My Dad's the Prime Minister
If you're twelve years old, it's often truly embarrassing to have
parents. So how embarrassing is it to have your dad be the Prime
Minister? And if you're the PM, what's it like to know that your
son is often cleverer than your spin doctor?
My
Dad's the Prime Minister is a new comedy written by Ian Hislop and
Nick Newman.
The
series, which will premiere on CÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ and then on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ ONE (transmission
details below), looks at all the things an average boy experiences
- from school sports day and homework problems to visiting relatives.
The
trouble is that, with his parents, Dillon is not exactly an average
boy.
Dillon Phillips is someone whose father happens to be the leader
of the Government. However, Dillon knows that being the son of the
Prime Minister has its advantages and disadvantages. The
chance to persuade his Dad to change national policy is often overshadowed
by his Dad's ability to embarrass him at every given opportunity.
Dillon
tries his best to have a normal life, and his school friends, Geezer,
Lightbulb and Bonehead treat him like anyone else - but do occasionally
take advantage of his Dad's job. Flash is his school nemesis, but
loses no chance to try and impress Dillon's dad if the opportunity
presents itself.
At
home, Dillon has to put up with his moody older sister, Sarah, his
high-powered mother, Clare, and his Dad's spin doctor, Duncan Packer.
As an advisor, Dillon thinks he could do a much better job than
the officious Packer. And a lot of the time - he's right!
Dillon
does find solace, however, in the form of Andy Sharp - the detective
assigned to look after the family - who makes some of the awkward
situations more bearable.
Robert
Bathurst, who plays Michael Phillips the Prime Minister, says of
his role: "The Prime Minister is the most powerful person I
have played, though I have yet to be a newspaper proprietor."
Writers
Ian Hislop and Nick Newman have worked together for almost 30 years,
writing for programmes such as Spitting Image, Harry Enfield and
Murder Most Horrid.
Their
new comedy has presented them with the fresh challenge of writing
for a wider audience.
"There
are elements of the show that are directly aimed at children and
elements that we are trying to make cross over into adult territory,"
says Nick.
Fellow
writer Ian says: "Trying
to get into the idiom of the children was fun and the cast seem
to have done it very well."
The
series is the first time CÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ and ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ ONE have worked together to
produce a comedy which will premiere on the digital channel CÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½,
before coming to ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ ONE.
The
producer is Francis Matthews and the executive producers are Elaine
Sperber and Sophie Clarke-Jervoise.
It
is a CÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ and ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Entertainment Production.
Programme
summaries
Cast
list
Interviews
Fun
stuff
Video
clip - get a sneak preview of My Dad's the Prime Minister with
our exclusive video clip. For help and advice on downloading clips
see the .
Notes
to Editors
Transmission
details - the programme transmits on CÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½
across the weeks commencing 17 March and 24 March and weekly on
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ ONE from 23 March.
CÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½
is a digital channel for 6 to 13 year olds, launched in February
2002, offering the latest in kids' drama, entertainment, news and
factual shows.
Broadcast
12 hours a day, seven days a week, this interactive channel hosts
a brand new world of challenging programmes that you can really
get your teeth into.
Events
are accessible on air, online and on digital, giving complete access
to programmes that are broadcast live such as the daily magazine
show, Xchange.
As
a celebration of the diversity of kids' lives, CÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ creates a community
where they can have their say and make a difference, whoever they
are, wherever they live.
Related
story
My
Dad’s The Prime Minister comes to ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ ONE (17.03.02)
All
the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s digital services are now available on ,
the new free-to-view digital terrestrial television service, as well
as on satellite and cable. Freeview
offers the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s eight television channels - including ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ THREE
- as well as six ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ radio networks.
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