The New Statesman (1987)
- TV sitcom
- ITV1
- 1987 - 1994
- 28 episodes (4 series)
Sitcom parody of 1980s Conservatism. Tory MP Alan B'Stard holds the largest majority in the House: his interests are money, power, sex, and himself. Stars Rik Mayall, Michael Troughton, Marsha Fitzalan, Rowena Cooper, John Nettleton and more.
Episode menu
Series 1, Episode 1 - Happiness Is A Warm Gun
Following his comfortable election to the House, Alan is forced to help the police become armed - and in turn make a fortune from gun sales.
Broadcast details
- Date
- Sunday 13th September 1987
- Time
- 10pm
- Channel
- ITV1
- Length
- 30 minutes
Cast & crew
| Rik Mayall | Alan B'Stard MP |
| Michael Troughton | Piers Fletcher-Dervish MP |
| Marsha Fitzalan | Sarah B'Stard |
| Rowena Cooper (as R.R. Cooper) | Norman Bormann |
| John Nettleton | Sir Stephen Baxter |
| Nick Stringer | Bob Crippen MP |
| Vivien Heilbron | Beatrice Protheroe |
| Peter Sallis | Sidney Bliss |
| John Woodvine | Sir Malachi Jellicoe |
| John Carlin | House of Commons Speaker |
| Donald Nithsdale | Bishop |
| Alan Starkey | Mayor |
| Brian Horstead | Ginsburg |
| Bernard Alexander | House of Commons Policeman |
| David F. Betts | Policeman 1 |
| Charlie Burman | Policeman 2 |
| David Edward Sutch (as Screaming Lord Sutch) | Self |
| Laurence Marks | Writer |
| Maurice Gran | Writer |
| Geoffrey Sax | Director |
| David Reynolds | Producer |
| Stuart Quarmby | Editor |
| Bryce Clayton | Editor |
| Roger Andrews | Production Designer |
| Alan Hawkshaw | Composer |
Video
The New Statesman Election
Alan B'Stard gets elected to parliament in rather dubious circumstances.
Featuring: Rik Mayall (Alan B'Stard MP).
Press
The Re-Evaluation Game: The New Statesman episode 1
It's surprising (and questionably depressing) how relevant this particular episode still is given the corruption in politics and the way deals are made with politicians friends and associates.
Alex Finch, Comedy To Watch, 3rd December 2020