Introduction
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"Do you want a working definition of whoredom? Intercourse with
people you despise. When have you ever doubted that that is what we do
for a living? Whores, Martin. And we're the best in the business because
we kiss" - Charles Prentiss, Prentiss McCabe PR
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Stephen Fry and John Bird return to
91Èȱ¬ TWO as Machiavellian spin doctors Charles Prentiss and Martin McCabe
for a second series of Absolute Power.
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Series one ended with the sultans of spin seemingly cornered for the
last time, having carried out their boldest and most outrageous scam yet
- inventing a terminal disease to get one of their most lucrative clients
off the hook.
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But as Charles (Stephen Fry) points out, "There is nothing the
Great British public like better than to see the bad guys blub in public."
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Confessing that they have finally overstepped the moral line works a
treat and the spin, that there is no longer room for spin, ensures our
heroes are back in business.
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"I may enjoy dancing on the edge of the abyss, but I will never
ever topple in, comprendi?" - Charles Prentiss
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Several phone calls to minor British film stars later - "Nick Moran
wants to get onto GMTV and Breakfast Time"; "Has he got a film to promote?";
"No, he just wants to get on," - and after several campaigns to rebuild
the reputations of Booker prize-winning novelists - "Has Salman responded?";
"No, he's out on tour with Busted," the client list continues to be varied.
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"We've got Princess Michael in half an hour and she's got a face like
a bulldog chewing a wasp"; "She can't help that."
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Whether it's repositioning a billionaire member of the Bin Laden family
who wants to buy British Airways, or sexing up the House of Lords so they
avoid radical reform, the company's mantra remains the same - the public
will swallow anything, just as long as it's made palatable.
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The series includes cameos from the world of sport and television including
Alan Hansen; Richard and Judy; Phillip
Schofield; Huw Edwards; Angus Deayton;
Kirsty Wark; Mark Lawson and Dermot
Murnaghan and features actors James Fox; John
Sessions; Chris Langham; Tim Brooke-Taylor
and Haydn Gwynne.
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Absolute Power is written by writer and journalist Mark Lawson, writers
Andy Rattenbury (Teachers, The Postman Always Rings Twice) and Guy Andrews
(Chancer, Prime Suspect V) and was devised by Mark Tavener, originally
for 91Èȱ¬ Radio.
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GJ
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