Writers: Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin
Director: Derek Bond
Thirty years after the demise of Globelink News – thirty years in which its former employees have been scrabbling for work – a new TV news network comes knocking. Lured by big bucks, many of the original colleagues find themselves perplexingly back in work together. We have the well-meaning but ineffective editor, George (Jeff Rawle), his increasingly frustrated deputy, Helen (Ingrid Lacey), the gloriously vapid Sally (Victoria Wicks), the slippery Damien (Stephen Tompkinson) and the deeply flawed Dave (Neil Pearson). All seems to become clear when they discover the Chief Executive is to be management jargon spouting Gus (Robert Duncan). And don’t bother complaining to HR – that’s run by the frankly scary Joy (Susannah Doyle).
And, of course, Gus is entirely hands-off (NOT) as he chases ratings and notoriety supported – led, even – by the mysterious algorithm. And so, Truth News is born. How long can it survive in an era in which news and fake news sit cheek-by-jowl, AI can answer any question – often incorrectly – and create convincing deepfakes. Not long, based on the inevitable car crash that is their first bulletin.
Many will have fond memories of the Channel 4 sitcom and the Globelink team. But fortunately, there’s no need to be a Don’t Drop geek – writers Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkins have skilfully inserted catch-ups for us all. And the style remains recognisable with topical gags chasing each other in quick succession. This inevitably means that the show evolves over time as new (genuine) news stories break and not every gag will land. Even so, the writing is so sharp, the dialogue so well delivered that the audience is quickly laughing out loud – or occasionally gasping in disbelief, “they said what?!?”
The first half sees the team come together and jostle for position in the new hierarchy. But it’s clear not all is well in the state of Truth News, and in the second half we learn just what is going on and the algorithm’s real role.
This is an ensemble cast par excellence: all are at the top of their game and provide an object lesson in delivering comedy at a fast pace. If the first half feels a little fragmented, well, that’s probably part and parcel of life in a busy newsroom. And despite being obvious caricatures, the skill of the cast under the snappy direction of Derek Bond is such that each character – despite their many flaws – becomes relatable. Having the original cast members reprise their roles is nothing short of genius as they seamlessly fall back into character albeit older, if not wiser.
New to the cast is Rita (Kerena Jagpal), the young female Asian weather gir presenter, brought in to tick the remaining diversity boxes. She has some of the best lines as she develops from the nervous newcomer, unable to quite believe what she is seeing.
And between the lines, there are some tough issues confronted – whom can we trust to provide reliable and objective news, how are we manipulated by mysterious algorithms adjusting in real time to stoke our paranoia and fear, what place social media has in delivering news and views, and whether Gus has any personality at all.
This is no easy romp down Memory Lane: the team has taken the original concept and brought it squarely into the 21st century, delivering a very funny, but also slightly sobering, take on news today.
Runs until 20 April 2024 and on tour
The Reviews Hub Score
Still pulls its weight
