Press Gang

The chemistry between fiesty,ruthless super-bitch editor lynda, and cocky, wise cracking American Spike was sizzling! makes the likes of joey and pacey seem-dare i say it?-overly melodramatic and fake. One thing that press gang is not is fake. unique and ahead of it's time, yes. But no way is it fake because the characters, though quirky and lovable, are also real and strike a cord with viewers. Again, if u compare it to contemporary shows like dawsons creek (and i was a fan of DC believe it or not!) press gang still comes out tops coz despite being over 10 yrs older the dialogue still seems fresher and more intelligent. And it was press gang who started using self-referential gags first, not kevin-scream-williamson! I also liked the basically mute tiddler (the origional maggie simpson) The hilarious wheeler dealer colin (like a younger boycee but then again a total one-off) and the voice overs at the end (very kevin-from-the wonder years) Basically if u haven't heard of this show (and u probobly haven't coz it's criminally under publicised) then 2 words...watch it! My only regret is not taping the entire lot. I've finally nabbed series 1 dvd's from ebay but if any1 has any old tapes from the rest of the series please, PLEASE email me and let me borrow them! I will pay u whatever is neccesary! xx

Ah yes - Lynda's classic comeback: the only bad thing she could say about Spike *sigh* And who doesn't remember that eventual declaration: "I vole you."

Oh dear, I'm gushing like everyone else! This, as far as I'm concerned, wasn't a show for "young adults". It could be watched by "young adults", for sure, but the wildly comic and consistently excellent script and acting made it a delight for anyone. I guess I was around 20 when I first caught sight of it. My boyfriend at the time was 32 and he loved it too.

So many of the actors who started off in this, eg Julia, Dexter Fletcher (ok, he was in the Elephant Man as a kiddie, but surely this was his first romantic (!) adult role?), Gabrielle Anwar, Paul Reynolds (I) have gone on to... I can't say greater things necessarily, but many other excellent things at least.

I'm just desperately sad that my videos of PG, incomplete to begin with, have self-destructed over the years. I wish the ABC (Australia) would repeat the whole dang lot of it but knowing them it's gone for good.

The first series of Press Gang was released on DVD in the UK on February 2nd 2004. I believe it's Region 0, so anyone anywhere can view the DVD.

Press Gang is my favourite TV show of all time. Top notch writing and brilliant acting; funny, moving, thought-provoking - it was a show that excelled in all areas. Highly recommended.

I am watching 'The Last Word' episode of PG as I write this. My sister has quite a lot of PG's on video, and The Last Word is my fave.

Press Gang has got to be the best young adult TV series that was ever made. The drama is fantastic, and the comic moments are side splitting (Colin is the funniest character!) I wish they'd make them like this now, but lets face it, this kind of excellence only comes once every so often.......

Oh, God, why did I write that. No-one will read any further; people make similar claims so freely about any old rubbish. -But in this case it's TRUE, dammit.

Hilariously funny in every episode, seriously emotional in some, tautly dramatic in most, with great performances from a very young cast (Julia Sawalha is more famous for other shows, but she has never had a better role)... look, trust me, everyone who has watched this show loves it. It represents the triumph of the script by an individual (Steven Moffat) over the script by committee.