Electric Ink
Encyclopedia
Electric Ink is a BBC Radio
sitcom written by Alistair Beaton
and journalist Tom Mitchelson. It stars Robert Lindsay
as Maddox Bradley, a 50-something political journalist on a "quality" newspaper that is heading relentlessly downmarket, while also establishing an online presence. His editor persuades him to record video podcast
s under the title "The Politics Minute", and also respond to online comments in a blog
. Maddox wants to continue producing hard-hitting investigative pieces but is constantly frustrated by the rest of the staff who prefer to produce trendy or commercially lucrative "fluff". His "Politics Minute" turns out to be 48 seconds with a commercial, and gets shorter as time goes on. His efforts to spruce up his appearance for the video result in unfavorable comparisons with Donald Trump
. The net effect is to make Maddox feel like he is surrounded by people he barely understands. From time to time, however, reality intrudes and Maddox is asked to handle the fallout, as when a "Guide to Mushrooms" wallchart includes a poisonous type on the "Edible" list, resulting in at least one reader going to hospital.
A second series began broadcasting in December 2010. Major parts were recast, with John Sessions replacing Robert Lindsay in the lead role. Other characters were replaced entirely.
BBC Radio
BBC Radio is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927. For a history of BBC radio prior to 1927 see British Broadcasting Company...
sitcom written by Alistair Beaton
Alistair Beaton
Alistair Beaton is a Scottish left wing political satirist, journalist, radio presenter, novelist and television writer. At one point in his career he was also a speechwriter for Gordon Brown....
and journalist Tom Mitchelson. It stars Robert Lindsay
Robert Lindsay (actor)
Robert Lindsay is an English actor who is best known for his television work, especially his roles of Wolfie Smith in Citizen Smith, Michael Murray in G.B.H., Captain Sir Edward Pellew in Hornblower and Ben Harper in My Family which has been on television screens since 2000.-Early life:Lindsay was...
as Maddox Bradley, a 50-something political journalist on a "quality" newspaper that is heading relentlessly downmarket, while also establishing an online presence. His editor persuades him to record video podcast
Podcast
A podcast is a series of digital media files that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication...
s under the title "The Politics Minute", and also respond to online comments in a blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
. Maddox wants to continue producing hard-hitting investigative pieces but is constantly frustrated by the rest of the staff who prefer to produce trendy or commercially lucrative "fluff". His "Politics Minute" turns out to be 48 seconds with a commercial, and gets shorter as time goes on. His efforts to spruce up his appearance for the video result in unfavorable comparisons with Donald Trump
Donald Trump
Donald John Trump, Sr. is an American business magnate, television personality and author. He is the chairman and president of The Trump Organization and the founder of Trump Entertainment Resorts. Trump's extravagant lifestyle, outspoken manner and role on the NBC reality show The Apprentice have...
. The net effect is to make Maddox feel like he is surrounded by people he barely understands. From time to time, however, reality intrudes and Maddox is asked to handle the fallout, as when a "Guide to Mushrooms" wallchart includes a poisonous type on the "Edible" list, resulting in at least one reader going to hospital.
A second series began broadcasting in December 2010. Major parts were recast, with John Sessions replacing Robert Lindsay in the lead role. Other characters were replaced entirely.
Cast
- Maddox Bradley (Robert LindsayRobert Lindsay (actor)Robert Lindsay is an English actor who is best known for his television work, especially his roles of Wolfie Smith in Citizen Smith, Michael Murray in G.B.H., Captain Sir Edward Pellew in Hornblower and Ben Harper in My Family which has been on television screens since 2000.-Early life:Lindsay was...
in series 1, John SessionsJohn SessionsJohn Gibb Marshall , better known by the stage name John Sessions, is a Scottish actor and comedian. He is known for comedy improvisation in television shows such as Whose Line Is It Anyway?; as a panellist on QI; and as a character actor in numerous films, both in the UK and in Hollywood.-Early...
in series 2), an old-school print reporter. - Oliver (Alex JenningsAlex JenningsAlex Jennings is an English actor whose roles have included Charles, Prince of Wales in The Queen .-Early years:...
) the Editor-in-Chief desperately trying to keep the newspaper afloat. - Freddy (Ben WillbondBen WillbondBen Willbond is an English comedian and actor with credits on television, radio and film, including from 2005-2007 Deep Trouble on BBC Radio 4 with actor and writer Jim Field Smith. He was formerly part of the comedy duo "Ben & Arn", who won "Best Newcomer" at the Perrier Award in 1999...
in series 1, Stephen WightStephen WightStephen Wight is a British actor, who trained at the Drama Centre London.-Career:Wight's television career dates back to 2003 with a minor part in Casualty....
in series 2) the "Head of Online Content" who pretends to be an urban "gangstaGangstaGangsta may refer to:* Gangsta , a one time member of The Comrads and Hoo-Bangin' Records* Gangster, slang for a member of a gang*Gangsta rap*Hip hop fashion, a style of dress associated with the aforementioned musical genre...
" even though he is from the upper classes and attended Oxford University. - Amelia (Elizabeth Berrington in series 1) The News Editor, Maddox's rival as a journalist, and Oliver's mistress.
- Carol Pilkington (Polly FramePolly FramePolly Frame is a Scottish actress who was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and is best known to children as Pinky Pinkerton, the hyperactive sports announcer on Disney Channel's pre-school television series Bunnytown....
in series 2). Amelia's replacement as News Editor, she formerly worked at the mass-market tabloid newspaper The Sun. - Tasneem (Zita SattarZita SattarZita Sattar is an English television, theatre and film actress.- Background :Zita was born in 1975 in Birmingham, England. She is of mixed heritage, her mum is British and her dad Pakistani. At aged 11, as a young amateur actress, Zita was one of the founder members of Birmingham's Central Junior...
in series 1) the Head of Marketing who wants to replace headlines with giveaway offers. - Masha (Debbie ChazenDebbie ChazenDebbie Chazen is an English actress. She is most famous for playing the roles of Annie in the BBC comedy The Smoking Room, Big Claire in Mine All Mine and various roles in the BBC sketch show Tittybangbang....
) the Russian-born website manager who pesters Maddox to respond to online comments. Maddox regards the commenters as "loonies". In series 2 the newspaper website has installed a paywall allowing downloads for 5 pence each. Masha announces that Maddox's "Politics Minute" podcast had 7 downloads for a total of 35 pence.