About this season
Spitting Image is an award winning British satirical puppet show, created by Peter Fluck, Roger Law and Martin Lambie-Nairn. The series was produced by Spitting Image Productions for Central Independent Television over 18 series which aired on the ITV from 1984 to 1996. The series was nominated and won numerous awards during its run including 10 BAFTA Awards, including one for editing in 1989, and even won two Emmy Awards in 1985 and 1986 in the Popular Arts Category. The series featured puppet caricatures of celebrities famous during the 1980s and 1990s, including British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and fellow Tory politicians, American president Ronald Reagan, and the British Royal Family. The Series was the first to caricature the Queen mother.
Episodes (17)
1. Episode 1
Aired 12 January 1986 • 30 min
While the Cabinet celebrates Michael Heseltine's resignation, Prince Philip wastes his time trying to teach his son how to play Colditz. Ronald Reagan's diary tells the inside story on the presidency, and celebrities band together for another charity songbecause they are scared of Bob Geldof.
2. Episode 2
Aired 19 January 1986 • 30 min
Prince Andrew's in trouble wih his Pa for the size of his unmentionables. Terry Wogan chooses Sooty as his holiday replacement while Margaret Thatcher works on a new softer image. Derek Jameson gor-blimeys his way through another horrible programme.
3. Episode 3
Aired 26 January 1986 • 30 min
Sir David Attenborough has a philosophical discussion with a suicidal seal. Leon Brittan discusses the possible repercussions of being outed as a mole and Brian Walden discovers that you can't put a better bit of Botha on your knife.
4. Episode 4
Aired 2 February 1986 • 30 min
Desmond Wilcox's new intrusive, fly-on-the-wall documentary comes to grief when the happy couple refuse to watch 'That's Life!'. Sir Alistair Burnet almost come to blows with John Craven when 'News At Ten' doesn't have a funny story to end the show.
5. Episode 5
Aired 9 February 1986 • 30 min
Arthur Daley has to bow out of Thatcher's service because he's just not sleazy enough. Jim Callaghan shows the best way to grow your money, while the Shadow Cabinet break into Number 10 and the Queen Mother buys a new titfer (hat).
6. Episode 6
Aired 9 February 1986 • 30 min
Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson (Fergie), try to sort out their wedding plans, while a brand new song about holding chickens aloft gets it's first airing. The Who discover that they are no longer the voice of urban youth, and Prince Charles meets up with a cheeky Cockney chappie.
7. Episode 7
Aired 6 April 1986 • 30 min
Ian Paisley indulges in a bit of shouting while Larry gives Johnny advice on ducks. A political dinosaur ponders wistfully on the lack of values in modern-day society. Frank Muir threatens to strangle Denis Norden again.
8. Episode 8
Aired 13 April 1986 • 30 min
President Botha gives his country The Facts as he sees them, while some unsuspecting Mormons pay a visit to Cliff Richard's house. Barry Norman discovers that Meryl Streep is actually Dustin Hoffman, who wants to be both the greatest actor and greatest actress.
9. Episode 9
Aired 20 April 1986 • 30 min
Ronald Reagan confides to Nancy his idea for finishing off Gadaffi. Mick and Keith indulge in a bit of shopping and Andrew Ridgeley from pop group Wham!, tries for a solo career. Bernard Levin encourages Jonathan Miller to call him Ishamel.
10. Episode 10
Aired 27 April 1986 • 30 min
Michael Foot sends the rest of the Shadow Cabinet to sleepybobos. Tarby interviews Michael Caine about some of his favourite cheques and Russell Harty gets a bit flustered whilst interviewing 'The Sun's' page three pinup Samantha Fox. Ronald Reagan employs the Four Larrys of the Apocalypse as new advisors.
11. Episode 11
Aired 4 May 1986 • 30 min
The latest edition of 'Potato World' is interrupted with the breaking news that no nuclear accidents have happened at Chernobyl. The Royal Family indulge in a bit of a sing-song for a new album, while David Owen takes the SDP back to the shop as he believes it may well have ceased to be.
12. Episode 12
Aired 28 September 1986 • 30 min
David Coleman introduces the Euro Winkle Championships while Cliff frowns on Mrs. Whitehouse's non-virginal status. Margaret Thatcher causes consternation amongst her Cabinet when she discusses the subject of her successor.
13. Episode 13
Aired 5 October 1986 • 30 min
Brucie has isues with Tarby's new material when he discovers that it's just a potato. Andy and Fergie become concerned when Billy Connolly helps to write the Queen's Christmas Message. The press react with predictability when Sooty is put in charge of the NCB.
14. Episode 14
Aired 12 October 1986 • 30 min
Edwina Currie vents her spleen on the state of the National Health Service. Singer Bryan Ferry tries to release a new album but finds opposition from his record company, while Des Lynam hosts the 1986 World Chess Campionships and Paul Daniels seeks the path to enlightenment.
15. Episode 15
Aired 19 October 1986 • 30 min
Prince Philip grumbles that not only are his quotes being taken out of context, but that he's also expected to eat dog sick. Actor Leslie Grantham finds it hard to catcha cab, while things don't go to plan when the Penns and the McEnroes have dinner together.
16. Episode 16
Aired 26 October 1986 • 30 min
While Sir Alastair fawns lyrical, he is taken to task for not using enough superlatives. Paul Daniels helps 'Eastenders' become Britain's favourite programme, while Mr. Beezlebub gets a surpise visit from Margaret Thatcher.
17. Episode 17
Aired 2 November 1986 • 30 min
Norman Tebbit ensures that the Government gets unbiased news coverage by doing it all himself. Brucie Forsyth tries to get his toupee past Customs and the Two Davids get a visit from the Ghost of the Liberal Party Past.