Spitting Image is back on a US Election Special

Saturday: Spitting Image: US Election Special; (ITV, 10pm)
Spitting Image characters, President Trump and his challenger, Joe BidenSpitting Image characters, President Trump and his challenger, Joe Biden
Spitting Image characters, President Trump and his challenger, Joe Biden

Even those of us who weren’t born during its 1980s heyday know about Spitting Image – those puppets are simply unmistakable, a trademark of a programme that never shied away from poking fun at celebrities and the establishment.

Some famous folk came off better than others, but everybody was fair game.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The first series was broadcast in 1984; a further 17 hit our screens until 1996 when, due to dwindling audience figures, the plug was pulled. At its peak, around 15 million people tuned in, so it came as no surprise when plans were announced a decade later to revive it. However, the idea was shelved and fans had to wait until this year for the show to make its triumphant return to our screens.

Spitting Image characters, President Trump and his challenger, Joe BidenSpitting Image characters, President Trump and his challenger, Joe Biden
Spitting Image characters, President Trump and his challenger, Joe Biden

Roger Law, co-creator of the original series, said of the revamp: “Everything the team have done on the new Spitting Image shows, the caricatures, puppets and satirical gags, have all been done in the public interest – as Boris might say ‘Pro bono publico’.

“We’re taking back control from the likes of Boris, Cummings, Trump, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. There are tongue-lashings from our weather girl Greta Thunberg, you’ll be knocked out by Tyson Fury and dazzled and amazed by Beyoncé and Herr Jürgen Klopp.”

Sadly, not everyone has been able to tune in – only those with a subscription to BritBox can see the episodes, which became available to stream earlier this month. Perhaps more people will be tempted to sign up after watching this special edition, which is free to all.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

ITV is expecting a major ratings winner after it was revealed that official Spitting Image content has been viewed on social media by more than 85 million viewers; three of its videos have been No 1 trends on YouTube – which shows there’s certainly still an audience for it out there.

So far, we don’t know what the team behind the show has in store for President Trump and his challenger, Joe Biden, but so far, the race to the White House has already provided plenty of material – the writers and performers must be rubbing their hands with glee, as is BritBox’s Chief Creative & Brand Officer Reemah Sakaan, who says, “We’ve been excited about the timing of the US election for this series of Spitting Image for months… and it certainly doesn’t seem to be letting us down in terms of material for satire, so we commissioned a bonus episode that we are excited to share with both ITV and BritBox audiences.”

“This is a great chance to celebrate Spitting Image’s noisy return and give ITV viewers a taste of the full series,” adds Kevin Lygo, BritBox Originals Creative Chief and ITV’s Director of TV.

The aforementioned Roger Law puts things rather more succinctly: “Spitting Image returns to ITV for a one-off special on the 31st October at 10pm. Halloween. How very appropriate.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As the programme is always topical, the special will be filmed at the last minute to ensure every twist and turn is covered – and mercilessly lampooned, of course.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you