30 minSeason 2 • Episode 6
LatestBugger the House of Lords""; ""Yes, that's exactly the PM's thinking."" The pace of reform in The House of Lords has slowed down, it's still full of the over-privileged, and they keep sending back Government proposals for legislation. So when Charle
Stephen Fry and John Bird star as spin doctors Charles Prentiss and Martin McCabe as they bring the popular and satirical Radio 4 comedy Absolute Power to BBC Two. Stephen as Prentiss and John as McCabe are an unscrupulous pair who run the blue chip PR agency Prentiss McCabe. Dealing with commercial as well as personal PR, their remit covers everything from political communications to celebrity media relations. Their manipulation skills are tested to the full as they frequently find that their work brings them into conflict with political parties, newspaper editors and celebrities.
Acting
Fry and Bird's poisonous chemistry—pure theatrical malice.
Writing
Wodehouse-level wordplay meets Newsnight cynicism.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Created by BBC comedy legend Mark Tavener, who also wrote for Yes Minister—explains the institutional rot fetish.
The radio series ran four years before TV adaptation; many fans insist the audio timing landed sharper.
GB
