...
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1
In Place of Alex
Once Alex departs, Gus and George embark on the search for a new candidate. As the pool of applicants dwindles down to just Peregrine and Helen, Dave ...
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2
Sally's Accountant
Title: Sally's Financial Advisor Plot: Facing financial difficulties, Henry turns to Sally's financial advisor for assistance. However, the advisor t...
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3
Henry's Lost Love
Title: Henry's Heartbreak Plot: After hitting the jackpot at the racetrack, Dave celebrates his big win, but Henry spirals into a drinking spree when...
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4
Helen'll Fix It
Title: Helen'll Fix It Plot: In this episode, Sally is persuaded by "Jim'll Fix It" to co-anchor the news with a young girl who has recently lost her...
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5
Sally's Libel
A fresh sports reporter is brought onto the team, and he happens to be a former goalkeeper who once let an easy goal slip through his fingers during a...
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6
Lady Merchant
Damien attempts to conduct an interview with a notorious war criminal, only to discover he’s mistaken and has the wrong person. Meanwhile, Gus finds...
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7
The New Newsreader
A talented new newsreader joins the team, prompting Henry and Sally to conspire to get her fired out of jealousy. Meanwhile, George musters the nerve ...
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8
Joy
Title: Joy Plot: Joy is involved with a man who is already married. Following George's counsel, she decides to confront his wife about the affair. In...
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9
Paintball
Gus organizes a war game weekend at the office, but things take a turn when Henry ends up with a black eye, leading him to withdraw from a documentary...
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10
George and His Daughter
Title: George and His Daughter Plot: In South Africa, Damien finds himself in a precarious situation as a dictator demands details about UK dissident...
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11
Awards
Title: Honors Night Plot: The team attends a prestigious awards gala, but Joy and Sally show up wearing identical gowns, leading to an awkward situat...
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1
The Undiscovered Country
Following the funeral of a coworker, Gus is deeply shaken by the concept of mortality. Meanwhile, Dave and Henry indulge in a wild night of drinking. ...
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2
Quality Time
Title: Family Matters Plot: Helen encounters her daughter's recently appointed teacher. Meanwhile, Damien and Henry challenge Dave to win Joy's heart...
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3
The Day of The Mum
Gus returns home from the hospital and hands over more tasks to Helen. Meanwhile, Damien's mother arrives and continues her harsh criticism of him. He...
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4
Births and Deaths
Title: Life and Loss Plot: Damien receives a chilling death threat from the drug lords he exposed in a recent investigation, prompting Gus to arrange...
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5
Helen's Parents
During a dinner party for her parents, Helen requests Dave to play the role of her boyfriend to avoid revealing her sexuality. Meanwhile, Sally discov...
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6
Sally in T.V. Times
Title: Sally in T.V. Times Plot: Anna is set to wed George, but her intentions are far from pure. Meanwhile, Sally finds herself in the spotlight as ...
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7
Crime Time
Gus suggests launching a new crime show featuring Sally and Damien, but he’s dissatisfied with the director, so he decides to take matters into his ...
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8
No More Mr Nice Guy
After transforming his timid reputation, George assigns Sally and Henry to attend an international conference in Acapulco.
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9
Henry's Autobiography
Title: Henry's Memoir Plot: George is incredibly anxious about his upcoming interview with Jeremy Paxman on BBC. Meanwhile, Henry makes an attempt to...
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10
The Strike
Title: The Walkout Plot: With a majority of the employees on strike over layoffs, Gus, Sally, George, and Damien remain on the job, prompting Gus to ...
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11
The Wedding
Dave plans a stag night for one of the team, but surprisingly, it’s Gus who ends up getting stripped down by the night’s end. With builders taking...
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12
Damien and the Weather Girl
Title: Damien and the Weather Girl Plot: A fresh face joins the weather team, leading to Dave starting a romance with her. However, he soon realizes ...
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1
Inside the Asylum
Sally comes back home after spending time in a mental health facility. Meanwhile, Helen experiences a terrifying moment when she gets her car stolen. ...
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2
The Godless Society
Gus is determined to make a great impression on a Japanese delegation of potential investors, while the rest of the newsroom is introduced to a new id...
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3
The Bird of Doom
Gus brings on a new security company for his needs, while Joy takes a step toward her career aspirations by applying for a position at the BBC.
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4
What are Friends For
Joy's friend starts working at the office and accidentally reveals some childhood secrets they shared. Meanwhile, Damien conducts an interview with Jo...
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5
The Path of True Love
Helen organizes a dinner gathering to help her lesbian friend meet her colleagues, but Damien schemes to disrupt their connection. Meanwhile, Gus fina...
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6
George's Car
Title: George's Jaguar Plot: George acquires Henry's vintage Jaguar, only to face an immediate expense of £2000 for a replacement gearbox. Meanwhile...
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7
Charnley in Love
Title: Charnley in Love Plot: Sally stars in a commercial aimed at senior citizens, but it ends up causing her trouble. Meanwhile, Dave starts to rec...
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8
Henry's Diary
Henry's column is stirring up trouble among the employees in the office. Meanwhile, Gus is busy selling tickets for Sir Roysten's charity event and re...
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9
Dave and Diana
Title: Dave and Diana Plot: Gus enlists the help of a psychologist to assess the team. Meanwhile, Henry and Damien are convinced that Dave is in a ro...
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10
Luck
After being shoved down the stairs by Liam Gallagher, Damien finds himself in the hospital with a fractured leg. Meanwhile, Sally takes the stage in a...
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11
The Graveyard Shift
The majority of the team returns to the office for the overnight shift. Dave and Helen come across Gus's drug test results, revealing traces of ecstas...
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12
Sex 'n Death
Henry receives the devastating news that he is terminally ill, prompting him to embark on a wild, reckless binge. Meanwhile, Gus is plagued by disturb...
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1
The Newsmakers
Title: The Newsmakers Plot: A documentary team captures the downfall of Globelink News, chronicling the internal conflicts and external pressures tha...
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2
Beasts, Badgers and Bombshells
Roy Merchant promises to not cut jobs.
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3
The Diaries
Title: The Journals Plot: Helen reveals to her father that she identifies as a lesbian. Meanwhile, Henry and Sally embark on a job hunt in search of ...
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4
But is it Art?
Sally starts a romantic relationship with older men. Meanwhile, George encounters Henry's niece for the first time. In a heartfelt conversation, Helen...
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5
George Finds Love
George heads out for a date with Henry’s niece, Sue. Meanwhile, Damien begins to experience a nervous breakdown as the fear of losing his job weighs...
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6
A Bit of an Atmosphere
Damian's episodes of fainting become increasingly severe. Meanwhile, Henry lands a position on a children's television show. Joy's artwork is showcase...
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7
The Final Chapter
The team gets ready for significant shifts in their professional lives, but things quickly spiral off course.
