Press Gang

The first series of Press Gang was released on DVD in the UK on February 2nd 2004. I believe it's Region 0, so anyone anywhere can view the DVD.

Press Gang is my favourite TV show of all time. Top notch writing and brilliant acting; funny, moving, thought-provoking - it was a show that excelled in all areas. Highly recommended.

The chemistry between fiesty,ruthless super-bitch editor lynda, and cocky, wise cracking American Spike was sizzling! makes the likes of joey and pacey seem-dare i say it?-overly melodramatic and fake. One thing that press gang is not is fake. unique and ahead of it's time, yes. But no way is it fake because the characters, though quirky and lovable, are also real and strike a cord with viewers. Again, if u compare it to contemporary shows like dawsons creek (and i was a fan of DC believe it or not!) press gang still comes out tops coz despite being over 10 yrs older the dialogue still seems fresher and more intelligent. And it was press gang who started using self-referential gags first, not kevin-scream-williamson! I also liked the basically mute tiddler (the origional maggie simpson) The hilarious wheeler dealer colin (like a younger boycee but then again a total one-off) and the voice overs at the end (very kevin-from-the wonder years) Basically if u haven't heard of this show (and u probobly haven't coz it's criminally under publicised) then 2 words...watch it! My only regret is not taping the entire lot. I've finally nabbed series 1 dvd's from ebay but if any1 has any old tapes from the rest of the series please, PLEASE email me and let me borrow them! I will pay u whatever is neccesary! xx

When I was a kid I absolutely loved "Press Gang".

I really feel sorry for the children of today, who get served up so much crap. This show never once underestimated the intelligence of its audience. The story-lines and characters were believable, intelligent, gripping and emotionally powerful, as well as being incredibly funny.

I wanted to be just like the people in this show, and I even started writing my own "newspaper"!

Lynda Day was such a great character, played with real enthusiasm by the wonderful Julia Sawalha. And the supporting cast were magnificent.

The show was not afraid to address confronting social issues that were relevant to its audience. In some ways it is quite like the "Degrassi" series.

I long to see this show repeated on television here. Oh Press Gang, I love you!

Oh, God, why did I write that. No-one will read any further; people make similar claims so freely about any old rubbish. -But in this case it's TRUE, dammit.

Hilariously funny in every episode, seriously emotional in some, tautly dramatic in most, with great performances from a very young cast (Julia Sawalha is more famous for other shows, but she has never had a better role)... look, trust me, everyone who has watched this show loves it. It represents the triumph of the script by an individual (Steven Moffat) over the script by committee.

To say Press Gang was unique in style and acting and writing was an understatment. This was a constantly enjoyable smart funny drama. In america it would have had a Prime time slot like Buffy Dawsons or 90210. But as itv saw it as Childrens tv it was left at 4.40pm though it won bafta awards for best childrens tv.

It pushed boundries with its subject matters, dealing child abuse (the award winning first season), drug abuse, bullying, and suicide and this was in the even from the very first few episodes and its humour was very adult for the time of day but the children watching would not have realised many of the more subtle oneliners.

Set in the news office of a local teen newspaper its follows the lives and loves of its reporters and editor Linda Day (Julia Sawalha) and her star reporter Spike Thompson. This setting allowed for some very funny comedy and top quality acting. Colin and the rabbit suit or the bird infestations or the ping pong balls.

like its audience it grew up very quickly but from the first episode was unmissable and like grange hill it spawned top actors who crop up every where. I was sad when it finished good thing i taped em really!