2DTV is a satrical animated television show broadcast on ITV1 in the United Kingdom that follows closely in the footsteps of Spitting Image, but using animation rather than puppets.

Lampooning people in the public eye, the impressionists - many of whom worked on Spitting Image - get the chance to caricature politicians, royals and celebrities alike, as directed by Giles Pilgrow (also from Spitting Image). These included Labour prime minister Tony Blair, jealous chancellor Gordon Brown, a violent John Prescott, David Blunkett, slurring Robin Cook and Jack Straw. On the Conservative side was a large-lipped Michael Portillo, a small William Hague and a very boring Iain Duncan Smith. US president George W. Bush and his fictional sidekick the General are depicted; the latter creates puppet "Professor Liebstrom" out of his sock, so that Bush would understand him.

Royals are sent up in the same style as they were on Spitting Image. There's the late, dotty Queen Mum and the reasonably sane Queen herself, mad Prince Philip, old fogie Prince Charles, ugly Camilla Parker Bowles, mean Princess Anne, naked Fergie, and wild sons Princes William and Harry.

Celebrities impersonated include the ubiquitous Ant and Dec (presenting the news), Elton John, Geri Halliwell and George Michael all together, The Beckhams (skinny Victoria, show-off David, and children Brooklyn and Romeo), deadpan newsreader Trevor McDonald, mean Weakest Link presenter Anne Robinson, plastic-ridden Michael Jackson, spoon-bender Uri Geller, fat comedian Johnny Vegas, Lawrence Llewelyn-Bowen (with stupid hair), Carol "Smiley" Smillie, David Dimbleby, big-breasted model Jordan, gay Pop Idol winner Will Young (and runner-up Gareth Gates), spoilt Jennifer Lopez, Chris Eubank with his ever-burdening lisp, Madonna and Guy Ritchie, Tom Cruise, David Frost, extremely camp Graham Norton, Davina McCall, chat-show hosts Michael Parkinson, Frank Skinner, Johnny Vaughan, Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, al-Qaeda terrorist Osama bin Laden, nervy Tim Henman, Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf (complete with a big nose), old Joan Collins, Des Lynam, American tycoon Bill Gates, Australian singer Kylie Minogue (famous for her rear end), drunk Liam Gallagher, Robbie Williams, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Justin Hawkins from the Darkness stuttering Hugh Grant, over-excited Steve Irwin, Dame Judi Dench and guilt-ridden entertainer Michael Barrymore. The pilot episode also featured a resident newsreader character, but he doesn't appear in the series.

In early 2003, an advert for the Video and DVD compilation The Best of 2DTV was prevented from airing. The advert involved George W. Bush taking the video out of its case and putting it in a toaster. It was banned because the British advertising watchdog stated that advertisements for products cannot appear to be endorsed by someone without their permission - in this case George W. Bush. This decision was later overturned (due to it being legitimate satire) and the advert was shown unedited.

The first two series, broadcast in 2001, featured episodes lasting only 10 minutes. Due to popular demand subsequent editions were extended to half an hour. The original cast members were Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Mark Perry and Dave Lamb . Alistair MacGowan also appeared in the pilot episode. But for series 4, it appeared that all but Lamb had left the show, leaving Lewis MacLeod , Kate O'Sullivan and Enn Reitel to take over. Presumably, Culshaw left to spend more time appearing in his own show, The Impressionable Jon Culshaw.

2DTV produced the controversial video for the 2002 George Michael single Shoot the Dog.

Series 5 started on November 8 2004 at 11.00 pm on ITV1.

External links

• Official website