War and Pizza. Katy's off on a charity walk to Brighton for the local hospital, and Mike and Angelo decide to raise some money themselves by entering the fast food business. Unfortunately, it turns out they've accidentally muscled in on someone else's patch, and they soon find themselves in the process of being muscled back out again. This episode was originally broadcast on Thursday, 5th March, 1998.
There's some genuine tension in this one to accompany the usual tightly-written dialogue, plus a handful of references to draw attention to. I'm not sure whether I need to tell you that Mystic Meg was a household name back then as resident predictor of the National Lottery, who has since faded into obscurity - a fate that didn't befall the Teletubbies, who are mentioned most likely as an in-joke on Tim Whitnall, who narrated the show which just a few months earlier had had that UK number one novelty record we all remember. Again, is that common knowledge or not? Two other in-universe references are to the Mertz Mighty Fluffbuster from two years earlier ( • Mike and Angelo S8E6 (... ), and the recurring gangster Dan Sharkey, who sort of appeared in both series nine and an episode of Spatz ( • Spatz S2E11 (1991) - F... ). He's played by Anthony O'Donnell, who I think holds the distinction of being the only actor to complete the Great Pressman/Cathro Quadruple thanks to roles in The Tomorrow People and T-Bag.
Anyway, there's a nice theme of resolving problems in a non-violent manner in this one, a principle which seems to either apply or not apply depending on any given character's current predicament. Angelo's invention actually going right for once is an unexpected set-up, and the pizza-eating competition a clever resolution. I love Mike's almost postmodern "It all sounds so plausible! Something has to go horribly wrong..." gag after laying out the plot early on, but my favourite line has to be the one about Sharkey doing his bit for charity by donating three patients to the hospital. Another episodes that basically continues to escalate the whole way through, apart from the final minute or so - excellent fun.
There's a tiny bit of Children's ITV continuty at the beginning, including part of a promo for Hurricanes.
Many thanks to Lee for providing this recording.
(To the best of my knowledge, the contents of this video have never been available commercially anywhere in the world. Please also note that I don't monetise any of my uploads. Nevertheless, if you are a copyright holder and have an objection, please don't hesitate to contact me.)
24 авг 2024
