"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

Color:

Color

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:

Ted Maul: Kids burst shops by filling them with rice, and pouring in water: then standing back and laughing, while the bricks are ripped apart by the swelling food.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Britain's 50 Greatest Comedy Sketches (2005) (TV)

Sheer bloody genius

There is actually very little point in writing this- it will never be repeated on British television as it offended too many of the moronic b-list celebrities who unwittingly contributed it; it is unlikely that American TV will show it, as even HBO would probably baulk at the content; it is almost definite that it will never be released on video. Yet, to the lucky few who actually saw it- as opposed to the hysteria that followed its only broadcast- it remains the greatest satire of the 1990s, perhaps of the television age.

Chris Morris is merciless in his humour- an abused girl is asked if her attacker was as good-looking as he is; in completely convincing fake American news extracts, we are told of menaces to American society such as the increase of priests with guns, and of the forgotten fourth man of the Apollo 11 mission whose role was that of sexual slave to the other three. Celebrities are fooled into supporting all kinds of ridiculous causes- Jilly Cooper and Alexandra Paul support an elephant in a German zoo which has stuck its trunk in its anus in a fit of depression; Stephen Berkoff warns us of the perils of 'heavy electricity' falling out of wires; and, controversially, several celebrities and Members of Parliament speak out against the fictitious drug 'Cake'- questions were even raised in Parliament, which led to the postponement of the original showing.

Many have found this programme grossly offensive, yet the conclusion is obvious- either celebrities are stupid, or they will jump on any bandwagon to promote themselves. The boldness too- Morris is a man who will take a hidden camera and ask real drug dealers for non-existent drugs whilst wearing only a nappy (diaper)and a beach ball.

Chris Morris is God.