Spitting Image Revival: Hilarious Satire and Rubberized Comedy

…By Judah Olanisebee for TDPel Media.

A Hilariously Entertaining Revival of Spitting Image

The reviewer expresses initial skepticism but is pleasantly surprised by the comedic brilliance of the revived series.

The use of recycled latex puppets from the earlier versions adds to the grotesque and humorous nature of the show.

Caricatures Galore:

Many characters make appearances, some with minimal lines.

Notable mentions include Dominic Cummings and Thérèse Coffey in bizarre roles.

Meghan and Harry have limited involvement and are overshadowed by other characters.

Plot and Humor:

The storyline revolves around a group of imperfect superheroes joining forces to defeat Boris Johnson and prevent him from usurping King Charles.

The humor is far from subtle, more akin to a Christmas pantomime than a serious play, but it works surprisingly well.

The talented cast of writers, including Matt Forde and Al Murray, and director Sean Foley, capitalize on every opportunity for comedic punchlines, with impressive performances by impressionists Luke Kempner and Jess Robinson.

Nonstop Pace:

The show maintains an incredibly fast pace, leaving no room for boredom.

Just as you finish laughing at one scene, the cast, skillfully controlled by puppeteers, swiftly transitions to the next.

The production embraces a classic style, although the inclusion of Ru Paul offers a nod to diversity.

The jokes are broad and punchy, featuring memorable moments like Prince Andrew arriving without a sweat after his infamous Pizza Express visit and Paddington Bear transformed into a wide-eyed, bear version of Pablo Escobar.

Carrie and Boris Johnson:

A subplot revolves around the dynamic between Carrie and Boris Johnson.

Mark Senior’s commentary follows the main review.

Occasional Misses:

While the satire generally hits the mark, there are some instances where it falls short.

Tom Cruise is depicted as tiny, making it impossible to use a similar gag for Rishi Sunak, who instead appears as a schoolboy of regular size, which feels slightly off.

Mix of Pre-recorded Script and Topical Inserts:

The majority of the script is pre-recorded, but the show incorporates newsroom segments for timely additions.

One announcement addresses Phillip Schofield’s absence, while a spoof report features Chancellor Jeremy Hunt supposedly making a profane statement about the economy.

Interestingly, the real Jeremy Hunt was present during the review, which adds a layer of intrigue.

Musical Interludes:

Extended sketches are interspersed with musical numbers of varying quality.

King Charles delivers a playful rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody, humorously emphasizing his privileged background, while Suella Braverman’s Michael Jackson’s Thriller performance is so well executed it leans more toward tribute than parody.

Equal Opportunities Mockery:

The show takes aim at various figures, including Angela Rayner and Keir Starmer, portraying the latter as a fence-sitting, legalese-spouting automaton.

However, the primary target of satire is understandably the government.

A Dash of Seriousness:

Towards the end, the show attempts to introduce a slightly more serious tone through a visual montage of Westminster’s failures, hinting at a darker future.

Nonetheless, while Spitting Image was once known for its sharp political critiques, this iteration shines brightest with its simple yet hilarious humor.

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