Post by moriarty on Nov 16, 2006 18:34:09 GMT
Spitting Image row over Ant and Dec Thursday November 16, 06:20 PM
A row has broken out between ITV and the original creator of Spitting Image over a decision to introduce Ant and Dec puppets.
The Geordie duo have been given the satirical treatment, joining old favourites like Margaret Thatcher and John Major, for this year's Best Ever Spitting Image special.
Roger Law, co-creator of the original series, is said to be furious about the decision to introduce new characters into the show, which aired on ITV1 in June.
He is said to have pulled the plug on any chance ITV had of bringing back a new series of the hit satirical show.
Former Spitting Image producer John Lloyd had attempted to revive the series on several occasions, but said there was now no chance of it returning.
He told TV trade magazine Broadcast: "When Paul Jackson (ITV entertainment chief) came into the role I said to him we might persuade Roger into the fold if the money was right.
"It may well have happened if ITV Productions hadn't gone ahead with the new puppets, directly against Roger's wishes.
"As a result, it has blown away the possibility of a new series. Whoever made that decision should be fired."
I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! presenter Ant recently hinted that he did not approve of the puppets, saying: "I thought the sketches were very funny. They caught all our mannerisms, but I thought their voices were awful. They didn't sound anything like us."
At £300,000 an episode, Spitting Image was TV's most expensive light-entertainment show.
A row has broken out between ITV and the original creator of Spitting Image over a decision to introduce Ant and Dec puppets.
The Geordie duo have been given the satirical treatment, joining old favourites like Margaret Thatcher and John Major, for this year's Best Ever Spitting Image special.
Roger Law, co-creator of the original series, is said to be furious about the decision to introduce new characters into the show, which aired on ITV1 in June.
He is said to have pulled the plug on any chance ITV had of bringing back a new series of the hit satirical show.
Former Spitting Image producer John Lloyd had attempted to revive the series on several occasions, but said there was now no chance of it returning.
He told TV trade magazine Broadcast: "When Paul Jackson (ITV entertainment chief) came into the role I said to him we might persuade Roger into the fold if the money was right.
"It may well have happened if ITV Productions hadn't gone ahead with the new puppets, directly against Roger's wishes.
"As a result, it has blown away the possibility of a new series. Whoever made that decision should be fired."
I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! presenter Ant recently hinted that he did not approve of the puppets, saying: "I thought the sketches were very funny. They caught all our mannerisms, but I thought their voices were awful. They didn't sound anything like us."
At £300,000 an episode, Spitting Image was TV's most expensive light-entertainment show.