30 minSeason 1 • Episode 6
LatestBy a monstrous mistake by the US, the Quark Bomb has blown up Israel. Unable to admit they had anything to do with it, the Americans must throw suspicion on Russia and issue threats of counter action.
Whoops Apocalypse is a six-part 1982 British sitcom by Andrew Marshall and David Renwick, made by London Weekend Television for ITV. Marshall and Renwick later reworked the concept as a 1986 film of the same name from ITC Entertainment, with almost completely different characters and plot, although one or two of the original actors returned in different roles. As the Apocalypse nears, US President Johnny Cyclops tries to run a reelection campaign whilst also dealing with the Russians, a deposed Shah needing to be hidden, and a new weapon called a 'quark' bomb.
Writing
Marshall and Renwick's razor-sharp wordplay hits harder than the quark bomb.
Acting
Barry Morse's Cyclops: a president somehow dumber than reality would later provide.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The 1986 film remake replaced almost the entire cast and plot, making this the rare case where the original series is the definitive version. Only John Barron returned, now playing a different character.
Marshall and Renwick would later create 'One Foot in the Grave'—you can see Victor Meldrew's cosmic frustration being born here in Cyclops' spiral.
GB
