Spitting Image

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Spitting Image was a satirical puppet show that ran on Britain's ITV television network from 1984 to 1996. The programme was produced by Spitting Image Productions for Central. It was announced on 20 February 2006 that ITV1 would present a documentary about the programme, and "Best Ever Spitting Image" duly aired on 25 June 2006. However ongoing speculation that a new series would follow has been dismissed [link].

Contents

Introduction

The phrase "spitting image" means "exact likeness". It derives from a British slang expression dating back to 1901. The roots of this expression can be traced through British history as far back as the middle ages [link].

The puppets, caricaturing public figures often including British and American politicians and celebrities, were designed by the cartoonists Peter Fluck and Roger Law (who sometimes spoonerised their names as 'Luck and Flaw'). They were assisted by various young caricaturists including David Stoten, Steve Bendelack, Tim Watts, Pablo Bach, Christopher Sharrock (who coined the internal name for the show: "Splitting Headache") and Oscar da Costa and virtually every successful British impressionist of the time. Musical parodies were provided by Philip Pope (former member of Who Dares Wins and the Hee Bee Gee Bees team) and later Steve Brown (who played the character of bandleader Glen Ponder in Knowing Me, Knowing You).

The puppets

The stars of the show, though, were the latex puppets. Centre stage were the politicians, in particular then-British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who was portrayed as a bullying, fascist tyrant and man-woman (she wore suits and used the urinals), and U.S. President Ronald Reagan (a bumbling, nuke-obsessed fool with a (literally) missing brain). Providing admirable support were leather-clad "Bovver boy" Norman Tebbit, bland Geoffrey Howe, manic Michael Heseltine, lecherous Cecil Parkinson, Douglas Hurd - whose spiralling hairstyle resembled a "Mr Whippy" ice cream – the slug-like Kenneth Baker and, on the other side of the House, the senile Michael Foot, gasbagging Neil Kinnock, the actually spitting Roy Hattersley and the creepy, psychotic Gerald Kaufman. Several of the politicians found their characterisations offensive, although in subsequent interviews many were glad of the attention. Though the programme required more than a passing knowledge of British politics, it aired on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation late on Sunday nights in the late-1980s.

As the show progressed, Britain's political landscape altered. Particularly, in the early 1990s, many of the characters which had proven so popular were retired from real-world politics, particularly Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan, whilst others – such as Michael Heseltine and Norman Tebbit – became much less prominent. This marked a decline in the show's fortunes. Thatcher was replaced with a dull, all-grey John Major, who enjoyed nothing better than a nice meal of peas with his wife Norma. Tony Blair, at that point leader of the opposition, appeared in the last few series as a grinning puppet hypnotised by a Peter Mandelson snake. The show ended in 1996, missing Labour's 1997 election victory (though the last ever episode featured a 'look forward' to 1997, featuring the party moving into 10 Downing Street).

Another mainstay of Spitting Image was the royal family. The Queen always seemed ever so slightly mad and picking clothes from rubbish bins, Prince Philip was a blunderbuss-toting buffoon permanently in naval uniform, Prince Charles was distant, and Diana was a publicity-hungry Sloane Ranger. There was also playboy Prince Andrew, horsey Princess Anne, petulant teenager Prince Edward, tipsy Princess Margaret, truffle-snuffling Fergie and senile Queen Mother, who was generally seen with a bottle of Gordons Gin, a copy of the Racing Post and a Beryl Reid voice; this was a running joke from a sketch in which the Royal Family's desire to conceal her Birmingham accent was the reason she was very seldom heard speaking on television.

Other popular puppets included a crying Gazza, a smarmy Jeremy Paxman, Donald Sinden (forever seeking a knighthood), Leonard Nimoy (desperate to shake off his Spock image despite the fact he has pointed ears that flapped constantly), hip and swinging "Gorby", election-losing David Owen complete with whining, bed-wetting David Steel in his pocket, Sir John Gielgud (who always fell asleep and had to be prodded awake with a stick), Paul Daniels and his pet wig, John Cole (whose rambling reports from outside Parliament often led to an off-screen individual wrapping a walking stick round his neck and yanking him away), weatherman Ian McCaskill and his spectacles which swung up and down as he got more enthusiastic, vamp-like Edwina Currie, rock'n'roll Pope John Paul II (open shirt, sunglasses), a hippie Jesus, an extremely controversial God character who occasionally plugged his new book "Bible II" and snooker star Steve "Interesting" Davis.

Writing

The first series was not as vicious with the writing and songs more similar to the tone of established comedy revue shows such as Weekending. As the Thatcher administration became less popular through 1985 the characterisations became harsher and the show grew in popularity. Despite this, many politicians had an ambivalent attitude to the show, realising that to be caricatured on it was a form of recognition which was perhaps preferable to total obscurity. It was said that while many of those who were viciously lampooned would kill to get off the show, there were others who would kill to get on it. Ultimately, many political figures accepted the show had a purpose and a benefit – Currie, Hattersley and Michael Portillo were among its biggest fans, even though they were frequently treated without kindness by it.

The Songs

In 1986, the Spitting Image puppets had a number one hit in the UK charts with "The Chicken Song", parodying "Agadoo" by Black Lace – one of several parodies to have featured in the programme.

The other songs released by Spitting Image were "I've Never Met A Nice South African" (which was on the B-Side of "The Chicken Song" and was a savage indictment of the apartheid-ridden country), "Santa Claus Is On The Dole", "The Atheist Tabernacle Choir" and "We've Got Beards" (which poked fun at ZZ Top). "The Chicken Song" was by far the most successful of all of their music and not-so-subtle references were made to it in subsequent sketches in the show itself. An LP was produced, featuring some of their sketches over time along with a few of their songs.

In only one instance, the parody was sung by the original artist. This was when Sting was persuaded to sing the Spitting Image version of Every Breath You Take[link].

Worldwide

The Spitting Image puppets also appeared in the video for "Land of Confusion" by Genesis, a song which implied that Thatcher and Reagan were about to bring the world to a nuclear war. The video was depicted as a nightmare Reagan was having, which left him completely immersed in sweat from worrying. To this day, if most Americans know of Spitting Image at all, it is due to that Genesis video; however, in an attempt to crack the American market, a feature-length special entitled Spitting Image : Down And Out In The White House was produced in 1986 by Central for NBC. Introduced by David Frost, it departed from the sketch-based format in favour of an overall storyline involving the upcoming (at that time) Presidential election. It was not successful with its target audience, possibly because its humour was still very British and it was so irreverent about Ronald Reagan at a time when he was enormously popular with the American public. The American puppeteers Sid and Marty Krofft later had a degree of success with a vaguely satirical show called DC Follies which ran from 1987 to 1989, was clearly inspired by Spitting Image and utilised Muppet-style foam puppets rather than rubbery caricatures, but it didn't come anywhere close to being as savage and vitriolic as Spitting Image.

They also released a video with the satirical documentary "Bumbledown: The Life and Times of Ronald Reagan" and a musical based very loosely on West Side Story called "The Sound Of Maggie".

Trivia

As there was no recording facility at Central's (previously ATV's) Birmingham Studio 1, the team used Studio 2 - better known as the Crossroads Motel
At the height of its popularity, the series also spun off several public exhibits of puppets and props from the series that were displayed at Covent Garden in London, Bath, and other locations
When a puppet was developed of the broadcaster Chris Evans following his appointment to the Radio 1 breakfast show, he rang the production company asking to be allowed to provide his own voice, promising that he would not interfere with any unflattering scripts. He was refused
Most of the puppet caricatures were later sold by auction at Sotheby's - including a specially made puppet of Osama Bin Laden, which was never used in the series itself
More recently 2DTV, incorporating some of the Spitting Image writing team, satirised celebrities in a very similar style to Spitting Image, but used cartoons rather than puppets
Former producer John Lloyd was in talks with ITV1 in the spring of 2005 to bring Spitting Image back to the screen, but the attempt failed, reportedly over the cost of its revival and the non-involvement of Roger Law, one of the show's original creators

Sketches of note

Margaret Thatcher and her Cabinet are in a restaurant. After Thatcher proclaims "Steak, I'll have the steak", the waitress asks: "And what about the vegetables?", to which Thatcher replied: "Oh, they'll have the same as me."

One of the most controversial comedy moments in British television history, in which Jesus appears for a few seconds, recommending The Yellow Pages telephone book to God.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana are playing with their baby son. Charles asks: "Do you think William's got your nose, Diana?" She replies: "No, I think it's still in the jar at the hospital."

Geoffrey Howe and Leon Brittan are standing at the men's urinal in a single sex toilet and Margaret Thatcher walks in and goes to the toilet next to them standing up. After she leaves Howe turns to Brittan and confides: "I can never go when she's in here."

One sketch, which would eventually be cut, would have seen the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret in a competition of who could consume the most booze.

"Some Of Our Puppets Are Missing!" was a mini-series within the show which saw the 'escape' of three puppets (David Steel, Mr Spock and an anteater) from the Spitting Image cupboard and into the outside world. This also featured human actors for the first time, including a then not well-known Nick Hancock (actor).

Another mini-series, "The President's Brain Is Missing", involved Ronald Reagan's brain making a break for freedom and being hunted by the American Secret Service.

Margaret Thatcher walks into a hairdresser's. She sits down in the chair and says to the hairdresser: "Just cut it in a style that will be universally popular." The man replies, "Yes madam", and decapitates Thatcher with a bit of hairdressing equipment.

Neil Kinnock's claim to deputy Roy Hattersley that the sign of a great leader is someone who the public "can't imagine going to the toilet", citing examples such as the Queen, Margaret Thatcher and Gandhi. Eventually he wets himself.

England football manager Graham Taylor giving a team talk to his players, with Paul Gascoigne being given instructions to "create space, get into a good position – next to the photographer" with further tactics involving alcohol and Page 3 girls to follow. Gary Lineker, befitting his conversely clean-cut image of the time, is accused of being unprofessional when he says he wants to do some laps and weights before getting an early night prior to the game.

Another famous sketch involving Gary Lineker was when a representative of a referees association asked the footballer if he could be guest of honour at their next gathering. When Lineker accepts, the man whoops in delight, shouting: "I've become the first referee ever to book Gary Lineker!"

In a parody of the musical "Oliver!", the Conservative cabinet throng the streets singing "Telephones, lovely telephones", "Water, fresh sparkling British water", etc. Margaret Thatcher appears on a balcony to sing "Who will buy this wonderful morning. We're selling Morning PLC" as a bunch of stock traders start buying and selling shares in "morning".

As pressure on Margaret Thatcher to resign grew in 1989, in one sketch the House of Commons bursts into a rendition of "Go Now" by The Moody Blues. Meanwhile, the episode which followed Thatcher's resignation opened with numerous puppets (including Cabinet members, opposition politicians and Denis Thatcher) singing "Happy Days Are Here Again".

One of the grosser sketches of the show depicted two snooker commentators packed into a typically enclosed commentary box, watching the action. "He's got a red, now a yellow, now another red!" says one. The other replies: "Yes, and now Stephen Hendry has sorted out his acne, perhaps he'll play some snooker."

The sketch that gathered the most publicity prior to being shown involved the Queen Mother. In itself, the sketch was very short. After the final credits had been shown, the puppet wandered on screen and noted that she'd heard that her puppet was going to be on the show. "And I'd so wanted to see it!"

The show broadcast following Michael Heseltine's resignation over the Westland Helicopter affair included sketches of the former minister playing with toy helicopters at his resignation press conference.

There were three memorable sketches from their documentary "Bumbledown". The first was a parody of the myth of George Washington and the cherry tree. In this version, Reagan cuts down the tree (much to the distress of the bird living in it). On being questioned by his father, he denies all knowledge, suggests setting up an inquiry, blames his brother and finally says "I'm sorry, father, I cannot tell the truth".

Later on in the documentary, Ronald Reagan turns in the entire actors' guild (apart from himself) to the McCarthy trial, including cartoon characters such as the dwarves from Snow White. As the only person in that year's book on actors, he "becomes something of a sex symbol".

After failing at movies and advertising, there was only one thing left for him to do. Politics. This series of sketches included Ronald Reagan negotiating with Gorbechev on nuclear disarmament firstly as a Sioux chieftain and then as Darth Vader. He is also shown with enormous numbers of jelly beans. (This theme became common in the series itself.) Finally, he becomes convinced that Dukakis is George Bush's wife.

When Prime Minister John Major was in office, the show featured an usual sketch with him singing Meatloaf hits with new lyrics, one such song was entitled "Pratt Out Of Hell".

A sketch parodied John Travolta's Hollywood comeback playing a hitman in the 1994 movie Pulp Fiction by showing him having a meal in a diner but constantly producing a gun and shooting different people or things, including the hamburger he was just about to eat.

Voices

The voices were provided by some of the best British impressionists, including:

Chris Barrie (Arnold Rimmer in Red Dwarf)
Roger Blake (plays Duke of Edinburgh/Jim Royle in Big Impression)
Rory Bremner (Bremner, Bird and Fortune)
Phil Cornwell (Dead Ringers)
Steve Coogan (Alan Partridge)
Hugh Dennis (The Mary Whitehouse Experience)
Harry Enfield
Michael Fenton Stevens (KYTV)
Jon Glover
Louise Gold
Alistair McGowan
Jessica Martin
Steve Nallon (best known as the voice of Margaret Thatcher)
Jan Ravens (Dead Ringers)
Rob Newman (The Mary Whitehouse Experience)
Enn Reitel (Mog)
Kate Robbins
John Sessions
John Thomson (Cold Feet)
Cliff Taylor- Bumbledown: Lives and Times of Ronald Reagan

Performers

The puppets were operated or voiced by the best British performers, including:

Anthony Asbury
Chris Barrie
Simon Buckley
Steve Coogan
Richard Coombs
Alistair Fullarton
Louise Gold
Steve Nallon
Nigel Plaskitt
Jan Ravens
Marty Robinson
Kaefan Shaw

Writers

Writers included:

Geoff Atkinson
Debbie Barham
Alistair Beaton.
Mark Burton
Kevin Cecil (The Armando Ianucci Shows)
Paul John Clark - Journalist and Writer (Rory Bremner, Kate and Ted's Show, , Weekending, Hale and Pace)
Richard Curtis (Blackadder, Four Weddings and a Funeral etc.)
Chris Edge
Dan Gaster
Rob Grant (Red Dwarf)
Ian Hislop (Private Eye, Have I Got News For You, My Dad's the Prime Minister)
Will Ing (The Now Show)
David Kind (Hale and Pace)
Doug Naylor (Red Dwarf)
Henry Naylor
Nick Newman (Private Eye)
John O'Farrell (author of Things Can Only Get Better, etc.)
Andy Parsons
Paul Powell
Georgia Pritchett
Steve Punt (The Now Show)
Andy Riley (The Armando Ianucci Shows)
Tony Sarchet
Stuart Silver
Pete Sinclair
Andrea Solomons
(John) Jack Docherty and Moray Hunter (Absolutely, Mr. Don & Mr. George)
Keith Rees & Paul Lewis
David Baddiel (The Mary Whitehouse Experience)

Producers

Producers included:

John Lloyd (Blackadder, Not the Nine O'Clock News)
Geoffrey Perkins (KYTV, now Head of BBC comedy)
David Tyler
Bill Dare (Dead Ringers)
Giles Pilbrow (2DTV)

Production Assistants

Barbara Bradbury
Lesley Jones
Jean Holdsworth

Archive Researchers

Margaret Duerden
Rob Peers
Janet Pitts
Linda Woodhouse
Janet Rayner

Similar shows elsewhere

There were some attempts to produce a U.S. version of the show, with a 45-minute 'made for market' show by the original Spitting Image team. The plot involved a conspiracy to replace Ronald Reagan with a double (actually actor Dustin Hoffman in disguise). This plan was hatched by the Famous Corporation, a cabal of the ultra-rich headed by Johnny Carson's foil Ed McMahon (in the show, Carson was his ineffectual left-hand man) who met in a secret cavern hollowed out behind the facade of Mount Rushmore. Eventually, their plot foiled, the famous corporation activated their escape pod - Abraham Lincoln's nose - and left Earth for another planet, but (in a homage to the beginning of the Star Wars movies) were destroyed during a collision with 'a nonsensical prologue in gigantic lettering'.
The show was successful, attracting great praise from US critics, and a homegrown variant was attempted. DC Follies had a passing resemblance to Spitting Image, but owed more to Sesame Street (human participants trying to talk sense to the puppets) and was not considered as funny. See also List of British TV shows remade for the American market.
However there are shows still similar:
Robot Chicken
Wonder Showzen

Nikad Izvini (RTV Pink)

Hechos de Peluche (TV Azteca)

31 Minutos (TVN)

France

Les Guignols de l'Info (Canal Plus)

Germany

Hurra Deutschland (ARD, RTL 2), Zak (WDR, ARD)

Bull Island (RTÉ)

Ha Chartzufim (Channel 2)

Russia

Kookli

Portugal

Contra Informação (Rádio e Televisão de Portugal)

Spain

Las noticias del guiñol (Canal Plus), Txokolatex (Euskal Telebista)

Riksorganet (SVT)

Rubbery Figures (Fast Forward Series 1 (1989))

External links

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