The main thing that the passing of Margaret Thatcher has prompted me to remember, is just how bloody great Spitting Image was. The programme was at its peak when Thatcher was at hers and the era provided an almost endless stream of comic opportunities.
Steve Nallon absolutely nailed her voice and the mannerisms of the puppet itself were always creepily faithful to the Iron Lady. So much so, that I bet that when many people think of Thatcher, the Spitting Image caricature is the first thing that springs to mind.
With only HIGNFY really properly flying the flag for televisual satire, surely it's about time it was resurrected. It would be great to see Cameron, Clegg, Osborne, Johnson, Miliband and co all be given the Spitting Image treatment. There would certainly be no shortage of things to take the piss out of them for.
Spitting Image is sadly missed and we send our deep, heartfelt condolences to everyone who has never seen the show.
Love this post! Political satire definitely isn't celebrated often enough.
ReplyDeleteNot only is it a time to mourn Spitting Image, but also to mourn a time when there were politicians with enough personality to take the piss out of.
It's ages since I've seen Spitting Image. I used to work with one of the writers, a very funny guy. It would be great if they brought it back.
ReplyDeleteITV's plans for a new series were scrapped in 2006 after a dispute over Ant & Dec puppets. Says it all really.
ReplyDeleteNo reason why they can't run the original series on Gold, Dave or Blighty though.