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Spitting Image is renewed but US gets cold feet

No broadcast deal in the US yet for British satire which skewers everyone in sight.

Revived UK puppet satire Spitting Image was recently renewed for a second season -but the show won’t be broadcast in the US yet, where it will only be seen via Facebook.

NBC also backed out of a plan for a local series. The plan was to use some of the same sketches for the American version, but swapping UK-specific scenes for those targeting US figures.

Jon Thoday, executive producer at production company Avalon told The Times that there was “too much nervousness” at NBC.

“You can’t really do Spitting Image unless you’re fighting the corner of attacking everybody, but by doing that people just get nervous. They think they want it, but when they’ve got it they just start worrying about it.”

The first episode of the new series was made available on Facebook in the US for 24 hours after its UK debut, and clips have been posted online. The show is still expected to find a home for the full season.

Meanwhile the UK is proceeding with more after the series drove a tenfold spike in new subscribers.

Reemah Sakaan, Group Director ITV SVOD and Chief Creative & Brand Officer BritBox, said: “The fantastic response to Spitting Image just goes to show how much the world needs public service satire. Not only can subscribers look forward to another 9 weeks of anarchy but also now another series in 2021.”

Why no Facebook release in Australia? A broadcaster has not been announced but upcoming streaming service Britbox could be a contender.

Source: Chortle, Radio Times

One Response

  1. Oh the first episodes still proves it is still spot on with its comedy of what happening in the world ….The Greta Thunberg so wrong but so spot on…

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