Drop the Dead Donkey

- Season 1

(1990)

A computer virus is introduced into the GlobeLink newsroom, causing lots of personal information about the staff to appear onscreen, creating friction among the personnel.

GlobeLink is taken over by Sir Royston Merchant, and Gus Hedges takes over as the newsroom manager. Full of management-speak, he interferes in the running of the newsroom despite claiming to be 'hands-off.'

Gus employs a new, popular newsreader who manages to irritate all members of staff. However, an increase in ratings that results from her performance, and a bonus pay increase, makes the staff much happier.

There is a conflict of interest when one of Sir Royston Merchant's chemical companies spills some chemicals. Gus continues to put pressure on George. Henry is unhappy when he sees his prerecorded obituary.

Gus has a charity dinner with Prince Philip and wants the Prince's views to be shown on GlobeLink News. Damian has done an investigative piece on a slum landlord who turns out to be Alex's ex-husband and she must find out what he's up to.

Henry brings his 20-year-old great-nephew to the newsroom as part of his journalism course. His youthful presence and enthusiasm make the editorial staff wonder if they're getting too old.

George is undecided about whether to run a news story that came from an anonymous source and will embarrass the government. Sally is recorded having sex with her 'Big Norse Warrior' and the whole newsroom gets a copy.

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?'. Meanwhile, Gus shows that beneath his cunning, slimy, manipulative exterior there is a warm, cunning, slimy and manipulative human being.

Economy is Gus's latest obsession, as he attempts to introduce an austerity drive at the station. This threatens to have a disastrous effect on Damien's bribing techniques and Dave is obsessed with his own lack of solvency. Sally reaps the reward of an over-zealous publicity campaign and an outbreak of petty theft prompts a security crisis.

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.

The news team achieves its ultimate aim and, as well as getting a late extension to the bar, they secure an interview with the Prime Minister.