Press Gang ( TV Series 1989 - 1993 )
Plot
Press Gang is a British children's television comedy-drama consisting of forty-three episodes across five series that were broadcast from the 16th January 1989 to the 21st May 1993. It was produced by Richmond Film & Television for Central, and screened on the ITV network in its regular weekday afternoon children's strand, Children's ITV.
Aimed at older children and teenagers, the programme was based on the activities of a children's newspaper, the Junior Gazette, produced by pupils from the local comprehensive school. In later series it was depicted as a commercial venture. The show interspersed comedic elements with the dramatic. As well as addressing interpersonal relationships (particularly in the Lynda-Spike story arc), the show tackled issues such as solvent abuse, child abuse and firearms control.
Written by ex-teacher Steven Moffat, over half of the episodes were directed by Bob Spiers, a noted British comedy director who had previously worked on classics such as Fawlty Towers. Critical reception was very positive, particularly for the quality of its writing, and the series has attracted a cult following with a wide age range.
Characters
Lynda Day:
Lynda Day was the abrasive editor of the Junior Gazette. Totally committed to the paper, her on/off relationship with Spike Thomson was the focus of the entire series. "They needed an industrial laser to pierce her ears..." Julia Sawalha has also found TV success in classic BBC drama such as Martin Chuzzlewit and Pride and Prejudice, and in the comedy series Absolutely Fabulous, and Second Thoughts and it's spinoff Faith in the Future.
Spike Thomson:
The wise-cracking American, Spike was never seen without a pair of sunglasses. He was forced to join the Junior Gazette to avoid being expelled from school. "I looked in the mirror today, I was looking so great it just gave up". Dexter Fletcher has had many film, television and theatre roles, and is a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Kenny Phillips:
As assistant editor, easy-going nice guy Kenny is the calming influence who stopped Lynda from killing anybody. "I'm so nice, teddy bears just sneer at me." Kenny was played by Lee Ross, who is currently appearing in Metroland.
Julie Craig:
Julie was the head of the graphics team when the Junior Gazette started; she later returned to replace Kenny as assistant editor. She was the pin-up at the last riot at Norbridge prison.
Sarah Jackson
The Junior Gazette's top writer, Sarah's regular attempts to leave the paper to further her education at University have always been thwarted by Lynda's dirty and underhand tricks. Sarah was played by Kelda Holmes.
Frazz Davies:
Like Spike, easy-going Frazz was given one last chance at the Junior Gazette - he found fame writing the horoscopes. Frazz was often caught up in Colin's schemes.
Sam Black:
Sam was in charge of the graphics team during the second series, and she often used her model looks to her best advantage.
Colin Mathews:
Colin was the financial brain behind the Junior Gazette. After a few initial cashflow problems he turned the Gazette into a financial success. Colin also instigated many disastrous money-making schemes.
Danny McColl:
Danny was the Junior Gazette photographer in the first series.
Tiddler:
So named because of her diminutive size, Tiddler was responsible for ensuring that the Junior Gazette's younger audience had something to read about. "Tiddler! Stand up! Sorry, you're still not tall." Tiddler was played by Joanna Dukes.
Matt Kerr:
As the editor of the senior newspaper, The Gazette, Matt Kerr was responsible for creating the Junior Gazette.
Mr Sullivan:
As Lynda's English teacher, and Norbridge High's deputy headmaster, Mr Sullivan was also responsible for creating the Junior Gazette and often found himself sticking up for the team in controversial circumstances.
Billy Homer:
Tetraplegic since an encounter with a bus, Billy began his Junior Gazette career as a writer of TV reviews. Despite his lack of mobility, Billy often proved himself a valuable asset to the Junior Gazette.
Sophie and Laura:
Young Sophie and Laura did a feature about the Junior Gazette for the school magazine. They were often hired by Colin to assist in his money-making schemes. Sophie was played by Rosie Marcel who has appeared in Children's BBC dramas, and Laura was played by Claire Hearnden.
Episode Guide
Season 1
Season 1, Episode 1: Page One
Original Air Date16 January 1989
As the first edition of the Junior Gazette nears publication, Lynda, the Editor, and the rebellious Spike are thrown into contention over what story should be used for their front page.
Season 1, Episode 2: Photo Finish
Original Air Date23 January 1989
Spike has the lead story but Linda wants more. Colin gets a phone.
Season 1, Episode 3: One Easy Lesson
Original Air Date30 January 1989
Sarah tries to help the new teacher, not always successfully. Colin introduces the "Ping".
Season 1, Episode 4: Deadline
Original Air Date6 February 1989
A printer's strike. But they can print the Gazette early - if they can predict next week's news. Can Colin get the picture?
Season 1, Episode 5: A Night in
Original Air Date13 February 1989
Spike & Linda on the night shift. Spike cooks up a surprise, Linda feels awkward, Tiddler takes notes. Colin wants to impress but he should choose his wardrobe with care.
Season 1, Episode 6: Interface
Original Air Date20 February 1989
When someone begins to send in anonymous TV Reviews on the Gazette's brand new Computer with the use of Internet Technology, Lynda is determined to find out who the mystery writer is.
Season 1, Episode 7: How to Make a Killing
Original Air Date27 February 1989
Kenny is determined to discover why a girl draws chalk outlines of a body outside the same block of flats once a month, believing it could be a good story for the Junior Gazette
Season 1, Episode 8: How to Make a Killing: Part 2
Original Air Date6 March 1989
Following Kenny's departure, Lynda is forced to appoint Spike as her new Assistant Editor. Meanwhile, Kenny continues to pursue the story, which leads him to a shocking discovery about the availability of solvents to minors.
Season 1, Episode 9: Both Sides of the Paper
Original Air Date13 March 1989
The Junior Gazette faces a crisis when an increasing number of people leave in the face of the looming mock exams, causing conflict between Sarah and Lynda.
Season 1, Episode 10: Money, Love and Birdseed
Original Air Date20 March 1989
Colin tries to rid the newsroom of an infestation of birds, Tiddler plays at match-maker between Lynda and Spike, whilst Sarah and Billy investigate the theft of £30 from the school judo club.
Season 1, Episode 11: Monday - Tuesday
Original Air Date3 April 1989
With the scene alternating between Monday and Tuesday, Lynda, Spike, Sarah and Kenny try to piece together what happened when a member of the Junior Gazette tried to blackmail Lynda, only for Lynda to stand up to him moments before tragedy occurred. In the meantime, Colin enlists Spike's help to successfully ask a girl out.
Season 1, Episode 12: Shouldn't I Be Taller?
Original Air Date10 April 1989
Following on from "Monday/Tuesday", Colin and Kenny go head-to-head in a bid to be the new editor of the Junior Gazette, whilst Spike desperately searches for Lynda.
Season 2
Season 2, Episode 1: Breakfast at Czar's
Original Air Date18 January 1990
When Lynda discovers that a Sports Centre she believed the Junior Gazette had saved from closure is actually closing, she decides to produce a whole new edition overnight. Meanwhile, Frazz experiences a remarkable amount of feedback on the accuracy of his horoscopes.
Season 2, Episode 2: Picking Up the Pieces
Original Air Date25 January 1990
Lynda tries to defend Spike when he is punished for beating up a sixth former, whilst Colin plans to use Frazz in a money-making scheme involving a Chess prodigy.
Season 2, Episode 3: Going Back to Jasper Street
Original Air Date1 February 1990
Lynda is troubled when she sees a photograph of a small wooden figure that brings back memories for her concerning something that happened ten years ago. Meanwhile, Colin tries to win the heart of a girl who is obsessed with Spike.
Season 2, Episode 4: The Week and Pizza
Original Air Date8 February 1990
Charting the progression of a typical week at the Junior Gazette, Tiddler and Spike interview a local author, Sam struggles to fire a member of her Graphics Department, and Colin looks for something with which to blackmail Lynda.
Season 2, Episode 5: Love and the Junior Gazette
Original Air Date15 February 1990
Lynda desperate searches for anyone other than Spike who will accompany her to an important cocktail party, Sarah is troubled when she starts dating an actor about whom she has recently written a scathing review, and a wrong number leads to Kenny developing feelings for a girl in Dublin.
Season 2, Episode 6: At Last a Dragon
Original Air Date22 February 1990
Spike accompanies a very nervous Lynda to a cocktail party where she will be doing some career socialising. However, Spike spots someone who is looking to make a few deals of his own.
Season 2, Episode 7: Something Terrible
Original Air Date1 March 1990
Colin's curiosity about an 11-year-old girl called Cindy, a young admirer of his, leads to a shocking discovery. Meanwhile, Lynda tries to keep her relationship with Spike a secret.
Season 2, Episode 8: Something Terrible: Part 2
Original Air Date8 March 1990
Colin struggles to help Cindy when she remains reclusive, whilst everybody else believes Colin is just hustling them as usual.
Season 2, Episode 9: Friends Like These
Original Air Date15 March 1990
When the famously difficult musician Jason Wood finds himself stuck at a local train station, Lynda immediately knows that only Sarah can get the scoop. However, Sarah has decided to quit the Junior Gazette on the same day.
Season 2, Episode 10: The Rest of My Life
Original Air Date22 March 1990
When the team at the Junior Gazette hear about a nearby gas explosion, Lynda is keen to grab as much news of the accident as possible in a bid to boost the popularity of the newspaper. However, she is unaware that Spike was involved in the accident as well, and that he is buried under the rubble with a fellow student who is buried deeper than he is.
Season 2, Episode 11: Yesterday's News
Original Air Date29 March 1990
Lynda challenges Spike to a reporting contest after he doubts her skills as a reporter. However, Spike's recent experience in the office block explosion appears to have affected him more than he lets on.
Season 2, Episode 12: Rock Solid
Original Air Date5 April 1990
Season 2, Episode 13: The Big Finish?
Original Air Date12 April 1990
Season 3
Season 3, Episode 1: The Big Hello
Original Air Date7 May 1991
Season 3, Episode 2: Killer on the Line
Original Air Date14 May 1991
Season 3, Episode 3: Chance Is a Fine Thing
Original Air Date21 May 1991
Season 3, Episode 4: The Last Word
Original Air Date28 May 1991
Season 3, Episode 5: The Last Word: Part 2
Original Air Date4 June 1991
Season 3, Episode 6: Holding On
Original Air Date11 June 1991
Season 4
Season 4, Episode 1: Bad News
Original Air Date7 January 1992
Season 4, Episode 2: UnXpected
Original Air Date14 January 1992
Season 4, Episode 2: UnXpected
Original Air Date14 January 1992
Season 4, Episode 3: She's Got It Taped
Original Air Date21 January 1992
Season 4, Episode 4: Love and War
Original Air Date28 January 1992
Season 4, Episode 5: In the Picture
Original Air Date4 February 1992
Season 4, Episode 6: Day Dreams
Original Air Date11 February 1992
Season 5
Season 5, Episode 1: Head and Heart
Original Air Date16 April 1993
Season 5, Episode 2: Friendly Fire
Original Air Date23 April 1993
Season 5, Episode 3: A Quarter to Midnight
Original Air Date30 April 1993
Season 5, Episode 4: Food, Love and Insecurity
Original Air Date7 May 1993
Season 5, Episode 5: Windfall
Original Air Date14 May 1993
Season 5, Episode 6: There Are Crocodiles
Original Air Date21 May 1993
