2DTV
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2DTV is a satirical animated television show broadcast on ITV1 in the United Kingdom that follows closely in the footsteps of Spitting Image, but using animation rather than puppets.
Lampooning people in the public eye, the impressionists - many of whom worked on Spitting Image - get the chance to caricature politicians, royals and celebrities alike, as directed by Giles Pilbrow (also from Spitting Image). These included Labour prime minister Tony Blair, jealous chancellor Gordon Brown, a violent John Prescott, David Blunkett, slurring Robin Cook and Jack Straw. On the Conservative side was a large-lipped Michael Portillo, a small William Hague and a very boring Iain Duncan Smith, along with a very ugly Michael Howard. US president George W. Bush and his fictional sidekick the General are depicted; the latter creates puppet "Professor Liebstrom" out of his sock, so that Bush can understand him.
Royals are sent up in the same style as they were on Spitting Image. There's the reasonably sane Queen herself, mad Prince Philip, old fogie Prince Charles, ugly Camilla Parker Bowles, mean Princess Anne, naked Fergie, and wild sons Princes William and Harry.
2DTV-Beckhams.jpg
In early 2003, an advert for the Video and DVD compilation The Best of 2DTV was prevented from airing. The advert involved George W. Bush taking the video out of its case and putting it in a toaster. It was banned because the British advertising watchdog stated that advertisements for products cannot appear to be endorsed by someone without their permission - in this case George W. Bush. This decision was later overturned (due to it being legitimate satire) and the advert was shown unedited.
The first two series, broadcast in 2001, featured episodes lasting only 10 minutes. Due to popular demand subsequent editions were extended to half an hour. The original cast members were Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Mark Perry and Dave Lamb. Alistair MacGowan also appeared in the pilot episode. But for series 4, it appeared that all but Lamb had left the show, leaving Lewis MacLeod, Kate O'Sullivan and Enn Reitel to take over. Presumably, Culshaw left to spend more time appearing in his own show, Dead Ringers" 2DTV produced the controversial video for the 2002 George Michael single Shoot the Dog.
Series 5 started on November 8 2004 at 11.00 pm on ITV1.
External links
- Official website (http://www.2dtv.co.uk/)