Absolute Power

Set in the Machiavellian world of modern PR, Absolute Power introduces us to London-based ‘government-media relations consultancy’ Prentiss McCabe, whose partners Charles Prentiss and Martin McCabe are frequently embroiled in the machinations of the British political system. Prentiss is ruthless, unscrupulous and will go to almost any lengths to pull off a big commission, while McCabe does have a moral compass, but is too laid-back and fond of claret to use it very often.

In episodes that could have been written yesterday, the duo’s targets for makeover include the Conservative Party, The Sun, the Mayor of London, the Church of England, Radio 3, English sporting success, the elderly, prisons, the Prime Minister, the Health Service, a Big Brother star, a tennis pro, men, the BBC, ‘the notion of Nation’, healthy eating and the US Presidential Campaign.

This complete collection includes all 21 episodes of the four series, first broadcast between 2000 and 2004, plus the special 2006 episode. Stephen Fry and John Bird star as Charles Prentiss and Martin McCabe, with Tamsin Greig as rival spin doctor Gayle Shand.

Episode guide
Series 1
1. Conservative Party
2. Relaunch of The Sun
3. Mayor of London
4. The Church of England
5. Radio 3
6. English Sporting Success
Series 2
1. Martin is Bored
2. Promoting Philosophy
3. Relaunching a Literary Career
4. The Elderly Initiative
5. Prison Reform
6. Gayle Shand
Series 3
1. Poking the PM
2. Health Service
3. Big Brother
4. A Tennis Star
5. Men
Series 3
1. The BBC
2 The Notion of Nation
3. Healthy Eating
4. US Presidential Campaign
Special Episode

MUSIC COMPOSED BY Matthew Scott
FIRST BROADCAST BBC Radio 4, 5 January 2000 – 11 November 2006
PRODUCED BY Paul Schlesinger (Series 1) and Dawn Ellis (Series 2-4 and Special)