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HomeGazetteTartan tongue slasher

Tartan tongue slasher

– Danny Buttler
THE Thick of It is like 1990s political comedy Spin City, only it’s funny, lashed with the filthiest language heard outside of the Collingwood cheer squad and most definitely does not wrap up each show with a moral lesson and a happy ending.
The show has been described as a 21st Century version of Yes Minister, although it’s hard to imagine Humphrey Appleby dropping the c-word or Jim Hacker being berated by Bernard.
The Thick of It is certainly as well written as the 1980s classic. The bonus is that it’s a lot more fun.
The central character is Malcolm Tucker, Scottish spin doctor and 10 Downing Street enforcer whose outrageous but effective thuggery terrifies everyone from government ministers downwards.
If you can imagine a Glasgow gang leader put in a suit and sent to Whitehall, you have a fair idea of the cunning and cruelty that Tucker brings to his job.
First screened in 2005, there are more seriesin the wind.
A feature film was released a couple of years back.
For anyone who likesto laugh, is interested inpolitics and doesn’t mind hearing a Scotsman threaten to flay a co-worker and use their skin for a sleeping bag, then this show might be just the ticket.

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