Playback is currently unavailable for S5 E1 · Inside the Asylum. Episode details remain available below.
Drop the Dead Donkey
A sitcom set in the offices of "GlobeLink News" after its acquisition by media mogul Sir Roysten Merchant. Led by editor George Dent, the staff of GlobeLink battle to maintain the company as a serious news organization against Sir Roysten's right-hand man, Gus Hedges, who wants to make the show more sensationalist and suppress stories that might harm Roysten's business empire.
- Created by:
- Andy Hamilton, Guy Jenkin
- Cast:
- Neil Pearson, Victoria Wicks, Susannah Doyle, David Swift
- Language:
- English
- Network:
- Channel 4
Episode guide
Seasons
Season 5
Episodes
E01
Episode 1
★ 9.0Inside the Asylum
1996-10-01Sally returns from a mental hospital. Helen is carjacked. Henry is offered a job at the BBC.
Current episodeEpisode 2
★ 9.0The Godless Society
1996-10-08Gus is eager to impress a Japanese delegation of potential financiers while the newsroom are introduced to a novel concept - religious belief - except for George, who's lost all faith in public transport.
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E03
Episode 3
★ 10.0The Bird of Doom
1996-10-15Gus hires a new security firm. Joy applies for a job at the BBC.
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E04
Episode 4
★ 10.0What are Friends For
1996-10-22Joy's friend comes to work at the office but unwittingly lets slip some of their secrets from while they were growing up. Damien interviews John Major and has trouble staying awake. Gus chats to a girl over the internet but before asking her out he wants to practice on Sally but she gets the wrong idea.
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E05
Episode 5
★ 10.0The Path of True Love
1996-10-29Helen holds a dinner party to introduce her lesbian friend to the rest of the office but Damien tries to break them up. Gus finally dates the woman he has been chatting to on the internet but he wants to use Dave's chat up lines. Sally does a radio advert.
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E06
Episode 6
★ 8.0George's Car
1996-11-05George buys Henry's old Jaguar and immediately has to spend 2000 pounds on a new gearbox. Sally is thinking about cosmetic surgery and Dave might break the habit of a lifetime and propose marriage to his girlfriend.
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E07
Episode 7
★ 10.0Charnley in Love
1996-11-12Sally does an old age pensioners advert, but it backfires on her. Dave is beginning to have second thoughts about getting engaged, then he finds out that his fiance is dumping him. One of Gus's old girl friends, who now works for Sir Roysten, comes to give Globelink the once over. Damien is the first subject on a new reality TV show. Damien interviews M.P.s Anne Coates and Tony Banks.
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E08
Episode 8
★ 10.0Henry's Diary
1996-11-19Henry's newspaper column is causing problems among the office staff. Gus is trying to sell tickets to Sir Roysten's benefit and he gets Joy to become a waitress for the evening.
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E09
Episode 9
★ 10.0Dave and Diana
1996-11-26Gus brings in a psychologist to interview the staff. Henry and Damien think that Dave is dating Princess Diana but have a surprise in store. George brings in his home made wine.
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E10
Episode 10
★ 9.0Luck
1996-12-03Damien ends up in hospital with a broken leg after being pushed down stairs by Liam Gallagher. Sally acts in a pantomime with Rosemarie Ford. Dave clears his debts with a bet on the football.
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E11
Episode 11
★ 9.0The Graveyard Shift
1996-12-10Most of the staff end up back at the office on the graveyard shift. Dave and Helen see the report on the drug tests that Gus has taken showing George with traces of ecstasy. Joy brings her brother who has been sleeping rough back to the office and he beats Gus's record score on a video game.
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E12
Episode 12
★ 10.0Sex 'n Death
1996-12-17Henry finds out that he is dying so goes on a bender to end all benders but there is a surprise in store. Gus is having sex nightmares about Joy so he asks Dave for advice but the nightmares continue with someone else.
Watch progress · Not trackedCast
Neil Pearson
Dave Charnley
Victoria Wicks
Sally Smedley
Susannah Doyle
Joy Merryweather
David Swift
Henry Davenport
Stephen Tompkinson
Damien Day
Jeff Rawle
George Dent
Robert Duncan
Gus Hedges
Ingrid Lacey
Helen Cooper