Absolute Power

TV Show (2003 - 2006)

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Synopsis:

Political comedy series starring Stephen Fry and John Bird as spin doctors who have reached the top of their profession. Written by Mark Tavener

Cast:

Stephen Fry as Charles Prentiss, John Bird as Martin McCabe, Stephen Boxer as Nigel Harting, Alex Lowe as Archie Hilditch, Andrew Whipp as Marcus Payne, Tom George as Clive, Sharon Horgan as Teresa

Credits:

Mark Tavener - Scriptwriter, Mark Lawson - Scriptwriter, Andy Rattenbury - Scriptwriter, Guy Andrews - Scriptwriter

On TV

On DVD

Online

Episode Guide

Season 2 - Absolute Power

Season 2 Episode 6: The House of Lords (2005) Angus Deayton guest stars as the Prime Minister's press secretary Colin Priestly, who asks Prentiss McCabe if they could come up with some suggestions for undermining the power of the House of Lords, a task the duo accept. The only problem is Martin, hoping for a peerage himself, has already agreed to work for the upper chamber in countering the Government's smear campaign - but Charles doesn't see a problem with doing both and discrediting Downing Street into the bargain. Last in…
Season 2 Episode 5: Spinning America (2006) Prentiss and McCabe are stunned when they are asked to improve America's image in the wake of falling fast-food sales - but quickly come up with a negative campaign that suggests how dull life would be if Switzerland were a superpower. Meanwhile, Jamie and Alison try to boost a travel presenter's ratings by making him seem less likeable. Political comedy series, starring Stephen Fry and John Bird as the supreme spin doctors, with guest stars John Sessions, Tim Brooke-Taylor and Bill Ho…
Season 2 Episode 4: The Nation's Favourite (2005) Political comedy, starring Stephen Fry and John Bird as supreme spin doctors Prentiss and McCabe. A Saudi billionaire asks the pair for help with his bid to buy British Airways, but unfortunately he shares a surname with one of the world's most feared terrorists - and it's going to require the PR campaign of the century to complete the deal
Season 2 Episode 3: Blood Bank (2005) A controversial artist, creator of a piece made from pints of his own blood, wants to turn down his place on the Turner Prize shortlist. McCabe can't stand artistic types and is ready to wash his hands of the affair - but Prentiss, newly released from jail, hatches a plan that could blow the art world to smithereens and set their client up as the biggest hoaxer of all time. Political comedy, starring Stephen Fry and John Bird
Season 2 Episode 2: The Trial (2005) Prentiss is put on trial when a client reveals the spin doctor asked him to confess to statutory rape in order to gain maximum publicity from his repentance. McCabe and the team are faced with promoting their colleague as a man of the people - while receiving speculative CVs from candidates wanting to replace him including Alistair Campbell, Andrew Neill and Jeffrey Archer. Political comedy series, starring Stephen Fry and John Bird, with guest appearances by Kirsty Wark, Richard Madeley and Jud…
Season 2 Episode 1: Identity Crisis (2006) New series of the political comedy, starring Stephen Fry and John Bird as supreme spin doctors Prentiss and McCabe. The PR maestros' latest challenge is to sell the idea of ID cards to a sceptical British public - and things are made more complicated when MI5 appear to be bugging their offices. With guest appearances by Dermot Murnaghan and Alan Hansen

Season 1 - Absolute Power

Season 1 Episode 6: Burn and Crash (2003) Prentiss-McCabe is struck by scandal when one of their most lucrative clients, comedian Alan Boardman, is caught on camera beating up his girlfriend. Charles sets out to save both their careers with a plan that is morally dubious even by his standards
Season 1 Episode 5: Country Life (2003) The Real Country Union pressure group launches itself as a political party, and enlists Charles and Martin to represent it. However, a few sinister revelations about the union put Charles' belief that he can spin the unspinnable to the test. Geoffrey Palmer guest stars
Season 1 Episode 4: Mr Fox (2003) In the last episode of the series, the firm receives an offer of work in the USA, and while Charles finds the prospect of helping the presidential campaign mouth-watering, Martin decides to remain in good old Blighty. Is this the parting of the ways for the kings of spin? Mark Tavener's comedy, starring Stephen Fry and John Bird
Season 1 Episode 3: Tory Woman (2003) Tory MP Joanne Standing lands in trouble after insulting her leader, so it's up to spin doctor Prentiss to rejuvenate her career. Meanwhile, McCabe lives in fear of physical assault from an irate celebrity chef after messing up his latest restaurant opening night. Political comedy series, starring Stephen Fry and John Bird, with guest appearances by Phillip Schofield, Fern Britton and Huw Edwards
Season 1 Episode 2: Pope Idol (2003) Spin doctors Prentiss and McCabe take part in a charity football tournament, but Charles doesn't quite play the game. He is more interested in the case of a brilliant Welsh footballer who wants to convince the authorities he's English so he can compete in the next World Cup. Political comedy, with Stephen Fry and John Bird
Season 1 Episode 1: History Man (2003) Political comedy, starring Stephen Fry and John Bird as spin doctors Prentiss and McCabe, who have their work cut out representing a celebrated history presenter whose latest 'discovery' is revealed as a fake by a newspaper editor. To make matters worse, their newest, talentless client is making ridiculous demands which could end in disaster. Part of Radio Week

Absolute Power - LocateTV
Entertainment - Comedy