Editing 2DTV (section)

==Background==
''2DTV'' employed the same [[satirical]] style as ''[[Spitting Image]]'' but used [[animation]] rather than puppets. The animation was produced using computer graphics, frequently with animators working up to the day of broadcast. The producer, Giles Pilbrow, was a veteran of ''[[Spitting Image]]'', as were some of the show's [[voice artist]]s.

The series was directed by Tim Searle. ''2DTV'' was first broadcast in 2001, but an un-broadcast pilot episode was recorded nearly six months earlier. The pilot episode featured the resident [[News presenter|newsreader]] played by [[Alistair McGowan]], but the character was not carried over when the full seven-part first series was commissioned by [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]. Each episode in the first series lasted ten minutes.

A second seven-episode series began broadcasting in 2002, with each episode again lasting ten minutes. The series spawned its own official single in July 2002, "[[Shoot the Dog]]", performed by [[George Michael]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2146153.stm|title=Shoot the Dog: Your views|website=bbc.co.uk|date=31 July 2002|access-date=26 November 2020}}</ref> The music video features an animated Michael, plus several other characters from ''2DTV'' performing the song.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/jul/02/politics.arts|title=George Michael video rages at US policy in Middle East and attacks 'poodle' Blair|website=theguardian.com|date=2 July 2002|access-date=26 November 2020}}</ref>

A commercial for the home media compilation ''The Best of 2DTV'' was banned by the [[Broadcast Advertising Clearance Centre]] in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2518151.stm|title=Satire ads banned for Bush 'insult'|website=news.bbc.co.uk|date=27 November 2002|access-date=19 November 2020}}</ref> The commercial depicted [[George W. Bush]] taking one VHS out of its case and putting it in his [[toaster]]. Ofcom stated that advertisements for products cannot appear to be endorsed by someone without their permission – in this case, George W. Bush.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2527501.stm|title=Satire ad ban 'too hasty'|website=news.bbc.co.uk|date=29 November 2002|access-date=19 November 2020}}</ref> The original advert was reworked into a sketch in which Bush writes a letter complaining about being portrayed as a moron by the media, then proceeding to "post" the letter in his toaster. The programme creators subsequently proposed another commercial, this time satirising [[Osama bin Laden]], but they were informed that this would also be banned on the grounds that Bin Laden would have to give permission for his image to be used.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://marketinglaw.osborneclarke.com/marketing-techniques/2dtv-ad-irks-regulators/|title=2DTV ad irks regulators|website=marketinglaw.osborneclarke.com|date=17 December 2002|access-date=20 June 2022}}</ref>

Another commercial satirised [[David Beckham]] compiling his list for Christmas, asking his [[Victoria Beckham|wife]]; "how do you spell DVD?".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://marketinglaw.osborneclarke.com/marketing-techniques/2dtv-ad-irks-regulators/|title=2DTV ad irks regulators|work=osborneclarke.com|date=12 December 2002|access-date=7 September 2016}}</ref> A ban was later overturned on the grounds that the commercial was legitimate satire and the commercial was shown unedited. The programme's creators claimed that the controversy generated more interest in the show than the adverts could ever have done alone.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeCQFnLiNmE| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914221106/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeCQFnLiNmE| archive-date=14 September 2020 | url-status=dead|title=YouTube|website=www.youtube.com}}</ref>

For the third series, each episode was extended to 20 minutes, including advertisements. After the third series, many of the original cast members, including [[Jon Culshaw]], [[Jan Ravens]] and [[Mark Perry (impressionist)|Mark Perry]], decided to leave following an announcement that the fourth series would be extended to 30 minutes per episode. New cast members [[Lewis MacLeod (actor)|Lewis MacLeod]], [[Kate O'Sullivan]] and [[Enn Reitel]] took over, appearing alongside the only remaining original cast member, [[Dave Lamb]]. All four returned for the fifth series in 2004, but due to falling ratings, its broadcast was placed in the so-called [[graveyard slot]], and the show was officially cancelled at the end of that year.