'Spitting Image' was a satirical political sketch show broadcast on Channel 4 in UK during the 1980's and 90's.
It lampooned of political leaders and popular figures of the day in the form of latex puppets created in grotesque caracatures of the people they featured.
It was criticised by the establishment as being "in bad taste"... which was mostly why so many people enjoyed it.
The original show centred heavily on Margaret Thatcher and the British Cabinet of the day but also lashed into Ronald Reagan. Needless to say, it was very popular.
And it will soon be back on British screens. A short trailer has been produced. And of course, Boris Johnson and Donald Trump will be front and centre as targets.
I love the line in the trailer: Donald Trump: "How are they gonna make us look stupid, Boris?"
It shouldn't be too difficult. Whatever, we'll soon find out.
Although the original Spitting Image was very popular here it was before my time so I've only ever seen it on retro TV.
One particular sketch has passed into legend though. Margaret Thatcher and her entire Cabinet go into a restaurant. Thatcher snarls to the waiter "I'll have steak".
The waiter replies "What about your vegetables?"
Thatcher looks around the table at her Cabinet members and replies "They'll have steak as well."
The incident never really happened, but several of Thatcher's Cabinet members of that time have said in anecdote that they were there when the incident occurred.
Even though it never actually happened, it's treated as if it did.
British current affairs programme "Newsnight" broadcast a guide to Spitting Image for the benefit of younger viewers like myself who never knew the original.
It's very informative and gives a good insight to what the show was all about and how it came to define political satire in Britain.
Will the new series be as successful...?
Here's a sketch from the new series featuring a hopelessly out of his depth Boris Johnson being "briefed" by a sinister, alien like Dominic Cummings who wants to eat his baby......
these photos above remind of two british sitcoms in 70's, based the same characters. " yes, minster! " and " yes, prime minster! ". a satire of palemont, only british can do best.
Sep 27, 2020 @ 15:27:01
