"Brass Eye" (1997) TV series 1997-2001

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

29 January 1997 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Controversal spoof of current-affairs TV and the role of celebrity in the UK.

Plot Keywords:

Current Affairs | Spoof | Celebrity | Broadcasting | Sutcliffe

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Christopher Morris	...	Christopher Morris / ... (7 episodes, 1997-2001)
Mark Heap	...	'Would You?' Man / ... (7 episodes, 1997-2001)
Kevin Eldon	...	Alan, Role Play Husband / ... (5 episodes, 1997-2001)
Doon Mackichan	...	Accelorata Jengold / ... (5 episodes, 1997-2001)
David Cann	...	Vicar / ... (4 episodes, 1997)
Barbara Durkin	...	French Woman / ... (4 episodes, 1997)
Amelia Bullmore	...	Beauty Pageant Mother / ... (3 episodes, 1997-2001)
Albert Welling	...	Clerk of the Court / ... (3 episodes, 1997)
Gina McKee	...	Libby Shuss / ... (3 episodes, 1997)
Claire Skinner	...	Board Member / ... (3 episodes, 1997)
Bill Moody	...	Bill Laswell / ... (3 episodes, 1997)

Also Known As:

BrassEye (UK) (alternative spelling)
Torque TV (UK) (working title)
Trip TV (UK) (alternative title)

Runtime:

25 min (6 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Company:

TalkBack Productions

Trivia:

An untransmitted pilot episode of Brass Eye called "Torque TV" exists, though for some reason it was never included on the Brass Eye DVD. It was made in 1995 by Christopher Morris and the rest of the crew. Most of the material in "Torque..." was re-used for the Animals episode of this series, but there are several scenes that are either unique to "Torque...", or were edited down for inclusion in the series. Of note is an entirely excised interview between David Jatt (Morris) and Sir Peregrine Worsthorne, ex-editor of The Sunday Telegraph talking about domestic hippos; an extended WOFDCAP sequence in which the animal rights activists have a telephone conversation with Martin Amis about the plight of Karla the elephant; a thrilling look at how animals are gaining respect, including the heartwarming tale of a mouse that saved a drowning tramp; an extended sequence in which Dr. Jonathan Kwattes (Ian Gelder) explains why all animals are vegetarian - even the carnivores - to a press conference; a heartfelt plea from murderous scamp Reggie Kray, and an extended interview with Carla Lane.

Quotes:

Christopher Morris: You haven't got a clue have you, But you will do.

Movie Connections:

Featured in X Rated: Top 20 Most Controversial TV Moments (2005) (TV)

Americans can appreciate satire as well

Yet ANOTHER reason that English comedies are mostly leaps and bounds ahead pretty much a good deal of the 'comedy' on the television of my homeland, America, is this 6 episode satire of TV news. The shows are separated into 6 subjects: Animals, drugs, science, sex, crime, and moral decline, all of them taking a tongue firmly in cheek, yet total deadpan approach. While some of the material falls flat (the sex episode, while still amusing, had some dreary parts), most of it is amazingly brilliant and a great deal of fun to watch to boot. I keep hearing how "American are too dumbed down", how "we wouldn't get it" if Brass Eye was on in the states. This is of course, total nonsense, for I, as an American love this show.This was followed by a special that didn't really live up to the series.

My Grade: A