- Title: Drop The Dead Donkey - Series 1
- Date: 4th October 1990
- Summary: Damien is happily perverting the course of news reporting,as usual,when an execution proves less telegenic than he had expected. 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.
- Description:Drop The Dead Donkey Comedy series set backstage in a TV newsroom which answers vital questions like- what do newsreaders say to each other when the lights go down- are they discussing the news or comparing verrucas? Starring: Haydn Gwynne (Alex),Neil Pearson (Dave),Jeff Rawle (George),David Swift (Henry),Stephen Tompkinson (Damien),Victoria Wicks (Sally),Susannah Hitching (Journalist),Tony Portacio (Officer),Gina McKee (Lou),Sean Gascoigne (Wes),Valerie Whittington (Alice),Jasper Jacob (Surgeon),Bronco McLoughlin (Prisoner) Written by: Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin Director: Liddy Oldroyd Episode Nine Damien's sick obsession with sensationalism and drama is brought to the limelight this week. Not only does he do some disturbing things with a dead body in the gulf,he then ends up in hospital. Throughout the programme the story unfolds as to how Damien became injured. It seems he befriended a group of animal liberationists who were peaceful and friendly until a bit of gentle persuasion lead them to their first ever raid. Just before the raid Alex finds out what he is up to and tells George who immediately puts a stop to it. Sharing his love of high ratings,however,Gus secretly urges Damien to go through with the raid but at a different location. Unfortunately the new location doesn't have the sweet Beagles that the previous one did and instead has Rottweilers; hence Damien's injured legs. Damien is undeterred however and manages to get an inside story at the hospital. Meanwhile back at the office Gus keeps quiet about his involvement and lets George take all the flack for Damien's accident.
- Broadcaster:Channel 4
- Collection: Channel 4
- Genre:Entertainment
- Producer:Hat Trick Productions Ltd.
- Programme Episode:Episode 9
- Transmission Date:04/10/1990
- Rights:Worldwide
- Decade: 1990s