Episodes
| Series | Episode | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 01 | 20000105 | 20110530 (BBC7) 20130819 (BBC7) 20150717 (BBC7) 20171013 (BBC7) 20191225 (BBC7) 20240223 (BBC7) | Having left the BBC, Charles Prentiss and Martin McCabe embark on a new career as spin doctors in the world of government and media relations. They're visited by the Chairman of the Conservative Party, who offers to establish them on the road to solvency... Mark Tavener's political comedy stars Stephen Fry as Charles Prentiss and John Bird as Martin McCabe. Spin doctors Prentiss and McCabe are skint. With: Martin Hyder Mark Tavener's political comedy with Stephen Fry and John Bird. |
| 01 | 02 | 20000112 | 20110606 (BBC7) 20130826 (BBC7) 20150724 (BBC7) 20171020 (BBC7) 20200101 (BBC7) 20240301 (BBC7) | Prentis McCabe - the machiavellian doctors of spin - attempt the impossible. Can they relaunch The Sun newspaper as the beacon of the pro Euro movement while retaining the newspaper's traditional readership nurtured on a healthy diet of extreme xenophobia? Mark Tavener's comedy about the two specialists in government and media relations. Spin doctors Prentiss and McCabe attempt to relaunch the Sun newspaper. Spin doctors Prentiss and McCabe attempt to relaunch the Sun newspaper. Stars Stephen Fry and John Bird. From January 2000. |
| 01 | 03 | 20000119 | 20110613 (BBC7) 20110619 (BBC7) 20110620 (BBC7) 20130902 (BBC7) 20150731 (BBC7) 20171027 (BBC7) 20200108 (BBC7) 20240308 (BBC7) | Prentis McCabe - the machiavellian doctors of spin – get involved in the race for London Mayor. Mark Tavener's comedy about the two specialists in government and media relations. Tony Gardner Siobhan Hayes Colin McFarlane Hugh Parker Producer: Paul Schlesinger Spin doctors Prentiss and McCabe get involved in the race for London Mayor. |
| 01 | 04 | 20000126 | 20110620 (BBC7) 20130909 (BBC7) 20150807 (BBC7) 20171103 (BBC7) 20200115 (BBC7) 20240315 (BBC7) | Can Prentiss McCabe come up with a strategy to increase church congregations around the country? Tony Gardner Siobhan Hayes John Rowe Alys Torrance Producer: Paul Schlesinger Spinning for both the Church and the State proves profitable for Prentiss and McCabe. Spinning for both the Church and the State proves profitable for Prentiss and McCabe. Stars Stephen Fry. From January 2000. |
| 01 | 05 | 20000202 | 20110627 (BBC7) 20130916 (BBC7) 20150814 (BBC7) 20171110 (BBC7) 20200122 (BBC7) 20240322 (BBC7) | Prentiss and McCabe are set their hardest challenge so far - to substantially increase listening figures for BBC Radio 3. Will this prove a wheeze too far for the Wheeze-master Generals? Spin doctors Prentiss and McCabe land at the BBC to tackle Radio 3. With: Rebecca Front Roger Sloman Philip Fox Beth Chalmers Mark Tonderai Producer: Paul Schlesinger Spin doctors Prentiss and McCabe land at the BBC to tackle Radio 3. Stars Stephen Fry and John Bird. From February 2000. |
| 01 | 06 LAST | 20000209 | 20110704 (BBC7) 20130923 (BBC7) 20150821 (BBC7) 20171117 (BBC7) 20200129 (BBC7) 20240329 (BBC7) | What better way to increase the nation's feelgood factor than for England to win a major sporting trophy? An impossible task Prentiss and McCabe? Siobhan Hayes Tony Gardner Simon Greenall Beth Chalmers Producer: Paul Schlesinger Spin doctors Prentiss and McCabe tackle a sporting victory for England. With: Spin doctors Prentiss and McCabe tackle a sporting victory for England. Stars Stephen Fry and John Bird. From February 2000. |
| 02 | 01 | 20010130 | 20110711 (BBC7) 20140101 (BBC7) 20150508 (BBC7) 20151030 (BBC7) 20171211 (BBC7) 20210105 (BBC7) 20240517 (BBC7) | Prentiss McCabe try to save New Labour from total voter humiliation. With contacts at the highest level of government, top Media and Government Relations firm, Prentiss McCabe, return with more machinations than Machiavelli. This week it seems that the Country is bored with New Labour and Charles takes the commission to revive interest in the party. Martin however, has his own boredom problem and is missing the days when Prentiss McCabe were a struggling pair of twisted charlatans. Mark Tavener's comedy about the machiavellian doctors of PR spin, starring Stephen Fry and John Bird. Charles Prentiss - Stephen Fry Martin McCabe - John Bird Siobhan Hayes Tony Gardner Simon Greenall Beth Chalmers Terence Edmond Kenny Blyth Sue Elliot-Nicholls Producer: Dawn Ellis Prentiss McCabe try to save New Labour from total voter humiliation. Starring Stephen Fry and John Bird. From January 2001. |
| 02 | 02 | 20010206 | 20110718 (BBC7) 20140108 (BBC7) 20151106 (BBC7) 20171218 (BBC7) 20210112 (BBC7) 20240524 (BBC7) 20240802 (BBC7) | An old flame pits spinmeisters Charles and Martin against one another. There's unrest at Prentiss McCabe when an old flame pits spinmeisters Charles and Martin against one another. Mark Tavener's comedy about the machiavellian doctors of PR spin. Charles Prentiss - Stephen Fry Martin McCabe - John Bird With: Tamsin Greig Tony Gardner Siobhan Hayes Philip Fox Producer: Paul Schlesinger An old flame pits spinmeisters Charles and Martin against one another. Stars Stephen Fry and Tamsin Greig. From February 2001. |
| 02 | 03 | 20010213 | 20110725 (BBC7) 20140115 (BBC7) 20151113 (BBC7) 20171225 (BBC7) 20210119 (BBC7) 20240809 (BBC7) | Can spin kings Prentiss McCabe turn a failed novelist into a best seller? Mark Tavener's comedy about the Machiavellian doctors of PR spin. Charles Prentiss - Stephen Fry Martin McCabe - John Bird With: Tamsin Greig Tony Gardner Siobhan Hayes Ewan Bailey Emma Kennedy Beth Chalmers Producer: Paul Schlesinger Can spin kings Prentiss McCabe turn a failed novelist into a best seller? Stars Stephen Fry and John Bird. From February 2001. |
| 02 | 04 | 20010220 | 20110801 (BBC7) 20140122 (BBC7) 20151120 (BBC7) 20180101 (BBC7) 20210126 (BBC7) 20210130 (BBC7) 20210131 (BBC7) 20240816 (BBC7) | The prime minister wants Charles and Martin to discredit the chancellor. Mark Tavener's comedy about the Machiavellian doctors of PR spin. Charles Prentiss - Stephen Fry Martin McCabe - John Bird With: Tamsin Greig Tony Gardner Siobhan Hayes Beth Chalmers Sue Elliot Nicholls Terence Edmond Kenny Blythe Exec Producer: Paul Schlesinger Producer: Dawn Ellis The prime minister wants Charles and Martin to discredit the chancellor. Stars Stephen Fry and John Bird. From February 2001. |
| 02 | 05 | 20010227 | 20110808 (BBC7) 20140129 (BBC7) 20151127 (BBC7) 20180108 (BBC7) 20210202 (BBC7) 20240823 (BBC7) | Charles tackles prison reform, as Martin helps Delia Smith with a new image. McCabe, unable to get his hands on a corkscrew, finds he's obliged to do some work - like sexing up hats and Delia Smith's image. Meanwhile, Prentiss is in discussion with a representative from the Prison Reform Society. He's unwilling to take part - until he's blackmailed... Mark Tavener's comedy about the Machiavellian doctors of PR spin Charles Prentiss - Stephen Fry Martin McCabe - John Bird Gayle - Clare Corbett With Siobhan Hayes, Tony Gardner, Beth Chalmers and Tamsin Greig Producer: Dawn Ellis Charles tackles prison reform, as Martin helps Delia Smith with a new image. Stars Stephen Fry and John Bird. From February 2001. |
| 02 | 06 LAST | 20010306 | 20110829 (BBC7) 20140205 (BBC7) 20151204 (BBC7) 20180115 (BBC7) 20210209 (BBC7) 20240830 (BBC7) | Charles Prentiss is challenged by a PR rival to wheeze the unwheezable. Mark Tavener's comedy about the Machiavellian doctors of PR spin Charles Prentiss - Stephen Fry Martin McCabe - John Bird Gayle - Clare Corbett Sir Archibald Sullivan - Tony Gardner Sandy - Siobhan Hayes With Beth Chalmers and Tamsin Greig Producer: Dawn Ellis Charles Prentiss is challenged by a PR rival to wheeze the unwheezable. Stars Stephen Fry and John Bird. From March 2001. Charles is challenged to wheeze the unwheezable. |
| 03 | 01 | 20020101 | 20110905 (BBC7) 20140709 (BBC7) 20140710 (BBC7) 20160129 (BBC7) 20180815 (BBC7) 20210610 (BBC7) 20241004 (BBC7) | Prentiss McCabe's government retainer is under threat from a difficult and complicated task, which Martin so decorously puts it as “poking one right up the prime minister ?. Whilst Martin is enthused with the challenge, Charles is torn and admits to quite liking the PM. Charles Prentiss and Martin McCabe return as spin masters in the world of government and media relations. Charles Prentiss - Stephen Fry Martin McCabe - John Bird Tony Gardner Siobhan Hayes Tom George David Timpson Music by Matthew Scott The government retainer is under threat when Prentiss McCabe is given a difficult task. Producer: Dawn Ellis The government retainer is under threat when Prentiss McCabe faces a very tricky task. Stars Stephen Fry. From January 2002. |
| 03 | 02 | 20020108 | 20110912 (BBC7) 20140716 (BBC7) 20140717 (BBC7) 20160205 (BBC7) 20180822 (BBC7) 20210617 (BBC7) 20210619 (BBC7) 20210620 (BBC7) 20241011 (BBC7) | Can Prentiss and McCabe's medicine help the government to sort out the NHS? Charles Prentiss and Martin McCabe are spin masters in the world of government and media relations. Charles Prentiss - Stephen Fry Martin McCabe - John Bird Sir Archibald Sullivan - Tony Gardner Sandy - Siobhan Hayes Clive - Tom George Maurice - David Timson Can Prentiss and McCabe's medicine help the government sort out the NHS? Producer: Dawn Ellis Can Prentiss and McCabe's medicine help the government sort out the NHS? Stars Stephen Fry and John Bird. From January 2002. |
| 03 | 03 | 20020115 | 20110919 (BBC7) 20140723 (BBC7) 20140724 (BBC7) 20160212 (BBC7) 20180829 (BBC7) 20210624 (BBC7) 20241018 (BBC7) | Roguish Martin enters the Lords as Charles takes on a Big Brother TV 'star'. Charles Prentiss and Martin McCabe are spin masters in the world of government and media relations. Charles Prentiss - Stephen Fry Martin McCabe - John Bird Sir Archibald Sullivan - Tony Gardner Maurice - David Timson With Lisa Coleman, James Vaughan and Beth Chalmers Roguish Martin enters the Lords as Charles takes on a Big Brother 'star'. Producer: Dawn Ellis Roguish Martin enters the Lords, as Charles takes on a Big Brother 'star'. Stars Stephen Fry and John Bird. From January 2002. |
| 03 | 04 | 20020122 | 20110926 (BBC7) 20140730 (BBC7) 20140731 (BBC7) 20160219 (BBC7) 20180905 (BBC7) 20210701 (BBC7) 20241025 (BBC7) | Martin has a sporting challenge, but can Charles save a disgraced minister? Charles Prentiss and Martin McCabe are spin masters in the world of government and media relations. Charles Prentiss - Stephen Fry Martin McCabe - John Bird Sir Archibald Sullivan - Tony Gardner Clive - Tom George Sandy - Siobhan Hayes Johannes Pollard - Chris Pavlo Maurice - David Timson With Beth Chalmers Producer: Dawn Ellis Martin has a sporting challenge, but can Charles save a disgraced minister? Stars Stephen Fry and John Bird. From January 2002. |
| 03 | 05 LAST | 20020129 | 20241101 (BBC7) | Spin doctors Prentiss and McCabe are challenged to boost public opinion about men. Charles Prentiss and Martin McCabe are spin masters in the world of government and media relations. Charles Prentiss - Stephen Fry Martin McCabe - John Bird Sir Archibald Sullivan - Tony Gardner Clive - Tom George Jeremy Lewis - James Vaughan With Beth Chalmers Producer: Dawn Ellis Spin doctors Prentiss and McCabe are challenged to boost public opinion about men. Stars Stephen Fry and John Bird. From January 2002. |
| 03 | 05 LAST | 20020129 | 20111004 (BBC7) 20140806 (BBC7) 20140807 (BBC7) 20160226 (BBC7) 20180912 (BBC7) 20210708 (BBC7) 20241101 (BBC7) | Spin doctors Prentiss and McCabe are challenged to boost public opinion about men. Charles Prentiss and Martin McCabe are spin masters in the world of government and media relations. Charles Prentiss - Stephen Fry Martin McCabe - John Bird Sir Archibald Sullivan - Tony Gardner Clive - Tom George Jeremy Lewis - James Vaughan With Beth Chalmers Producer: Dawn Ellis Spin doctors Prentiss and McCabe are challenged to boost public opinion about men. Stars Stephen Fry and John Bird. From January 2002. CAST: Written by Mark Tavener |
| 04 | 01 | 20040205 | 20111228 (BBC7) 20140924 (BBC7) 20140925 (BBC7) 20160729 (BBC7) 20181128 (BBC7) 20210812 (BBC7) 20210814 (BBC7) 20210815 (BBC7) 20250217 (BBC7) | The Machiavellian masters of spin get a lucrative contract to represent BBC television. Charles Prentiss and Martin McCabe are spin masters in the world of government and media relations. Charles Prentiss - Stephen Fry Martin McCabe - John Bird Archie - Alex Lowe Clive - Tom George Morganna - Rachel Atkins Debbie - Jalml Barbakoff Headmaster - Kim Wall Producer: Dawn Ellis The spin doctoring duo get a lucrative contract to work for the BBC. The spin doctoring duo get a lucrative contract to work for the BBC. Stars Stephen Fry and John Bird. From February 2004. |
| 04 | 02 | 20040212 | 20120104 (BBC7) 20141001 (BBC7) 20141002 (BBC7) 20160805 (BBC7) 20181205 (BBC7) 20210819 (BBC7) 20250224 (BBC7) | Spin doctor Martin's new bestseller drives a wedge between him and Charles. Charles Prentiss and Martin McCabe are spin masters in the world of government and media relations. Charles Prentiss - Stephen Fry Martin McCabe - John Bird Archie - Alex Lowe Clive - Tom George Lydia - Helen Atkinson-Wood Giles - Kim Wall Presenter - Rachel Atkins Claudia - Jaimi Barbakoff Producer: Dawn Ellis Spin doctor Martin's new bestseller drives a wedge between him and Charles. Stars Stephen Fry and John Bird. From February 2004. |
| 04 | 03 | 20040219 | 20120111 (BBC7) 20141008 (BBC7) 20141009 (BBC7) 20160812 (BBC7) 20181212 (BBC7) 20210826 (BBC7) 20250303 (BBC7) | When Martin persuades Charles to accompany him to Devon, Clive is left in charge of the government's Healthy Eating campaign. Will the company survive with Clive in charge and, more importantly, will Charles survive without the cut and thrust of London? Charles Prentiss and Martin McCabe are spin masters in the world of government and media relations. Charles Prentiss - Stephen Fry Martin McCabe - John Bird Archie - Alex Lowe Clive - Tom George Roger - Ewan Bailey Geraldine - Beth Chalmers Music by Matthew Scott. Revenge is a gourmet dish best served cold when Martin deceives Charles. Producer: Dawn Ellis Revenge is a gourmet dish best served cold when Martin deceives Charles. Stars Stephen Fry and John Bird. From February 2004. |
| 04 | 04 LAST | 20040226 | 20250310 (BBC7) | The spin doctor firm is offered the chance to cross the pond and help with the presidential campaign. Charles can't resist the challenge of spinning in the land of the dirty trick, but Martin decides to stay at home. Could this be the end of a beautiful friendship? Charles Prentiss and Martin McCabe are spin masters in the world of government and media relations. Charles Prentiss - Stephen Fry Martin McCabe - John Bird Archie - Alex Lowe Clive - Tom George Alex - Beth Chalmers Music by Matthew Scott. Producer: Dawn Ellis Spin doctor Charles heads across the pond, leaving Martin to fend alone. Spin doctor Charles heads across the pond, leaving Martin to fend alone. Stars Stephen Fry and John Bird. From February 2004. |
| 04 | 04 LAST | 20040226 | 20120118 (BBC7) 20141015 (BBC7) 20141016 (BBC7) 20160819 (BBC7) 20181219 (BBC7) 20210902 (BBC7) 20210904 (BBC7) 20210905 (BBC7) | The spin doctor firm is offered the chance to cross the pond and help with the presidential campaign. Charles can't resist the challenge of spinning in the land of the dirty trick, but Martin decides to stay at home. Could this be the end of a beautiful friendship? Charles Prentiss and Martin McCabe are spin masters in the world of government and media relations. Charles Prentiss - Stephen Fry Martin McCabe - John Bird Archie - Alex Lowe Clive - Tom George Alex - Beth Chalmers Music by Matthew Scott. Spin doctor Charles heads across the pond, leaving Martin to fend alone. |