Spitting Image 2025 is funny, filthy, forensic and, on YouTube, a force for good

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As a devoted fan, I can’t help but exclaim: Mary Whitehouse would have been left speechless! Indeed, the iconic Spitting Image has made its grand comeback, now thriving on YouTube instead of traditional television broadcasting. The constraints of linear mainstream broadcasting are long gone, and the show is now more daring than ever before. From the unexpected chart-topper “The Chicken Song” to the Queen Mother with a Brummie accent, via Douglas Hurd’s Mr Whippy hair and Mike Gatting’s surprisingly deep voice, Spitting Image has consistently brought us unforgettable moments that continue to entertain us today.

For a span of twelve years since its launch in 1984, the talented cast – including budding stars like Harry Enfield, Steve Coogan, and others – skillfully navigated the boundaries of analog broadcasting and kept their commissioners on edge. As Roger Law, one of its co-creators, put it this week, “The world of TV was taken by surprise.” Now, after a television comeback in 2020 and a live stage performance two years ago, it’s making a resurgence once more.

Please note: the following contains swearing.

Currently, YouTube, at 20 years old, resembles the lawless frontier of entertainment landscapes. With an astounding 500 hours of video being uploaded every minute, it has significantly less content regulation compared to conventional broadcasters. This vast, uncharted territory houses countless videos that remain unseen, yet it’s also a breeding ground for new stars. The reigning champion in this digital arena is the philanthropic prankster Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson, boasting an impressive 399 million subscribers. A mere glimpse into this world reveals only a fraction of its vastness.

Occasionally, these shows serve as platforms for individuals who have been previously muted or terminated to regain their voice and visibility. I delved into Piers Morgan’s program, Uncensored, along with Dan Wootton’s Outspoken. In one instance, Morgan questioned veteran US commentator Bill O’Reilly about Brigitte Macron’s gender identity. To his credit, O’Reilly declined to participate in such a questionable discussion: “I don’t venture into the swamp.” Meanwhile, Wootton was peddling yet another controversial theory about Harry and Meghan. As Danny Baker might put it, this is undoubtedly what Tim Berners-Lee envisioned when he rushed off to the patent office. Or, as my father used to say, “From reaching for the moon landings to this.

Similarly to other online platforms, YouTube doesn’t have an innate spirit; it becomes what we shape it to be, with valuable treasures hidden among its vast content. Unfortunately, Channel 4’s Time Team was discontinued in 2014 after two decades, but fear not! Fans can still join the archaeological adventure by tuning in to see their favorite experts at work. What makes this even better is that it’s interactive – viewers can vote on future excavations and track the progress virtually. As Tim Taylor, series producer of Time Team, explained to RT: “We received an email from someone in America saying, ‘I’m 4,000 miles away, but it feels like I’m there.'” This isn’t a simple attempt to garner more views; instead, it represents a passionate community that transcends geographical boundaries. Ultimately, we continue to acknowledge and appreciate the uniqueness of every platform.

The original goal of Spitting Image was, as Roger Law describes, “Utilizing traditional caricature techniques and modern foam rubber to discover a means of revealing the truth.” After four decades, the show’s co-writer Matt Forde (who also portrays Trump, Keir Starmer, and Prince Harry) maintains that this objective remains its guiding principle. Forde shares with RT, “It’s outrageous, absurd, and ridiculous, but it wouldn’t succeed if people didn’t see truth in the satire. We don’t just appreciate these jokes; we need them now more than ever.

He’s right. Spitting Image 2025 is funny, forensic and, on YouTube, a force for good (and filthy).

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2025-07-29 02:50