Taking The Flak
- TV comedy drama / sitcom
- BBC Two
- 2009
- 7 episodes (1 series)
Comedy drama following a team of journalists in a war zone who are in a state of perpetual danger, not just from bombs... but each other too. Stars Martin Jarvis, Doon Mackichan, Bruce Mackinnon, Joanna Brookes, Damian O'Hare and more.
Episode menu
Series 1, Episode 7 - Viva Africa
Further details
A new democratic era dawns for the country as the exiled Lion Queen of Karibu returns to a heroine's welcome, a rally and an election. But what does the end of conflict mean for Harry, Grace, Samantha and the Sons Without Guns? What does the future hold for them, and for the country?
There's good news and bad as hopeless Harry finally hits his stride but loses his phone, his friends and maybe his future; while David's lack of action in the sack starts to affect his work ... and his colleagues.
Broadcast details
- Date
- Wednesday 19th August 2009
- Time
- 10pm
- Channel
- BBC Two
- Length
- 30 minutes
Cast & crew
| Martin Jarvis | David Bradburn |
| Doon Mackichan | Jane Thomason |
| Bruce Mackinnon | Harry Chambers |
| Joanna Brookes | Margaret Hollis |
| Damian O'Hare | Rory Wallace |
| Lydiah Gitachu | Grace Matiko |
| Lucy Chalkley | Samantha Cunningham Fleming |
| Harry Lloyd | Alexander Taylor-Pierce |
| Kobna Holdbrook-Smith | Joyful Sifuri |
| Rufus Wright | Clive (Election Inspector) |
| Onesmas Muthuri | Samson Pambazuka |
| Paul Ramtu | Rally Man 1 |
| Joel Otukho | Rally Man 2 |
| Onyango Owino | Rally Man 3 |
| Lucy Nyagah | Saada Simba |
| Sadat Mourad | Mkombe |
| Peter Sissons | Self |
| Jennie Bond | Self |
| Tira Shubart | Writer |
| Jon Rolph | Writer |
| Paul Kerensa | Writer (Additional Material) |
| Jon Rolph | Director |
| Adam Miller | Director |
| Tira Shubart | Producer |
| Jon Rolph | Producer |
| Jon Plowman | Executive Producer |
| William Webb | Editor |
| Georgina Millett | Production Designer |
| David Lowe | Composer |
Video
Sexy Booty Call with Jennie Bond
David attempts to chat up Jennie Bond.
Featuring: Martin Jarvis (David Bradburn) & Jennie Bond.
Press
Even if the comedy here was always too broad to cut it with the best of satire, the series ends very much as it began - with a gentle burbling of in-jokes and good humour. The BBC's senior foreign correspondent has begun to suffer from such chronic sexual frustration that he is displaying symptoms of dementia. In desperation he rings up Jennie Bond - playing herself - in the hope that they could "do things" together. "I've said it to John Humphrys," she replies, "and I say it to you. NO!" This final episode also represents the triumph of the underdog, as Harry the hapless stringer (Bruce Mackinnon) finally shows a glimmer of talent. At the very least, this was a better class of light entertainment.
David Chater, The Times, 19th August 2009This corking satire could win an award for Most Scandalously Overlooked Programme. From puncturing reporters' egos to outright mockery of the news, this has been terrific, and the final bulletin from the war-ravaged African nation of Karibu announces the conflict has ended - but Harry and David's own troubles are far from over...
What's On TV, 19th August 2009